Requesting Help: Steampunk Idea

Well, thing is... How interested was John Williams in Star Wars? He does orchestral scores for movies. He did give honest effort for it - and was picked for the others - but he hasn't lived his life around Star Wars scores.

I mean, just look at the list of what he's scored. He commits to a project, but if he's dedicated to anything, I'd say he's dedicated to *music.*

What you need is someone who can take your ideas and give them the form you want (and modify them as needed.) The dedication? That's nice - but you're not looking for players, you're looking for people to set up a presentation piece, concept art and the like so you can do what you need to to get this off the ground.

You know I support ya in this, mon ami, but in this case you do have to be practical and see it as a business. Free might get you some nice things, but a commission (a few bad eggs aside, none of whom are in this forum by my experience) is treated as a business transaction, and will get dedication - after all, bad word of mouth = less business.

See my Guides and Tutorials

[ QUOTE ]
If you're willing to put down commissioned artwork for a Steampunk game then by all means post about it in this thread. But I don't want to pay money to people who don't have an interest in the game itself, and are only doing the pieces for money.

[/ QUOTE ]
Now that's a REALLY bad and short-sighted decision. Who cares what the concept artists think of the game? As long as they do their job, create the images you describe based on the vision you tell them, it shouldn't matter whether they have a personal interest in the game or not.

You're not looking for the game's community in these folks, you're looking for the professionals that will get this project moving. In fact, a concept artist that isn't emotionally invested in the project, that isn't particularly a fan of steampunk, will likely do better work than one that is. Folks that are fans of the genre will have their creative ability skewed by what they personally think such a game should or shouldn't have; rather than come up with truly great and unique imagery, they're more likely to go off on artistic tangents based on their personal views rather than what is needed.

You're right... And I'm sorry for offending anyone if I have.

Though now it looks like we might have a -little- financial backing. Which is Yay!
-Rachel-

My advice: get that late night job, take out student loans, or whatever to get an education. Pick a facet of this project that interests you and get an education diploma/degree that goes with it. By investing in yourself to further the project along, you are demonstrating to the people you are trying to convince that your dream is worth investing in. While this may take years, build towards your goals.

If you are not willing to put the effort why should anyone else? Even if they did put any effort into a Steampunk MMO, it would likely not match your vision.

[ QUOTE ]
I don't want to pay money to people who don't have an interest in the game itself, and are only doing the pieces for money.

[/ QUOTE ]
You are shooting yourself in the foot (or maybe nailing the coffin shut) by refusing to even consider paid artists. This, to me, shows that you don't want this done. If you did, you would not reject any ideas out of hand.

Thomas Edison is quoted as to the following:
[ QUOTE ]
Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.

[/ QUOTE ]
It looks like you got 1% of your goal. Go out and work on the rest. Show commitment to your goals and you'll attract more interest. As it stands, I just don't see it.

Triumph: White Succubus: 50 Ill/Emp/PF Snow Globe: 50 Ice/FF/Ice Strobe: 50 PB Shi Otomi: 50 Ninja/Ninjistu/GW Stalker My other characters

To clarify the paying statement, Snowglobe... I'm willing to pay for art. But I'd prefer to pay for art from people who are interested in the game itself. Who have an interest in the genre.

I obviously failed to make myself clear and have made a real jerk of myself in the process.

After reading Mephis Bill's comments and statements (particularly a well worded Private Message about running it as a business rather than a dream) I'm starting to truly understand how I'm going to need to handle this.

And while I have no money for college I'm currently working through a pile of books Ghost Falcon linked me to.

At this particular point we're putting together our design document. I'm having each member of the team put together a list of things they think a Steampunk MMO -must have- and what they think it -should- have.

Meanwhile I've got several Web Site designers who've volunteered their time and energy. Of this I'm both pleased and flattered. Hopefully between them, the band who'll be working with us, and design document we can start on our engine decisions and hype the game up with concept art, music, and linking around the Steampunk Community and the Mod community as well....

Should be interesting!

-Rachel-

I read your other thread, and the one post about the "odd" reception here, and I think I'll explain what I think has happened and why your request has the artists here running in terror.

You wouldn't believe how many times artists get requests for free art for projects. Or the promise of future payment. Or even worse "you'll get famous for it and/or practice". Yes, I enjoy artwork or I wouldn't be working towards a degree in Illustration. But my time is also worth something to me, as it is to any artist with enough skill to give you good concept sketches. I'M putting a lot of money into my skill between studies and even just the SUPPLIES (you get what you pay for in art supplies, and it adds up), so I do expect compensation if someone wants my work.

This isn't to say I'll never do work for free, or that you won't find an artist who will. Right now, 2 out of 5 of the pieces in my queue are free. The strings are... I don't always have time to do free pieces and the person getting them doesn't always get the same level of input as a paid commission.

80% of artists (especially in the game/comic world) have sunk a lot of time and effort into little pet projects that ended up just being a big source of frustration and a money drain. Your OP sounded exactly like another one of those. So maybe others see it as an odd reception here, but its because you're talking to people who actually do make money from their work and are gun-shy of this situation.

"That's right, it cost $103 million to produce Tabula Rasa, RIP."

That's because 100mil went towards Richard Garriott's costumes.

[ QUOTE ]
I read your other thread, and the one post about the "odd" reception here, and I think I'll explain what I think has happened and why your request has the artists here running in terror.

You wouldn't believe how many times artists get requests for free art for projects. Or the promise of future payment. Or even worse "you'll get famous for it and/or practice". Yes, I enjoy artwork or I wouldn't be working towards a degree in Illustration. But my time is also worth something to me, as it is to any artist with enough skill to give you good concept sketches. I'M putting a lot of money into my skill between studies and even just the SUPPLIES (you get what you pay for in art supplies, and it adds up), so I do expect compensation if someone wants my work.

This isn't to say I'll never do work for free, or that you won't find an artist who will. Right now, 2 out of 5 of the pieces in my queue are free. The strings are... I don't always have time to do free pieces and the person getting them doesn't always get the same level of input as a paid commission.

80% of artists (especially in the game/comic world) have sunk a lot of time and effort into little pet projects that ended up just being a big source of frustration and a money drain. Your OP sounded exactly like another one of those. So maybe others see it as an odd reception here, but its because you're talking to people who actually do make money from their work and are gun-shy of this situation.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree and understand fully, Now. This is more or less the message behind a Private Message I received and I -do- apologize if that's what this seems like. I recognize that artists in many cases make art for a living rather than a hobby. And that the rigors of working on a project that may fail months later can take a toll.

And for that; I'm sorry. I'd like to apologize for leaping out at everyone like I did, hopping into the foreground and calling out for aid when it seems like aid is pointless to give. I won't be troubling anyone here any longer. Though, if you'd like, I'll be updating the Steampunk and You thread, for certain.

Feel free to follow along our progress. Perhaps, when the project seems more stable or funding becomes less of an issue, I'll be able to draw several of the artists of this forum into the project.

Thank you, Wassy. For your patient explanation. =-3

-Rachel-

I wish you the best of luck and hope you can get the ball rolling. I personally ADORE steampunk themes and like to see more stuff out there with it.

Just wanted to explain why (at least I think why), your reception was night and day between the forums.

[ QUOTE ]
And while I have no money for college I'm currently working through a pile of books Ghost Falcon linked me to.

[/ QUOTE ]
I can fully understand this. I'm in my 26 month of 30 months of my "18 month program" because I am forced to only go part time due to having to pay living expenses. I have over $30,000 in student loans. Yet despite this I would do it over again because it will get me closer to my goals.

Triumph: White Succubus: 50 Ill/Emp/PF Snow Globe: 50 Ice/FF/Ice Strobe: 50 PB Shi Otomi: 50 Ninja/Ninjistu/GW Stalker My other characters

I can top that!

I enrolled in college about 8 years ago for a two year degree. Suck it!

You "win".

Yeah, I'm looking forward to September.

Triumph: White Succubus: 50 Ill/Emp/PF Snow Globe: 50 Ice/FF/Ice Strobe: 50 PB Shi Otomi: 50 Ninja/Ninjistu/GW Stalker My other characters

I win at failing =(

To be fair to ME, its not a grade failing thing (I have a 3.94 GPA), but I took a year off to care for my mom as she died, and then I went through a couple years of treatments for a degenerative eye disorder, and then my husband and I came to the conclusion that at least one of us should work so we could... like... eat, so I worked while he got his bachelor's, and NOW I can go to school like a normal person.

Just took the better part of a decade o.O

Very nice grades! I have a 3.8 GPA (surprising considering my "off time" work at the Scoop and the commute to school). I haven't taken time off so I have been at this since April 2007, and if I went full time I would have been finished last June.

However, I think we are both proving the point that we are working towards our own goals.

Triumph: White Succubus: 50 Ill/Emp/PF Snow Globe: 50 Ice/FF/Ice Strobe: 50 PB Shi Otomi: 50 Ninja/Ninjistu/GW Stalker My other characters

Definitely. Its been worth all the hard work, and my husband also has a job he adores because he went and got his degree.