Hi,
The last couple months (after finishing a large level in UDK that was presented on Polycount but under a newer Polycount account I won't include in-case these offers are legit) I have received several 'job' offers. Usually first time Polycount users with no history. They want the UDK packages and offer money as well as money for contract work. With one, I asked for some credentials (website, previous game history etc) and got a website that didn't load and no mention of previous games.
This seems a little suss to me.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Thanks
Replies
You can vet these with questions.
"Tell me about your company and project." "Do you have a website?" "Do you have a company deck?" "What titles has your company worked on?" "Is this project funded or published?" "Do you have a LinkedIn I could see?" "How will my work be used?" "Who else is on the project?" "This approach is a little unusual to me, because most people don't ask for usable copies of my work up front. I'm careful when it comes to my work because of some past experiences, but I think we could work together. Do you have any professional references?"
Realistically, whether they're shady or noobs, asking enough questions like that will most likely scare them off if they're not serious about giving you money for stuff. If it progresses further, find a payment service that provides escrow and work with them. Once again, people that aren't serious will never speak to you again once you bring up that word.
My gut instinct says be wary. Professionals don't do this. And it's unlikely a non-professional will have access to enough money to make anything worth your while.
cheers @Jon Jones I'll ask all those questions and see how it goes.
thanks
yeah. All the PM's are in the same broken english. I got some last week. In a similar situation.
Shady business!
Sounds very fishy. Please report the usernames to a mod.
Due diligence before burning bridges? I know it sounds stupid but when you're looking for a break into the industry, you consider all opportunities. The guy has done the right thing asking here and saved himself a lot of frustration/being ripped off.
Depending on the answer back you get, name and shame them for the mods. Though they can probably just check Pm's in the database, (depending if they can but morally won't)
Theres a question to ask, Are PM's visible to mods? / not that it bothers me ofc.
Excellently put. It's dismayingly easy to form an internet ragemob before more of the facts are known.
I received a PM today with links to portflios and previous work from one of the users and it seems legit at this stage.
Thanks all for the opinions.
I have also contacted admin and notified them of the suspicion but also of the validity of one of the offers after asking several questions.
It sucks to have to ask prying and possibly offensive questions to someone potentially offering you a legit paid job, especially after the years of trying to make a break.
Thanks again