While all indications points to a video game recession, it appears that the video games industry keeps growing. The market size was estimated at around $217 billion in 2022 and it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% to 2030.

Still, video game development itself is not an easy process as it requires a lot of effort from many teams of various expertise. Many companies are trying to optimize this process, and with a record high number of layoffs during 2023 and 2024, this could make outsourcing is one of the best ways to ensure the project can be completed properly and on time. It offers several significant advantages, including cost-effectiveness, access to specialized expertise, increased flexibility, and faster time-to-market. Along with correctly built communication processes, outsourcing becomes a key tool to achieve the objectives of your desired project. So let us discuss the benefits of using game development outsourcing as a means to fuel your projects.

Money savings 

The primary benefit of game development outsourcing is its cost-effectiveness. Companies can avoid the expensive processes of training and recruiting in-house teams. Also, it eliminates the bench — you don’t need to keep employees on the payroll during periods of inactivity like downtime between projects or game releases.

When outsourcing, companies are paying only for the services they require, without the overhead costs associated with maintaining a full-time development team. This flexibility can result in significant budget savings, especially for smaller or medium-sized game studios.

Specialized Expertise

Game development may require some unique expertise. Game development outsourcing provides access to a vast pool of skilled professionals who possess the expertise required especially for your project. It can be art production specialists, game designers, or even some unique game engine developers.

As a result, the project receives some fresh and experienced looks from specialists who can work on different levels and stages of development instead of losing time on the market search, onboarding, etc.

Flexibility and Scalability

Outsourcing offers companies a high degree of flexibility, allowing them to adapt and scale their development teams quickly based on the requirements. If the development needs any additional resources, companies can easily ramp up their outsourced team. Conversely, if a project is completed and there’s no need for big teams anymore, companies may reduce their staff. It’s a win-win strategy: companies save money on eliminating the bench and specialists may go to the next projects. 

Also, this flexibility allows companies to focus on their core needs while external teams handle the technical and routine aspects. It helps to easily adapt to ever-changing market conditions, ensuring that development companies remain competitive and agile in the fast-paced gaming industry.

Faster Time-to-Market

All of these benefits lead to one of the most significant advantages of game development outsourcing: the potential for faster time-to-market. By leveraging a dedicated team of professionals working on their projects, companies can expect faster turnaround times and more efficient development processes.

Parallel development, where multiple aspects of the game are worked on simultaneously, can further accelerate the production timeline. The companies can launch their games faster and gain a competitive edge in the market, capitalizing on player interest and demand.

How to Outsource correctly? 

While game development outsourcing offers numerous benefits, it also should be approached with care and diligence. As your goal is to avoid the risks, you need to pay attention to the following factors: 

1. Intellectual Property Protection: Make sure to safeguard your intellectual property, such as non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and limiting access to only the necessary parts of your project.
2. Thorough Vetting: Carefully vet potential outsourcing partners by evaluating their qualifications and experience with similar projects to avoid any possible misconceptions.
3. Clear Communication: Establish robust communication channels and documentation processes to ensure that technical requirements, financial obligations, and project plans are clearly understood by all parties involved.
4. Prioritization and Evaluation: Set clear priorities and establish well-defined KPIs for evaluating efficiency and progress.

By carefully considering these practices and leveraging the benefits of outsourcing, the companies can streamline their operations, get specialized expertise, and deliver their desired projects more efficiently.

Here at Studio 801, we provide our clients with the best expertise and services built on years of experience in 3D art development. Our dedicated teams of highly skilled professionals possess a diverse range of specializations, from environmental design production to engine development across Unity and Unreal. We pride ourselves on clear communication, robust documentation, and a thorough vetting process to ensure we match the right talents to each project.

If you are a team or know a team that could make use of the support of an excellent studio, you can contact us via our website or email us via info@studio-801.com. For our other interesting articles you can find those on our news page.