How do you do work for a client?

Balvamar

Hi all, I have been approached to produce an app as a paid gig.

Up until now I have just worked for myself, and am not sure how working with clients goes
in terms of the Apple Store, accounts, etc.

If I work for an hourly rate, do I hand over the project at the end?

Do they have to set up an account with Apple, Android etc.

I'd appreciate some feedback about what has worked, or not worked for others.

Cheers

The_Gamesalad_Guru

First be sure you can deliver a quality project. Find out what they want in detail. I usually ask for a written game design document. After looking it over be sure you can code what they want in gamesalad. Get a simple contract of terms. This would include dates of progress and completion date. It will also include payment terms.

Never hand over the file until the project is done! I always demonstrate progress to a client in two ways. One is using testflight and the other is a do a screencapture video of current progress if it's not playable yet. In each milestone of progress that I demonstrate I usually get a payment. This will be spelled out in the contract. Most people use paypal to do transactions. Once the final build is sent to the client and tested as a build the source file can be sent right after the final payment is recieved.

Do not spend any of the monies until the app is complete just incase you can't deliver the app so you could give a refund. Never send an APK as you can't control that like an ios app. You can send a mac computer build or windows build.

Most of all be honest with the client. If you take a job, finish it. Lots of people take projects and find they get in over their head and the project is too complex and don't have the skill to complete it.

Balvamar

Thanks that is good advice.

Nalycan

Hi Balvamar.

Yes you can work and finish the Product with Your own apple/android account, then hand it over to Client. But I think the best, safest and easiest way is to get Client accounts.

If the app got iAP, GameCenter and other more complex functions I would definitely get Client accounts first and then start build.

Braydon_SFX

@Lost_Oasis_Games nails it. Great info.

The_Gamesalad_Guru

@Lycan said:
Hi Balvamar.

Yes you can work and finish the Product with Your own apple/android account, then hand it over to Client. But I think the best, safest and easiest way is to get Client accounts.

If the app got iAP, GameCenter and other more complex functions I would definitely get Client accounts first and then start build.

You should keep the game under your account and control until paid. At the end you can use the client account to test the IAP and such by that time you should he 90% paid amd the risk of getting stiffed is atleast minimized.