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Going Rogue: Game Design Freelancing 101

Learn essential strategies for succeeding as a game design freelancer, from building a support network to setting rates and managing client expectations. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the freelance world and achieve financial clarity in your career.

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Going Rogue: Game Design Freelancing 101

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  1. Going Rogue:Game Design Freelancing 101Aaron CammarataPartner, voidALPHAacammarata@voidalpha.comhttp://www.voidalpha.com/goingrogue

  2. Box Cover Can you put it down? • You can! • Should you? Can you get it done? Can you suck it up?

  3. Press Start • Getting Ready • Support Network • IT Structure • Financial Clarity • Cheat Code: $Annual Salary/1,000 = $Hourly Rate • Cheat Code: Beware odd jobs

  4. Select Level • Launch • Networking = Listening & chatting • Cheat Code: Networking is the fun part Stanford Game Industry Email List https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/gsb-videogames

  5. Select Weapon • Advertising = Promoting “...how to identify great designers, which is what I want to find.” - Clients • Cheat Code:Show me. A DESIGNER!

  6. Loading… • Step 1: Can I do what they want done? “One thing that I noticed in working with the other contractor is that it is possible to take my directions literally, but of course, that's not really what I want.” – Client • Done: • Range estimates (“2-3½ weeks”) • No blockers (“Invent time travel”) • “Itch List” (Strategy / tone) • Buy-in (See them nod) • Step 2: Can I do it on their schedule?

  7. Loading… • Step 3: Can I do it for their budget? • Done: Agreement, draft the contract • Cheat Code:1-2 weeks • Sider’s Law of Compensation: • “If you can’t scratch a window with it, it isn’t compensation.” • Lawyers review. You decide. Will/Will NOT Pay (30/50/20) When Warranty Maintenance Ad Hoc Rate Exceptions

  8. Ready…Fight! • THOU SHALT ALWAYS BE PROFESSIONAL • Screw-ups will happen • And all are your fault (No “But you said…!” Ever.) • Check and confirm your Itch List • Refine – do a little extra work • Renegotiate “the time we have left” • Reboot • Document all changes • Cheat Code: Master the Socratic Method • Assume YOU missed something • Bonus Cheat Code: Expect and enjoy silence • Answer with correct, concise good news No, fear the 1337$p34k 8ull5H17

  9. Strategy Guide • Designers – GIVE ME YOUR CARD • Companies – EMAIL ME acammarata@voidalpha.com • http://www.voidalpha.com/goingrogue • Stanford Gaming e-mail: https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/gsb-videogames • http://luaz.blogspot.com/2012/09/freelance-programmer-survival-manual.html

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