GarageGames Contract Center?
by Dave Sanders · in General Discussion · 05/02/2001 (3:11 pm) · 8 replies
This idea sparked from the last new thread: "Hey some of you might be interested in this!" I decided to post this in a new thread to spark a discussion.
Say GarageGames (or other entity) created a Contract Center. This center would allow folks to put up requests for small, self contained items that they need. These items could potentially be things like models, skins, textures, levels, or any other art collateral. They could also be more abstract things like code architecture consulting, or a really well built network library. (I'm leaving out obvious ones like sound files, audio engineering, etc, but you get the point)
One of us startup teams, who DON'T have the $$$ to hire full time positions for all slots, could post up requests. For instance, you might need a creative type to take your napkin sketches of a killer tank thingy and build a model per your specs.
Then other members can bid on the services to the team. The team can then review their references' quality and price and pick a contractor to perform the task. While GG would probably not want the liability of handling funds, or processing legal agreements (like copyright) between the two parties, they might be able to provide template docs, etc that the parties can use off-line.
I know similar concepts occur in the consulting industry, where I currently work, and it seems only natural for this type of thing to spring up for indie development teams as well. I know a lot of folks who don't have time for a full game development cycle, but would gladly apply their skills on a part time basis, per job.
I also know that there are things like GamaExchange, but those cater more towards artists selling finished goods of their own design, not custom unique work. (Yes I know I can go buy an anime chick model off of GamaExchange, but so can every other team out there.)
What does the community think? What does GG think? Is this something that they might consider in the future, or should the community go and build it themselves?
Say GarageGames (or other entity) created a Contract Center. This center would allow folks to put up requests for small, self contained items that they need. These items could potentially be things like models, skins, textures, levels, or any other art collateral. They could also be more abstract things like code architecture consulting, or a really well built network library. (I'm leaving out obvious ones like sound files, audio engineering, etc, but you get the point)
One of us startup teams, who DON'T have the $$$ to hire full time positions for all slots, could post up requests. For instance, you might need a creative type to take your napkin sketches of a killer tank thingy and build a model per your specs.
Then other members can bid on the services to the team. The team can then review their references' quality and price and pick a contractor to perform the task. While GG would probably not want the liability of handling funds, or processing legal agreements (like copyright) between the two parties, they might be able to provide template docs, etc that the parties can use off-line.
I know similar concepts occur in the consulting industry, where I currently work, and it seems only natural for this type of thing to spring up for indie development teams as well. I know a lot of folks who don't have time for a full game development cycle, but would gladly apply their skills on a part time basis, per job.
I also know that there are things like GamaExchange, but those cater more towards artists selling finished goods of their own design, not custom unique work. (Yes I know I can go buy an anime chick model off of GamaExchange, but so can every other team out there.)
What does the community think? What does GG think? Is this something that they might consider in the future, or should the community go and build it themselves?
About the author
#2
Jeff Tunnell GG
05/02/2001 (10:00 pm)
We've been thinking about this very issue for about two years. I don't know how long it will take to implement, but we intend to pursue it.Jeff Tunnell GG
#3
05/02/2001 (10:08 pm)
Something else that may be interesting would be a "work barter" kind of system where people trade work, say someone cant model but they are a hell of a skinner, they could trade their services for a model.. it would be hard to work out what was fair but it may be a usefull service.
#4
You can check out their web site here:
http://www.asynchrony.com/
I thought people might be interested in this as a working example of one possible model that could be used.
05/03/2001 (9:33 am)
Asynchrony has a site where people can form projects, schedule tasks, and distribute "shares" upon task completion.You can check out their web site here:
http://www.asynchrony.com/
I thought people might be interested in this as a working example of one possible model that could be used.
#5
05/07/2001 (8:37 am)
How different is this from the current Help Wanted Ads? I can see that there is a slight conceptual difference, but they essentially provied the same service. With the current Help Ads, you can list shapes or other art resources you want made, and developers can bid on them. What do you guys think would be implemented differently?
#6
Jason
379
05/07/2001 (5:47 pm)
Definitely check out asynchrony, they've got a nice system. Each project has a set of points (10,000), and you create a list of tasks and assign each task a certain number of points. Whoever does the task gets a % of the returns, based on the % of points they completed. Nice. The asynchrony user interface isn't all that hot, but the concepts are good.Jason
379
#7
05/08/2001 (4:08 am)
If you discover something new to be done, and you've already assigned all 10,000 points, what happens?
#8
Asynchrony is great, and a great concept, but I see the major flaw with GG folks: Asynchrony owns the software. This would make the licensing for V12 conflict with the licensing for Asynchony, and make it unavailable for GG folks using V12.
Unless... GG and Asynchrony sat down and hammered out some sort of deal. Maybe give Asynchrony a cut of any profits, or come up with a special code agreement for GG members.
It would be a shame for GG to have to rebuild it all just for the license, when the functionality and the concepts are there.
My 2 cents
05/10/2001 (10:36 am)
To Chris: It appears that you can redistribute your 10,000 points if all members agree. This is kind of nice as it enforces some planning up front.Asynchrony is great, and a great concept, but I see the major flaw with GG folks: Asynchrony owns the software. This would make the licensing for V12 conflict with the licensing for Asynchony, and make it unavailable for GG folks using V12.
Unless... GG and Asynchrony sat down and hammered out some sort of deal. Maybe give Asynchrony a cut of any profits, or come up with a special code agreement for GG members.
It would be a shame for GG to have to rebuild it all just for the license, when the functionality and the concepts are there.
My 2 cents
|tm| Braden Evans