Browser-Based Game needs Maps!

[Idlemedia]

These are just flat maps that are viewable when users browse to different areas.

Examples:
http://v2.prisonblock.com/images/maps/Prison-Hall-pid1-map8.jpg

http://v2.prisonblock.com/images/maps/Graveyard-pid1-map4.jpg

Here is an example of a map in-page:
http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/262/0208831043.jpg

You will not be required to follow the style... in fact, we're looking for a fresh style. We're going to need something like 20-30 maps initially.

If you're interested, let me know! Include some pricing please!

Thanks guys

[Brashen]

I'm sorry could you please elaborate? Since your posting in the 500 and below section you basically asking fro each map to be $10-$15. I'm sorry but that's a bit cheap seeing as how you want fully coloured maps. No bad intentions here, just need some clarification.

[Idlemedia]

No, I'm not asking that low. I posted here because the price of each map is under $500. If you are interested then please let me know and we can mutually work out pricing

[Sorukayde]

Well, I've been looking around concept art for some time now behind the scenes so to speak but decided to sign up today because I noticed this thread.

I would like to warn members about this project. The first map was originally designed by myself for this individual and for the Prison Block game. This person had another designer working on this as well to my understanding, and the idea was we both work on it and who ever makes the best designs for each object gets the design through however we both get paid regardless.

After completing some weapons/items for the game and being successfully paid I then undertook one of the maps. I was having problems with my Illustrator and the project was delayed by a few days. I kept in contact with them throughout. When the map design was completely finished I sent all the files over but this person seemed to just "disappear" not responding to any of my emails. Eventually I gave up but after noticing this thread I now realize the other designer has taken my initial sketch and basically just copied it right down to the mop in the cupboard and the mouse hole. In fact, it's a complete rip off of my design. (I'm guessing he just passed on my sketch to the other designer). Since I was never paid for this design and it was not intended for use by other designers etc this is very questionable behavior (and quite frustrating for me to boot).

So yeah. Thought I should warn you guys. :(

[Idlemedia]

If I am correct and this person is Stephanie Adelaar, then her post is not accurate. I contracted her to do items and since that was mostly successful I asked her for a map. She did the map in 3D style, but I still decided to go ahead with it.

First mock was received march 6th, I gave feedback and waited. On the 8th, I got another update. I let her know it was started to looked cramped and hopefully this could be worked on.

I got this email on the 10th:

Hi there,



I thought you would appreciate an email to let you know how things are getting on. I’ve been a bit busy sorting out my laptop etc so not much else done on the map at the moment, looking to get more done on the map tonight and tomorrow plus character sketches for you to view tomorrow too. Ill put the characters on separate layers in the .ai image file so that you can easily turn their visibility on or off for the images you need if you want to move people around or remove them at certain times of the day etc. Ill be finishing off the main map area with no top line of cells first then once you have had a look you can tell me if you want a top line of cells or what. I would have liked to have cells featured for the area but its more important to get the essentials in really so we will see.



Kindest Regards

soru

I responded with: "Thanks for the update", got one more email, responded with this feedback:

Hey Stephanie,

I think I will still want that second level (especially with the stairs there. Also, on the left side, it seems the perspectives are off, for example look at the top of the exit door and the top row of stairs

And never heard from her again.

As she herself has said, I fully paid her for the items she created, and would have had no problem paying for the maps created (even if it wasn't used - as I paid for the maps shown here but am not opposed to going with a new style) if she had kept in touch.

Unfortunately, it seems very common to have designers who do very good work, then when you offer them ongoing work, they flake out. With her excuses about her laptop and no communication for days, I assumed this is what happened here (as with the items, she was in communication multiple times per day) and wrote her off.

I am no child who is out to rip people off. I pay for work, always. Even at this point if you were to show me the completed piece of work, I'd pay you for your time even though I wouldn't use it.

However you are outright LYING. You never sent over any files other than the mockup, which I will post right here for all to see. As for me "copying"? Are you kidding? Was it not I who sent YOU my own (half-assed I admit) sketch on what I wanted it to look like? So should it not stand to reason that one done by another designer would look the same? Did I copy the graveyard as well? Or any other map in the game?

I've spent thousands in artwork for this site. I have no reason to rip you off for $90 ($100 - 10% off you offered me). Anyone curious, here is a link to contests I've held on 99designs where I've paid much more than $90 without an issue:

Prisonblock's layout: http://99designs.com/contests/16914
Arcade: http://99designs.com/contests/22311

2 logos, both of which cost more than the cost of the map you never completed:
http://99designs.com/contests/22330
http://99designs.com/contests/17702

and if that's not enough proof, anyone I've spoken to, I've offered to PAY UP FRONT. So admit it, you flaked off, and for whatever reason now you are looking to cause a ruckus.

Here is the last image I received from her (this was back in March mind you, no communication since):

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/1991/map2a.th.gif (http://img14.imageshack.us/i/map2a.gif/)

[Idlemedia]

why was my rebuttal deleted? Does Stephanie have friends on the staff?

*edit* as proof, here is a screenshot showing that this thread should have 5 replies, that means Brashen, my response to brashen, Stephanie, my rebuttal and then this post = 5. Yet if you scroll through the posts, you'll only see 4 replies?

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8651/replies.jpg

You will also notice my post count is 4, but when you search for posts by me, only 3 results?

I completely explained my side without resorting to name-calling and provided proof that her claim was false, so why delete my rebuttal, especially when her accusation remains up?

[Sorukayde]

look, i think they may have deleted it because they don't want the thread spamming up or perhaps did not like you posting my private emails, i don't know anyone here, i just signed up today.

Regardless i have copies of all emails i sent you sent 1-3 on the days of 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 16th and received no responses from you. IF you did not receive my emails or the files why didn't you contact me at all about it? you just left it as that last email asking for changes and then didn't inquire even once? I could have easily sent them over to you again if you had asked where they were.

Also the project was completed in illustrator to my previous style with everything expanded and 2D. It is also quite evident that it IS a copy of my design. i have the original sketch in my hands and can provide the scanned sketch easily on request.

Anyway, if you want to discuss this further you have my email address. I'm sure ill get told off for posting this now but honestly, you didn't pay for the work, you didn't contact me, you ripped off my sketch so I'm asking people here to be vigilant about this. It's up to them what they do.

[Idlemedia]

That makes no sense. If they didn't want this thread to degrade, then why leave your accusation up? I posted copies of both my and your messages. I DID send followup emails, to which you never responded.

You see the last image I posted correct? Does that look complete to you? Then why lie and say you sent me the final files? The image was NOT complete and you know it. As I said, I have spent thousands on this game, and I would not ruin the image of myself or my company by shortchanging someone $90.00 especially when I've shown that I spend much more than that on logos alone.

You have my email if you want to discuss, but you'll also have to realize that after this song and dance, I'm going to be much more resistant to working with you.

[Sorukayde]

I would be happy to send you an email shortly. Please understand though, i do not want to work with you again, I'm also not fishing for money, I just wanted to let people know there may be a risk involved. If you wish me to re-send you the map I would be happy to do so and I know it was still awaiting further feedback from you but I never received any more communications from you about it so that was that and I too gave up on you like you did me.

I'm sorry if I put on a "song and dance" I'm just a little frustrated and letting it get the better of me and in that respect I also apologize to the members of this forum and the mods of course.

EDIT: Just sent you an email :)

[Idlemedia]

No email yet...

In any case, if any designer has any concerns about Stephanie's claims, just ask, I'll send you the same evidence I previously posted. As I said, I have no reason to rip someone off for $90.

[Brashen]

If you guys are having problems emailing each other than I suggest you either private message each other on here or resort to Instant messaging programs like MSN. I do this with all my clients so that if they need to discuss something urgently with me they can contact me instantly and without any hassle.

Hope you guys fix your problems.

[Sorukayde]

Idlemedia: Is your email still (See your PM's) ?

Plus, what evidence of what? How you can send email evidence that I didn't send anything? All you can do is show some of the emails you got, which doesn't prove anything, all it does it prove there were delays on the project which I already said there was in my first post. I have myself email proof that I did send you various emails to which you didn't reply. Since neither of us can show the other did not reply it's pointless sending people my private emails like that.

You are also forgetting that while you claim you have no reason to rip me off, what reason do I have exactly for warning members about you if it's not true? What would be the point?

Brashen: Good idea :) I'm sending a copy of my email through PM too.

[Tom Garden]

Please stop airing your dirty laundry in the job posting forums - this whole thread is doing neither of you any favors.

[Idlemedia]

I agree, as I said, I'm done with her. Thank you to the designers who have contacted me.

[Ebony-chan]

Sorukayde thanks for the warning please not to turn this into a flame war. Just warn people and keep at it that. You can also speak with a mode about this to keep this from happening to another artist.

[Idlemedia]

Sorukayde thanks for the warning please not to turn this into a flame war. Just warn people and keep at it that. You can also speak with a mode about this to keep this from happening to another artist.

See, this is the reason that I am upset my rebuttal was removed, yet her accusation was kept up.

I'll reiterate:

I felt SHE had disappeared
I did not "steal" her artwork, in fact, I was the one who provided the original "sketch" which became the final drawing
I have offered to pay her for the work she has done (no response on that)
I did NOT receive final files. I received some odd 3D rendering which can be seen below


http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4752/map2.gif (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/map2.gif/)

As she herself said, it was unfinished, and when I heard nothing more from her, I moved on to another designer to get the job done (who was also paid in full). As I said, I paid for her first work for me (I have the receipt) and have offered to compensate her for the work done on the map above. Any designers I have decided to work with from this listing, have been offered payment up front. What more do you want? What would contacting a mod do? Stop me from being honest, offering good-will up-front payment and searching to establish relationships with competent designers?


I don't want this to ruin my reputation, but I feel like them keeping her claim up while removing my rebuttal leaves designers like ebony-chan believing her side which just isn't true (perhaps in her view).

[J Wilson]

As far as I can see ALL posts are still up on both sides. I know I haven't deleted any posts, and it doesn't sound like something the other mods would do either. Perhaps this is a browser cache issue? CA also recently upgraded it's forums so maybe it's a bug.

Regardless, both sides seem to have explained what they feel happened. It sounds to me like a simple break down of communication. I don't want to lock the thread in case there are other legit questions from interested parties, but let's consider the disagreement at least aired.

If anyone is not seeing Idlemedia's initial response in this thread let me know through private message and I'll repost it.

[Ebony-chan]

You beat me to it Wilson to me this sound like a lack of communication. Which is very important when working on any project. Idlemedia I thank her for her warning because this happens to a lot of artists. This gives other artists a choice rather or not if they want to work with the employer.Samething with the artist if an artist is known for cheating lots of employers than other employers need to know.

[Idlemedia]

Thank you for restoring the post J Wilson. I hope that will help assuage any doubts a potential designer may have.

[Strela]

I hope that will help assuage any doubts a potential designer may have.

Oh yeah, the project sounds like a real winner.

[Idlemedia]

Oh yeah, the project sounds like a real winner.

The point of that post is? Apparently designers DO find it an attractive project. If you do not, then why bother posting? It's childish.

If it were not for the quality leads I ended up finding here, I'd be annoyed at the person that recommended I try this forum.

Class A bunch.

[J Wilson]

By the original posters request I'm going to lock this thread.

I want to point out, that whenever possible it's in everyone's best interest to try to work things out privately and professionally. Sometimes communication breaks down. Coming to a forum to point a finger should be a last resort after you've exhausted other options. It sounds to me like either party could have sent a follow up email or two and avoided the whole mess.