need to know the average costs of custom scripts music and artwork

[demmozero]

I've decided to try out kickstarter to get funding for my project what I need to know is the average prices for scripts, music, and artwork all custom in order to factor it in to the total costs of the game and get a more accurate idea of how much I need. This is no longer a small project I intend to put alot into it. so lets say the average cost for high quality stuff.

also I dont need to hear it varies everything is based on an average thats what I'm looking for

 

[Seraph]

Well for art I know for a fact t can get pretty pricey depending on what you're looking for (I've spent close ~$50 for just two sprites, not bad and I was extremely happy with them).

My suggestion is looking at the Classifieds section. There you can view artists (for art, music, and scripting) and their prices. From there you can kinda get an estimate from that (except maybe for scripting).

 

[Shaz]

There IS no "average" cost. It depends on how much you want, what quality you want, and who you get to do it. Prices and quality can vary so greatly, it is impossible to get a remotely accurate average. The fact that you don't want to hear "there is no average" does not mean someone can suddenly pull a number out of the air for you.


Instead, you should set a budget for your game, and find people who can provide the resources you need for the amount you are willing to spend.

 

[amerk]

The reason people generally say "it varies" is because it depends on how much you are wanting to have customized, whether or not you want it done by a professional (who will generally charge a lot more) or an amateur (who will usually charge a lot less but may or may not have mastered the quality you want), and whether or not you want full exclusive rights and won't be used by anybody else but you (usually charged at a larger rate).

I guess first you'd need to tell us what you mean by custom. Simply replacing the entire RTP with resources found in the store and free-to-use scripts can still make it custom, but not necessarily unique, since somebody else can use the same resources. There's plenty of audio and graphic packs in the store for very low cost, and replacing the whole RTP with these might only set you back by about $100. As for scripts, Yanfly and Yumi both offer very good scripts that are free for commercial use.

If you want fully custom, unique for your game only, it depends on how much of it you want customized. As Seraph stated, a couple of sprites might set you back $50. Doing a full sheet might cost $200, and doing several of those sheets might cost $1000, and that still doesn't include scripts, tilesets/objects, or audio.

A full custom-made tileset alone (just 5 sheets A-E) might cost you $500 to $1000. Assuming you want more than just 5 sheets, that can easily go up.

I don't know the rate of audio tracks, but I'd speculate it depends on the composer, and can easily go for about $25 a track for the best composer. It depends on the composer, the length of the track, and the style.

Again, it also depends on whether the artist/composer/writer can re-sell their material, how many of each resource you need, and the quality of those resources.

Based on what I heard previously, to fully customize your game from scratch (meaning everything is made specifically for you - no RTP, no store purchases, nothing currently floating around on the net for grabs), I'm going to say a minimum of $5000, and that's probably shooting on the low end.

Edit: I was typing this as Shaz replied. His response is quick and to the point.

 

[seita]

@amerk *her* response.

As Shaz said. To build on that, you can also try getting quotes from several tileset makers and spriters and work out a budget from there.

 

[demmozero]

The reason people generally say "it varies" is because it depends on how much you are wanting to have customized, whether or not you want it done by a professional (who will generally charge a lot more) or an amateur (who will usually charge a lot less but may or may not have mastered the quality you want), and whether or not you want full exclusive rights and won't be used by anybody else but you (usually charged at a larger rate).

I guess first you'd need to tell us what you mean by custom. Simply replacing the entire RTP with resources found in the store and free-to-use scripts can still make it custom, but not necessarily unique, since somebody else can use the same resources. There's plenty of audio and graphic packs in the store for very low cost, and replacing the whole RTP with these might only set you back by about $100. As for scripts, Yanfly and Yumi both offer very good scripts that are free for commercial use.

If you want fully custom, unique for your game only, it depends on how much of it you want customized. As Seraph stated, a couple of sprites might set you back $50. Doing a full sheet might cost $200, and doing several of those sheets might cost $1000, and that still doesn't include scripts, tilesets/objects, or audio.

A full custom-made tileset alone (just 5 sheets A-E) might cost you $500 to $1000. Assuming you want more than just 5 sheets, that can easily go up.

I don't know the rate of audio tracks, but I'd speculate it depends on the composer, and can easily go for about $25 a track for the best composer. It depends on the composer, the length of the track, and the style.

Again, it also depends on whether the artist/composer/writer can re-sell their material, how many of each resource you need, and the quality of those resources.

Based on what I heard previously, to fully customize your game from scratch (meaning everything is made specifically for you - no RTP, no store purchases, nothing currently floating around on the net for grabs), I'm going to say a minimum of $5000, and that's probably shooting on the low end.

Edit: I was typing this as Shaz replied. His response is quick and to the point.

this is what I'm asking for I should've said range instead of average I'm simply trying to set up a base for my budget before I delve any further in.

 

[Shaz]

You really need to have a look around at who and what is available (in the style you're going for), get an idea of WHAT resources (and how many) you need, and ask for some estimates.


To give you an idea ... if I want a completely new monster sprite made from scratch, not an edit, I could pay as little as $20, or as much as $300. It depends on who I get to do it for me, how much they think their time and skills are worth, who they're trying to get as their customers, how much competition they have, how much demand there is for their work, where they live, whether they're doing it as a hobby or a career, and the list goes on ...


You can't estimate stuff like that - you HAVE to talk to the people who will be doing it.

 

[Sharm]

If you're talking a small RTP replacement tile set you're going to want more like 3k.  Amerk's estimate is more the norm for an expansion set.  Shaz is right though, just because you have the money doesn't mean it'll be easy to get the right person for it.  It's much better to find the people you'd like to hire first.

 

[demmozero]

I dont have the money I'm gathering information to start a kickstarter project as a requirement I have to have an asking amount but I'll fish around since thats the popular conclusion thank you all for your input.

 

[Shaz]

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