Creative Minds Needed

I'm confused about a few points in your post:

You mention that members of the crew will be working under deadlines and is expected to carry his or her own weight, and yet you offer no compensation? Plus the way this post reads it sounds like CirrusCreative wants this to be a commercial release, and yet there is no mention of what the crew reaps financially if the game does make a profit.

While I completely agree that each member needs to work hard and meet deadlines as much as possible, I do feel it is unfair if the crew works their butts off, builds the game and then only gets:

"Appropriate mention in the Sodalis RPG game credits, website, and collateral marketing materials.

A finalized copy of the game, and any associated materials that may be created, such as manual, guide book, posters, etc.

A personal email address for development business
(for example: jonathan@sodalisrpg.com)

Access to restricted development forums

A letter of reference from CirrusCreative outlining your work on the project (for employment purposes.)"

if CirrusCreative makes money off of the game. Perhaps this was just left out by mistake, and if so then I take back my comment. If it isn't a mistake, then I urge you to reconsider what you're giving the crew. It seems that CirrusCreative is planning on being rather selective of their crew members (which is more than okay) so give really talented, driven, professional people more reasons to want to join your game. Working for resume credit is fine, but if a profit is being made, then its only fair to share it with the people that made the game a success.

Just my two cents. Good luck.

I read through your post three times to make sure I didn't miss anything. The result is that I have no idea what your project is about. It would probably help to:

1) Outline which positions you're looking to fill (concept artist, animator, programmer, designer, web developer...)

2) Describe anything about the rpg itself. Mention general theme, or maybe concepts regarding gameplay elements, a general storyline, etc.

As it stands, it seems you're looking to assemble the best-of-the-hopeful out of thin air. What is your role in the project? Is there even a project yet, or just the idea of one that lacks any and all team members?

It's perfectly alright to come seeking like-minded individuals to assemble an entire team, so long as you're modest in your expectations and give people any kind of an idea of what they'd be working on. Right now all you've done is used a lot of buzzwords and motivational speech.

But hey, good luck regardless!

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Original post by BCullis I read through your post three times to make sure I didn't miss anything. The result is that I have no idea what your project is about. It would probably help to: 1) Outline which positions you're looking to fill (concept artist, animator, programmer, designer, web developer...) 2) Describe anything about the rpg itself. Mention general theme, or maybe concepts regarding gameplay elements, a general storyline, etc. As it stands, it seems you're looking to assemble the best-of-the-hopeful out of thin air. What is your role in the project? Is there even a project yet, or just the idea of one that lacks any and all team members? It's perfectly alright to come seeking like-minded individuals to assemble an entire team, so long as you're modest in your expectations and give people any kind of an idea of what they'd be working on. Right now all you've done is used a lot of buzzwords and motivational speech. But hey, good luck regardless!

I completely agree with this as well. The Mandatory Template would help address most of these questions.

Quote:

Original post by nsmadsen I'm confused about a few points in your post: You mention that members of the crew will be working under deadlines and is expected to carry his or her own weight, and yet you offer no compensation? Plus the way this post reads it sounds like CirrusCreative wants this to be a commercial release, and yet there is no mention of what the crew reaps financially if the game does make a profit. While I completely agree that each member needs to work hard and meet deadlines as much as possible, I do feel it is unfair if the crew works their butts off, builds the game and then only gets: "Appropriate mention in the Sodalis RPG game credits, website, and collateral marketing materials. A finalized copy of the game, and any associated materials that may be created, such as manual, guide book, posters, etc. A personal email address for development business (for example: jonathan@sodalisrpg.com) Access to restricted development forums A letter of reference from CirrusCreative outlining your work on the project (for employment purposes.)" if CirrusCreative makes money off of the game. Perhaps this was just left out by mistake, and if so then I take back my comment. If it isn't a mistake, then I urge you to reconsider what you're giving the crew. It seems that CirrusCreative is planning on being rather selective of their crew members (which is more than okay) so give really talented, driven, professional people more reasons to want to join your game. Working for resume credit is fine, but if a profit is being made, then its only fair to share it with the people that made the game a success. Just my two cents. Good luck.

Hello everyone...

Thank you for your posts... I appreciate the comments presented in such a diplomatic tone as well as to the point. Much more refreshing than many forums I've been to, I'm sure you'll agree!

First... absolutely there is something missing from this post... a link to the website. www.sodalisrpg.com. Please forgive, it was an oversite I'm sure. The intention was to point interested people to the site, where they can learn a little about the game project and help them decide if they're interested in coming aboard under the terms listed on the development page.

Agreed, compensation is a touchy subject with many people, so let me make as clear as possible a few points:

The SODALIS RPG game project is not at this time a commercial endeavor... it's just what the site promotes... we're a bunch of gamers who want to try our hand at making our game, and making it as exciting and professional as possible. The site is professionally produced, and the project will be as well, in the interests of efficiency. This isn't to say we won't come to the end of the project, and much to our surprise, end up with something that could sell. That would be terrific! But one step at a time… let’s see what we’re capable of.

For the project, we hope to build the best team possible, a tight-knit group of friends who genuinely love a good RPG game. I know in the last two years of writing and concepts, learning the game engine, and generally just brainstorming and dreaming, I’ve had a wonderful time, and wish to share that with new friends. For me, the game has been the reward, and I know everyone involved presently feels the same.

Some have come onboard for fun, some for exposure of their individual talents. A few just want credit in a game, or a finished copy… and some want something on their resume. We’ve assembled all these requests and decided to offer UP FRONT these benefits, because we CAN. Otherwise, everyone involved knows (or will know before they agree to join the development team) that we’re operating under a serious shoestring… with the hope of having something exciting at the end of all this.

To be honest, it’s looking good! We have an exceptional story to offer, some beautiful music under composition, and excellent character design under way. There isn’t one of us on the team now who hasn’t considered we could make a go of it commercially some day. With that said, if that does happen, then we’ll consider the best interests of this tight-knit group of amateur game creators and cross that bridge when we come to it. We’ll take care of our own. If there is success, we’ll want to do it again and again, hopefully with the same team or more!

As far as expecting every team member to carry their weight, meet the deadlines we need to meet, of course we need that. I’ve been involved in similar projects in the past, and there are always people on board who promise everything and deliver nothing, which carries over into the morale and atmosphere of the rest of the project. We don’t plan on being heavy handed, we want this to be fun… stating this up front is something we hope will help us avoid SOME of the problem. Ahh, I’m such a dreamer!

Just to ramble on a bit more, I agree 100% with your statement: “Working for resume credit is fine, but if a profit is being made, then its only fair to share it with the people that made the game a success.”

I realize that there is a large body of people who will not be interested in putting forth any effort without monetary compensation. I also realize there is just as large a community of people who dream and may take a chance here. The bottom line is, this is what we can offer… people are welcome to pass up the opportunity. All I can say is, we’re having fun!

I’m certainly sorry this has drolled on so long. I hope it answers some questions, I’m sure it will pose more. Thanks again for bringing this up!

Jonathan

Hello again...

It also looks like there is a mandatory template we should have followed with our post. I'll repost very soon using the template... hopefully that will help!

Team name:
SODALIS RPG Development Team

Project name:
SODALIS

Brief description:
The SODALIS RPG game project is an "old school" rpg in the style of a Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, or Phantasy Star. It's story driven, with interesting characters set in a sci fi / fantasy world.

Target aim:
The current goal is to produce our vision into playable form, playtest it in the gaming community, and generally gain experience in building a game. Anything that happens after will be a pleasant surprise and an adventure all it's own.

Technology:
This version of the game will be built using the RPG MAKER XP game engine from Enterbrain, Inc.

Talent needed:
At the moment, we're looking for a few individuals with some experience in RPG MAKER XP. Additionally, we need an artist with experience creating character sprites or tilesets. Of course, anyone with a desire to do SOMETHING with a game has an invitation to get in touch and chit chat about it!

Team structure:
There are 10 current members of the development team, with a few more in the wings waiting to come aboard. They range from character design artist to music composition. A few administrative positions to handle the website and "marketing", meaning, getting the word out! There is more detailed information on the website.

Website:
Speaking of the website...
http://www.sodalisrpg.com/

Contacts:
I can be contacted at: jonathan@sodalisrpg.com

Additional Info:
Here's the teaser for the story:

The world grows colder every day while its scattered people scrape a meager existence from an unforgiving land.

Technology is forbidden, and magic is forgotten.

The Sodalis Legionnaires promise to wipe out the savage predators that prey on the weak and unify the world under their protection... and Spence wants to help them.

After a disastrous encounter with the beautiful and mysterious Orie, his hopes for a military life are dashed as he finds himself pursued by the very soldiers he planned to join.

Now Spence lives in a world turned upside down, where life is not only measured by blood and bone, but circuitry and metal... and its people blind to the one secret that will decide the fate of all… the sun is dying.

With time running out, new allies join Spence and Orie on a journey into the darkest depths of secrecy to the very edge of terrifying truth. If life is to survive, Spence must find the strength to face the hidden enemy that threatens all who live.

Feedback:
I've already gotten some excellent construcive comments, hope to see more.