RANT! You've been warned! :D

[Dulcis Ultio]

So... I get permission from Eidos Montreal to do a Deus Ex themed build (I need permission since i'm using music from the game and fonts and artworks that were unreleased at the time) and set about putting the hardware together based on a budget of R30k.

I quickly find that my budget is wholly insufficient and will require some assistance in getting this project off the ground. I approach 37 (you read that right) retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, manufacturers as well as a few others related to PC's and gaming in general, regarding a bit of assistance on the pricing so that I can get all the necessary hardware for somewhere around my budget.
Keep in mind, I never once asked for a freebie or sponsorship of the hardware (although I did indicate that this would have been a bonus) I simply asked for help on the pricing. I.E, discount.

I explained that the benefits would be a fan base of more than a million people getting to see the final build since the end result will be posted on the various media platforms by Eidos Montreal and that I would include their company name on the build itself with special mention made of the who, how, etc. of their assistance.

Guess how many companies in this country responded that they would be willing to help? None! Not a single, solitary one!
And yes, I realise that I probably have no right to ask but hey, if one never asks, the answer will always be "no" anyway right?

I'm an I.T. pro and have built, literally, hundreds of PC's with around 30 or so being high-end systems (gaming, graphic design, etc.) and six custom PC's involving mods, custom paint, etc.
I never put any of it up on social media because I simply never thought to do so. So no, I don't have a portfolio.

Let the hate begin


In the end,

[BeoTeK]

So no, I don't have a portfolio.

Exactly this! Maybe you should take this opportunity to develop one?

Kinda a similar situation I have with my photography, and as such I am in the process of creating one. Could also just be a matter of who you know...

My 2c.

[PsychoFish]

Sadly without a portfolio of sorts his is generally the type of response you'll get. It's not a South African thing.

[Dulcis Ultio]

Yep, I figured as much. Even the folks with only one or two builds are getting sponsored so there's hope yet...lol
I definitely will be putting this build out there

[PsychoFish]

Have you approached Dell, Intel and nVidia or AMD directly?

[Glordit]

So no, I don't have a portfolio.

Exactly this! Maybe you should take this opportunity to develop one?

Kinda a similar situation I have with my photography, and as such I am in the process of creating one. Could also just be a matter of who you know...

My 2c.

Have to agree with Beo, without any form of proof that you have done this kind of work, you can't gain the trust as well as any traction and popularity. In the end you are going to have a hard time getting the attention of anyone at all.

Best thing to do it, build it, get the attention of larger websites like PCGamer, /r/pcmasterrace /r/buildapc, TomsHardware, Imgur and RPS and show it off.

[Solitude]

I contacted an online retailer recently because I found something that's costing them a crapload of money that they can fix easily. I even offered to help for free. They just weren't interested. Just blew me off. Maybe it was just the person from marketing who never even bothered to speak to technical. I don't know.

[The Joker]

The PC hardware market in SA is just too small. The guys that have managed to get sponsored are either incredibly good and have done previous work with a profile/build log to show off their skills, or they know someone in the industry.

I've been building custom pc's for a long time, I've been sponsored once or twice but at the end of the day it's just not worth it. You get tied down, told what hardware you can and can't use. You have to show the rig off at events (Rage ect), On top of that they generally only sponsor 1 or 2 parts which in the grand scheme of things is nothing when you're spending 30k.

The only way to do it these days is by building something outstanding and getting it featured online (Gaming news sites, forums ect), that way if you do approach a sponsor you can tell them, well my builds have been featured on these tech/gaming sites ect. Also use social media to your advantage. Twitter and Facebook are powerful tools when trying to get your work noticed, especially on the international stage (Which is ultimately where you want to be noticed because the SA hardware market is not even a drop in the ocean...).

[czc]

I guess you need to show them that you have an audience? I don't know how Grant Hinds does it, but he always seems to have unboxings on youtube.

[MENTION=20]Solitude[/MENTION] I think people consider free to be of poor quality.

[Solitude]

I guess you need to show them that you have an audience? I don't know how Grant Hinds does it, but he always seems to have unboxings on youtube.

[MENTION=20]Solitude[/MENTION] I think people consider free to be of poor quality.

Yeah you are right. I only suggested that I will help because they blew me off when I told them about it. Oh well.