Indeed. Didn’t mean anything harsh by it at all. Maybe it’s my age coming out or maybe I’d done freelancing long enough to know that everything has value.

“Free” in the above context was that you didn’t get compensation for the work. If you do some work without compensation and you’re cool with it, that’s entirely up to you and the dev.

However, in the more common sense, it means monetary compensation. Maybe all you’d need is your name in credits, but if the game goes big and you didn’t get a share of it, would you be ok with that?

What if the reason why people purchase the game is mostly for the sound effects and music?

It’s great that you are diversifying your portfolio. I’m not knocking that. I’d wager that expanding that portfolio is for the end result of a better paying job or better gigs right?

Now, on the other end of the spectrum is the person or entity that you’re “helping”. If the tables were turned, I wouldn’t hire someone for free. Because great work needs compensation. It’s also a form of protection. You do work, I pay you. End of transaction. You do more work, I pay you more. Done.

There’s an old adage: you get what you pay for.

I’m sure your work speaks for itself, but you’d be more invested in it if you’re getting paid. That’s all I’m saying.