[balistic]

Yes. Charge hourly. And don't let them promise you royalties in exchange for lowering your rate. Chances are, the game will not get published, especially if it doesn't have a license attached to it. That's not me being cynical, its the state of the industry.

Repeat: get paid in full when you're done with the art, not when they get funding or release the game. They may never find funding or release the game, leaving you out of luck.

[General Confusion]

thanks guys, I hear what you're saying...

what are the current "ball park" going rates for someone who deas that work?

[NRJ Design.com]

If your really really good then you can work for 100 120 an hour. And if you where working for a serious game compagny then you would be working for alot more.

[balistic]

Personally, I go for between 40-90 an hour, but I don't do much freelance, and I have a fulltime job.

[balistic]

I assume NRJ is using Canadian dollars, right?

[12345]

quote:

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Originally posted by balistic:
Personally, I go for between 40-90 an hour, but I don't do much freelance, and I have a fulltime job.

---

you made me sad i have to do a boring non art job for 5 bucks per hour. I lose! I hate my self.

[General Confusion]

I have a long term commission on the brinks of happening. I have to do background paintings of a proposed video game. It's not for an established company, but the potential for it being published is extremely high. (the creators are veterans in the business, with some key contacts for development)

So this is my big break, but I'm at an impass as to how much to charge.

I know how to figure on a budget, etc, etc.. I do it all the time in the illustration work I do, but the game world is a new endeavor for me.. One that I want to seriously persue, so I want to establish a connection/friendship more so with the people I'm dealing with. And I know I can't possibly charge them the amount of money I can make when I do my illustration work.

In video games what's a ball park ratio of what soemone would make doing backgropund paintings, as well as color keys for the overal game itself.

So please someone out there if you could give me an answer or two, I'd really appreciate it... And again, I do this all the time with high end illustration work, but when it comes to this genre I'm not to sure of where I should be going with my decisions.

I'm meeting with them today, so not to be pushy, but the quicker answers get a gold star for the day


thanks alot

[NRJ Design.com]

If you not to sure how much to charge. Charge them by the hour. Let's say you know your work is worth 80$ or 140$ an hour just charge them by the hour.

[General Confusion]

once again, thanks guys.... I guess I have to send those stars to yas...

And that was the range I was considering Balistic

I appreciate the info..

[NRJ Design.com]

Yes i was talking in Canadian dollars
So it would be around 60 - 90 US Dollars

[Novacaptain]

at the Graphic Artist's Guild they have a book called "pricing and ethical handbook" or something like that.

Maybe it covers the gaming area too?

[General Confusion]

Novacaptain

I can tell you, (from experience) the Graphic Artists Guild is an alright starting point, for illustration in general, but the prices there are highly inflated, highly inflated... did I say highly inflated???

The guidelines are based on interviews of members of the guild, who when interviewed give the absolute best prices they can ask for, then they raise them alot.. It's good because it sets standards to how us as artists get paid, but the prices are rarely adhered to, they are merely best case scenario prices. So the artists interviewed for those numbers are smart, because they don't sell themselves short, but you'll be hard pressed to find an employer who will pay you those wages... especially if you are new to a certain field (as i am to gaming) and have no practical experience, name, or friends, etc, etc....

so that's why I asked if anyone could contribute who already does that kind of work..

and some advice I can give to ya, is don't get discouraged if you go to a buyer and you can't get the money that the guild says you could, it's not a reflection on you... it's simply that they typically don't pay to that extent..

[Novacaptain]

Oh i guess it probably would be so. I was just looking around the net and found the page and thought that you could use the link. Hey, thanks for the advice and good luck in the gaming industry.

[thrmx]

I work for a game company very much like the one you describe -- founded by recognized industry veterans and working on getting a contract from a publisher.

I think you should ask for what you think the work is worth (sounds like you have a good idea now from other responses), although you should keep in mind that if the company is pre-funding that they might not be able to afford industry standard rates. If that's the case then you'll have to decide if it's worth your while. One thing you might consider is proposing ways in which they could scale back what they need in order to lower the price to something they can afford, possibly by reducing the number of paintings or the amount of detail.

If your goal is to establish a long term relationship with them, it might be worth it to do this initial work at a loss. Just my $0.02

Max

[bigfoot]

Hi Confusion,
It is confusing what to charge for a job. I've been a freelance airbrush illustrator for
over 20 years, and what I charge depends on a lot of different variables.
My talent is #1. I am very, very good ! other variables to consider are, ....
(example The company: How estabished they are: how "large" they are: what kind
of work they want: How detailed the work is: How many hours (days) it will take:
etc. etc. etc.
I don't belive in charging by the hour. Only because I always figure it will take me
less time than it ever does. Also, Keep in mind...the distribution...will it be national
or world wide. And never, ever, ever, work without a contract!!!!!!
Also, you must put in the contract, how many layouts you will do, and if they ask for
more, you must be compensated. And, you must also put in the contract that if your
work is rejected (for whatever reason) you will be paid . Some companies may try
to screw you by saying their contacts fell apart or the games arent selling......
whatever...just make sure your ass is covered. I don't mean to sound so "down"
I'm not really, there are just so many ways to get screwed when you think a job
is your "big break". I wish you all the best!!!!!! Ball park...dont work for less than
2-5,000.00 per job. You said you were only doing background work...but again,
It depends on how much detail they want and all of the above. Good Luck!
Pss. Always ask for about 1/3rd more than you think they will pay. Let them chew
you down. And everyone is happy. (Belive me, they alway chew you down)