Programmers, where do you find them?

[RAV]

I think the other artists should be a lot more practical in their advice with coders from here on out, I don't want to be too overbearing on it. I have to say though, the problem of trust is an everlasting conundrum to life at large, because it again trades problems: The more "trustworthy" a person is in character and competence, the less available that person will be to just about anyone. It's a bit like the saying of some women about men: "Why are the good ones always taken!" Anyone out there is pretty much desperate to find the right people to be happy with and for a successful life. This scarcity may be the biggest challenge of life today in the civilized world. The more you want to be save in your bet with people, the more you have certain standards and expectations on others, the more do you have to offer yourself. Otherwise, as you are a risk, you have to take risks, in the attempt of unearthing rough talent others haven't properly recognized yet, a talent that hasn't even recognized itself, not (over)valued itself, with a good heart, that you can bind to yourself, at the cost of patience to develop this potential and relationship. Unless you start doing it all yourself. but that has many other great pains all on its own. *sigh* not helping here I guess.

There is another problem. if you excuse me, even at the risk of slightly derailing your thread. It is the eternal shame and damnation of humankind. But sadly at the very core of how the development of life works. An ingrained psychological effect, down the abyss of the human soul, I believe called the Matheus effect. "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." This applies to many things in many rephrased forms.

What happens with people is, that those that appear weakest and most needy, are offered help the least, while those that look strongest and self-reliant, are offered help the most, even help when not needed, because that is a person everyone loves to have a favour with, while the first -- what's in it for you? not thought consciously maybe, but that's how people tick. For this, religions have invented the concept of Karma, extending the rules to the game of life, that is even if that poor bastard can't ever return favours, fate will, at latest in afterlife. Well, the more people have the concrete problem of paying their bills and feeding their crying kids, it diminishes your patience to wait for that promise. You tend to look out more for people that could help you, than who you could still help yourself. Everyone does. it's terrible. Think you're different? tell me about it. of course you are. we all are! more or less. sometimes. what else can you say.

And so the positive presentation of yourself is important. Selling dreams. even if partly lies. and falling for that of others.

Hey, you still there? good, good. take heart now. shht, it's all gonna be fine. believe. and work. make it work. head's up! cmon.

[A2J2TIWARI]

Haha RAV, so poetic!

Anyways, lots of programmers replied seeing the ads and especially my art. I am very happy that people actually like the artwork. I have collaborated with one programmer. When I sent him the contract, he got uncomfortable and said it's very silly to have contract for such mini games which probably won't ever earn income. So as I had mentioned, the idea of contract was rather silly...

[RAV]

That, or the programmer was being silly. If you feel pro enough for contracts, pick coders that are pro enough to like that. Having things cleared up from start should be a relief, rather than cause for anxiety, to any person of decent attitude and intention.

That being said, honestly I'm not super keen on legal stuff myself. Maybe that means I'm super shady too, but I don't like lawyers and courts, like I don't like hospitals and doctors, nor anything reminding me of that. Terrible. Like circus clowns.

So yeah, if the project has the scope of a game jam title, that seems a bit overblown. But even so what happens if it becomes a surprise hit suddenly? The less concrete the conditions of collaboration from start, the more probable the bad blood on "success", that should rather be a reason for rejoice. And despite my irrational fears of clowns: that's my problem, not yours, I gotta learn to deal with that. it's for my own best.

Other than that, you should better define what these projects are really about for you personally. Actually trying to earn money, or building your resume? Building your resume is also a good reason, because the better and bigger that looks, the better the offers and conditions for you later. Ideally you would "snowball" in your career. For that you need to start somewhere. Usually on less than ideal conditions. Important is to get the first few titles out with your name in it, no matter what, you need to pull through. Start small, pick whoever, just start getting things under your belt. Get a bit pickier after each title. With the growing experience, you also learn better to judge people and conditions from tell tale signs before-hand, you know what you like and don't. But I'm afraid, if you're starting out, you just need to get experience, good or bad, no way to shield yourself off completely, maybe just try limit the biggest lows. Learn to move on knowing better.