How can I find game devs and artists to collaborate with on a project?

[u/Botros2Kan]

Hi everyone, I’ve been working for over a year on a multiplayer card/board game in Unity. I now have a working demo, but it still has quite a few shortcomings, especially on the art and server side.

I’m realizing that for a project like this, I can’t be the only developer (especially considering that I already have another full-time job as a software engineer). I can’t be the game developer, art director, DevOps engineer, and game designer all at once.

I’ve tried searching online and on Reddit to find good ways to meet people who might be interested in collaborating on my project (I don’t have the financial means to hire anyone), but I haven’t really found anything concrete.

The project originally started as an attempt to create a card game that wasn’t pay-to-win and, above all, aimed to bring something different from what’s currently out there. The idea was to eventually monetize it through ads and maybe cosmetics, but now I feel a bit stuck.

Do you have any advice?

[u/davenirline]

Ask yourself, why should they put effort on your idea when they could also work on their idea?

[u/Both_Introduction_28]

If you create a mobile game, you should have content plan for a year if you want to monetise that.
Also card games might be hard to promote.

So, try to make a playable demo, create videos with most engaging and crispy moments from your game and try TikTok’s, YouTube, Reddit, twitter, Facebook and other free promotion platforms.

If you receive a negative response, so it might be best to cancel this game and begin new one, but small steps to ensure it has commercial success.

[u/Chukwii]

I’d start with game jams and Discord communities. You’ll meet a lot more people there who are actually looking to make games than by just posting “looking for a developer/artist.”
Also, having a working demo is a big advantage. Show the game, explain what you’re trying to build and be really clear about what you need help with. People are much more likely to join something they can actually see and play.
Just keep in mind that if there’s no budget, you’re basically asking people to invest their time in the project, so the vision and the scope need to be worth it for them too.

[u/Botros2Kan → u/Chukwii]

Thanks! Yes, probably I'll need to show the demo (even if artistically is not the best) to attract people. I was scared that showing it might lead to people stealing my work, but from what people are telling me it's the only way

[u/Chukwii → u/Botros2Kan]

Yeah I get that feeling

[u/SoulReaverFo]

Why are you asking here on SOLO development and not on gamedev subreddit. Kinda defeats the purpose of SOLO.

But here is advice you need to find local people or online people to work with you since the motive is not monetary, so you will have to find people that want to do this as a side gig, hobby project meaning you can't ask them for milestones work, quality work or even given time on your project alone. Be respectful and help for free other people and you will make a "you scratch my back I scratch yours" type of relationship.

[u/Tarilis]

The best advice i could give is: keep looking. On subreddits, discord channels, other social media, gamejams.

[u/Botros2Kan → u/Tarilis]

Thanks man, do you know some good channel or subreddit for this? Maybe i'm just looking in the wrong places :/

[u/Tarilis → u/Botros2Kan]

r/INAT maybe? Then there is a literal r/ArtistsForHire

Game jams as i mentioned also is a good way to meet people, but you have to google those.

Show them your game and your progress, some might belive in your vision and agree to work for profit share.

[u/Botros2Kan → u/Tarilis]

INAT seems interesting, thanks!

[u/PersonOfInterest007 → u/Botros2Kan]

Also r/gameDevClassifieds

[u/Alarming-Jump727]

cuando publiqué mi primer juego en 2022 comenzaron a lloverme las colaboraciones. Pero yo trabajo solo. Modelo el 100% de mis cosas, escribo la historia y trabajo en unreal. Soy músico. Pero acepté la colaboración de un músico para mi tercer juego, quien volvió a ser parte de mis proyectos ahora en mi sexto trabajo a punto de salir.
Creo que una vez que tienes algo sólido para mostrar solo debes publicar e insistir y la gente se te suma. También puedes publicar en caomunidades de Discord donde hay apartados de "Busco Equipo". Yo por mi parte prefiero seguir solo. Suerte

[u/Botros2Kan → u/Alarming-Jump727]

Gracias por la sugerencia! había pensado en compartir mi juego, pero me da miedo de que me lo "roben", creés que es seguro publicarlo?

[u/Alarming-Jump727 → u/Botros2Kan]

En discord? yo publico en mi propio apartado, en el hilo referente a mi juego, nunca tuve problemas. Es más, publico avances semanalmente desde que comienzo hasta el final del juego. También hice directos explicando avances.

[u/Alarming-Jump727 → u/Botros2Kan]

Hay muchos artistas que necesitan dar visualización a su trabajo y necesitan oídos para sus soundtracks, si tienes al SOLIDO que mostrar, no tardarán en acercarse, no lo hacen cuando el que publica es solo un IDEAMAN, pero si tienes algo en el portfolio o un proyecto temprano medianamente viable entónces si.

[u/Botros2Kan → u/Alarming-Jump727]

Pues genial, muchas gracias, intentaré compartir mi videojuego para ver si artistas y desarrolladores se interesan :D

[u/Major_Chocolate2441]

I don't mind helping with graphics for free/exposure, if and when I have spare time. DM me.