How long until we start getting paid to make maps? - Developers

Dear Facepunch, It's time to discuss the future of our artistic talents. Is there anyone on here that is getting paid to make maps, textures, or even models? Whether is for a independent company, or commercial company? I'm interested in what steps you've gone through to achieve such a glorious task. And if you don't have this blessing, then what are you doing to try to achieve it? Maybe even show off your portfolios if you have one? Discuss!

Most here map as a passion, Not for money.

[QUOTE=Best4bond;30935004]Most here map as a passion, Not for money.[/QUOTE] This, and: If you wanna get paid to map you should be at least at a considerable high level. Also, Valves not gonna like it if you earn cash over their backs.

You could ask for donations. Most people will say fuckoff if you aren't that good at mapping

I've used source mapping to gain an understanding into level design. The idea being, that after my next map, i'll move over to the unreal engine. What did help though, was putting together a portfolio of my better stuff and taking it to a games recruitment fair and asking devs to look over it. If you do want to do maps professionally, the easiest way (although it would be longer...or not as the case may be) is to get a job in dev qa. This might mean spending a couple of years at a publisher first, so you get the experience required so you can get a job at a dev. Then it's just a case of getting noticed.

Become a toilet cleaner at a games dev company and you might be promoted to mapper in a couple of years...

As VALVe said, Do your best, do it for the community and get your content out there and noticed by people.

[QUOTE=glitchvid;30936085]As VALVe said, Do your best, do it for the community and get your content out there and noticed by people.[/QUOTE] I believe he was talking about level design, not selling valve maps.

I sell a few models and textures on Turbosquid, nothing too fancy though.

I'd pay mappers for their work, but many refuse to follow Client Briefs.

You better be a good mapper to get paid.

make a GOOD tf2 map. get it added ingame. people buy stamps.

Sure, you can be paid for the time you take to map. But it's nice to map for enjoyment rather than profit.

To be that one guy, [code]C. Source SDK. Your Subscription(s) may contain access to the Valve software development kit (the "SDK") for the computer game engine used in Half-Life 2 and other compatible Valve products (the "Source Engine"). You may use, reproduce and modify the SDK on a non-commercial basis solely to develop a modified game (a "Mod") for Half-Life 2 or other Valve products compatible with and using the Source Engine. You may reproduce and distribute the Mod in object code form, solely to licensed end users of Half-Life 2 or other compatible Valve products, provided that the Mod is made publicly available and distributed without charge on a non-commercial basis If you would like to use the Source SDK or a Mod for a commercial purpose or activity, please contact Valve at sourceengine@valvesoftware.com.[/code] You legally can't pay for maps or pay mappers, but that hasn't really stopped anyone before.

I believe he is not talking about source mapping, but level design in general. I use the skills i have learnt in hammer and take them to other engines, but it is not selling source maps is it?

If you need money, there are plenty of banks with cash. Not lately, though. In all seriousness, though, from what I've seen most modders make cash off donations and freelancing. If you're an artist you can sell things on Turboquid or Renderosity.

[QUOTE=Pyth;30945665]To be that one guy, [code]C. Source SDK. Your Subscription(s) may contain access to the Valve software development kit (the "SDK") for the computer game engine used in Half-Life 2 and other compatible Valve products (the "Source Engine"). You may use, reproduce and modify the SDK on a non-commercial basis solely to develop a modified game (a "Mod") for Half-Life 2 or other Valve products compatible with and using the Source Engine. You may reproduce and distribute the Mod in object code form, solely to licensed end users of Half-Life 2 or other compatible Valve products, provided that the Mod is made publicly available and distributed without charge on a non-commercial basis If you would like to use the Source SDK or a Mod for a commercial purpose or activity, please contact Valve at sourceengine@valvesoftware.com.[/code] You legally can't pay for maps or pay mappers, but that hasn't really stopped anyone before.[/QUOTE] has anyone here tried to contact [email]sourceengine@valvesoftware.com[/email]? sent them an email, still no answer after a week :/

How much do you want to be paid for a single map?

$200

Over $9,000 [highlight](User was banned for this post ("Meme Response" - Terrenteller))[/highlight]

[QUOTE=amcfaggot;30955502]How much do you want to be paid for a single map?[/QUOTE] 10 bucks (my maps suck :3)

[QUOTE=Firegod522;30957081]$200[/QUOTE] Can you follow a reasonably strict Client Brief with a 2-4 Month Deadline?

[QUOTE=HatredViral;30962416]Can you follow a reasonably strict Client Brief with a 2-4 Month Deadline?[/QUOTE] Most of the people who are taking money for maps, only makin gg or aim mode maps for counter strike source. Yet they do not even know how to set up proper HDR lighting.

[QUOTE=antiChrist;30963223]Most of the people who are taking money for maps, only makin gg or aim mode maps for counter strike source. Yet they do not even know how to set up proper HDR lighting.[/QUOTE]I'd pay someone to just to use a non-horrible custom CS:S map.

[QUOTE=Neo Kabuto;30965306]I'd pay someone to just to use a non-horrible custom CS:S map.[/QUOTE] That's my point, whoever takes money now for maps, is god damn horrible at mapping.

So far, IronPhoenix is the only one that is getting my point. I'm not excluding this thread to the source engine nor excluding this to Valve, but to level design in all general areas.

[QUOTE=Deathclaw.;30973010]So far, IronPhoenix is the only one that is getting my point. I'm not excluding this thread to the source engine nor excluding this to Valve, but to level design in all general areas.[/QUOTE] If that is the route that you want to go, then you can always drop me a message on steam. I'm mondo busy atm, so i may not be able to talk all the time, but i may be able to drop a few hints here and there.

Source SDK belongs to Valve,so you can't use a others thing for get paid

Getting paid for (source) maps is pointless. There is no way to implement DRM. You'll sell a few copies and then it would be freely available. However, being paid to design a map for someone is a much better line (But more expensive for them)

Some RP communities pay good money for mapping. Those two edits of Evocity1 I released banked me over 2 grand.