I'm thinking I may work on it in some form, but I can't use the majority of the character art

I don't have a set budget. I'd really like to get this done. Basically I want good quality work done.

I'm not really seeking the level of detail that you have for your game (which is quite beautiful) I recently talked to one guy who wants 400 for a single character. That seems a bit overpriced when I could probably freelance it on another site I use and get it done for a total of 150 or 200.

It depends on how many unique frames we're talking and how big the sprite is.

$3 for a 32x32 tile is the minimum most quality artists will work for and this increases dramatically each time you double the pixel size. A 64x64 tile, if the artist charges $3 for a 32x32 tile, would be $12 f.ex, since it's four times more work. So if an artist is working fairly cheaply they will usually charge $120 for a 40 frame 32x32 sprite. A forty frame 64x64 sprite would cost $480.

Although, who knows, maybe you'll find someone with skill that will work for cheaper. Your best bet is to email every freelance pixel artist you can find, give them specifics of what you want them to draw, and then get a quote.

Honestly though, if you aren't willing to fork out a minimum of $3000 for an ORPG (which is probably the worst genre to pick if you have a low budget) then it's going to be difficult to find someone willing to work on all of the assets for a reduced price.

It's fair but you could probably find someone to do it for cheaper if you wanted.

And if you're paying for art work, the quality should at least be on par with my game.

Not to be offending you Writing but its kinda stupid to spend 3000 on byond.

Dariuc wrote:

I'm sure he won't give me anything horrendous.

If you're paying for art, you certainly do not want anything less than the quality of Eternia's... which isn't even up to scratch with commercial games that use pixel art.

I can't see much logic in forking out $250 for a character sprite if you're not going to ensure that everything else in the game is up to that standard (even the gameplay itself!). You're paying out a reasonable wage here, on BYOND, so why not make the game something more than a typical BYOND game?

And judging from the comment below this, you seem like a realistic guy. You're absolutely right: if NEStalgia can make over $10'000 from sending a few emails out then hell yes, Eternia can. If that's what you think, then why can't your games? Both games certainly can if they're worked on and nurtured until they are worthy of exposure from the same indie sites that praised NEStalgia and gave Silk's wallet a nice bonus.

But honestly, I doubt your game will be up to that standard unless you're willing to make every single detail the best it can be. I suggest you either save up so you can invest a considerable amount ($5000-7000) or cut your losses now, before you've invested $250+ into a game that might not even see the light of day. I knew from the first dollar I invested into Eternia that it would be released, that I wouldn't give up regardless of what's thrown at me. You need that same resolve or you're going to lose out.

Aside from your other points, they are all very valid as well. However I think i'm doing the best to make due with what I have right now. Facing facts, I got laid off. I have bills to pay. I see people on here everyday making money from games with less features than I've already implemented as well as graphics that are sub par with what I'm currently working with. Basically while my graphics won't be "the best" they also will not be "the worst" . I feel they will attract the player long enough to actually see what the game is about. Experience it and play more, and ultimately invest in some of the pay options that the game will have to offer.

Writing A New One wrote:

Dariuc wrote:

But honestly, I doubt your game will be up to that standard unless you're willing to make every single detail the best it can be. I suggest you either save up so you can invest a considerable amount ($5000-7000) or cut your losses now, before you've invested $250+ into a game that might not even see the light of day. I knew from the first dollar I invested into Eternia that it would be released, that I wouldn't give up regardless of what's thrown at me. You need that same resolve or you're going to lose out.

Are you trying to say you need $5000 to have a successful game? I think you need to take a look at NEStalgia's graphics again.