About hiring people

[UberMedic7 55]

So last night i was thinking and said "Hey, maybe i need to hire people to help me out on my project?" Because im deffinetly need a few things done by other people but some things trouble me. For example, i have doubts that the skilled people i'll probably need are will to work on a project such as mine, then there's other who want to get paid, its sort of troubling. So i want your opinions on what should i do? If i should hire people what my approach should be? And yes, so far im all alone working on my project.

[+ Retired 274]

If you intend to properly hire than you need money or at least a budget.

 

You should also have a clear vision of what you want with references.

 

Commissioners don't like ambiguous script requests

 

Like make it look like x

 

Something more like I need x item in x dimensions here are x references of what it should be and my dead line x date / I have no immediate deadline.

 

If your project has a clear vision, it's easier to get people onboard.

[UberMedic7 55]

Well, its pretty obvious i cannot pay people to work for me so yeah...

[+ caelumania 54]

You can probably start by avoiding words like hire and statements like "work for me", hehe. It kind of implies something you know. Anyway, I've noticed is that quite a few people don't really seem to know how to ask others for favors properly. Being nice helps a lot imo. Look at Knighterius, his friends here tend to help him a lot. 

[Spectre 829]

Well, its pretty obvious i cannot pay people to work for me so yeah...

That will certainly narrow your choices down a lot, but if you do want some skilled hands helping with your project, I suggest the following tips:

 

First things first:

Make a note of all the elements you need for your project.

Generally this should be your weakest links - say, you can't do scripting or graphics. Look for scripters or digital artists. For the latter, I assure you there are plenty.

 

Polish up your own portfolio.

I cannot stress this enough.

Make sure your own work is presentable, and that your project is worthy of being worked on by other, most likely more experienced users, of the forum. This also gives anyone coming across your project an idea of what it's about, and whether the working style suits them.

 

Look through the Skill Display Forum.

This allows you to gauge who is up for hire, and for what cost. They'll also indicate things like project preferences (RTS, RPG etc).

 

Make a thread on the Recruitment Forum.

Indicate also:

• All vital details about your project - storyline, intended themes and features. Links to concept threads, if possible.
• The types of people you intend to hire.
• Possible compensation: generally few people work completely free of charge, and even if you can't pay in cash you can compensate with free resources/helping on their projects.

Stalk potential talent.

No, I'm serious. If you want to get the best of the best, you need to gauge for yourself who does what well on the forum. Look around the threads, and snoop out prominent names - NH97 and myself for graphics, for instance, or Tsarmina for sprites/bg. Send PMs asking nicely, indicating your terms and conditions, and vital details of your project. Make sure you note:

1. Their work style. A music composer, as good as he may be, may not work with gothic tunes, or electronic.
2. Their past work and track records; reviews from fellow forum members, if any.
3. Their own projects. Allusion, for instance, is a prodigal artist, but she's really bogged down with work, so don't ask her unless it's paid, heheh.

Make sure you also spend time to get to know the forum peeps, as Cael mentioned. Nobody likes having a complete stranger ask them for help out of the blue, and it helps to have a nice looking concept thread to begin with, or being friendly with everyone else.

 

BTW, Cael, Knighty and I, and a few others, have done a collab recently. Be sure to check out the art thread when it's out! <3

[UberMedic7 55]

Thanks everyone. So far i can think of, i need a composer, probably an artist and maybe someone who knows balancing and stats but yeah, i just hope people will actually gain interest into working with me.

[Spectre 829]

Then link a project page, show what it's about, and tell people what makes your project different and worth working on.

 

I don't think you need someone who knows about stats. That comes when you take the game to beta and let people test it; you'll have a feel of what is balanced, and what is not, by then.

 

Composers are pretty rare. Try asking Jonnie91 (yes, the mod). He might be of assistance. As for artists, check back at the Art Forum frequently for updates on The Pantheon.

[UberMedic7 55]

Then link a project page, show what it's about, and tell people what makes your project different and worth working on.

 

Having a page for my project sounds good but so far i only have bits of the story some concept mechanics and everything else is done in game i dont know if i have enough info to show :/

[When Bugs Roam Ur House 656]

 

Then link a project page, show what it's about, and tell people what makes your project different and worth working on.

 

Having a page for my project sounds good but so far i only have bits of the story some concept mechanics and everything else is done in game i dont know if i have enough info to show :/

Imo, i think you will need to have more done. Idk about everyone else, but i never do requests/ commissions for projects that are only an idea. I either check/ask the requestee for some solid proof, past work, or for skills of their own. : )

 

I think many people have had the exerience of the requestee/project leader either disappearing, or being disorganized. (Not saying that is you.)

 

Also consider that the more experienced someone is, the more likely they will prefer to work with someone experienced as well.

 

 

i.e, the kid who gets A's in class does not want to work with the kid who's completely lost. : ) The A-student might be nice enough to help if you ask, but you either need to get some assignments done too, or be their friend in return.

[Knighterius 502]

You can probably start by avoiding words like hire and statements like "work for me", hehe. It kind of implies something you know. Anyway, I've noticed is that quite a few people don't really seem to know how to ask others for favors properly. Being nice helps a lot imo. Look at Knighterius, his friends here tend to help him a lot. 

^~^ They sure do! And I am thankful for everyone who does! And Cael, has a point though, I am generally a nice and kind person and I help out a lot through PM when I can. I don't seek out these people and hire them in fact I don't even expect anyone to give me their help but it's amazing when they do and I can never be more thankful. Just kindness I suppose. hehe Idk.

[UberMedic7 55]

 

 

Then link a project page, show what it's about, and tell people what makes your project different and worth working on.

Having a page for my project sounds good but so far i only have bits of the story some concept mechanics and everything else is done in game i dont know if i have enough info to show :/

Imo, i think you will need to have more done. Idk about everyone else, but i never do requests/ commissions for projects that are only an idea. I either check/ask the requestee for some solid proof, past work, or for skills of their own. : )

 

I think many people have had the exerience of the requestee/project leader either disappearing, or being disorganized. (Not saying that is you.)

 

Also consider that the more experienced someone is, the more likely they will prefer to work with someone experienced as well.

 

 

i.e, the kid who gets A's in class does not want to work with the kid who's completely lost. : ) The A-student might be nice enough to help if you ask, but you either need to get some assignments done too, or be their friend in return.

 

 

I get what you mean, and on my defense, its not that my project has nothing, its just that i have a little bit of everything. Some part of the story, some maps made, some database work.

[Spectre 829]

Make a thread in this forum, post whatever you have, describe your project, and make a nicely written request for help in the Recruitment Thread. Then link your project work from Theory & Development.

 

This'll give you adequate leverage to market your project as a worthy investment of time for other developers, and at least have something to fall back on to know what you're on about.

[TheoAllen 830]

From my experience, working in a project with less people increase the efficiency

A lot of people in one project tend to wait for each other turn. Like, in order to make maps, they need to wait for the tilesetters, etc ...

 

Also, if it's your project, paid work will have a bigger chance to get a team member

If you couldn't pay them, then at least make your project as their project too.

Shared idea would be the nice. 

 

The key is to communicate outside the forum. Maybe a skype chat / PM / whatnot

When your idea come up, you started to said to your partner "Hey, let's make a game with <description goes here>"

And if s/he agree, then the first step is done. A collaboration project.

[Tsukihime 1,489]

Well, its pretty obvious i cannot pay people to work for me so yeah...

There are several reasons why someone would help another

 

- personal gain (fame, fortune, etc.)

- they like helping people

- your proposal interests them

- someone is holding them at gunpoint to help you

 

The main question you need to ask yourself is "why should someone spend their time to help me, rather than someone else, or their own project?"

 

Spectre shows you that you need to market yourself in a positive way. This is giving reason for others to look at what you've got.

 

Payment can be in the form of interesting problems, or free advertising for themselves. Someone that doesn't need money anymore because they simply have too much of it probably wouldn't be too concerned with whether you'll give them some more money or not.

 

There are a lot of people in the world that have all of their basic needs met and are looking for more stimulating things to do with their life. Maybe if they see potential in your proposition they'll give you a chance.

 

If the game turns out to be the next greatest thing ever, I'm sure the people that contributed to the project would be more than happy to put that on their own portfolios.

 

Saying you "obviously cannot pay people" means a lot more than just "I don't have much $$$". If you obviously cannot (or are unwilling to) compensate people for their time no matter what then that's a pretty clear sign maybe they should find something else to do.

Edited December 29, 2014 by Tsukihime

[UberMedic7 55]

About the money. When i said i cannot pay people, i mean that literly. I dont even have enough money to get me a desktop. Of course if people do want to work with me i would return the favor one way or another. Another thing that kind of holds me back on asking for help or even show what project i work on is because i think my game wont be that great therefore wont attract the nessecary attention and as said before, not many people help out a newbie, especially if he doesnt give any money.

[Spectre 829]

About the money. When i said i cannot pay people, i mean that literly. I dont even have enough money to get me a desktop. Of course if people do want to work with me i would return the favor one way or another.

Hime just said, you can do favors for them. Yes, monetary concerns will greatly reduce your available talent pool, but that doesn't mean you're unable to find help.

 

 

Another thing that kind of holds me back on asking for help or even show what project i work on is because i think my game wont be that great therefore wont attract the nessecary attention and as said before, not many people help out a newbie, especially if he doesnt give any money.

If you're going to be so negative about it, it'll be even more difficult to help you out.

 

As I mentioned before, and I will mention again: Yes, you are a newbie. Yes, not that many people know about your project. Then stop telling us that you're not confident about it, and make a page that is memorable and one that is interesting - find a way to define your project so it catches the attention of people. It doesn't have to be groundbreaking or revolutionize the RPG genre. It just needs to catch our attention with what little you have. Even if at least two people visit it, that's two people who have a better chance of working with you.

 

I've seen default resources make amazing maps and games. I've seen the blandest of pictures and graphics have excellent storywriting behind that. And I've seen people who, in the absence of all these, ask for help for free. There's plenty of resources on this website, and on others, that will teach you not only how to write up a nice game synopsis or preview, but how to market your game and improve on it as a developer.

 

Getting someone to work with you, long-term, is a difficult investment that requires you, as a developer, to tell people why you need their help over a consistent period of time. Periodically asking for advice, or even free resources from time to time, is a lot easier on us all.

 

If you're absolutely sure of what you need, and what your project lacks, but you're not sure how to market it, I suggest you try to ask around for advice/help before committing to getting someone to work on your project, or a collaborated one, for awhile.

[Tsukihime 1,489]

About the money. When i said i cannot pay people, i mean that literly. I dont even have enough money to get me a desktop. Of course if people do want to work with me i would return the favor one way or another. Another thing that kind of holds me back on asking for help or even show what project i work on is because i think my game wont be that great therefore wont attract the nessecary attention and as said before, not many people help out a newbie, especially if he doesnt give any money.

If you display enthusiasm and passion people are more likely to help you than if you did not.

 

The worst thing that can happen is when I do some work on a project, and then the project never goes through because the person in charge got bored, was too ambitious, changed plans, etc etc.

 

These can be mitigated by having a concrete plan to demonstrate that you have some idea where you're headed with whatever idea you have.

 

It could be something quick and simple like 2048 for RPG Maker This can be done on your own. The original creator did it over a weekend. The requirements are not particularly complex IMO.

 

Or it can be some really complex story with beautiful characters and animations and all. Which probably couldn't be done by one person and would likely require assistance. But not always: given enough time, you could possibly do it yourself).

 

If you don't have confidence in your idea, how can we?

Edited December 30, 2014 by Tsukihime

[UberMedic7 55]

Well you guys are right, is just that i have doubts in what im capable of, i was also thinking of making a teaser video of my game but i dont know if i should, because then if people want to play my game after all, i might delay/scrap it and disappoint them and i dont want that, scrapping or delaying a project is quite bad for me.