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[James Coote]

I build my own graphics engine, but it's getting to the point where unless I spend a whole lot of time learning shaders and various other things, I can't really take it too much further forward. Equally, I don't fancy having to learn how to use a licensed engine from scratch

I was wondering if there were any companies that specialise in just making and adapting / improving engines. Failing that, the current plan is to just hire someone on a short term contract to make the necessary improvements to the engine, but I thought it'd be nice to not have to go through the whole recruitment process

[Nix]

The not-stupid course of action is to now throw away what you've done so far and use a preexisting graphics engine, of which there are many wonderful choices.

[Pineapple]

The not-stupid course of action is to now throw away what you've done so far and use a preexisting graphics engine, of which there are many wonderful choices.

take your sense and get the fuck out of here

[James Coote]

Well just pretend that for some crazy unexplained reason, I need to have my own proprietary engine and I've reached the limits of what I can do alone. What are my options?

[PompiPompi]

This sound like a deadlock. Kind of like trying to make a game and realizing later that you need tons of beautiful artwork only you are not an artist.
Your only practical options are either doing it yourself, or paying hi-tech salary for someone to improve your engine. Maybe you can find someone from another country that is willing to work for less though...
In other words, good engineers won't work for cheap, and I guess you need advanced stuff.
Maybe you chose a project you can't practically finish, it happens...

[James Coote]

Well, I spoke to the bank manager today. Touching up my business plan before I mail it off to him, but just curious if there were any businesses that specialised in that kind of thing. I guess not

[PompiPompi]

Oh there might be. But I don't think they will charge less than hiring someone.

[Liosan]

I'm sure there's tons of freelancers that could do that. Exactly what features, which API  and what language would you have in mind?

Liosan

[PompiPompi]

I don't thnk you can get someone who is cheap and good.
You are competing with hi-tech jobs salaries.
Why would someone who can get paid $100k a year + benefits would work as a freelance?

[Liosan]

Because he doesn't want to live in the states, that's why If you hire from somewhere cheap you can get a good deal.

Liosan

[James Coote]

I would assume people between permanent jobs who maybe needed something to cover them in the meantime or add something extra to their portfolio. Or could be people who have previously worked in a big studio and are now looking for some contract work to support their indie game-making habit.

I did see an advert for a two month contract for a graphics programmer on the jobs board at gamasutra.com, which is the same sort of thing I'd be looking for someone to do.

As for what exactly needs to be done, I need to go away and write a detailed job spec (plus it rather depends on whether I can get finance or not )

[Pineapple]

You should PM me the details, because this is the sort of thing I do to pass the time, and depending on what exactly needs doing I may be willing to do some freelance work for you, and at a more reasonable price than you'd be likely to find elsewhere.

[James Coote]

Thanks, that's a really nice offer! I need to write a full spec, which will be tomorrow hopefully, and I'll PM you with the details once done

[eyeliner]

Isn't that "bespoke software"? There's a few companies out there that provide those services, but from my non-scientific understanding, that can be quite pricey.

Also, outsource the work to one of those rent a coder services?

You have quite a dilemma, but unless you get a coder on board with that specific job, you are better off outsourcing.