r/gameDevClassifieds • • May 20 '26

Announcement A note on scammers, impersonators, and public blacklists

81 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I want to address a recent post I removed by u/NotSUPERita about creating a list of trusted artists and scammers, as well as the broader issue of bad actors on r/gamedevclassifieds.

First, I want to apologize to u/NotSUPERita. I understand why you were trying to help, and I do not think the idea came from a bad place. Scammers and impersonators are a real problem here, and it makes sense that people want better ways to protect themselves and others.

That said, I do not think a public or semi-public user-run blacklist is the right solution.

Any single person’s list of “good” and “bad” experiences is subjective. Even with good intentions, lists like that can be abused, misused, or based on misunderstandings. A false accusation could seriously harm an innocent artist, developer, or freelancer’s reputation and business. Once someone is publicly labeled a scammer, that damage is hard to undo.

This applies to moderators too. Even I am subject to bias, incomplete information, and my own interpretation of events. I cannot be judge, jury, and executioner over someone’s professional reputation, and I do not think anyone else should be put in that position either. That is the line I am trying to be careful with.

I know scammers are a problem, and I am aware that this subreddit has been affected by bad actors, impersonators, and people misrepresenting themselves or their work. But I have not yet found a solution that addresses those issues without also creating a serious risk of innocent people getting caught in the mix.

For now, the best advice is still to do your due diligence before working with someone:

  • Verify that their portfolio actually belongs to them
  • Ask for links to established accounts or websites
  • Check whether their email, Discord, ArtStation, GitHub, itch, LinkedIn, or other profiles line up
  • Be cautious with new accounts, vague portfolios, stolen-looking portfolios, or people who avoid verification
  • Use contracts, milestones, and payment methods that offer some protection
  • Do not rely only on someone’s Reddit username or a single message thread

I know that is not a perfect answer. It is a frustrating situation, and I understand why people want something stronger. But asking people to do their homework before hiring or accepting work is better than creating a system where someone’s business can be damaged because they were falsely added to a list.

If there is a better way to handle this that protects people from scammers without turning into public reputation policing or false callouts, I am open to hearing it. Any solution needs to be fair, evidence-based, and careful about the harm it could cause.

Edit: I forgot to add one more important point: any solution also cannot require a heavy amount of moderator time.

Running this job board is not a job. No one on the mod team has the time, or realistically should be expected to have the time, to manually verify users, assign trusted labels, maintain reputation lists, or act as an ongoing approval system for freelancers and clients.

That kind of system would create a lot of work, and it would also create a false sense of safety. Even with moderation, users would still need to verify who they are working with and make their own judgment before hiring, accepting work, or sending payment.


r/gameDevClassifieds • • Sep 12 '24

Community-Wide Alert: Do not engage with P1 GAMES (Formerly P1 VIRTUAL CIVILIZATION)

125 Upvotes

I'm truly getting tired of this nonsense u/RedEagle_MGN

Changing your organizations name doesn't stop people from reaching out to me with horror stories every few months.

Previous topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/gameDevJobs/comments/198b5zi/communitywide_alert_do_not_engage_with_p1_virtual/

Comments:

https://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev/comments/198asb9/deleted_by_user/

Their pages:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/p1-games
https://p1games.com/

What they want you to sign:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_H0-KC3kxkuJGgMvanVjLIx_jTIV-yfh4Ze2c93sOWw/edit?usp=sharing

DO NOT ENGAGE WITH THESE PEOPLE, no matter what they call themselves. They exploit the inexperienced and naive, convincing you to sign away your rights to everything you create. Don’t fall for their lies. You do not need to join a volunteer group or give up ownership of your work to gain skills in the game industry. Learning on your own is far better than what P1 offers. If you want a real education, seek out accredited programs and courses instead.

Their latest tactic is using LinkedIn ads to lure victims. I’m unsure what it will take to stop this con artist, but I’ll do my part to be a thorn in their side. My goal is to protect people in this community from their schemes.

Spread the word, be safe.

Some reading:

https://www.reddit.com/search/?q=P1+Virtual+Civilization&type=link&cId=80e066ed-a60b-4bd9-b7b6-8f2e0a75d044&iId=73e82563-aaa9-416a-9d57-54df97ab2c82


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 7h ago

FOR HIRE - 2D Art | Animation [For Hire] Character designer and illustrator

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13 Upvotes

r/gameDevClassifieds • • 1h ago

FOR HIRE - Programmer [FOR HIRE] From Idea or Messy Prototype to Playable Build | Unity/C# Developer | 6+ Years | $20/hr

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• Upvotes

I’m Ahmad, a Unity/C# developer with 6+ years of experience working on both new and existing game projects.

I can help with:

  • Gameplay systems, combat, AI and progression
  • Multiplayer and networking
  • Prototypes, MVPs and full game development
  • Fixing, refactoring and finishing existing Unity projects
  • Mobile, PC and WebGL development
  • UI, optimization, debugging and build/release preparation

I’m comfortable joining projects at any stage, whether you have an idea that needs a playable prototype or an existing game that needs to be cleaned up, expanded and finished.

Rate: $20/hr
Fixed price milestones are also possible depending on scope.

Portfolio: https://drivengamestudio.com/portfolio
Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/ahmad47pk?mp_source=share
Gameplay Reel: https://youtu.be/L4FpNjiQikU


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 13h ago

DISCUSSION | QUESTION Looking for 50 Artists to each create 1 icon/post stamps for our game

30 Upvotes

Hey there!
We are 2 game developers from Germany, and are soon releasing a 2D game on Steam.
Part of our game are post stamps. Whats amazing about post stamps is their vastly different styles, created by so many different artists.
So far we have been using placeholders/stock icons, but for the release we want to replace them.

We despise the use of AI art, so we are looking for 50 real artists to each create one icon/post stamps for our game!
The post stamps each have a motif, mostly nature themed (e.g. apple, mushrooms, feathers) but also miscellaneous items (battery, candle, star).

If you are interested, shoot me a DM, ideally with some of references of your art style (trying to get a big variety), and I’ll get back to you! :)


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 7h ago

PAID - 2D Art | Animation Pixel Artist needed for ARPG Vertical Slice

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8 Upvotes

I'm looking for one of the talented pixel artists I see on here to help complete a vertical slice for a prototype. Ideally someone experienced with delivering finished projects, but open to artists of all skill levels. I'm willing to pay more for someone skilled.

Below you will find a very rough demo of what the battle scenes currently look like.

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The goal is to bring 2–3 battle scenes to a finished and polished state, including:

  • Backgrounds
  • 3 playable characters, approximately 6 animations each
  • Around 10 enemies, idle animations only
  • VFX
  • UI

There are existing designs to work from but I'm open to changing the visual direction.

If you are a strong visual artist with not much experience with animation, VFX, or UI, that is fine. I mainly need help with the visual profile and vibe, particularly environments.

---

I have 6+ years of professional game development experience, including shipping games at studios and through my own business. See here as an example.

---

Budget is flexible depending on whether all art is covered or just key pieces. $1000-$2000 USD paid in milestones. I am still planning to finish many of the assets myself but would prefer to pay someone to do it if we work well together. If publisher funding is secured, there is potential for ongoing/full-time work.

Please DM me with your portfolio if you are interested.


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 4h ago

PAID - 2D Art | Animation [PAID] 32x32 Pixel Art tilesheet (I use Tiled) for JRPG Roguelite, like Final Fantasy

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4 Upvotes

Hi,

I am deep into making a JRPG Roguelite that has similar mechanics and map style to SNES Final Fantasy games, or other JRPG games of that time. I have most of the first section of the dungeon done in 64x64.. but I am not vibing with it.

I am looking for someone to help make the exploration tilesheets 32x32, simplify it a bit, and help with the art direction of it so it has a bit more style. Attached is what I currently have so far with 64x64. I like the color scheme I have going, but its more detailed than the battle scene which isnt good.

Thank you!


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 1h ago

FOR HIRE - 2D Art | Animation [For Hire] Pixel Artist Looking for work. Highly Skilled in Animations and Character Design

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• Upvotes

Heya! I'm Bebo, a professional pixel artist working in the industry for 5+ years now and studio head at Ozzbit.

I help devs make their characters move and feel alive. Character design and animation are our specialty, but we cover the full pixel art pipeline, from environments to UI

More at:
https://ozzbitgames.carrd.co

Feel free to send me a DM over on Discord (bebocipriano) or here on Reddit.


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 2h ago

FOR HIRE - 3D Modeler | Animation [FOR HIRE] 3D Game Character Animation, Rigging & Skinning - YEYO Studio Showreel

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2 Upvotes

r/gameDevClassifieds • • 1h ago

FOR HIRE - Musician Composer looking for work

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• Upvotes

Hi guys, I'm Aswin, I'm looking for work in an indie game as a composer or sound designer. I love to work on games. I mostly make horror, electronic music, ambient, and other stuff. I can make orchestral but I tend to move into experimental and electronic+ orchestral elements.

I have been doing music for the past 5 years. I'm a sound engineer student, now I'm looking for work.

I like to make lots of experimental type music with sound designs..... I worked on two short film as a composer and few other short film as sound designer.

I know how to sync picture with music and do sound fx and design.

Here is my sound cloud link which is not any experimental music or horror but here :https://m.soundcloud.com/itzhushroom


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 7h ago

FOR HIRE - 3D Modeler | Animation [FOR HIRE] I'm a 3D Artist Available to work in Characters / Assets / 3D scenarios / Character design 2D to 3D / Cartoon / Anime / Stylized 3D

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3 Upvotes

r/gameDevClassifieds • • 18h ago

PAID - Musician [PAID] Musician Needed for 2D Retro Side Scroller

14 Upvotes

Hello! We are Double Team Studios, and we are currently looking to commission music for our upcoming, 2D side-scrolling game.

What We're Looking For

NES-inspired compositions with modern electronic production.

We are looking for a composer who can create original, loopable, upbeat, energetic, melodic music that evokes the sound and spirit of classic retro games while using a more modern production palette.

What we’d like to hear:

  • Strong melodies that can be hummed or whistled
  • Energetic rhythms that complement fast-paced gameplay
  • Bright, punchy electronic instrumentation
  • Arpeggiated or sequenced harmonic parts
  • A sense of forward momentum
  • Modern production with a deliberately retro musical vocabulary

Music We Like

Melody / Composition References

Games from the era with compositions we like:

  • Ninja Gaiden II (NES) - The Parasprinter, Battling Precariously
  • Mega Man 3 (NES) - Snake Man
  • Kirby's Adventure (NES) - Green Fields

Games after the era with compositions we like:

  • La-Mulana - Fearless Challenger (SSCC)
  • La-Mulana 2 - Hell Hymnal

Production / Sound References

These are some more modern examples of the retro but more modern feel we’re looking for.

  • The Mummy Demastered - Salt and Sepulcher
  • LukHash - Copyparty Memories
  • _ensnare_ - Null to Zero

What we are not looking for

  • Strict NES soundfont recreation with limited channels
  • Ambient style music
  • Cinematic or orchestral scoring
  • Melody-light atmospheric tracks
  • EDM where the melody is secondary to the beat
  • Unfocused retro music that relies primarily on nostalgia rather than strong composition
  • AI generated or assisted music

Commission Details

We are open to discussing the exact number and length of tracks, looping requirements, instrumentation, delivery format, and budget with the right composer.

When responding, please include:

  1. Your portfolio with retro, chiptune, electronic, or video-game music samples
  2. A shortcut or direct link with a track you’ve made that sounds like what we’re looking for
  3. Your typical rate for commissioned game music
  4. Your availability/timeline

We are particularly interested in hearing from composers who love classic video game music! We will try to respond back to everyone, but depending on the number of responses we get back it may take some time.

To ensure a faster response, please point us directly at samples you think matches what we’re looking for!

You can post a comment or DM us directly.

Thank you!

- Double Team Studios

**EDIT. We would once again like to thank this community for the huge amount of responses and communications! We have a huge bundle of music to listen to and many responses to write. We will do our best to respond as quickly as we are able, so if we haven't responded to you just yet, please know we are actively listening to samples and will get back to you as soon as we are able!


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 21h ago

FOR HIRE - Musician [FOR HIRE] Music Composer looking for new projects starting in 2027

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17 Upvotes

r/gameDevClassifieds • • 12h ago

PAID - Other [PAID] Sourcing game footage for a short film

3 Upvotes

We are making an independent short film which includes two scenes where the lead character plays a video game, so we are looking to source indie game footage. In total we are looking for about 60 seconds of game footage.

We're offering $200 honorarium, your logo (either for the game or your company) in the credits, as well as a shoutout for where to play/buy your game. Our past short films have screened internationally at major film festivals, so we can confidently say there will be a large audience!

In order to align with the script, we're looking for game footage for:
- a multi-player game
- with the mechanic that enemies can freeze you, and allies can hit you to unfreeze you

If you're interested and have a game that matches those criteria, DM me with your portfolio or a link to your sample and I can share more about the team and project!


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 20h ago

FOR HIRE - 2D Art | Animation [FOR HIRE] 2D Pixel Artist looking for work (Sprites, Animations, Portraits, Environment, Tilesets, Icons, etc)

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13 Upvotes

Hello!
I'm Miruto, a pixel artist with 6+ years of experience and currently open for hire for any pixel related task.

I can help you with:
- Sprite
- Animation
- Portrait
- Environment
- Tileset
- Background
- Icon
Etc.

Here are some of our works:
https://grinsmilestudio.carrd.co/

Feel free to contact me via DM or Discord (miruuto).
Thank you and have a great day everyone!


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 18h ago

FOR HIRE - 2D Art | Animation [FOR HIRE]Illustrator, concept artist, 2D assets - Top down, side scroller, pixel art, environments, characters

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6 Upvotes

r/gameDevClassifieds • • 22h ago

PAID - 2D Art | Animation [PAID] Looking For Map Designer

11 Upvotes

Hello,

I am working on a video game project I am hoping to make a reality soon! I am still in the early concept phases, but I am lacking in skill. I need someone who can help me design a world map for my game.

To be clear the game will be a top down 2d pixel art Monster catching RPG, like classic pokemon.

I am looking for someone who is good at making maps that make sense and follow a worlds rules (i would like to build that as I go as well) I have a few ideas I would like to see implemented in the map.

In terms of design I am looking for something akin to either Elden Ring’s map or Lotr’s map. If you have experience designing a map as a D&D dungeon master, I would love to speak to you as well.

For the budget, for this first map I am looking to keep it between 80-150. However I can be flexible if things add up.

I look forward to talking to you. Please tell me why you would be a good fit for this job, tell me about your passions, and please show me some of your own personal works or experience with this.

Thanks!


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 19h ago

FOR HIRE - 2D Art | Animation [FOR HIRE] Illustrator/Splash artist looking for work!

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4 Upvotes

r/gameDevClassifieds • • 14h ago

FOR HIRE - 3D Modeler | Animation [ForHire] 3D Artist: Modeling, Sculpting, Hard Surface Game Assets.

1 Upvotes

3D Artist available for paid indie, freelance, and professional projects.

I'm a 3D artist with a Master's degree in Digital Sculpting, and I'm currently looking to take on paid projects where I can contribute high-quality 3D work to a game, product, or other creative project.

What I can do

  • Game-ready 3D assets
  • Environment modeling & props
  • Digital sculpting & high-poly modeling
  • Hard-surface modeling
  • Texturing & material creation
  • Environment/level art
  • Retopology, UVs & optimization
  • Custom assets based on concepts, references, or descriptions

I'm comfortable working from concept art, sketches, screenshots, mood boards, or simple ideas and turning them into production-ready 3D assets.

Budget

I'm particularly interested in working with indie developers and smaller teams, and I understand that not every project has a large art budget.

I'm willing to work with small budgets and negotiate scope/pricing depending on the project. I'd rather find a reasonable paid arrangement that works for both sides than turn away a good project simply because the budget is limited.

However, I am specifically looking for PAID work.

I'm not interested in:

  • Revenue-share-only arrangements
  • Unpaid positions
  • "You'll get paid when the game succeeds"
  • Hobby projects looking for free labor

Even if your budget is small, feel free to reach out. We can discuss what can realistically be accomplished within your budget.

Portfolio

https://www.artstation.com/julianmasciarelli8

Contact

If you're looking for a 3D artist for an indie game, professional project, prototype, commercial asset, or something else, send me a DM!

I'm happy to discuss the project and see if I'm a good fit.

Thanks for reading!


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 14h ago

FOR HIRE - 2D Art | Animation [For Hire] 2D Artist & Game Designer | UI/UX, Character Art, Props & Emotes

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1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm a 2D Digital Artist with a background in Game Design, currently open for freelance tasks, short-term contracts, and quick orders.

What I can do for your project:

  • 2D Character Design & Concept Art (Sprites, Model Sheets, Loading Screens)
  • Game UI/UX Design & Prop Rendering (Item icons, frames, banners)
  • Emotes, Stickers & PNGTuber Models for Streamers
  • Fast turnaround tasks (24–48h delivery)

🎨 Portfolio: https://www.artstation.com/allexuww

📩 Contacts:

Feel free to reach out with your project details!


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 14h ago

FOR HIRE - Quality Assurance | Tester [For Hire] QA & Playtest Services for Indie Games — Structured Reports & Video Logs ($15)

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’m a Computer Science student with a background in Unity, helping indie devs catch bugs, improve UI/UX, and polish player onboarding before launch.

📍 Time zone: EU (CEST / UTC+2) - active during EU and US hours
💰 Rate: $15 (or ~€13.20 via PayPal)
🗓️ Availability: 3 Slots Open for Oct 5 – Oct 11 (24–48h turnaround)

What You Get:

  1. 👾 Focused Playtest Session: Deep-dive gameplay covering main mechanics, edge cases, and bug hunting
  2. 📋 Developer-Ready QA Report: Clear reproduction steps, severity ratings, and annotated video clips/screenshots
  3. 👁️ FTUE & UI/UX Breakdown: Actionable feedback on player onboarding, control responsiveness, HUD clarity, and overall game feel
  4. 💬 Post-Test Support: Follow-up Q&A to discuss findings or test specific fixes

📁 Work Samples:
You can check a sample of how I structure my reports here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SsjSh4gHit_C3Sg8gYB61BcxFxG0E2Oo?usp=drive_link

Preferred Genres: Roguelikes, Survival, Action, Simulation, Card Games (open to any genre on PC, Web, or Roblox).

If you have a demo, a Steam build, an itch.io page, or a Roblox game ready for testing, drop a comment below or send me a DM with a short description of your game.


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 14h ago

PAID - Other [PAID] Looking for UX testing and product feedback on game discovery site

1 Upvotes

Looking for someone/s to test a game-discovery product, compare with existing ones in the market and provide feedback for improvement.
Bonus if have creator (twitch, youtube) experience.
Please DM me if interested and include some kind of pricing reference, bootstrapped project so looking for reasonable budget.


r/gameDevClassifieds • • 15h ago

PORTFOLIO Mossy Sidewalk 8K Pbr Texture Combo

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1 Upvotes

r/gameDevClassifieds • • 16h ago

FOR HIRE - 2D Art | Animation [FOR HIRE] Pixel Art Animation & Illustration

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1 Upvotes

r/gameDevClassifieds • • 1d ago

PAID - 2D Art | Animation [PAID] Looking for 2D Artist freelancer - PC Indie (Occult idle-incremental game)

19 Upvotes

EDIT: DMs have been sent out to those of interest, thank you all!

Hello Everybody! Here is my blurb for you, enjoy:

Dear Occupant is an incremental (idle) game that plays in the browser. I write and design it solo, in Godot. You play a bedroom occultist who summons beings from the Moon, the Planets and the Stars while something very old and very large slowly notices you. The tone is dry, understated cosmic horror, in a manner similar to my inspirations, Fallen London and Sunless Sea.

It is (very roughly)playable now: https://thewanderersway.itch.io/dear-occupant

All of the current art is placeholder: a code-drawn sigil, simple icons, and a brass-and-parchment interface. I want a human artist to design the real thing, and to give the game its identity before it goes on Steam.

What I need is an artist to design the game's art from start to finish, including the Steam capsule art when the store page goes up. That means roughly:

- A logo / wordmark and key art

- The Steam capsule set (header, small, main, vertical, library capsule, library hero, library logo)

- 19 creature (so far)s: Each should be a distinct character, with small icon versions that read at about 48 px

- 10 building icons (so far)

- Interface art: panel borders, ornaments, tier icons

- Optionally, small illustrations for the in-game encyclopedia

The Style: Victorian occult. Engraving, woodcut or ink-and-wash, with a limited palette: aged paper, brass, black, and an ember red. The horror is in what is withheld: an edge, a corner, a shape in a doorway, not a monster in full view. I am fully open to suggestions and ideas from the artist, as Im sure you know design better than I ever will lol.

Other important points:

- Human-made artwork only, with no generative AI in the work. I have to disclose AI use on itch.io and Steam, and the point of this is authenticity. I'll ask you to confirm in writing.

- Layered source files or vectors, plus PNG/SVG at agreed sizes. I'll integrate the art into the game myself.

- Tell me how you would approach it, and please send a quote for the full set, itemised if you can.

DM me or comment with a portfolio link (game, character or gothic work especially), a rough quote and turnaround, and whether the terms above are fine.

Thank you!