I'm working on a long-building story-driven 2D action platformer RPG game project named "E.X-World/ Dream Agent" set in the unique science-fiction universe with many thought provoking questions. Game does feature revisioned game-design elements similar to souls-like games. This particular story features elements of horror, but scaring players is not the goal. Game would be released for PC, Current & Next-Gen Consoles. Game is meant for people of adult mind.
Setting to put it shortly - a dreamlike adventure with a bit of Matrix. While main story inside dream Program, there are flashbacks to the future of humanity (past for characters).
Narrative in a nutshell is a clash between mental elevation & technological advancements
I do the visual programming (Construct 3), game-design, narrative & level-design. I tried to do art, but can't meet my expectations which makes me anxious haulting every other process.
I'm looking for an artist who mostly draws concept-art like drawings, because the desired art style is closer to the games like Rayman Legends, Salt & Sanctuary & Ori and The Blind Forest. I will be able to provide description, examples & sometimes raw sketches for some stuff to create proper technical tasks for you. I definetely don't want to waste your time so I expect you to ask questions.
If you're looking for a project to build a career, earn money and make a name for yourself in the game industry this may be the project.
If you have friend or friend of a friend who may be looking for a work like this then please let them know.
I am taking this very seriously and I expect the same to grow in you.
COMMON QUESTIONS (asked from your perspective)
How I will be paid for my work?
I have no way of funding development on my own unfortunately. So I'm planning to run Kickstarter campaign next year.
If you don't have the rates set yet, this project would help you realize how much time & effort you're putting into this work to come up with the correct price.
Job done before Kickstarter can be paid in two ways:
1) Exact cost would be included in the Kickstarter campaign or in case of overfund. I would prefer keeping the funding goal as less as possible tho.
2) Double of that cost would be given from the project's revenue.
NOTE, you own 100% of the work you made for the project until you were paid for it. If you decide to withdraw from the project, your art would be completely removed from the game.
What positions are available?
Character Artist- draw all kinds of creatures & portraits. Game will use Spriter for bone animations so it would be a benefit if you're familiar with it.- Item Artist - draw loot for the characters: Swords, shotguns, keys, relics
- Environmental Artist - draw solid objects on which character jumps, stuff with which he interacts (levers, ladders & etc.)
- Background Artist - draw landscapes, clouds & etc.
UI Artist- icons, bars, menus & etc.- FX Artist - draw sprites for particles, explosions, fire & stuff like that. Knowing Construct 3 would be a plus.
Perspective is closer to how it looks in Rayman & Ori and The Blind Forest.
I made a rough mock up for the general view two months back.
I had my local artist a year ago drawing me this Cairn & Raven for the project which can now be used as reference of the artstyle I am going for
Raven including my animation made in Spriter.
Extra positions (if you're not artist and reading this for any reason)
- PR Management - I am looking for someone to spread the word about this project & to keep social pages active
- Sound-Designer - not much work for sound-designers yet, but I do need one to deepen atmosphere of the game.
- Composer - work on music would likely start in 6-7 months. Currently I am interested to hear your portfolio & get rates.
- Visual Programmer (Construct 3) - only if you're very good with the engine then I may have parts which could be created separately from the main project: User Interface (Menu, Game Bars & etc) & A.I (Artificial Intelligence).
When contacting me, please include links to your portfolio.
What if you decide to abandon project?
I've been conceptualizing my universe for 5 years and for 2 years tried to build it. Six months ago, I felt confident in my knowledge and finally made some great progress which continues to this day.
This project is everything for me and to bring my universe onto the world is the purpose of my entire life.
Is scope of your ambition too great?
The original game I was planning to make 2 years ago was very ambitious as I came to realize. This project is sort of a prequel to the story I was planning to make there and it is far less ambitious. I have removed everything that wasn't essential for the narrative and the narrative itself is far more contained. It won't let you understand the whole scale of the universe, but feel a tip of it which is sufficient for the first entry.
State of the Narrative
Plot already finished. Story does have canon and non-linear endings, but they're not spread out so this doesn't make my job much more complex. Game itself offers freedom to move around in the location where your mission is and most of the game you can also return to your "hub" in the middle of your mission. Game is far more linear in the beginning & closer to the end. There is no cliffhangers and narrative is self-fulfilling, but there is much more to this story as you may realize with future titles.
I add details while I work on the code and adjust GDD as getting game done right is more important to make people care for the story in my experience. I will dive into writing for 1/2 months to create scenario, when certain milestone in programming is reached. Hopefully this will be in like 4-5 months.
Could I become full-time game developer with this project?
As we get this project funded and then released I will be working on foundation of my game company - Deformer Games
If we both feel like our future collaboration could be fruitful then I would be glad to hire you as a full-time developer!
My hopes is to build a company you would call your family. A community you're looking forward to get back to.
General Info about Project
I created document which would introduce to general info about project both in terms of tech & narrative while not spoiling anything too important - Crash Course Into E.X-World (LINK)
Contact me
Discord - XpMonster#2531
Having mic is essential in the long run.
Discord Server - https://discord.com/invite/CCBxqCN
Email - xpmonster@deformergames.com
Looking forward to hear from you!
