LÖVE

*Sorry I think I may have posted this in the wrong forum last time

Hi there, this is my first topic on these forums. I was wondering where you guys go to find artists for games? I'm familiar with the process of commissioning work but I have a major case of the poor so I'd love to find people who are willing to wing it till there's a profit we can share, or find investors or do a kickstarter or whatever. Coming from the flash community I've only known artists who are into very light projects. If I'm plotting on something larger in scope is it going to be impossible to find a partner? Can anyone with experience in this speak?

opengameart.org

If you want someone to be in it for any kind of long haul you need to have trust and respect. Those are difficult to engender, but there are things you can do to help them along. You can pay them, you can exchange work for them, or you can do something notable enough that they approach you in the first place.

Getting art is tough, stick with it. If you've got a couple hundred bucks to spare, it'll go a long way.

a good source to find 2d artists: http://www.pixeljoint.com/

I think I can speak from experience;

The best thing you can do is communicate. I've been sitting in IRC channels for the past few years, and met people, found folks that will respect the work you do, and realize that you can provide something that will be mutually beneficial; it boils down to herding sheep.

If you want people to work for you for free, you need to provide incentive and motivation.

For me, it's been two things; the promise of producing a working product that they can present to others, and the promise that what they produce in collaboation with yourself will provide something that will respect them as artists themselves.

My ventures originally started in music, actually. I have brought together many people to make music, and have succesfully had them perform etc, even without the promise of pay.

My first game like this was Giga Pudding, and a fellow named Coffee joined the thread here at love2d.org, and helped provide vector level quality graphics, because he thought it would be cool.

The other games I've made are Dun.Gen and recently xapalus, both with an artist named Blarget2, which I met on #love on IRC.

I am currently developing Starfire Lords: Genesis and have a few artists being professionally paid, but without proper motivation, it's hard to say that the game would have come as far as it has so far.

For aspiring video game developers seeking artists, you need to show people you can make games, and then provide a way for people to help you. Seek artists out in channels, and make it happen. I find the game dev compos, like Ludum Dare and Bacon Game Jam are excellent ways to make this happen.

Some great communites;
http://opengameart.org/
http://ludumdare.com/
http://msj.blechi.at/
http://bacongamejam.org/
http://love2d.org/

and probably many more. Join the communities, and show you can perform. Then you will be able to find artists who are willing to contribute.