Questions on offering bounties
I'm in need of a dozen or so NPCs for a 3D game and I thought I'd sponsor some bounties. The community benefits with some new models, I benefit from not having to pay an arm and a leg for all these NPCs, artists benefit with beer money, and, believe it or not, even the game benefits--the game has a certain meta-quality to it that makes it better if players think I stole or used cheap stock art. From reading some of the old posts it looks like bounties have been offered here in the past, and I had a few questions about that.
First, is there some kind of existing framework to pay bounties. How were past bounties paid? I have commissioned art directly before, so it's not a big deal to negotiate this with each artist, but if something is in place I wouldn't mind using it.
Second, I'd want some basis to decide on a price point. I'd be interested to see how past bounties worked out. I don't want the bounty to be insultingly low, but neither do I want to go overboard.
Third, I'm not sure if this goes under Resource Requests or Open Commissions.
Thanks.
Also, because I know someone's gonna ask: The answer to the question "What game is it?" is "Forthcoming." That's not the name of the game, that means the answer is forthcoming. I'll tell you later. I've already borrowed some assets from this site and was planning to share it in the Show off your Project forum.
The Bounty system was never formalized, but informally, as the bounty initiator, you would be setting the terms. A few options:
There is no formal payment system in place. Just a paypal transfer, typically. In the past, payment was based on the honor system. If you promise to pay an artist for meeting the requirements, but don't like the result even if it meets the requirements, you're honor-bound to pay the artist anyway. If an artist shows a proof-of-concept or portfolio that implies a certain level of quality and style, the artist is honor-bound to deliver on a quality final product even if it is taking longer than expected and my no longer be worth the bounty offered. These situations are unlikely, but they should be considered when posting or fulfilling a bounty.
If an honor-based system of bounty and trade seems... unappealing to some, I can act as an escrow and arbitrator. Ultimately, you'll be placing your trust in me, though. At the conclusion of the request, I will do my best to weigh the situation fairly and without bias and determine if the artist acted in good faith or if the payment should be returned to the bounty poster.
As for determining price point, there's really no easy way to determine a decent market price other than talking to multiple artists or perhaps a bidding system. different artists have different rates, styles, and levels of quality. I am wondering if it may work to simply post (detailed) requirements for the asset, and encourage artists to post how much they would be willing to take for performing the task.
Does anyone else have some suggestions on how to handle this?
--Medicine StormMost of what you say I am well familiar with, as I have commissioned artwork before.
What I was hoping for was some information on past bounties as a starting point. If there is no such info, I can deal.
past bounties ranged from $30 to $70.
--Medicine StormI honestly believe this is the way to go, at least when working with a stranger, even if they seem to have a portfolio and apparent reputation.
Split the jobs into small manageable pieces, all planned and documented, and begin piece by piece with very small payments. Save the pricey/difficult things until very last. All jobs would be per-task and regardless of the time it takes, because there are always excuses for time but the tasks remain. This also gives the added benefit of seeing the work in progress and making iterations along the way.
Anyone not willing to work like that is not someone I could possibly trust. I've been burned before and ever since, I completely insist on doing things this way. Someone with real integrity and skills should not have a problem with it.