A question for developers

[Avi]

I have recently taken up a lot of projects making music and sound effects for different games and mods, but today I came across a situation and I'm not sure how to handle it.

The first mod team that I joined is working on a WWII mod for Unreal 3. I've been given access to the team's private forums and have my own space on their website. They are creating the mod for the Make Something Unreal contest in hopes of winning, despite the fact that the last winner of the contest was Red Orchestra (a WWII mod also). Either way, I was happy to have a project to keep me busy.

Today, I talked to a developer that is working on a zombie survival game. Since I love anything that has to do with zombies, I jumped on the chance to score the game. I am currently awaiting the green light from the mod team's producer to start on the music. However, I have discovered that this team's game is also a runner in the Make Something Unreal contest...and therein lies the conflict.

Is it ethical to work on both projects without telling each of them that I am involved with another team that is competing for the same prize? I'm not a critical component of either team, and actually I am working under my production company name and not as a lone developer. I'd hate for either one to kick me off the mod team, the worst case scenario being that I'm left with no mods to work on at all.

What do you guys think I should do? Am I obligated to tell both teams about my other projects?

[xistence]

IMO you're that what could be titled as 'external cooperation partner', something i know very well as we (my company, producing games) worked with some of those as well. Most important thing is : keep quiet about each of the projects if front of the others and don't use any of content made for the one for the other project as well. These two points are part of most contracts that are signed by external members and i think these two points are very logical.
So if you take care about these things nothing in my eyes would speak against it. Naturally it would be much easier if you speak with both groups, telling them about the other, would makes things easier. But as pps can act very differently (and unexpected as well) you must decide by yourself if it would make sense or not to do so.
Just my thoughts about it.

[Avi]

My only worry about keeping quiet is that after both of the mods come out, someone might notice my name on another project causing some people to say that I'm not capable of being a loyal team member and I "whore" out my services.

I guess I should ask each team how much loyalty is expected from me, how would they feel about me working on other projects besides their own, etc., before it gets too far along and I end up with an hour's worth of music that no one wants to use out of spite.

[Daddyo]

Check this guy out on Friday's 9 AM pacific, you can listen to him on internet radio. Call in your problem, he's really good. I think he'd be interested in it. BTW you may be familiar with his band (Vandals), and he's also a DJ in the mornings http://www.indie1031.fm/barely_legal_ra.php

I totally agree with X's suggestion, no sharing of work between clients! I don't think there's a perfect solution though. Seriously ask Joe!

[Daddyo]

I've seen government contract bidders for a job who both subcontract major parts out to the same subcontractor, they just have to keep everything separate, and I think only the buyer may need to know, in your case nobody needs to know.

If you think of a case of two companies trying to get a contract for building PCs, yet both manufacturers use Intel Pentiums...nothing wrong with that.

I wouldn't care too much about what those guys personally think, unless it personally matters to you. Your a business-person, as they are probably hoping to be.

[win3k]

Is it ethical to work on both projects without telling each of them that I am involved with another team that is competing for the same prize?

For a given value of "Ethical", Yes. For another value, No.

On the basis that they are (apparently) quite different mods, I wouldn't see any issues with telling both teams about the other. If one of the teams throws a hissy fit, I might suggest that you'd do well to walk away from that team.

I guess I should ask each team how much loyalty is expected from me

Loyalty doesn't come into it. You've stated what you will do for each of the teams, and as long as you do what you've said you'd do, your end of the bargain has been held up. Honesty (it really is the best policy) and integrity (that thing that helps you sleep at night) are the key things here.

win3k