7 replies to this topic

[Davaris]

One of the biggest problems I've had as an Indie game maker, is getting 3D content for my games. I tried to get artists to join me over the years, but the answer was always no. I looked into hiring artists and buying 3D content from places like TurboSquid, but both options were too expensive for me and in the end I gave up on making games.

Recently I started playing around with programs like Poser and Daz Studio and found websites that offer high quality (high poly) content at prices hobbyists can afford (www.daz3d.com, www.renderosity.com, www.contentparadise.com, www.poserpros.com). So I asked myself, why doesn't the game making community have a resource like this? There are game engines out there that are powerful, inexpensive, easy to learn and use, but still we have no affordable content to make our games with!

So this gave me the idea to create a website that offers affordable 3D content for Indies and hobbyists. However before I do anything, I want to find out if there is any interest in the idea.

So what I'd like to know is, if you are a hobbyist/Indie game maker, would you buy products from a website that sells themed (pirates, wild west, sci-fi, medieval, etc) 3D content at affordable prices? The prices I'm thinking of are in the $10-$20 range.

Also if you are a 3D artist, I want to know what you think. Would you be interested in making content for a portal that sells content to a higher volume, lower price point market?

P.S.
If you know anyone that might be interested in contributing to this thread, I'd appreciate it if you direct them here. :)

[Reedbeta]

http://www.arteria-gaming.com/

This site sells model packs (not individual models) for about $50 each, complete with texturing. I haven't used them myself but others I've heard from have been reasonably happy with their products.

[Davaris]

Thats what I'm talking about. :) If anyone else has any other links like this, please post them.

[Frank Skilton]

http://www.cubixstud...om/Products.htm

- Has some very cheap fully rigged and animated characters and nice weapons.

[gardon]

How long does it take artists to make these sort of models?

As a programmer, I'm constantly looking for content (because it's hard to create my own). But if I could create my own work, than that would be great.

So for instance, how long does it take to make a standard medieval building? I mean for an amateur to pro. artist. Hours, days, weeks??

-Gardon

[Davaris]

I found this on the Arteria site.


******************************
Building Pack $520

10 Custom 3d Buildings anywhere between 1000-8000 polys. Pack includes Singlular textured buildings, with texture skins and normal maps.

3 weeks from order

Humanoid Characters $400 each

Each chacrater made can be anywhere between 2000-8000 polys. Characer is supplied with full texturing and normal maps, complete with 20 base animations including walk, run, swim, jump, run, run with weapon, walk, walk with weapon, swordfight, punch 1, punch 2, kick, hello, bow etc.

1 full week per character
******************************

What I'd really like is to create basic humanoid figures that you can dress up with accessories (similar to what they do with Poser figures). However I don't know if this kind of thing is feasible at this point in time.

[Frank Skilton]

Bwah, the Arteria models are pretty poorly constructed in my opinion. Sometimes it really is a matter of "you get what you pay for".

[Davaris]

>Bwah, the Arteria models are pretty poorly constructed in my opinion. Sometimes it really is a matter of "you get what you pay for".

That's not always true. If you search around the places I listed above, you'll find the quality is AAA and the prices are low. If there are enough paying customers, the skilled artists will be there.


Here's a small sample of the quality that the Poser crowd are getting:

coflek-gnorg:
http://www.renderosi...p?vendor=206662

Stonemason:
http://www.daz3d.com...ring=stonemason

Faveral:
http://www.daz3d.com...faveral&x=0&y=0

A search for 'castle' at Rendo:
http://www.renderosi...archTerm=castle