Lessons Learned, Where was HirePin.com?
by John Kanalakis · 07/29/2012 (4:08 am) · 41 comments
One of the hardest lessons for me to learn as an Indie game developer was that I couldn't do it alone. All of the work that goes into making a good game requires a lot of different talents, ranging from programming to graphic design to 3D modeling to sound and music. And when I tried to perform each of these roles, it simply dragged out the game development project too much.
Once I turned to outsourcing, the fun in game development was back. I could focus on the parts I like and hire out the parts I didn't like. But soon the challenge became how to find people to outsource to; especially within my budget.
I decided to create a Website dedicated to outsourcing game development work. Not just programming or artwork, but in all areas of development. I really like the self-promoting style of Fiverr, but don't like the limits they set. So, from that model, I created HirePin.com.
HirePin.com is a micro-job marketplace specifically for game development. It's a great way for newcomers to get into the game industry and for small game studios to find talent to help with their projects. Available jobs range from programming to artwork creation, to testing and business advice. Just create your own job, name your price, and post it. And if a job you need doesn't already exist, then just post a job request within the sidebar.
There's no fee to join and no annoying banner ads. Just people interested in being part of the game development process. So if you are looking for work in the game development business, take a moment and post a job. Similarly, if you're looking for some extra (affordable) help on your game project, stop on by.
John K.
Once I turned to outsourcing, the fun in game development was back. I could focus on the parts I like and hire out the parts I didn't like. But soon the challenge became how to find people to outsource to; especially within my budget.I decided to create a Website dedicated to outsourcing game development work. Not just programming or artwork, but in all areas of development. I really like the self-promoting style of Fiverr, but don't like the limits they set. So, from that model, I created HirePin.com.
HirePin.com is a micro-job marketplace specifically for game development. It's a great way for newcomers to get into the game industry and for small game studios to find talent to help with their projects. Available jobs range from programming to artwork creation, to testing and business advice. Just create your own job, name your price, and post it. And if a job you need doesn't already exist, then just post a job request within the sidebar.
There's no fee to join and no annoying banner ads. Just people interested in being part of the game development process. So if you are looking for work in the game development business, take a moment and post a job. Similarly, if you're looking for some extra (affordable) help on your game project, stop on by.
John K.
About the author
John Kanalakis is the owner of EnvyGames, an independent game development studio in Silicon Valley that produces games and tools for Xbox 360, Windows, and the Web.
#2
I don't know if I'm just overly naive or over ambitious...
07/29/2012 (5:20 am)
I understand what you mean John but I still want to see if my multi talents can see me through at least one project. Then on my second one I will know the ins and out of each element so I can manage all aspects correctly and also be able to bring some form and shape to the whole production as a whole since I have taken years learning each and every part as a whole. I don't know if I'm just overly naive or over ambitious...
#3
07/29/2012 (5:32 am)
Great idea for a site. I hope lots of Torque developers will sign up!
#4
Kevin, Excellent point. For my first few games, I took on all aspects of the project too. But I found that it took me a long time to do everything and I was loosing interest in the game. In my later games, I outsourced a lot of parts (mostly art related) and was able to finish the game before losing interest. My game dev cycle went from 7+ months to about 1-2 months for an iOS game.
But the other half of this site is for game developers and artists looking for paid work. You might not outsource, but maybe you can offer some RPG expertise for $25. Or write a short game design document for $15. This way you can earn some extra cash while developing your game development skills.
John K.
07/29/2012 (5:50 am)
Thank you Jean-louis, I appreciate the support. Kevin, Excellent point. For my first few games, I took on all aspects of the project too. But I found that it took me a long time to do everything and I was loosing interest in the game. In my later games, I outsourced a lot of parts (mostly art related) and was able to finish the game before losing interest. My game dev cycle went from 7+ months to about 1-2 months for an iOS game.
But the other half of this site is for game developers and artists looking for paid work. You might not outsource, but maybe you can offer some RPG expertise for $25. Or write a short game design document for $15. This way you can earn some extra cash while developing your game development skills.
John K.
#5
John K.
07/29/2012 (5:55 am)
Thank you, Conor. I hope so too. If you notice my last blog post (as well as a few posts in the Jobs forum), I had a hard time finding help. Now that HirePin.com is live (as of today) I'm recruiting all of my fellow programmers, artists, and testers to sign-up. My goal is to have a useful pool of talent within the next 30 days to help small teams find the help they need.John K.
#6
Shall I re-register with a different email or wait?
07/29/2012 (6:27 am)
Hey John, great looking site. Very fresh and lively. Great idea too! I registered and apparently a confirmation email was sent out, but I haven't received anything yet. It's possible my mail server is messed up, I've had problems before now with missing mail showing up 2 days later.Shall I re-register with a different email or wait?
#7
07/29/2012 (7:06 am)
Great idea, there will be some WinterLeaf posts in there by close of play today. Tim 
#8
I will register right away :)
07/29/2012 (8:45 am)
Great intiative! I wish you the best of luck with the site!I will register right away :)
#9
Cool Tim, I'm excited to see more posts. This is really exciting.
Thank you, Lukas. I appreciate the positive wishes.
Feel free to post any type of game-related micro-job you wish. Art, programming, testing, legal, etc.. Everyone on the GarageGames site has a skills that others can benefit from. Jobs can be as small as a $5 piece of advice (i will evaluate the coolness of your game) to $2000 (i will design, create, and rig a humanoid 3D model). It's all welcome.
John K.
07/29/2012 (9:06 am)
Hi Dan, Sorry to hear about that. I've gone ahead and activated your account. So you're all set to go. :)Cool Tim, I'm excited to see more posts. This is really exciting.
Thank you, Lukas. I appreciate the positive wishes.
Feel free to post any type of game-related micro-job you wish. Art, programming, testing, legal, etc.. Everyone on the GarageGames site has a skills that others can benefit from. Jobs can be as small as a $5 piece of advice (i will evaluate the coolness of your game) to $2000 (i will design, create, and rig a humanoid 3D model). It's all welcome.
John K.
#10
07/29/2012 (9:12 am)
I read half the blog, went and created an account on HirePin, and then came back and finished reading it. What a fantastic idea and resource. Good luck with this, and of course thanks!
#11
John K.
07/29/2012 (9:21 am)
Thank you for joining, Caleb. I'm really hoping that this will be a means for all of us indie developers and artists to come together to post jobs and hire each other at affordable rates. The more people that join, the more diverse the jobs are. I'm still in the process of adding some coding jobs. John K.
#12
@Caleb - I did the same thing. Haha. The idea stands on its own legs it seems.
07/29/2012 (9:22 am)
Thanks John. Turns out it was an issue with one of my nameservers. It's been corrected.@Caleb - I did the same thing. Haha. The idea stands on its own legs it seems.
#13
The requested URL /users/psycandygames/default.png was not found on this server.
Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request
Just setting up my profile.
07/29/2012 (9:29 am)
John I thought you'd want to see this:The requested URL /users/psycandygames/default.png was not found on this server.
Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request
Just setting up my profile.
#14
Also, willothenight, it seems that your email address wasn't captured. Can you email me at jkanalakis@msn.com so I can add it? Otherwise, some of the features won't work correctly for you.
Thank you,
John K.
07/29/2012 (9:30 am)
I found the glitch, thank you for reporting that. You should be all set now. Next I need to put together a 404 page, that's still missing. ;)Also, willothenight, it seems that your email address wasn't captured. Can you email me at jkanalakis@msn.com so I can add it? Otherwise, some of the features won't work correctly for you.
Thank you,
John K.
#15
posted a job.
exam finished.its vacation time.
let's see what can be done.
[edit]
in price tag,a option for unfixed price would be helpful.
07/29/2012 (9:49 am)
nice idea.posted a job.
exam finished.its vacation time.
let's see what can be done.
[edit]
in price tag,a option for unfixed price would be helpful.
#16
This is a great example of a typical HirePin job. Someone can benefit from Ahsan's AI expertise for a low price while Ahsan gets some easy cash. A few of these types of jobs start to add up to real money.
John K.
07/29/2012 (10:22 am)
Cool Ahsan, you're job is live! Here's the link to your job...This is a great example of a typical HirePin job. Someone can benefit from Ahsan's AI expertise for a low price while Ahsan gets some easy cash. A few of these types of jobs start to add up to real money.
John K.
#17
07/29/2012 (11:50 am)
This is a great idea. Thanks.
#18
thanks.already got an offer.
07/29/2012 (12:03 pm)
Quote:Cool Ahsan, you're job is live! Here's the link to your job...
thanks.already got an offer.
#19
07/29/2012 (12:14 pm)
Signed up ... great initiative and definitely something that is going to be an awesome asset to Indie Developers.
#20
Also, Ahsan is booked up already! haha
07/29/2012 (12:32 pm)
@John - any plans for some kind of peer rating system? Like a star rating so people can see how happy (or unhappy?) previous clients were with the service they got. Just a thought.Also, Ahsan is booked up already! haha
Torque Owner Jean-louis Amadi
Game Alchemy Entertainment