A little while back I posted about my game project and got a few great responses. One of those turned into a committed artist, and together we’re now working toward our first gameplay trailer. We’re planning to launch a Kickstarter after either the first or second trailer, depending on how the visuals come together.
The technical side of the game is far ahead of the visuals. I worked on the project solo for the first two months, during which most of the core programming was completed or brought close to completion. This includes persistence systems, sailing, crafting, harvesting, ship combat, and friendly merchant and pirate NPC logic. A lot of work has gone into making sure the game feels solid under the hood.
Our team right now is just me (developer) and one artist. We recently started working under the name GlowDrift Studios. We’re now looking for one more 3D artist and a music composer to help push this project to the next level as we prepare for public-facing content and crowdfunding.
About the Game
Merchanteer is a 3D open-world merchant and privateer simulator built in the Godot engine, written primarily in C#. I’ve been working on it full-time for the past two months. The game is already playable, and you can check out development progress through the video on my YouTube channel (linked below), but please note that we are currently working on overhauling the art entirely, so just focus on the systems.
Core Gameplay Loop
The game centers around:
- harvesting resources
- crafting tools, cannons, and ships
- trading cargo in a dynamic economy by playing the role of a merchant sailor.
- defending your ship from pirate attacks
- building new ships or adding better cannons to your current ship for trading or combat
- defending or retaking ports from pirate control to reopen cargo trading opportunities.
Each port has its own economy that shifts depending on pirate influence. You’ll compete with merchant NPCs who trade in the same world as you, creating an active, evolving trade network. It’s an ambitious project for a small team, but a large amount of it is already working.
Why I’m Posting
The game’s systems are strong, but its visuals and audio are still behind. With help from a second 3D artist and a music composer, we can bring the project’s presentation up to the level of its systems. That would free me up to focus even more on mechanics, content depth, and world systems.
With a little more support, we could also produce proper trailers, gameplay clips, and other marketing material in time for a public-facing campaign. It would help a lot with getting the game noticed and improving its chances of success.
This isn’t just about asset creation. I’m looking for people who want to leave their mark creatively. You’d be helping shape the world and tone of the final game.
Looking For
3D Artist (Part-Time or Full-Time)
- any of the following: modeling and texturing world/environment props, ships, buildings, interiors and island (port) design.
- Our style is stylized lower poly, if you reach out we can send images of what we have done / are using for inspiration.
- The game is being developed in Godot. You don’t need to be an expert and I’m happy to help if you’re new to it, but familiarity with the engine is definitely a plus.
- bonus if you can help with UI or create textures.
Music Composer / Sound Artist
- Music for the short gameplay trailer we are currently working toward, and a theme song for the main menu (one track can possibly accommodate both)
- optional: ambient music or soundscapes for in-game use
- we can discuss style if you are interested, however there is a lot of creative freedom.
Compensation Options
I understand this is a big ask. The compensation can be tailored depending on your preferences and the size of the tasks:
- one-time cash payment for smaller work (short tracks or specific assets)
- hybrid (modest cash payment per task plus a small revenue share to make up for possibly below market cash payments)
- full revenue share
Contact Info
If you’re interested, please include a portfolio if you have one, a general idea of your availability, and what sort of compensation model you’re looking for. Open to chatting either way.
Discord: bnt12
Email: dillon122@icloud.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvEVrmvXJUQ
Thanks for reading. If this sounds like something you’d want to be part of, feel free to reach out.
**Update: Thank you for the many great responses and inquiries, we have filled the music composer position but are still looking for 3d artist(s). Please reach out if you are interested!