I get a lot of requests from people, and I'm often asked why some requests are filled and others not. So, here's your guide to getting a custom-created resource:
- Make
it yourself -
Even
if it looks absolutely terrible, try making it yourself. Show that
you're willing to spend time on making the resource you need. More times than not, an artist will help you improve your attempt or provide you
with a better version.
- Prioritize -
I
often see request threads asking for 10 characters + faces + poses.
You don't NEED 20 original and fully custom characters. Yes, it would
be nice of you had a custom cast for your game, but it's not going
to completely ruin your game if you don't get them right away.
Think
about what's important. Your main character is someone that the
player will see through the entire game. You should aim for a custom
main character and you can make a request thread for that main
character. The rest of your cast can be just a little less special.
This
point is especially important when it comes to tiles. If I see a
request for “sci-fi tileset”, I don't consider doing it. Not
because the request is boring, but because a full tileset is months
of work and there's no guarantee you'll even be working on that game
anymore.
Instead,
ask for something that's really essential. For example, one of the
requests I filled was for a large standing radio/jukebox. It was only
one tile, but it was important to the user's game. I had no problems
filling that request.
- Use
placeholders -
One of
the things that a lot of artists don't like to see/hear is “Please
help me! I can't continue my game without this!!!”
Well,
actually, yes you can. And you should. Your game development
shouldn't be dependent on whether an artist is feeling generous or
inspired at this particular time. Music and visual resources are
things that you can replace with relative ease. But things like
events, database or general game progression aren't.
Don't
use a lack of custom art as an excuse to slack off. Keep working on
your game.
- Settle
for less -
It
would, of course, be fantastic if you had the best artists on the net
making your custom resources. But it's very rare that they'll
actually have time to do so. And you also have to remember that
regardless of who is making your resource, their efforts are using
time and energy. Even if the result is not perfect, please make sure
you thank anyone that attempted to help.
What
artists hate to see is “No offense, but that's not good enough.”
It makes you look like an entitled jerk, and it potentially damages
any relationship you had with the artist that tried to help. Thing
is, people get better with practice. Maybe a few months down the
line, that artist that helped you will see you using their resource
and remake it into something better. I've done this several times,
myself.
And
lower your standards. Really. If the resource looks okay or it can be
modified to look okay, use it.
- Be
willing to pay -
Paying
for a resource is not a guarantee that you'll get it filled, but it
could very well be the deciding factor. Saying that you are willing
to pay for a resource is saying that you know the artist's time is
valuable, and that you respect that.
But
what do you do when you don't have money to spend on a resource?
Well, try to find a way to make some. Here are a few possible sources
of income:
Day
Temp jobs through a temp agency. These types of jobs are extremely
short-term (think a few hours of work) and they don't pay much.
However, they would give you just enough cash to pay an artist for
their resource.
Giving
blood/plasma. If you're old enough, you can donate about once per
month. Not only are you getting money to pay for your resource, but
you're helping save someone's life.
Save
money from birthdays/holidays.
Find
a chore or small job you can do for your
parents/neighbors/friends/etc and have them pay you: mowing grass,
raking the yard, snow shoveling, cleaning bathroom, washing windows,
babysitting, etc.
Find
websites like Fiverr, where people pay you for performing, art,
marketing, etc.
- Be an
active member of the community -
I
cannot stress this one enough. Artists are much more likely to help
people who are friends, acquaintances and generally more helpful to
the community. No matter how attractive your request is, it's very
rare that an artist will pick you over their friend.
If you
just come in, make a request thread and never post anything but
“bump”, you're basically saying that you have no interest in
anyone except for what service they can provide for you. This is just
a huge turn-off.
