The dawn of the game outsourcing studios era can be traced back to 1979, a pivotal moment spurred by issues faced by Atari, one of the gaming giants at the time. This audacious step introduced Activision to the world, eventually leading to millions of players enjoying Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and other games.

In the contemporary landscape, game outsourcing studios have carved out a unique niche that is no longer merely an alternative to traditional game development companies. It has evolved into a burgeoning trend within the game development industry. In the following sections, we will delve into the five reasons why, in 2024, we strongly recommend considering collaboration with established studios like Devoted Studios instead of embarking on the journey of creating your own game company.

Five reasons to choose Game Outsourcing Studios

Below, we explore five “whys” you should collaborate with a game outsourcing studio to achieve exceptional results with minimal effort.

1. Accelerate the Quest for the Right Experts

In practical terms, hiring a Strong Middle or Senior Developer through a company necessitates the involvement of several top-tier specialists, including:

However, even with such experts on your team, swiftly recruiting and integrating the required developers is impossible. Moreover, highly skilled professionals are often already committed to ongoing projects. Securing their commitment to your team typically requires protracted negotiations and more favorable terms.

On the other hand, collaborating with studios can save you valuable time. Clients outline the tasks they need to accomplish, and studios engage trusted professionals well-suited for these assignments. Over five years of operation, Devoted Studios has cultivated relationships with teams and honed customized workflows, expediting the development process and resulting in substantial cost savings for clients.

Are you looking for a reliable and creative partner for game development?

Look no further than Devoted Studios! We can be your co-dev or full-dev partners and help you with everything from developing a new game engine to customizing existing code. Get started on your perfect game today with Devoted Studios!

Learn More

For instance, let us share our significant experience porting “Five Nights at Freddy’s” from a computer platform to the Nintendo Switch. Transferring a resource-intensive product to a console with optimization constraints is time-consuming and presents substantial challenges. However, we successfully accomplished this task while maintaining the desired level of quality. For a more comprehensive breakdown of the tasks involved, you can refer to the Pingle review. If you’d like to witness our work firsthand, feel free to try playing “Five Nights at Freddy’s” on the Nintendo Switch.

2. Reducing Expenses

Hiring professionals like a CTO, HR Director, and other essential team members can be costly.

A company must budget at least $20,000 monthly to maintain specialists primarily responsible for assembling the necessary team.

You save this substantially when you engage with game outsourcing studios because the required team is essentially “on call” and ready to execute your tasks. In Devoted Studios’ experience, clients have saved an average of $15,000 throughout their last five orders.

3. Rapid Commencement of the Development Process

Game development is a process that relies on the collective efforts of a dedicated team. While essential, hiring high-quality professionals won’t automatically translate into successful game creation. To achieve that, you must establish efficient workflows. It entails overseeing the process or bringing on board project managers, Scrum Masters, and other managerial roles.

Over the  years of our operation at Devoted Studios, we’ve mastered the art of constructing and swiftly adapting workflows to suit various tasks. This expertise enables us to kickstart the development process sooner and consistently accomplish 100% of the assigned tasks.

4. Enhanced Development Process Flexibility and Scalability

The game development process is inherently dynamic, demanding that teams be ready to adapt their business processes to achieve their goals more expeditiously. A case in point is 2018 when UE Blueprints gained widespread use. At that time, many company CTOs advocated for adopting this technology and sought developers with relevant expertise. For numerous companies, this entailed a laborious process of transitioning their development teams.

At Devoted Studios, we excel in streamlining this transition process. Our specialists exhibit high flexibility and scalability when utilizing the latest technology stacks.

We provide the following assurances:

We are always prepared to tailor our cooperation to suit your project requirements. If you require personalized guidance on your tasks, please share your contact information, and our experts will help you explore the most suitable options.

5. Reducing Risks

At Devoted Studios, we acknowledge that entrusting game development to an outsourcing studio is a significant responsibility. As such, we meticulously document all agreements within our contracts to instill confidence in our clients regarding the dependability of the process and the achievement of favorable outcomes. Our clients have substantiated this adaptability’ and give positive feedback.

It’s worth mentioning that engaging third-party game studios also presents an opportunity for companies to alleviate additional responsibilities associated with full-time employees. This is particularly relevant considering the wave of layoffs experienced by game company employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Devoted Studios has a well-defined algorithm for handling such scenarios, simplifying the need for intricate solutions in challenging situations.

Afterward

In the preceding discussion, we’ve delved into the five most pertinent game outsourcing studios` advantages. Thanks to these advantages, this sector is experiencing rapid growth, fostering intense competition for gaming companies.

Devoted Game Outsourcing Studio has evolved into an efficient business partner, facilitating the achievement of objectives in crafting exceptional games. Over our years of operation, we take pride in every project we’ve contributed to bringing to fruition. We remain confident that in 2024 and beyond, we will continue to streamline the development process for companies and captivate gamers with unparalleled gaming experiences.

If you’re a passionate follower of game development, with titles like Unreal, Fortnite, and the much-anticipated The Witcher 4 on your radar. In that case, you’re likely well aware of the prowess of the Unreal Engine platform. It has become the leader of game development, and developers with extensive experience in it are highly sought after.

In the following article, we’ll delve into the strategies for swiftly creating UE game development capable of achieving remarkable feats. This information will prove valuable if you fall into any of these categories:

You’re searching for UE developers who can perform actual magic.

You’re seeking platforms where you can find adaptable UE development specialists to spearhead your project.

Furthermore, you aspire to secure a top-tier specialist without exceeding your budget.

This article will provide practical tips and tricks to acquire the right developer while optimizing your expenditure and saving valuable time. Furthermore, you’ll gain insight into how Devoted Studios can enhance and expedite your UE Game development experience, making it even more successful.

Hiring Unreal Engine Developers: 5 Key Tips

Do you need Unreal Engine game development services? Get five simple but crucial tips for hiring top-notch developers.

1. Defining the Tasks at Hand

Before commencing your search for a UE developer, it’s crucial to outline a precise list of tasks required for your project. This task list will be the foundation for creating the most detailed “profile of your ideal candidate.” Doing so will increase your chances of finding a valuable team member.

2. Make an Attractive Job Description

We are sure you’ve encountered job descriptions with vague terms like “general duties” and “job requirements.” Presenting formal requirements clearly and engagingly is crucial to attracting a wider pool of potential candidates. Employing an exceptional and captivating description can significantly increase the number of CVs you receive.

3. Try to Hunt Lead Specialists

Instead of the painstaking process of individually searching for the required specialists, targeting Lead professionals is more advantageous. Typically, these experts have a team of seasoned developers who have established a tailored workflow. This approach can yield significant time and cost savings, enabling a quicker start to the development process.

4. Use Unreal Engine Job Forum

Certainly, LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor are undoubtedly among the top websites for sourcing IT professionals. Consequently, numerous companies seek UE game development experts on these platforms. However, the ultimate goldmine is the UE Job Forum. Here, thousands of UE developers engage in discussions about news, projects, and various topics. Therefore, you are almost guaranteed to discover the most proficient experts for your project within this community.

5. Contact third-party companies

In one of our earlier articles, we discussed the financial and time-related expenses your company might incur when initiating the recruitment process. However, there’s an alternative – reaching out to Devoted Studios, where you can readily access dependable and seasoned UE developers for your project.

Why should you opt for Devoted Studios instead of independently embarking on the search process?

• Throughout our five-year journey, we’ve brought to life numerous projects that now entertain millions of players globally.
• We are prepared to support your project’s development, providing our expertise at any stage.
• Our company’s mission, “On time & On budget,” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a commitment we exalt in our contracts. We guarantee the timely and budget-conscious completion of your project.

Are you looking for a reliable and creative partner for game development?

Look no further than Devoted Studios! We can be your co-dev or full-dev partners and help you with everything from developing a new game engine to customizing existing code. Get started on your perfect game today with Devoted Studios!

Learn More

Why Having UE Developer Contacts Ready is Essential

Unreal Engine game development services are not simply about “hiring developers and letting them work.” Game creation is a highly flexible and time-intensive process that demands profound expertise and, occasionally, intricate solutions. Therefore, it’s crucial not only to possess the ability to recruit the appropriate professionals but also to consistently have access to websites and platforms that industry experts frequent.

Devoted Studios is the destination that relieves you of mundane tasks and delivers the anticipated results. We have developers, top managers, and engineers ready for your projects. All you have to do is reach out to us.

Finding, developing, and retaining the right talent with the right skills at the right price has always been a critical objective for businesses across industries. However, in the realm of game development studios, this pursuit has become even more elusive than ever. The landscape of game development is continuously evolving, with remote work and the global talent market creating both opportunities and challenges for studios worldwide. As game development studios vie for top talent, they must navigate the complexities of talent acquisition, retention, and skill shortages while staying competitive in a rapidly changing industry.

What has changed in past years?

Remote work and the rise of the global talent market have revolutionized the way game development studios operate. They now have access to a vast pool of potential talent from around the world. Simultaneously, employees in the gaming industry have abundant employment opportunities and low switching costs, allowing them to explore various projects and studios. To address these dynamics, outsourcing has emerged as a viable solution to tap into specialized expertise and enhance overall efficiency.

Post-COVID-19, the talent pool became more globally accessible, enabling game development studios to cast a wider net when acquiring talent. According to Deloitte Consulting LLP, 53% of executives reported increased staff levels over the past two years to align with their strategic organizational priorities. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, encouraging talent to seek opportunities beyond their local geography. In response, game development studios have started exploring talent from diverse locations to bolster their creative teams and inject fresh perspectives into their projects.

While access to a global talent pool is advantageous, it also intensifies competition and creates a revolving door of talent. One in two executives identifies acquiring talent as a top internal challenge, highlighting the fierce talent race in the game development industry. Moreover, nearly two-thirds of executives express concerns about their organization’s ability to retain employees effectively. As the gaming landscape becomes more competitive, studios must focus on nurturing a culture that fosters talent development and encourages employee loyalty.

Outsourcing challenges according to recent surveys

The Deloitte Global Outsourcing Survey 2022 reveals that talent acquisition remains a significant challenge for development studios, with 50% of respondents ranking it as a top internal challenge in meeting strategic priorities. Additionally, 56% of executives feel that their organizations lack the right mechanisms to retain employees successfully. To address these concerns, studios are evolving their sourcing ecosystems by incorporating external providers into their workforce planning and talent acquisition strategies. A remarkable 87% of studios now consider external workers as part of their workforce, signaling the industry’s shift towards a more agile and flexible approach to talent management.

In response to the skills shortages predominantly seen in cybersecurity, AI/Machine Learning (ML), and data science, game development studios are exploring innovative ways to meet their needs. Next-generation technology skill shortages, including advanced cybersecurity, data science, ML, and Infrastructure-as-code, pose significant challenges for executives in the gaming industry. However, only half of those surveyed feel adequately prepared to tackle these skill gaps, underscoring the urgency for finding viable solutions.

To overcome these challenges, game development studios are increasingly turning to service providers to access specialized skills and services. This trend has given rise to Operate Services, highly collaborative and outcome-based approaches that address skill gaps in critical growth functions. For instance, foundry services and analytics-as-service have become essential components in managing an integrated workforce as one team, enabled by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Conclusions

Game development studios face unique challenges in finding, developing, and keeping the right talent with the right skills. The game development industry’s global talent market and remote work opportunities present exciting prospects but also heightened competition. To succeed in this dynamic environment, studios must leverage outsourcing and embrace an ecosystem view incorporating external talent into their operations. By tapping into specialized expertise and optimizing workforce management with AI-powered solutions, game development studios can overcome skill shortages, stay competitive, and drive innovation in the ever-evolving gaming world.

The game development industry is no stranger to the challenges of finding, developing, and retaining the right talent with the right skills. As remote work and the global talent market continue to reshape the gaming landscape, game development studios face an increasingly competitive environment in the quest for top talent. To address these challenges and stay ahead in the rapidly changing industry, game development studios are exploring new delivery models, with Operate Services emerging as a key player.

Balancing Outsourcing and Insourcing in Game Development Studios

Determining the right balance between outsourcing and insourcing has always been a complex decision for game development studios. The arrival of new delivery models adds to the challenge. According to Deloitte’s Global Outsourcing Survey 2022, 76% of surveyed executives indicated that their IT services were delivered via third-party models. IT has been at the forefront of adopting an ecosystem view of service delivery, with a strong focus on value over cost efficiencies from third-party services. This evolution has accelerated the shift towards a highly outsourced IT environment.

While IT functions are often outsourced, back-office functions typically remain internally managed in game development studios. Striking the right balance between internal handling and outsourcing is crucial for efficiently responding to new ways of working while leveraging and retaining existing talent. The survey found that nearly half of the executives (48%) indicated that they handle business functions internally, with core business operations being skewed towards an internal sourcing strategy.

Unlocking Value with Operate Services

Operate Services are revolutionizing the way game development studios approach service delivery, offering a highly effective and collaborative solution to address the industry’s evolving needs. As an emerging delivery model, Operate Services have gained significant recognition among gaming executives, presenting an opportunity for studios to harness new capabilities, navigate operating model changes, and meet regulatory requirements while maintaining agility and integration.

Operate Services are built on the principles of collaboration and outcome orientation. They bring together a diverse set of skills and technologies, empowered by a collaborative ecosystem of internal and external talent. This powerful combination enables game development studios to access specialized expertise and resources, allowing them to tackle complex functions that were previously challenging to address through traditional outsourcing models.

Operate Services are gaining recognition as an emerging delivery model in the gaming industry. Fully embraced by surveyed executives, Operate Services are highly collaborative, skills and technology-powered, and outcome-oriented. They provide an excellent way for game development studios to acquire new capabilities and skills, address operating model changes, and manage changing regulatory requirements. As gaming companies strive for growth and navigate a competitive global talent market, Operate Services offer an agile and integrated solution.

The survey also revealed that more than 75% of executives reported revenue growth in their organizations over the last two years, with 67% of executives signaling an increase in budget for Operate Services in the next two years. This shift in financial planning reflects the industry’s desire for more integrated service delivery and deeper collaboration with the vendor ecosystem.

Managed Services and Traditional Outsourcing in Game Development Studios

While Operate Services gain traction as a valuable delivery model, Managed Services still play a crucial role in game development studios, particularly in technology modernization and digital transformation efforts. Managed Services encapsulate whole functions, providing more than just delivery model options. For example, leveraging Managed Services for cybersecurity brings not only technology and talent access but also risk-sharing advantages, especially in cases of data breaches.

Traditional Outsourcing, on the other hand, remains focused on cost reduction. When game development studios need specific skills quickly, Traditional Outsourcing serves as a quick solution for workforce augmentation. However, the gaming industry’s growing maturity in third-party engagement models has shifted focus towards paying for outcomes rather than paying for time.

Final Thoughts

As the game development industry evolves, game development studios must adapt to the changing talent landscape and explore new delivery models to unlock value. Operate Services emerge as a compelling option for acquiring new capabilities, addressing complex functions, and gaining access to high-tech talent. By striking the right balance between outsourcing and insourcing, game development studios can navigate the challenges and opportunities in the gaming industry, ensuring continued growth and success.