While it's a bit disheartening, it seems to be mostly true. Of course there are a few of us who do look at the non-paid section and offer our help, but the majority of us are only interested in browsing the paid section.

We are pixel artists and for many of us, that is how we make a living. We need to get the most paid work as we can, even if we think it's more than we can handle. There always has to be something to do. And again, for many of us, it's simply not worth wasting our time on a project for no gain, (however, if it becomes a success, that artists will have a nice title under their belt, and will be more sought after.) when we could be gaining something out of it.

Anyways, that doesn't necessarily apply to me. I'm still a child, although I have applied for a few jobs. Just regurgitating what most others have written.

I do care, I'm willing to work for free, I just don't want to spread my crap and scare people. XD

if you want to devote your valuable time to making icons for every 12 year old that asks, then you're welcome to do so.

i do things for free plenty.  but like cure said...


Edited by Ensellitis - 12 July 2009 at 6:21pm

Uh, in a declining economical struggle who does anything for free now a days?
Seriously, some of us don't have jobs.
Most of the "free" projects I've been approached about require more work then something I've been paid for.

Most all of us pixel for fun.
So saying that no one here pixels for fun or entertainment is kind of ridiculous.

That being said, I've done tons of free work.
It depends on the person, how they approach me, how they approach their project.

I'm sorry but to say the least, half of the ideas I get sent to me are garbage.
Everyone either wants a Zelda like RPG, or a Habbo Clone.


Edited by Souly - 13 July 2009 at 1:52am

This is such a hilarious topic! Yeah, I do work for free, I DO FREE resources for rpgmaker 2k3/XP/VX only... which is for the general public.

That, and well, what thereisnocure said... bunch of kids wanna make 134135315315 games that will all be cancelled the next second, if you know what I mean... honestly, I'll only work for free with private projects if it's a close friend of mine, if it's cool people that I like, people that are really nice, and well for someone else, people that I have faith in their projects and that deserve my time and energy... but other than that, people got to pay me, or it's just not fair. *sigh*

Everyone who can't pixel for s**t thinks pixel artist spend 5 minutes and get done with a masterpiece... pixel art takes waaaaaaay too much time, and that's something not everyone can appreciate unless you sit down and try to do it yourself.


Edited by Antifarea - 16 July 2009 at 2:58am

Lol also, I forgot to say... a bunch of people make a lot of projects I have no interest in from.  Like if at least it was a super project and idea that I really really am into, maybe... maaaaaaaaaaybe I'll help out... I still prefer that if I'm doing a free job, is for a friend of mine.

Tell you what:

In my experience, most game projects don't actually come to fruition, and of course everyone believes their own project is different.  It's more work than you think, though.  There's a common misconception that if someone would just do the art for you, the rest would magically take care of itself.

But I'll tell you what.  I'm willing to *pay* for your art budget (within reason) if you do the following:
* Create a good, complete game, with 10+ hours of gameplay, using placeholder art (blocks and stick figures are fine)
* Release the game for free, under an Open Source license.

If you can do that, I'd be happy to help you out.  On the other hand, I'm not going to put up the many hundreds of dollars (or more) that it would cost to make your art unless I see results first.

Bart

people do not *need* sprites or logos

people *need* food, water and such.

starting your own game, having a unique sig/avvy and such are luxuries way beyong basic commodities (housing, healthcare, etc). As such it is normal that it is paid. Would be surprised if you went to a store and asked for a free cellphone or.. a cd, and they said no?

People want summin for summin, logically. This can be in several forms: payment, gratitude, a good portfolio reference, experience, etcetera. Often times the reward for doing something for free is disproportional.

People upstairs named things like an mmorpg - tonnes of work, usually the *idea people* have no idea what they're doing, little respect/gratitude towards the artist and his/her input. And a success rate of <1% makes it not really valuable 'folio work.

Smaller things like just an avvy or a sig often have the same problems. Why would i make an avvy for someone if that person is likely to change it in a month or so? They imagine pixel art to be something you do in a lunch break, but something of quality just takes longer. If you do make something in a lunch break you often hear something like "i thought you could make better stuff" or something, which isn't really a good motivation.

On the other hand, paid projects often have the delusion of 'i pay them so they must do what i want' which is often disproportional to the amount of money involved. Here again they misinterpret the work involved in pixel art and put too low a value on it.

The biggest problem, in my opinion, is the lack of effort in the person asking for help and them having high demands.

Imagine if you will, someone that (as described) already made a game with stand-in art. Someone who tried to pixel something themselves, or at least sketched his or her image a good few times to sort out the dinks. Those are the people we(i think) would all be most likely to help.

here's an insightful article on cost value and why artists don't just do free/cheap jobs

and for anyone reading this and wanting to make a game and thinks he can be the designer and have the awesome ideas,one more article

those who actually need/want money - > cost money

those who have no real need or want for money - > free

likely-hood you'll find one of the later is like 1/1000 though, so good luck.

I work for free all the time...And I will for awhile.
Once I become good enough to sell sprites (Keyword, while)
I'll stop spriting for free...Why would I give my work out for free?
I have a skill, and people who have skills get payed good money.

So, I guess, seek out the novice spriters. It's not great work, but it's free.
You get what you pay for.