Hi everyone,

I've been thinking recently of quitting the 9 to 5, despite an extremely comfortable position as a lead designer for a great studio. One of the options I am considering is going freelance or consultant, so I can live anywhere I want or work the times I want.

Now I don't know anyone who has made a career in freelance or consultant game design, and I would be interested to hear what your experiences have been. Was it hard to get hired? How much did you end up getting, roughly?

Any help appreciated.

Kuei

I don't think I've ever heard of a freelance game designer, most people need to be internal to fully understand the idea and be able to flesh out the idea.

I'm a mercenary / freelance technical designer. It's very difficult to get work as freelance designer or design consultant, particularly 'pure' design. Most people hiring freelancers want immediate, tangible and handle able results, and most work you're able to find will revolve around your ability to produce game content or implement game mechanics, and not your ability to actually design a product. Most people hiring freelancers tend to think they already have the design covered (and the results can be frustratingly poor!)

Most people hiring freelancers tend to think they already have the design covered (and the results can be frustratingly poor!)

Do you have an example/anecdote ?