seeking artist for unusual sci-fi game

[fibel]

Greetings. I am working on a freeware computer game called “Cradle of Consciousness”. It is a hybrid strategy / first-person adventure game that takes place in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The storyline is a work of serious sci-fi, more akin to 2001: A Space Odyssey than Star Wars. I consider it an unusually meaningful storyline for a game. It explores themes like mortality, computer consciousness, and the failings of the human race.

To get a feel for the atmosphere, please feel free to download this demo of the title screen (only tested on WinXP, push Esc to exit). http://www.cradleofc.com/test/cofc_title_demo.zip Much of the coding groundwork for the game has been completed and several placeholder graphics have been made. My current priority is to create a fully-functional prototype with placeholder graphics.

I have some art experience, but I believe a dedicated artist would really make the game shine. Most of the graphics needed for the game include exotic sci-fi machinery, structures, and vehicles. I am trying to give them loosely logical purposes to maintain a level of realism and logic to the world.

If you are interested, feel free to send me a private message. Some examples of your work or a description of your interests/experience would be appreciated. Please do not be concerned if I do not reply immediately – I currently only have Internet access about 2-3 times a week.

[Andrew March]

You haven't said what benefits (if any) the artist would get for working on the project.

[fibel]

Originally Posted by Andrew March

You haven't said what benefits (if any) the artist would get for working on the project.

I think for a freeware project it is assumed that the artist will benefit from experience and exposure, the main reasons I myself am working on it. Also, they might find the nature of the project/storyline meaningful as I do.

[Andrew March]

Okay, you haven't said whether the artist will be credited, or what sort of exposure they will receive, what your target/projected audience is.

[spudmonkey]

What kind of art are you looking for? 2D or 3d? Animated or static? Characters, ships or both? If it's 3D, presumably you are looking for low poly models, so what can the engine support in terms of poly count, texture map types and sizes (diffuse, alpha, normals, etc)?

It would certainly help if you gave more information or perhaps a screenshot or two of your engine with the placeholders in there

[fibel]

Originally Posted by Andrew March

Okay, you haven't said whether the artist will be credited, or what sort of exposure they will receive, what your target/projected audience is.

The artist will be credited. The target audience is whoever is interested in playing a sci-fi strategy / adventure game and has a mid-high range PC.

"What kind of art are you looking for? 2D or 3d? Animated or static? Characters, ships or both? "

Static (most will be animated by me via programming). Ships and structures.

"If it's 3D, presumably you are looking for low poly models, so what can the engine support in terms of poly count, texture map types and sizes (diffuse, alpha, normals, etc)?"

The game engine is "Nuclear Fusion". It is a DirectX 9 engine. Tests I have done with the polycount indicate that it varies based on how many meshes there are and various other considerations, but overall its performance is comparable with many C++ based engines. Texture map sizes will preferably be 1024 x 1024 or under.

Here is a bit of concept art:
Untitled Document

The primary reason for this forum post is to just present general information about the game to see if a potential artist might be interested or their curiosity peaked. I will provide potential artists who PM me with a great deal more detailed information. I am intentionally withholding many details because I don't want them publicly known at this time.