itch.io

Just above 3k!

Hey everyone, I’m a game director rebuilding a serious indie fighting game project and I’m currently looking for 1 programmer and 1 pixel animator to help bring it to the next major milestone. The game is a platform fighter inspired by Smash, but built around its own identity, including tag-team mechanics for both solo and co-op play.

This is not just a concept pitch. A lot of work is already done:

• Built in GameMaker Studio 2
• 3 playable characters currently in
• More characters already drafted / test-ready
• Online multiplayer for up to 4 players
• Rollback netcode with online lobbies
• Roughly 70% of the core gameplay systems are already implemented

We previously ran a playable prototype booth at a Smash national event, and the response was extremely encouraging!

What I’m looking for

Programmer

I’m looking for someone comfortable working in GameMaker Studio 2 who can help with:

• gameplay polish and feel improvements
• refining existing mechanics
• menu/UI/UX implementation
• additional modes and feature support
• general cleanup, bug fixing, and production support

Pixel Animator

I’m looking for an animator who can work in a classic Capcom-inspired style, roughly in the range of Street Fighter III-sized sprites. Ideally, you can match or closely replicate the current direction. That said, if the right artist comes in with a strong style and we decide it makes sense to rework some visuals, I’m open to discussing that too.

We already have a dedicated pixel animator in our back pocket that's been with the team for years. But, they are handling bigger jobs and are only available part time at the moment.

Immediate goal

The current plan is to assemble a small, focused team and push toward a strong Kickstarter / funding-ready milestone. That means:

• polishing the current build
• improving presentation
• implementing more characters
• adding key multiplayer-focused modes
• preparing the project for a serious public-facing push

Longer-term, I also want to explore co-op / adventure-oriented content, but the near-term focus is getting the core game into the best possible shape.

Compensation / collaboration

I want to be upfront: this is currently a rev-share / pre-funding collaboration situation unless we secure outside funding. The business side at this level is something I’m still navigating, so I’m looking for people who want to build something seriously and help shape how we move forward in a smart, fair way.

That said, I do not want this to feel like “just work on my dream project.” I want collaborators who care about the genre, want real creative input, and want to help shape something with genuine potential.

We’ll also eventually need support in areas like sound, music, voice, and other production needs, but right now the main priority is programming and animation.

About the project

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2302620/Sentinels_Inc/

X / Twitter: https://x.com/SentinelsInc

If this sounds like something you’d want to be part of, send me an email or shoot me a message on Discord:

• your interested role
• your experience / portfolio
• your familiarity with platform fighters or fighting games (not required but helps)
• whether you’re looking for rev-share, or even might be interested in contract work later or something hybrid

I’m especially interested in people who want to keep the scope grounded, communicate well, and build toward a real milestone instead of endlessly prototyping.

To Apply

Email: Sentinelsinc@outlook.com
Discord: benlehocky