What do you have to do to get people to work with you?

ID:151992
 
Jun 25 2008, 10:07 am
Its sooo much easier to work on something when you know other people are interested in what you're doing. If it seems like no one cares, motivation dies out quickly. So what's the best way to get other people involved and interested in your projects?
Jun 25 2008, 10:12 am
Advertise to attract the right crowd?
Jun 25 2008, 10:30 am
A couple options I can think of:
  • Delude yourself into thinking people care (this one seems to work a lot with the DBZ/Naruto/Bleach crown).
  • At least semi-regular a chat program and see if they're interested in it. If so, you know you've got at least a few people who care about it.
  • Forget everyone else and just make this for yourself. If other people like it, awesome; if not, not your plan anyways.
Jun 25 2008, 11:23 am
I tend to like having the work that I'm responsible for be in well-defined chunks. I don't want to hang around waiting for orders unless I'm being paid a salary. I'll work relatively cheap if I can do my job and get out.

Frankly, I think that too many people try to form a staff when all they need are smaller works for hire. Developers don't need artist and programmer positions. They need art and code! The work should be divided into libraries that are small enough that people will be willing and able to complete them (with a healthy amount of comments).
Jun 25 2008, 12:02 pm
In response to ACWraith
ACWraith wrote:
Frankly, I think that too many people try to form a staff when all they need are smaller works for hire. Developers don't need artist and programmer positions. They need art and code! The work should be divided into libraries that are small enough that people will be willing and able to complete them (with a healthy amount of comments).

In that case, I need people who are willing to stand around and have ideas bounced off of them.
Jun 25 2008, 3:54 pm
In response to Foomer
I can do it, just e-mail me with the times that you will be available (I don't get on any messenger often anymore).

George Gough
Jun 25 2008, 5:45 pm
In response to KodeNerd
KodeNerd wrote:
I can do it, just e-mail me with the times that you will be available (I don't get on any messenger often anymore).

George Gough

Do what?
Jun 25 2008, 5:56 pm
As AC said, things go more smoothly if the game's already moved past the design phase once you've been contracted. More likely to stick around if my task is "Clicking this HUD button causes you to flick to the kick state and cause damage to someone in front of you based on this formula," rather than "ok make punch system."

Having icons (even preliminary ones) helps. If I'm hired as a programmer, I don't want to have to make temporary icons while the artist makes the good stuff.

Money talks. I'm poor. Rawr.
Jun 25 2008, 6:25 pm
In response to A.T.H.K
At the end of his post he states that he needs people to bounce ideas off of. That is what I was replying to.

George Gough
Jun 25 2008, 7:22 pm
Foomer wrote:
So what's the best way to get other people involved and interested in your projects?

Pay them.
Jun 25 2008, 7:57 pm
In response to Xooxer
Xooxer wrote:
Foomer wrote:
So what's the best way to get other people involved and interested in your projects?

Pay them.

I'm actually not talking about recruiting staff, I'm talking about developing a fan base. People who are interested in your project, not necessarily working on it.
Jun 25 2008, 7:58 pm
In response to Kuraudo
Kuraudo wrote:
As AC said, things go more smoothly if the game's already moved past the design phase once you've been contracted. More likely to stick around if my task is "Clicking this HUD button causes you to flick to the kick state and cause damage to someone in front of you based on this formula," rather than "ok make punch system."

I couldn't agree more. I've tried to help people with projects, but without a design in place I end up being the idea guy (while they're the vague general area idea guy). I'm not good at being the idea guy, if I was I'd probably have a game or two on the hub.
Jun 25 2008, 8:00 pm
In response to Foomer
Foomer wrote:
I'm actually not talking about recruiting staff,

Considering that's the common meaning people understand from reading "get people to work with you?", I wouldn't blame him much.

I'm talking about developing a fan base. People who are interested in your project, not necessarily working on it.

Hey, paying them would still help with that as well. =)

( =P )
Jun 25 2008, 8:03 pm
In response to Kaioken
Kaioken wrote:
Foomer wrote:
I'm actually not talking about recruiting staff,

Considering that's the common meaning people understand from reading "get people to work with you?", I wouldn't blame him much.

Bad wording on my part I guess. I was talking about working "with" you, as in, discussing game ideas together and stuff, rather than working "for" you in the sense that they're actually contributing parts of the game.
Jun 25 2008, 8:10 pm
In response to Foomer
Well, in that case, the answer would be to either find people who share your interest in the design, or change the design to match your peers' interests. If neither option sounds palatable, then maybe working with others isn't for you.
Jun 26 2008, 9:39 am
In response to YMIHere
YMIHere wrote:
I couldn't agree more. I've tried to help people with projects, but without a design in place I end up being the idea guy (while they're the vague general area idea guy). I'm not good at being the idea guy, if I was I'd probably have a game or two on the hub.

I'm great at being the idea guy, but I have no playable games on the Hub. ;-)

Well, unless you count my Whack! concept demo, which is "playable" but very rudimentary.
Jun 26 2008, 1:29 pm
In response to Jtgibson
Finding people with similar ideas, or people who like yours in general works. Tell them about the game you're developing, make them want to play it, and theres your fanbase, this can also work with staff.

As for ideas, I suggest going to a chat room or developer forum, and discussing what you're trying to do and asking for suggestions.

You want to find someone who can find the flaws in your design plans. I suggest going to game developer forums other than these and discussing your ideas there.

Its alot easier to get ideas from someone without pay, thats for sure.

For artwork critiquing you have places like pixelation, and pixel joint. We have the pixel art society here on byond aswell.

For programming, if its DM you're working with, then these forums or chatters would be a good place to get ideas for your game, or how to program something more efficiently.