I've just been asked to contribute to a soon-to-be published game. However the rate they quoted was 4c a word, which seems kind of low.

I have no experience in writing for games (they asked me based on a free thing I put on the internet), so I don't know what the standard rate is. Can anyone give me an idea?

Quote from: Age of FableI've just been asked to contribute to a soon-to-be published game. However the rate they quoted was 4c a word, which seems kind of low.

I have no experience in writing for games (they asked me based on a free thing I put on the internet), so I don't know what the standard rate is. Can anyone give me an idea?

Mate, that's actually higher than what i'd consider to be typical. Depends who you are working for and what you've done in the past. As an entry into the biz, that's a very good start.

Quote from: Age of FableI've just been asked to contribute to a soon-to-be published game. However the rate they quoted was 4c a word, which seems kind of low.

I have no experience in writing for games (they asked me based on a free thing I put on the internet), so I don't know what the standard rate is. Can anyone give me an idea?

That's much higher than usual, particular for work for PDF companies, for print it is slightly above average but not near the top.

HK

Whereas somebody figured that Greg Stolze is making 10c a word from the ransom model.

That is an excellent rate! I certainly wouldn't offer an inexperienced writer that much!

-clash

Quote from: GRIMThat's much higher than usual, particular for work for PDF companies, for print it is slightly above average but not near the top.

HK

Yeah. Unless you're working for one of the top 3 or 4 companies, getting beyond 7c a word is unlikely unless you are 'someone'. I did hear tell of 12c a word on a certain project once. An old man with fairy dust in his hair and his troupe of flying pigs related the story to me one christmas eve.

2 cents, maybe 2.5 cents per word, was standard entry-level pay for someone with essentially no professional credentials a few years ago.  Maybe they'd pay you 3 or 4 cents per word if they were really eager to have you in particular on a project.  So, take the best possible option to heart -- they really want you.

I was thinking that, maybe, the starting rate is higher because so many companies these days are switching to a royalty model -- you get paid a set percentage of every lot sold.  Basically, the company in question needs to do the math to figure out which is going to be the most affordable option for them at any given point in the production process.  Pay a flat, lump sum upon publication?  Or pay royalties later on, in perpetuity?

!i!

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaI was thinking that, maybe, the starting rate is higher because so many companies these days are switching to a royalty model -- you get paid a set percentage of every lot sold.  Basically, the company in question needs to do the math to figure out which is going to be the most affordable option for them at any given point in the production process.  Pay a flat, lump sum upon publication?  Or pay royalties later on, in perpetuity?

!i!

Inflation!

The royalty model is much better for small companies, who don't have the capitol to pay people up-front (and whose total sales will not mean much of a payment at all) and the lump sum suites larger companies, as the number they sell would likely mean paying more on a royalty model.

Quote from: One Horse TownInflation!

The royalty model is much better for small companies, who don't have the capitol to pay people up-front (and whose total sales will not mean much of a payment at all) and the lump sum suites larger companies, as the number they sell would likely mean paying more on a royalty model.

Which is funny, because I much prefer lump sums to royalties. The bookkeeping is a PITA. I generally only do shares when I won't own the copyright and IP, like with FtA!

-clash

Fable that sounds great especially if they searched you out you likely have some talent.  If you ever think about making writing your thing in general, doing magazine pieces is much, much more lucrative.  You may start at 25c or 50c a word, but if you are good at interviewing a little research and delivering good writing on time, you can get to the $1 a word rather quickly.   $1 a word is the standard freelance rate in my wife's area of writing IT related writing for executive types, and she knows nothing about IT!

To paint an even rosier picture, , if you are considered reliable and require little editing, custom publishing (those advertorials) pay up to $2.50 a word sometimes.  

Even better, all these pieces are in the 300 to 3000 word range.

Quote from: Age of FableI've just been asked to contribute to a soon-to-be published game. However the rate they quoted was 4c a word, which seems kind of low.

I have no experience in writing for games (they asked me based on a free thing I put on the internet), so I don't know what the standard rate is. Can anyone give me an idea?

Take it and run with it.  And if you don't, feel free to send them my email address.   That's a great rate for an inexperienced RPG writer.  

Pete

Quote from: flyingmiceWhich is funny, because I much prefer lump sums to royalties. The bookkeeping is a PITA.

Man, that's the truth.  But, for an RPG writer, royalties are a nice option, especially if you're writing for craft practice and/or you enjoy the system/setting you're writing for.  I've written a steady stream of content for PIG and it adds up over time--it's nice to get that check in the mail every few months for stuff I wrote years ago.

Pete

I have no experience writing for RPGs, but one thing I think I'd want to make sure of...will you, in the end, get paid? I've heard multiple horror stories of people not getting paid, or having to bug someone for far too long before seeing anything.

Quote from: flyingmiceWhich is funny, because I much prefer lump sums to royalties. The bookkeeping is a PITA. I generally only do shares when I won't own the copyright and IP, like with FtA!

-clash

Fair enough! That's how i see it as someone who has never actually published anything, so your experience is greater than mine.

Quote from: Elliot WilenI have no experience writing for RPGs, but one thing I think I'd want to make sure of...will you, in the end, get paid? I've heard multiple horror stories of people not getting paid, or having to bug someone for far too long before seeing anything.

I prefer to pay lump sum in advance. Some writers have refused this, but not many. I've also occasionally been burned. I'll live.

-clash