   Zen Marbles Puzzle Game looking for Flash artist/animator
Team name: Od Studioswww.odstudios.comProject name: Zen Marbles A match 4 puzzle game with a relaxing atmosphere and addictive gameplay.Brief description:Zen Marbles is a puzzle game that I conceived during my incarceration at a horrible white collar job.  During a meeting with my boss and his boss they were droning on about all the things that were wrong with me and way I live my life, while I was planning my escape.Two years later, I did escape.  Now I have a great job that pays reasonably well, and I'd like to finish the game what I started so many years ago.  There is a proof of concept demo, there is a design document, there is a well defined list of requirements.  The scope of the game is not too ambitious.  I would consider this a fairly realistic and credible project for those of you reading.I am looking for 1 Flash artist/animator to create about 100 graphics and 25 animations.Target aim:This game is destined for the Flash marketplace, where it will compete among thousands of other games of varying quality.  If the game does extremely well, I have design documents for 3 other puzzle games and the bundle could be marketed as "Zen Marbles Deluxe" to a Nintendo DS, Xbox Live Arcade, or mobile device market.  But really, that's wishful thinking I'm looking to turn a dream into reality not become the next Alexey Pajitnov.Compensation:I can pay you a lump sum upon completion of the deliverable.  I am looking to spend in the $300-500 range depending on the quality of the art.  If you are a spectacular artist that really "gets" the concept but you can't work for that little, we can talk about it.Technology:Flash obviously, but everything else is at the artist's discretion, I don't believe the game requires AS3 and there's no multiplayer or database programming involved.  If you are familiar with mochi ads and various site specific needs like Kongregate APIs, that's a plus but not a requirement.Talent needed:1 Flash artist/animator - I am looking for about 100 graphics and 25 animations.  However, there is the small chance of "scope creep" in which case there is the reasonable assumption that you will work with me to "complete" the game (possibly for a little extra money).  The only thing worse than a 50% completed game is a 99% completed game.Team structure:Matt Haberfeld (me) - "Competitive Analysis, Research and Design".  Competitive Analysis = playing games, and Research and Design = thinking about games.  All kidding aside though, I am the game designer, project lead, and financial backer.  While the first two are nothing special, the third one is mildly important.  Additionally, I am researching how to best market the game to squeeze every penny out of it so that I can make another at some point in the future.Jeremy Reed - Programmer.  Jeremy created the proof of concept demo, refined the basic gameplay a bit, and will work with the potential candidate to finish the game.Brecken Hipp - Musician.  Brecken has written several music tracks for the game and once the art is conceived, will do the sound effects.You - Artist/Animator.  You are a very cool person who sees the value of this project and want to help.  You realize that there is financial compensation and the promise of future work if you do a great job which you will because you are awesome.Website:Our website is www.odstudios.comThe specific requirements for this game are here.Just a note, the proof of concept demo requires you to have an account with www.flashgamelicense.com.  If you really want to check the game out but don't want to go through the hassle, contact me.Contacts:The best way to contact me is directly by email at sector24[AT]gmail.comYou can also leave a comment on the Od Studios site (don't forget to include your email address)Previous Work by Team:Flash games are a new arena for me, but I did design the game Sagewars which is scheduled for public release this year.  Other than that I have 23 years of experience playing games, writing about games, etc.  I think we can all agree it's a good hobby.Additional Info:Thanks for reading this far, and even if you're not interested in this game in particular I am working on other projects.  For instance a puzzle RPG, Facebook RPG, space themed turn based strategy game, isometric RPG.  The list goes on and on.  However, at this time these are not paying positions.  But if my charming elocution and incomparable modesty have piqued your interest, I'm always looking to talk with talented people.Feedback:ANY - I have thick skin, bring it on!   
  So after a few days I got a decent number of views, but no hits.  I was wondering if you guys could tell me if there was anything in the above post that would discourage someone from contacting me?  For instance:Is this a bad place to look for a Flash artist/animator?Are puzzle games not exciting enough?Not enough money offered?Something in the post offended/turned you off from the project?Requirements/contact info not spelled out clearly?etc.Any help you could offer would help me in filling the position at some point and maybe even becoming a better person.  Who knows.  ;)  Also, I will not take anything you say as a personal attack, so please be honest.   ;Quote:Is this a bad place to look for a Flash artist/animator?This is probably the biggest killer, while GD.net does serve as a good hub for developers it is typically seeded with more programmers than artists. If you want to find an artist your much better off going to where they typically hang out, such as one of the Artists Forum's in my signature below.Good luck with your project. ;D   ;You've got mail!   