Gary Weber
03-10-2003, 10:34 PM
Hello.
For several months now I have been developing a prototype with the intent of landing a publishing deal. Since my background is in console titles, I am focusing on developing games for current and future game console systems. The only thing I can presently say about the title is that it’s a cartoony action-adventure title.
I believe in utilizing existing technology as much as possible and thus I am using UT2003 to develop the prototype. The Unreal Engine is also supported on the PS2 and Xbox platforms. The game is currently running under UT with my really bad programmer art and I am presently bringing everything over to run under UT2003.
I have reached the point now that I would like to bring in team members to produce some much-needed artwork for the game. But before I go into any more detail, allow me tell you a little more about myself.
My name is Gary Weber, and I have over 10 years of programming experience. I have worked on six (6) published console titles, three (3) for the Playstation and three (3) for the Playstation 2. Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) published all these titles while I was working for a second party developer in San Diego, CA.
I then decided to start up my own studio and have since moved back to the East coast (Baltimore, MD). I am pursing this endeavor on a full-time basis living off of my savings.
Know this, I am not asking anyone to pursue this full-time like I am. I am looking for talented, passionate individuals, who would like the opportunity to help shape a preliminary vision of a game. These opportunities are essentially contract positions and ideally full-time salaried employee positions when a full publishing deal is acquired. Let me say that again since it is pretty important. Ideally, I am looking for TEAM members. That is, individuals who are willing and able to become employees once a publishing deal is acquired. I realize that there are no guarantees that you will be around to become an employee, and I surely cannot guarantee you anything, but like I said, ideally I am trying to gather a team together.
If you are a contractor by trade, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My belief is that I will be using a combination of professional contractors or art studios, and individuals.
Here is what I am looking for:
· Level Designer familiar with UT2003
You don’t necessarily have to have any commercial experience, but you should have a few completed levels already under your belt ready to be seen at a moments notice.
· Modeler – Pickup and weapon models
These models (Around 50) will be around 500 polys or so. You should be fluent in either Max or Maya and have several sample models for me to evaluate.
· Character Skins and concept sketches
You will play an important role in helping me come up with the preliminary sketches of the characters in the game. You’ll be required to draw several concept sketches until we are pleased with a final result and then we’ll need to turn those sketches into skins to import into the game.
· 2D Artist for HUD
First, you’ll draw up some concept sketches to see what direction we would like to go in. Then you’ll go off and execute on that vision we came up with. You will also probably be asked to come up with some full-color concept sketches of our main menus. You should have some samples that I could look over.
Please keep in mind that this is for a cartoony and light-hearted game and the artwork should reflect this vision. Also note that I won’t always be telling you exactly what something should look like. For the most part, that’s your job. I will provide you a general description (i.e. Cartoony looking clock), but it will be up to you to come up with an initial version of that clock. You will then bring it back to me, and I may or may not ask for any changes. It is important for the artists to understand the vision and “look and feel” of the game, and the type of game we are trying to create, so they stay true to that vision. However, you will have the opportunity to bring your own creativity to the project.
Now, I’m sure you’re all wondering whether or not you’ll actually be paid for any of this work. As I’m sure you will understand, capital is fairly tight and I must spend every penny wisely. I will pay everyone the best that I possibly can. The amount will be determined primarily by four (4) factors:
· Your level of expertise
· Amount of work required
· How much you think you should get
· How much I can afford to pay you
Please understand that this is a serious post. I am going all out to try and make this happen. Yes, I am spending my life savings, but for me I came to the conclusion that it’s well worth it. With this business, I am not merely trying to create a business for myself, but more importantly, a way of life. I will do everything I can to pay you want I can without burying the company for good.
So, where do we go from here? I’m sure you have many questions, but at this time if you think you fit the bill I really need to see your work before we can go any further. If after evaluating your work, and I feel you may be a good candidate, I think it would be a good idea for us to talk over the phone for a bit. I may then send you a portion of the business plan so you will have the opportunity to understand the company’s philosophy and goals, and the types of games we will be focusing on.
If there is one thing that I know, it’s what it’s like to be an employee. I don’t want you or anyone to accept anything less then what you want. I will do everything I can to insure that you fully understand the vision and direction this company will take so you can decide if this is right for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at gwbiz@comcast.net.
Good luck out there and thanks for your consideration.
-Gary Weber
For several months now I have been developing a prototype with the intent of landing a publishing deal. Since my background is in console titles, I am focusing on developing games for current and future game console systems. The only thing I can presently say about the title is that it’s a cartoony action-adventure title.
I believe in utilizing existing technology as much as possible and thus I am using UT2003 to develop the prototype. The Unreal Engine is also supported on the PS2 and Xbox platforms. The game is currently running under UT with my really bad programmer art and I am presently bringing everything over to run under UT2003.
I have reached the point now that I would like to bring in team members to produce some much-needed artwork for the game. But before I go into any more detail, allow me tell you a little more about myself.
My name is Gary Weber, and I have over 10 years of programming experience. I have worked on six (6) published console titles, three (3) for the Playstation and three (3) for the Playstation 2. Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) published all these titles while I was working for a second party developer in San Diego, CA.
I then decided to start up my own studio and have since moved back to the East coast (Baltimore, MD). I am pursing this endeavor on a full-time basis living off of my savings.
Know this, I am not asking anyone to pursue this full-time like I am. I am looking for talented, passionate individuals, who would like the opportunity to help shape a preliminary vision of a game. These opportunities are essentially contract positions and ideally full-time salaried employee positions when a full publishing deal is acquired. Let me say that again since it is pretty important. Ideally, I am looking for TEAM members. That is, individuals who are willing and able to become employees once a publishing deal is acquired. I realize that there are no guarantees that you will be around to become an employee, and I surely cannot guarantee you anything, but like I said, ideally I am trying to gather a team together.
If you are a contractor by trade, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My belief is that I will be using a combination of professional contractors or art studios, and individuals.
Here is what I am looking for:
· Level Designer familiar with UT2003
You don’t necessarily have to have any commercial experience, but you should have a few completed levels already under your belt ready to be seen at a moments notice.
· Modeler – Pickup and weapon models
These models (Around 50) will be around 500 polys or so. You should be fluent in either Max or Maya and have several sample models for me to evaluate.
· Character Skins and concept sketches
You will play an important role in helping me come up with the preliminary sketches of the characters in the game. You’ll be required to draw several concept sketches until we are pleased with a final result and then we’ll need to turn those sketches into skins to import into the game.
· 2D Artist for HUD
First, you’ll draw up some concept sketches to see what direction we would like to go in. Then you’ll go off and execute on that vision we came up with. You will also probably be asked to come up with some full-color concept sketches of our main menus. You should have some samples that I could look over.
Please keep in mind that this is for a cartoony and light-hearted game and the artwork should reflect this vision. Also note that I won’t always be telling you exactly what something should look like. For the most part, that’s your job. I will provide you a general description (i.e. Cartoony looking clock), but it will be up to you to come up with an initial version of that clock. You will then bring it back to me, and I may or may not ask for any changes. It is important for the artists to understand the vision and “look and feel” of the game, and the type of game we are trying to create, so they stay true to that vision. However, you will have the opportunity to bring your own creativity to the project.
Now, I’m sure you’re all wondering whether or not you’ll actually be paid for any of this work. As I’m sure you will understand, capital is fairly tight and I must spend every penny wisely. I will pay everyone the best that I possibly can. The amount will be determined primarily by four (4) factors:
· Your level of expertise
· Amount of work required
· How much you think you should get
· How much I can afford to pay you
Please understand that this is a serious post. I am going all out to try and make this happen. Yes, I am spending my life savings, but for me I came to the conclusion that it’s well worth it. With this business, I am not merely trying to create a business for myself, but more importantly, a way of life. I will do everything I can to pay you want I can without burying the company for good.
So, where do we go from here? I’m sure you have many questions, but at this time if you think you fit the bill I really need to see your work before we can go any further. If after evaluating your work, and I feel you may be a good candidate, I think it would be a good idea for us to talk over the phone for a bit. I may then send you a portion of the business plan so you will have the opportunity to understand the company’s philosophy and goals, and the types of games we will be focusing on.
If there is one thing that I know, it’s what it’s like to be an employee. I don’t want you or anyone to accept anything less then what you want. I will do everything I can to insure that you fully understand the vision and direction this company will take so you can decide if this is right for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at gwbiz@comcast.net.
Good luck out there and thanks for your consideration.
-Gary Weber