In this update, I wanted to step away from pure gameplay systems and talk about something equally important when building a project: finding developers.
Over the past month or two, I’ve been actively looking for help on my Unreal Engine project. I’ve experimented with several platforms over the years, but recently took a more structured approach. This post summarizes what I’ve learned so far.
Unreal Engine Forums
The first place worth highlighting is the Unreal Engine forums, specifically the “Got Skills / Looking for Talent” section.
This is a dedicated space for:
- Developers advertising their skills
- Teams or individuals looking to hire
Posts are typically tagged:
- “For Hire” → developers looking for work
- “Paid” → teams looking for developers
What stands out here is the quality of candidates. Since it’s Unreal-specific, most people responding already have relevant experience, often several years.
The downside is visibility:
- Posts don’t always get many views
- It can take time to find the right person
- You may need to refresh or update posts to stay visible
Overall, it’s a strong option if you’re looking for experienced Unreal developers.
Upwork
Upwork provides a more structured hiring process.
You can:
- Search for Unreal Engine developers directly
- Filter by hourly rate, skills, and specialization (e.g. artist, programmer)
- Review portfolios and past work
- Post jobs and invite specific candidates
One of the main advantages is flexibility:
- Hourly or fixed contracts
- Short-term or long-term work
- Part-time or full-time arrangements
This makes it suitable if:
- You have a limited budget
- You’re working part-time yourself
- You want to scale gradually
That said, success depends heavily on:
- Reviewing portfolios carefully
- Matching experience to your project (e.g. stylized vs realistic)
- Communicating expectations clearly
Fiverr
Fiverr is similar to Upwork in some ways, but the model is different.
Instead of hourly work, Fiverr is more focused on:
- Predefined packages
- Deliverables (e.g. “I will create X for Y price”)
You can still request custom offers, but the structure is more transactional.
From experience, results can be mixed:
- Some work is high quality
- Some is very generic or template-based
One important thing to watch out for:
- Very low-priced offers are often reused templates
- The same asset or system may be sold to many buyers with minimal changes
If you’re considering Fiverr:
- Check reviews carefully
- Ask what level of customization is included
- Clarify whether the work is bespoke or template-based
If you’re specifically looking for templates, it may be better to source them directly from asset marketplaces instead.
Time Zones and Communication
Regardless of platform, a key factor is alignment:
- Time zones can affect collaboration
- Some workflows can be asynchronous
- Others require real-time communication
For example:
- Async: define tasks → review results next day
- Collaborative: frequent back-and-forth discussions
You need to decide which model fits your project and choose developers accordingly.
Asset Creators as Developers
One approach that worked unexpectedly well was reaching out to asset creators.
If you’re using assets (for example VFX or systems), many creators:
- Provide contact details
- Are open to custom work
In my case:
- I reached out to a VFX creator whose work I was already using
- Asked about custom effects tailored to my project
- They were happy to collaborate on a per-task basis
This isn’t a traditional hiring model:
- No long-term contract
- Work is delivered per request
- Pricing is agreed per task
But it’s a good option if:
- You need specific assets
- You already trust the creator’s quality
- You don’t need a full-time developer
Summary
Each platform has its strengths:
- Unreal Engine Forums
Best for experienced, Unreal-focused developers - Upwork
Flexible hiring with strong filtering and contract options - Fiverr
Good for quick deliverables, but requires careful vetting - Asset Creators
Useful for targeted, high-quality custom work
There’s no single “best” option. It depends on:
- Your budget
- Your timeline
- Whether you need ongoing support or one-off work