Concept and asset designer wanted (urgently)

[SpatialBuffer]

The blurb:

I have approached a major games publisher with details of my latest gameplay design and concept, they're certainly looking at it with a keen eye (well, it stands to make money for them, who can blame them?). However, their request for more detailed information, concept designs, and prototypes was received a little too early by myself, catching me unprepared.

This is the first real game project I've worked on, but key to taking it further (and establishing a contract with the publisher) is the presentation of solid, well thought-out designs. Whilst the game's premise is already done (essentially an MDK2-style deathmatch third-person shooter), I need to develop the game's aesthetic further. This is where you, the concept artist come in.

At this moment you would just be required to work with me to build-up existing ideas into something more solid, then visualise these concepts "on paper" (or pixel) into something presentable to the publisher, and first-impressions are everything, so it needs to be of the utmost highest quality.

Alas, the gig will be unpaid for the first few weeks, possibly months (but don't expect much work at this point). Assuming the project gains approval of the publishers then it opens the door to obtaining good venture-capital funding and you being financially compensated for your efforts, and the promise of future paid work, so I emphasise the importance of ensuring this "early" work is of the highest quality.

I cannot publically disclose much more without violating my non-disclosure agreement with the publisher, so this is very much a "lucky dip" opportunity, so please be flexible

So in short: I need good ideas, discussed, drawn up, and compiled as quickly as possible.

But be aware, this project carries a very high risk of falling-through during these early days. If your work is of sufficient quality and you're prepared to take the risk of losing your time (but you retain full rights to your work, so it makes good portfolio work, so all is not lost), then by all means, contact me (details below).

What's the job description low-down?
Doing what you do best, visualising and presenting concepts in tangible form. I'll need people who can dream up effective map designs (think: arena-type maps, not campaign/single-player), weapons, player models, and other aesthetic details. Eventually you may be asked to actually create the in-game assets, but this job may be passed on to dedicated 3D and texture artists. The game is being prototyped as a modification for an existing engine before work starts on the main engine, so we can test out new ideas straight away.

Any specific terms
No matter what happens, you retain copyright on any work you contribute pending project approval. After contacting me I'll need you to comply with a verbal NDA (nothing too formal). If the project falls-through, you're free to use your concepts in any future projects you participate in; if we go ahead and you choose not to continue with us then we'll ask you to surrender certain rights to your work if we were to use it in the final production. But under all circumstances, you'll receive written credit for your work and payment if the publisher approves.

How would I be paid?
As I said, this job is initially unpaid, so don't start whilst expecting any fee or payment. But you will be paid for your efforts if we win over the publisher's approval.

What are the risks
As I said, this runs a risk of falling through unless we gain the publisher's approval. In the event of disapproval, I'll shelve the project and you're no worse off than you are today, but hopefully with an enlarged portfolio, and an eye for potential future disasters If the project wins approval, international fame, fortune, and stardom are your destiny (well, alright... that depends on how well the game sells and the critics' reviews, but that's all of our responsibility).

Alright, I'm foolhardy enough to think this is a good idea, where do I sign up?
If you're prepared for all this, contact me via email at "davREMOVEid@softiTHIScide.com" (remove the spamblock capitals "REMOVE", "THIS" first, of course)

I've got some additional questions...
Post them in the thread and I'll reply so they're of benefit to other readers.

Thanks

[Pound]

Do you have any age restrictions?

I apologise, but I am not optimistic this game will win approval and therefore, I doubt payment really matters. But if it does come to fruition, this is the reason I am asking. Payment may be difficult to someone under 18, no?

Or the game may contain explicit themes which you'd prefer a below the legal age artist not to see, due to any forfeits it may incur, from your perspective.

What kind of concept art do you expect?

Do you want the art produced by the artist to be purely following your concepts, or does the artist have freedom?

Or is there a more central option in which the liberty to alter ideas within your own ideas is permitted?



If these questions are irrelevant or can be answered to suit my position, I do despite my age have a very high standard of work, and would therefore be interested.

[vANON]

"utmost highest quality"
scary!

I might be interested in participating somehow, but is a bit turned off by the demands.

is the concept artist supposed to start brainstorming with these details only, or do you have something else you could show us?

-vanon

[SpatialBuffer]

Originally Posted by Pound

Do you have any age restrictions?

I apologise, but I am not optimistic this game will win approval and therefore, I doubt payment really matters. But if it does come to fruition, this is the reason I am asking. Payment may be difficult to someone under 18, no?

Or the game may contain explicit themes which you'd prefer a below the legal age artist not to see, due to any forfeits it may incur, from your perspective.

No, the game is aiming for the 12+ area (if it's any higher it's due to excessive gibs).

As for payment details, that shouldn't be too difficult. Assuming you have a bank or saving account, I can create a SWIFT international banking payment, , route things through your parents, or the old favorite: mailing a cheque.

Originally Posted by Pound

What kind of concept art do you expect?

Do you want the art produced by the artist to be purely following your concepts, or does the artist have freedom?

Or is there a more central option in which the liberty to alter ideas within your own ideas is permitted?

I grant my artists freedoms, I'll provide you with the general input, then you work off that.

Originally Posted by Pound

If these questions are irrelevant or can be answered to suit my position, I do despite my age have a very high standard of work, and would therefore be interested.

I'm what you call "age-blind", I couldn't care less about your age, gender, orientation, or anything else, it's your work that counts. And from the work I've seen you do on other threads (EOW, ChOW, etc) you're good enough.

Drop me an email for more info!

Originally Posted by vANON

"utmost highest quality"
scary!

I might be interested in participating somehow, but is a bit turned off by the demands.

Sorry if it seems intimidating, the standards are high, but not that high. It seems everyone on CA is good enough, so I guess it's a little redundant. Do you have a link to your portfolio or any past-work I can take a look at?

Originally Posted by vANON

is the concept artist supposed to start brainstorming with these details only, or do you have something else you could show us?

It's a bit of both, if you like forming your own ideas and designs, that's fine. Or if you're more comfortable with a specification I can provide that too.