3D game artists

I am not sure if this was asked before but I don't know:
a) How much money a 3D game artist asks for a game?
b) Are they payed on time basis or it depends on how many models will built?
c) Are there any minimum fees?
d) What is the framework. Do I have to provide him with a level editor for example?
I indent to cooperate with an artist so I want to know at least the basics...

Thanks in advance

Moraldi,

Not that I am that qualified to answer this but I suspect that like me, any artist would like to utilise his/her own tools. In fact I know this to be true.

The more important question is what do YOU want from an artist?

In answer to your questions:
a) - How much work is there to do? What formats do you need? Characters? Animations? Buildings? Worlds? Interiors? Fantasy or based on fact? Textures? Dot3?

b) This will depend upon thew artist and the answer to (a) above.

(c) No, but don't ask someone who does this for aliving to do it for just royalties, everyone has bills to pay.

(d) Your attitude is absolutely commendable but the most important thing really is that YOU need to have a clear vision of what it is you want. An artist will not really want free reign, but will want some clear directionis what is required, otherwise you will end up going around in circles.

I hope some of that helps!

IPete2.

As an artist I would do/demand something like this:

-I need a clear job description; what models, what complexity, what maps (diffuse, specular, normal)... do I need to rig them (x2 money) or animate them (x6 money)?

-If I would have to design the models too that will take time (money) also in addition of the modeling and texturing

-I would NEVER do anything for royalty promises only - "you'll get x% of the sales when this gets finished" is a sure way to get nada. I would want fixed pay for the assets I make and maybe small royalty.

-One way to do things is also per hour basis, but that would not be the best choice for you.

Mustang's post clears a little bit the things for me
But I still don't have a base for the cost.
If I will decide to by a new Ferrari everyone knows that 30.000€ or even 40.000€ are not enough.
If I have 500€ know that I can by a Ceicento (if it is a "second hand"...)
Let's say for example that I have a budget of 1000€. What I have to expect from an artist? a leg of a static mesh :), or a complete textured level?

In any case thank you both!

That's because there is no universal going rate. You'll have to negotiate. For a 1000 EUROS I'd consider working 2-3 weeks max. (2-3 days a moderately complex character) depending on how interested I was at the time and only because I currently live in a country with low living costs, so you'll have to play it by ear and fish around for prices, and perhaps more advice before you know if you're in the ball-park or not.

a professional 3dartist here in germany can take around 200-500 Euro for each day of work. But often, you can save money if you are arranging a fixed prize with the artist. A complete textured level for 1000€ is maybe possible, but I don´t believe you will get good quality work then. Creating a whole detailed level can take much weeks.

Thanks guys. You turned on the light in my darkness!!!

Moraldi, you are ready to pay 1000 Eur, for good looking level?? If so, may I know whats the level about, type and content, etc..

It would be best to post up a complete list of all the art you need (listing all animations if needed) and then ask for peoples cost.

Also a few sketches or images from other games to what style you need is always good.

A good contract/freelance artist around here working on games usualy makes about $40+ an hour when its all worked out.

Thats assuming they have to support themselves, pay the bills and the upkeep of their software and hardware.

If your looking for someone desperate or inexperienced then it could be anything from free just to get their work out there.

If I was going to employ an artist then I'd probably choose someone from an eastern european or developing eastern country. Generally, ex-communist countries (or current communist countries, come to that) would be my first port of call. The great thing about the internet is that it makes doing this entirely possible.

yeah JustLuke, it sucks for people in western countries though, No one will be able to live and work here soon.

Makes you wonder what the world will be like 50 years from now, maybe everyone exept the super wealthy will move to developing countries.

House prices for 800 square foot 2 bedroom 1 bath rot and termite infested fixer uppers here in the slum areas start at $200k.

I expect things will even out in the end, since inflation shot up in those countries, and people that make enough often emigrate from eastern countries.

Agreed.

In many ways, it's becoming increasingly more expensive for us in the west to maintain our way of life. Prices climb and our ability to compete with cheaper eastern countries diminishes. Still, capitalism and the free flow of immigrants between countries tends to create balance, stability and raise global standards of living in the long run.

Getting back on topic though, (because I don't want to turn this into a political thread) for independent developers, it really is a cost effective way to purchase original high quality art, and, obviously, anything that reduces cost reduces financial risk.

Moraldi,

I understand what you ware asking, and in my original reply I did say you would have to be more forthcoming with what YOU require.

You have not asked for a Ferrari have you - you have asked for a car...

What kind of car?

What size engine?

Four wheel drive / roadster/sports/people carrier/ runabout?

These all cost VASTLY different sums of money. YOU need to be specific.

You could cut a deal with 1,000Euros - and perhaps some royalties. Ask yourself, if you have 100 Euros each day, would 10 days be enough to make the things you need for your game, the answer is probably no.

So 1,000 Euros is not going to be enough unless you only require a little media.

IPete2.

IPete2: I understand what you say and perhaps you have right.
But which question comes first?
a) How much money can I spend to do something ?
or
b) What I need to do?
This sequence is different between different persons
In my case I didn't know which question I should answer first.
Thanks to your replies I have a clearer point of view...

Yes it is a bit chicken and egg, but I know the answer to that one...

I think you should explain what you want to achieve in your game, what do you need to make the game, and then say how much your budget can stretch to, finally ask is anyone willing to do the work for that budget?

Then everyone knows where to begin to negociate from. You say, "My budget is 1,000 Euros, and I need this many buildings, levels, characters, animating, textures, trees, boxes or whatever".

You see I cannot offer as I can't do characters, and I don't know if you want characters or not...but I know a man who does...and he will want to know a price/budget.
IPete2.

IPete2: I will complete my check list and then I will contact you...

Moraldi: If this is for what I think it's for you might not need tons of media to get started, just enough to make it complete and see if it works, and then invest more in the next one maybe?

Moraldi,

Great, I look forwards to hearing from you. :)

IPete2.

i woul n't spend that much on an artist unless your game is going to make lot's of money.If you could get an artist who is as interested in the project as you, you may get someone even volunteering.
A 3d artist would not get paid as much anyway for indie stuff anyway.
I would say get your game design, code sorted out and if you feel its going somewhere , then pay for someone. don't just throw your cash around for the sake of it.