I want to build a team
One thing I love to do for my games is make them as original as possible, I don’t like using assets other developers have used as they can be very limited depending on what it is.
It’s important to me that if I write a story, I have every hand in trying to construct a team of people who can bring my vision to life, or make it better than I imagined. Since I am limited to a certain skill set, and limited by time.
If this sounds like you, building a team may be the way to go.
Now, I know a great many devs who feel ashamed for reaching out to others for help, either ashamed of their ideas or burdening someone else for doing work for free.
I understand this mindset, but I have some counterpoints to hopefully ease your mind.
First, keep in mind there may be those with the skills to make a game, but they don’t have the vision or the drive.
Another, is that there are people who simply love to help others bring their dreams come to life. (Myself included!)
Something else is, maybe they are also too shy to reach out even though they want to.
The indie dev space is built on enabling creatives to do what couldn’t be done alone due to limitations, but thanks to the internet and abundant resources for learning and using its never been easier to make a game than now.
To be in this space is to know that this just comes with the territory, and anyone who thinks lesser of you for wanting to build a team to make your passion project isn’t someone you want to be associated with anyway.
There’s also a saving grace for more introverted devs. There’s a such thing called recruiting, that let’s you put your work out there but enables others to reach out to you if they are interested.
As long as you are honest and make it crystal clear of your intentions, expectations, and scope, then you will have a lot of success.
So how do I build a team?
The simple answer: make a recruitment doc!
What is a recruitment doc, well its a document that details your project, who you are, what you want, who you need, deadlines, your contact info, etc…. Anything that a stranger needs to know to help you with your project.
There is no one way to make these either, but this is how I make mine: feel free to use these as a template to make your own! I’d recommend using your color scheme, inserting visuals you have, sketches, mood boards, official art, etc… anything to catch the attention of the reader and try to be as informative as possible without bombarding the reader.
You can look over them here:
Golden Bonds Recruitment Doc [CLOSED]
JAD/Monstrous Desires Jam Entry ❣️
Where to post the recruitment doc?
I’d recommend 4 main places, though I’m sure there are more depending on what circles you run in- the first is Discord, specifically dev specific servers.
You’ll have to read the rules carefully before posting spending on the server, but often you can link back to your doc for the bulk of the info.
Some examples:
The next place would be dreaded Twitter, or more recently Bluesky, if you have a following or the right hashtags to gain attention, if you are participating in a jam, make sure to find the hashtag associated with the jam and use it in your post. For this jam its #PolyJamorous2024
Those who are also participating, or the jam runner will be able to find and repost your recruitment doc getting more eyes on it. If you make a recruitment doc for this jam I will happily repost it!
Another place is here on Itch, specifically you’ll go to the main menu and click on the Community tab, then scroll down to “Help Wanted or Offered”, there you can either message those looking to volunteer, or make your own post. I haven’t had a lot of success on Itch as of late, but I have in the past its just very hit or miss.
You can also, make a recruitment post in the Polyjamorous 2024 community tab where you’re reading this currently! I made one for Josei After Dark Jam recently.
Last but not least is a more obscure one, and requires you to already have an account to do it. Lemmasoft forums- https://lemmasoft.renai.us/forums/
Here you can make a forum post in the “Recruitment/Services Offered” section.
I have also had less luck here lately, but it has worked in the past, especially for reaching out to people you intend to recruit/commission directly.
Unfortunately, a lot of this comes down to luck, and there is a chance depending on your project specifically it may not speak to as many people, or you may not have many people see your recruitment post in the first place.
Something that has helped me a lot, and may not be something you’ll want to do is to reach out to those you need directly.
What do I mean? Well, other people leave posts in these locations, offering their services. What you can do is dm those individuals and give them a sale’s pitch of your game, and link them the doc you made.
This of course is vulnerable and leaves you open to rejection, but it really is high risk high reward, as I have been able to find some of my best friends/team members etc… by taking the first step.
First example I got turned down, but in the other they agreed!
In Conclusion
A lot of this gets much easier as you go, currently it feels a bit second nature and even when things do crop up, experience is often a saving grace, enables you not to panic but adjust and come out the otherside much more knowledgeable. Ensuring every project gets better and better.
If you have any questions feel free to post below, dm me on discord @flowersforjoy I'd love to hear from you and answer any questions to the best of my ability.
There’s a lot more than can be discussed, especially with very specific situations you may have and I hope I can help in any way I can. Happy team building! Thank you for participating in my lil old jam. And best of luck to you, I can’t wait to read and stream your projects! (did I not mention that before? Only if you’d be okay with it of course.) -Joy