The Nintendo Switch 2 officially launched on June 5, 2025, and honestly, it’s everything fans were hoping for. In just the first four days, it sold 3.5 million units, making it the biggest console launch in history. With millions of original Switch owners ready to upgrade, and a noticeable jump in performance and graphics, this next-gen hybrid console is opening new doors for developers.

For developers and studios, the opportunities are exciting. But the decisions ahead can feel complex. What should you prioritize? How do you plan your next build or port? And what does all this mean for your pipeline?

At Devoted Studios, we’ve been keeping a close eye on everything. Hardware details, dev kit updates, even early experiments from the dev community. We’ve also seen Unity’s official support for Switch 2, which means studios can start preparing real pipelines right no

As a trusted co-development partner, we’re here to help studios think ahead, build smarter, and take full advantage of what the Nintendo Switch 2 makes possible.

Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Switch 1: What’s Changed for Developers?

At first glance, the Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t look wildly different from the original. But under the hood, there are big changes that make it a much more powerful console for both players and developers. Here’s a breakdown of how it stacks up, and what that means for game dev.

Power and Performance: More Room to Build

The biggest leap is in performance. According to Nvidia, Nintendo Switch 2 has 10x the graphics power compared to the first Switch. That means smoother gameplay, better lighting and effects, and more room for complex systems like AI and physics. It also supports DLSS, which upscales visuals without hurting frame rate.

So what does all that power actually mean for developers?

On the original Switch, you probably had to scale back. Lower texture sizes, simpler environments, fewer NPCs on screen. With the Switch 2, you’ve got more headroom to work with.

And with DLSS, you don’t need to brute-force every frame. The system can upscale intelligently, letting you save on GPU load while still delivering sharp, high-quality visuals.

Basically, Nintendo Switch 2 opens the door to console-quality experiences in a hybrid format (something developers have wanted since the first Switch launched *wink wink*)

Joy-Cons and Controls

The Switch 2 Joy-Cons are bigger and connect magnetically instead of sliding into plastic rails. They’ve got better shoulder buttons, new detaching mechanisms, and even a mouse mode that lets you use them for games like strategy titles or simulations.

This opens up fun new design possibilities, especially for unique control schemes or local co-op.

Display and Visuals

The new screen is 7.9 inches with 1080p resolution, up from the original’s 6.2 inches at 720p. It can hit 120Hz in handheld mode, and even output up to 4K when docked (for supported games).

With support for 120Hz in handheld mode and 4K output when docked, the Nintendo Switch 2 gives developers a lot more room to create visually impressive experiences.

For developers, this means:

• Faster, smoother gameplay for action games, racers, or anything that benefits from high frame rates
• Crisp, detailed visuals that look great on big screens and modern TVs
• More space for stylized art or cinematic visuals without worrying about blur or pixelation
• Support for HDR and variable refresh rate (VRR), making lighting and motion feel more natural

If you’re building a game with rich animation, atmospheric lighting, or fast-paced movement, the Switch 2 gives you the tools to make it shine, with smooth visuals and rich detail both on the couch and on the go.

Docked Versus Portable and What Developers Need to Know

Switch 2 is powerful, but that power depends on how it’s used by players.

• In docked mode, you get more processing power, better cooling, and up to 4K output
• In portable mode, the system reduces performance to save battery, which can limit playtime for demanding games

Development: Building for Switch 1 vs. Switch 2

The first Nintendo Switch always demanded creative workarounds. Studios had to optimize for limited memory, compressed textures, and simplified systems. Now, the Switch 2 gives dev teams more space to dream, but smart technical planning is still crucial.

Expectations will rise. Just because the hardware improves doesn’t mean performance challenges go away. Studios must still build with platform-specific constraints in mind:

• Memory-efficient level streaming
• Asset compression and loading strategies
• UI scaling for handheld vs. docked

As a co-development partner, we’ve helped teams navigate these questions across multiple generations. That experience will matter even more in the transition to Switch 2.

Unity Confirms Official Support for Nintendo Switch 2

On April 2, 2025, Unity officially announced that its engine will support Nintendo Switch 2 development via Unity 6, offered as an add-on for approved Nintendo developers. This is big news for teams working in Unity who want to prepare for a Switch 2 launch or post-launch release.

“Unity has battle-tested our support for Nintendo Switch 2 through hands-on development of a day-one launch title,” said Unity CEO Matthew Bromberg.

Here’s what Unity developers can expect:

• Rendering & performance enhancements like URP, GPU Resident Drawer, and Spatial-Temporal Post-Processing
• Improved multiplayer capabilities tailored for Nintendo Switch 2
• Streamlined porting for existing Switch games to Switch 2
• Full compatibility with Unity 6’s input system and build tools

While the tooling is still rolling out, this confirms that Unity-built games will be ready to target Switch 2 from day one. If you’re building in Unity and working with a co-dev team, now’s the time to prepare your pipelines.

What We’re Watching as a Co-Dev Partner

According to The Game Business, many developers are still waiting for Switch 2 dev kits. Nintendo has prioritized major publishers and launch partners, while smaller studios are eager to join the platform but remain in a holding pattern.

At Devoted Studios, we’re staying close to these developments. We know how important it is for teams to get a head start on toolchain setup, content strategy, and cross-platform planning, even before dev kits land.

Here are some of the trends we’re watching, and supporting across our co-dev projects:

🎨 Stylized games will thrive

The Switch audience has always loved creative, expressive art styles. With better GPU performance, those visuals can be brighter, richer, and more dynamic than ever.

📱 Hybrid-first design is becoming standard

Games need to feel natural both on a handheld screen and a TV. UI scaling, font sizes, control schemes, and performance targets all need to adapt.

🧩 Modular development will save time

Clean, modular builds with reusable assets make future porting easier. If you’re planning for PC or other consoles too, now’s the time to build smart.

🌐 Multiplayer games will improve

Unity’s new tools point to stronger support for online features. Studios building multiplayer or live-service elements should align early with these changes.

🚀 Cyberpunk 2077 as proof of third-party potential

The fact that Cyberpunk 2077 is coming to Switch 2 says a lot. Big, AAA games that used to be “too much” for a hybrid console are now possible. It shows that if you plan things right and optimize your build, even the most detailed games can run smoothly on Nintendo Switch 2.

Ready to Start Planning for Switch 2?

The Nintendo Switch 2 is already shaping the future of handheld and console development. With stronger specs, improved tools, and a growing player base, it’s a great platform for studios who want to push creative ideas without leaving behind accessibility and reach.

At Devoted Studios, we’re here to help you plan smart, build scalable systems, and support your vision across platforms. If you’re starting a project now or thinking about how to expand in the future, this is the perfect time to start laying the groundwork.

We were there, and we took notes.

The State of Unreal 2025 just dropped a wave of updates, and our team at Devoted Studios was front and center. As a co-development partner supporting some of the most ambitious AAA games, we’re always looking at how new tools can shape faster pipelines, richer visuals, and better collaboration across the board.

Here is a summary of what is important and how we are already considering using these into our production flow, from MetaHuman updates to scene graphs and stylized animation tools.

MetaHuman 5.6 Is Changing How We Approach Character Work

MetaHuman just leveled up. The new parametric body system lets artists fine-tune character proportions based on real-world dimensions, and that’s a big deal for co-dev.

When we’re collaborating with studios on realistic character design, this feature means:

For co-development teams like ours, that also means less back-and-forth and more time spent getting things right from the start.

Key updates that speed up our workflow:

• • Parametric body system for precise control over character proportions
  • Real-time facial animation using a standard webcam or audio input
  • Outfits and grooms that auto-adapt to body shape in real time
  • Audio-driven animation that includes head motion and mood adjustments
  • New tools like the Groom Tools for hair and the Expression Editor for detailed facial work

We also love the expanded toolset: MetaHuman for Maya and Houdini keeps things flexible across studios, and with MetaHumans now tradeable on Fab, we see new ways to kickstart production faster.

Real-Time Lighting and Tech Art Are Becoming the New Standard

Epic’s new dynamic lighting system with built-in day/night and weather cycles is exactly what co-dev teams like ours need when working on shared worlds.

This makes it easier for us to:

This system works well with Lumen, Unreal Engine’s dynamic global illumination and reflections tool. Lumen gives us realistic bounce lighting and reflections across detailed environments. It supports both large open worlds and small interior spaces, and works smoothly with features like Nanite and World Partition.

We also use Chaos Cloth and Chaos Flesh to create more believable cloth and muscle movement. These tools give us realistic results with less manual tweaking, which helps us save time and keep performance high during production.

Scene Graph Makes Production Smoother and Easier to Scale

The new Scene Graph in Unreal offers a clean, hierarchical structure that simplifies large environment builds. When we’re collaborating across teams and time zones, organization is key.

Scene Graph helps by:

It’s a small change that solves big problems in co-dev.

We’re especially excited about this because it improves clarity and handoffs across departments. It helps our teams stay in sync, make updates quickly, and avoid errors when multiple people are working in the same space. For us, it means smoother workflows and more confident production at scale.

Unreal Animation Framework: Syncing Motion Across Characters

The all-new Unreal Animation Framework introduces support for parallel animation evaluation, multi-character motion matching, and physics-driven secondary animations.

That’s a huge upgrade for us when we’re handling:

• Cinematic sequences with multiple characters
• Cutscenes with reactive animation
• Combat interactions requiring smooth transitions

It makes animation feel more responsive, even in early stages, and helps us save time during polishing.

The update also includes a new experimental plugin called Sequencer Anim Mixer, which allows smoother transitions between gameplay and cinematics. The new Stitch track uses motion matching to find the best transition point between dynamic gameplay and sequenced animation. This is especially useful for teams working on story-driven or action-heavy titles.

Additional features like better root motion support, custom animation tracks in C++, and improved compatibility with Animation Blueprints give us more flexibility to blend gameplay and narrative moments with consistency and control.

Stylized Looks Now Happen Right Inside Unreal Engine

One of the most exciting reveals from Unreal Engine 5.6? Are stylized and 2D animation directly inside Unreal.

For projects looking to move beyond photorealism, this means:

We’re already seeing more demand for unique art styles, and these tools give us the flexibility to experiment without adding extra post-production steps.

We’re Excited to Bring These Unreal Engine 5.6 Tools Into Our AAA Co-Development Workflow

The updates from State of Unreal 2025 open up new ways to work faster, collaborate better, and push quality even further. From real-time animation tools to faster streaming and smarter worldbuilding, Unreal Engine 5.6 gives us more control and flexibility across the board.

We’re excited to bring these tools into our pipeline and continue supporting studios with scalable, production-ready co-dev solutions. These improvements help co-dev studios like us deliver better results while staying aligned with creative goals and production timelines.

If you’re looking for a game co-development partner who knows how to get the most out of the latest Unreal tech, we’d love to connect.

We all know where we are right now. The game industry is going through one of its most challenging chapters. Budgets are ballooning, production timelines are harder to predict than ever, and the fear of layoffs has become part of the daily reality for developers and artists alike.

To better understand how studios are navigating these pressures, we spoke with Jason Millena, Executive Creative Director at Devoted Studios.

With over two decades of experience, Jason has helped ship a wide range of titles across genres and platforms. His past work includes Lord of the Rings mobile games, Hunger Games, Legacy of Zeus, Bitizens, RuneScape Mobile, and several AAA projects for Disney IPs.

Shipping more, alongside industry demands, with fewer people, less time, and tighter budgets is a challenging task.

The Reality Check: Mapping Today’s Challenges in Game Development

Things are tough, and we’re all feeling it.

Game development has become more expensive, harder to plan, and less stable than ever before. Studios are under pressure to move fast, save money, and make smart decisions, all while trying to avoid burnout and layoffs.

According to this year’s GDC State of the Industry survey, 11% of developers reported being laid off in the past year, with those in narrative roles taking the hardest hit — 19% of respondents in that field were affected. Business and finance roles saw the lowest reported layoffs at 6%, but even that number paints a concerning picture.

The ripple effects go even deeper: 41% of developers said they’ve felt the impact of layoffs in some way. That includes 29% who’ve seen their direct colleagues let go, and another 18% who’ve seen it happen to other teams. A small but sobering 4% said they were laid off due to full studio closures.

As for why these layoffs are happening? There’s no single answer. 22% said restructuring, 18% pointed to declining revenues, and 15% cited broader industry or market shifts. Strikingly, nearly 1 in 5 developers (19%) said they weren’t given any reason at all.

It’s a lot to take in, but before we get into how to fix it, let’s take a moment to map out the key challenges clearly. Only then can we talk about what a better path forward looks like.

Doing more with less

Nearly 70% of developers said they’re trying to do more work with fewer resources. 45% are using productivity tools to move faster, and 24% are trying to get better results from their monetization and live ops budgets.

Some studios are also choosing to stay small on purpose. Around 20% said they’re staying lean to avoid big risks, like overhiring or taking on debt. 10% are avoiding hiring more people, 6% are not borrowing money, and 4% are even slowing down their growth just to stay safer in this uncertain market.

Shipping more, alongside industry demands, with fewer people, less time, and tighter budgets is a challenging ask. Tools can help of course, but they don’t fully solve bandwidth challenges. They also can’t solve the pressure of needing to deliver meaningful, high-quality content without burning out your team.

He explained that some studios are staying small on purpose, and that makes sense. “You avoid overhiring, you stay nimble, communications are more streamlined, and you protect your culture,” he said. “But a big tradeoff is capacity. You’ve got the ideas, you’ve got the quality bar, but you often need more hands to execute.”

According to Jason, this is where the right co-development partner can make all the difference.

“Co-development gives you that,” he said. “Not just as outsourcing, but as a true extension of your team. One that’s aligned with your goals, your priorities, and your style of working. It’s a way to keep your creative vision intact without compromising scope, quality, or sanity.”

He added, “It’s not about doing more for the sake of more. It’s about doing the right things, with the right people, while keeping your core team focused on what matters most.”

Uncertainty, layoffs & instability

We’ve all seen the headlines. Restructures. Layoffs. Teams folding mid-project. Talent is being pushed out, and companies are struggling to retain expert contributors. Scaling up or down feels risky when no one’s sure what the next quarter will bring.

Over the past few years, the games industry has seen a sharp increase in layoffs, with 8,500 developers laid off in 2022, 10,500 in 2023, and projections showing 13,750 in 2024. Major companies like Embracer Group, Microsoft Game Studios, and Electronic Arts have all reduced their headcount significantly, contributing to the instability in the industry.

These layoffs are having ripple effects across the workforce, with many developers seeing their colleagues, or even entire teams, let go. This instability creates a constant cloud of uncertainty for those still working in the field.

“This uncertainty weighs on people,” said Jason. “It makes planning harder. You’ve got a roadmap to hit, but scaling up feels risky when the future’s unclear.”

The Future of Gaming is Disrupted by New Forces

As the game development industry navigates through rising costs, layoffs, and unpredictable market conditions, its future is being reshaped by three major forces that are transforming how games are made, played, and experienced. These forces are driving the industry forward, creating new opportunities, but also presenting new challenges.

As the game development industry navigates through rising costs, layoffs, and unpredictable market conditions, its future is being reshaped by three major forces that are transforming how games are made, played, and experienced. These forces are driving the industry forward, creating new opportunities, but also presenting new challenges.

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As Jason put it,

These shifts are exciting, but they’re also overwhelming when you’re in the middle of trying to ship something tangible. On the creative and design side, it becomes hard to balance focus with flexibility. Your instincts push you to lean into emerging trends, communities, new tech, and evolving platforms, but the day-to-day reality of development doesn’t always leave room for that level of experimentation.

Jason highlighted how the right co-development partner can shift the pace and potential of a project. “It’s not just about getting things out the door,” he said. “It’s about bringing in fresh thinking, exploring tools like AI in a safe way, or quickly prototyping ideas without pulling your core team away from mission-critical work.”

He continued, “In a space that’s moving this fast, having partners who can scale and shift with you isn’t just useful. It’s essential.”

Devoted Studios’ Co-Development Approach is a Response to the Industry Challenges

At Devoted Studios, we’ve completely reimagined co-development. We don’t see it as a side service or just an add-on, but rather as a strategic solution to many of the challenges that game studios are facing today.

We know that the industry is evolving, and so are the needs of the studios and the talent. As projects grow more complex, the traditional model of relying on a single, in-house team for every stage of development is increasingly difficult to maintain. That’s why we’ve made co-development the cornerstone of how we work with our partners.

Instead of just plugging gaps when needed, we approach co-development as an ongoing collaboration, where we become an integral part of the team, bringing the right talent at the right time. This means fewer headaches for studios trying to predict every resource need and more efficiency in how games get made.

Our co-development model isn’t just about filling the talent gap, but we are bringing expert teams together in a way that optimizes production, reduces the pressure of deadlines, and gives both studios and developers more control.

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Devoted Services: Built for Every Stage of Game Development

At Devoted, we understand these struggles because we work alongside studios facing them every day. That’s why our services are built not just to support your goals, but to adapt to your reality. We’re here to bring structure, clarity, and real support.

When you work with us, you gain visibility at every stage of production. You always know what’s happening, what’s coming next, and where your project stands. No surprises. No gaps in communication.

We focus on three core services that give studios the control, support, and speed they need:

Co-Development & Porting

We offer full co-development and game porting services, supporting projects from concept to launch and across multiple platforms. Our team works closely with you to build, refine, and adapt your game for new systems while keeping performance and quality top of mind.

Full-Cycle Game Development

We offer full game development support from idea to launch. Our team works closely with you to build great gaming experiences. Every project gets a custom plan, using our team’s creativity and experience to deliver quality results on time and within budget.

End-to-End Art Production

Devoted Studios works with a network of over 1,900 creative talents across the U.S. and worldwide. Our experienced art directors and producers lead each project from beginning to end, making sure everything runs smoothly and meets the highest quality standards.

We support everything from AAA titles to indie games on Steam, and we create both photorealistic and stylized content. Whatever your vision looks like, we have the skills, tools, and passion to bring it to life.

Meet the Experts Behind Devoted Studios’ Co-Development Excellence

Our mission is to bring flexibility, visibility, and stability to game development. We do this by building custom strike teams—small, specialized groups of top-notch industry experts that can jump in at the right time and keep projects moving forward.

Leading these teams are our CTO, creative director, animation director, tech art lead, and VP of production. These are industry veterans with a history of delivering some of the most ambitious and successful titles in gaming. Their experience has helped shape AAA production standards, and they bring both deep expertise and consistent results to every project.

Our experts are involved at every stage of production, from early concept through final delivery. More than just supporting projects, they lead with strategy, clear communication, and hands-on problem solving, helping studios stay focused, flexible, and ready for anything.

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Co-Development Isn’t a Backup Plan, It’s the New Foundation

The game industry is changing fast. Production is more complex, timelines shift quickly, and the fear of layoffs is a real concern. At Devoted, we don’t just respond to that reality — we’ve built a model around it.

As studios shift toward smaller, more agile teams, we meet them where they are. Our custom strike teams plug into any stage of development, bringing the exact skill sets needed to support, scale, and stabilize projects.

We offer more than just talent. We offer clarity around what’s next, visibility into upcoming work, and a structure that allows both studios and artists to plan with confidence.

With Devoted, you get the right people, the right process, and the flexibility to adapt — all without the chaos. And if you’re navigating complexity, shifting pipelines, or scaling up or down — you’re not alone.

You can scale with ease. And with Devoted, you don’t have to go it alone.

Game development is exciting, messy, creative, and—let’s be honest—sometimes a little bit messy. That’s why we’re glad to have Harvey Newman on board. He helps bring more structure, focus, and flow to the process.

Harvey is our Animation Director Consultant, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the game industry. He has worked with studios around the world, helping teams improve their pipelines, bring characters to life, and stay focused on what really matters… making great games.

Harvey brings years of hands-on experience, not only in animation but also in guiding teams through complex production challenges. He supports artists and developers through every stage of development, offering clear feedback, structure, and practical solutions when it matters most.

Let’s walk into his journey, what he brings to the table, and how he’s helping us (and our partners!) optimize the game development process from start to finish.

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Animation That Moves You… Literally!

If you’ve ever seen Harvey’s YouTube channel, you’ll know what we mean when we say he’s a powerhouse of animation knowledge. With tutorials, masterclasses, live Q&As, and tips covering everything from Maya to Blender, character animation to industry insights, Harvey’s built a space that’s equal parts technical and inspirational.

What sets Harvey apart is his ability to break down complex animation workflows into practical, easy-to-understand steps that make sense whether you’re new to the field or have years of experience.

At Devoted Studios, Harvey brings that same helpful energy to our projects. He supports our artists, gives clear feedback, and helps teams avoid getting stuck in production bottlenecks.

Honestly, I just love helping characters feel real. That moment when an animation clicks and suddenly the player feels something? That’s the magic. If I can help teams hit that moment more often, I’m doing my job.

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From Idea to Execution: Harvey’s Take on the Pipeline

When Harvey talks about “optimizing the pipeline,” he means making the whole process run more smoothly. That means finding the spots where things slow down or get confusing, then fixing them so teams can spend more time on animating, creating, and building the game.

When I jump into a new project, I’m looking for the choke points, the places where good ideas get stuck. Once we clean that up, teams can focus on the fun stuff: making great animation, telling better stories, and building something they’re proud of.

As our Animation Director Consultant, Harvey helps us and our clients:

His goal is to make the animation process more efficient, collaborative, and rewarding for everyone involved.

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Animation Isn’t Just a Step in the Pipeline

One of the things Harvey’s big on is changing how we think about animation in game development.

Too often, animation is treated as a phase that happens after design, after art, and just before polish. But Harvey sees it as something much more central—and way more powerful.

A lot of people still treat animation like it’s just the thing you do after the art’s done—but the truth is, animation can shape the whole experience. It’s not just about movement it’s about feel, response, timing. If you think about it early, everything else gets better.

At Devoted Studios, we couldn’t agree more. That’s why we bring Harvey into the conversation early—during concept development, pre-production planning, and throughout live projects. His insights help us think ahead, avoid costly revisions later, and make smarter creative decisions right from the start.

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Why Our Teams Love Working with Harvey

Game projects can get intense. There are deadlines, feedback rounds, and lots of moving parts. Having someone like Harvey around helps teams stay focused and calm.

He doesn’t just give advice and disappear. He sticks with the team, joins meetings, reviews animation passes, and works side by side with art directors to keep things moving in the right direction.

I don’t believe in just showing up with a checklist and leaving. I like getting in the trenches with teams—reviewing shots, jumping on calls, figuring things out together. That’s how good games get made. Shoulder to shoulder.

That mindset resonates across every project he touches. From early planning to final polish, Harvey helps our teams feel supported, seen, and ready to push for the best work possible.

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What He’s Teaching Us All (And You, Too!)

Harvey’s influence goes beyond the projects he works on directly. His advice and support shape how we work as a studio and help our artists grow.

I always say: stay curious, share early, and don’t be afraid to get things wrong. Animation’s not about getting it perfect on the first try—it’s about testing, playing, learning. That’s where the real growth happens.

We see this every day. Harvey makes it okay to ask questions, take risks, and learn from mistakes. He helps us build a creative space where people feel confident to explore ideas and improve their work.

Thanks to him, we’re not just creating better animations. We’re growing as a team, building trust, and enjoying the process along the way.

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Building Better Games, Together

At Devoted Studios, we believe that people like Harvey make all the difference. Not just because of their experience or skill (though he has plenty of both), but because of their ability to uplift others, bring clarity to chaos, and genuinely care about the work they do.

He might be reviewing animation passes, coaching a team, or streaming live tutorials to his YouTube community—but Harvey is always focused on one thing: making great games and helping others do the same.

If you’re working on a project that needs animation support, creative feedback, or a fresh pair of eyes on your pipeline, there’s a good chance you’ll be working with Harvey. And trust us—you’ll be in good hands.

I’ve been doing this for a while now, and what keeps me going isn’t just the games, it’s the people. If I can help a team move better, think clearer, or feel more confident in their work, then I’m exactly where I want to be.

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Work with Harvey through Devoted Studios

Want Harvey to take care of the animation side of your game? You’re in good hands. As our Animation Director Consultant, he partners closely with studios to bring clarity, energy, and top-tier animation to every stage of development.

Get in touch with us at Devoted Studios—we’d love to chat about how Harvey (and our team) can support your next project.

At the heart of every game project is a team of artists, designers, and engineers—but none of it moves forward without strong production.
At Devoted Studios, our producers are the driving force behind smooth collaboration, on-time deliveries, and clear communication. They make sure tasks are clear, teams are aligned, and clients stay informed—no matter how complex or fast-paced the project is.
But what does that actually look like day-to-day?
To find out, we spoke with Carol Morato, Lead Producer at Devoted Studios. She walked us through what a producer really does, the tools and habits that keep things on track, and how good communication can make or break a project.

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Meet Carol, Devoted Studios’ Steady and Clear-Minded Producer

If you’ve worked with Devoted Studios, there’s a good chance you’ve met Carol.
Carol is one of the producers at Devoted Studios. She helps make sure projects stay on track, and that both the team and the client know what’s happening at every step.
She’s calm, organized, and easy to talk to. If there’s a problem, Carol usually spots it early and works with others to fix it before it grows.
You’ll notice right away with Carol how clearly she communicates. She makes sure feedback is clear, tasks are well explained, and the whole team knows what to focus on. She’s careful with the details, but always keeps the full project in mind.

I try to give everyone the support they need to do their best work. That means staying clear, being available, and keeping things moving.

Carol is just one example of how our producers help projects run smoothly from start to finish.

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Producers Keep the Work (and People) Connected

The production team at Devoted acts like the central nervous system of the studio. Carol sees the production team as the central link between everyone involved in a project—clients, artists, leads, and delivery managers. Their job is to make sure information flows smoothly, expectations are set clearly, and blockers don’t build up quietly in the background.

We connect clients, artists, leads, and directors. As producers at Devoted, we wear many hats: planners, communicators, coordinators, and problem-solvers.

That means checking progress, updating tools like Jira, replying to messages, and running check-ins with the team. But it also means checking in on people—not just tasks. If someone needs help or is stuck waiting on feedback, it’s the producer who steps in to keep things moving.
One thing Carol brings up often is how much simple, clear communication matters. Devoted has a few internal values that help guide how we work together, and her favorite is straightforward:
“Always care,” she said. “A quick message to check in with a teammate, or to clarify a point rather than assume — it can change the tone of an entire day. It builds trust and ensures people know we have their back.”

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A Clear Production Flow That Works Across Teams

Every project at Devoted is a little different, but our producers follow a process that helps keep things on track and predictable, especially in a remote setting.

Carol walked us through the flow she uses on most projects:

Throughout every stage, we focus on transparency, proactive planning, and clear communication. That’s what helps avoid last-minute issues and builds trust with the team and the client.

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The Tools That Support the Work

Carol uses a mix of tools to stay organized:

But it’s not one-size-fits-all. Devoted works with different clients, and we’re used to jumping into whatever tools they’re already using—whether that’s Notion, Trello, or ShotGrid.

“We’re flexible,” Carol said. “If a client has a system that works for them, we don’t force them to change it. We fit into it.”

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A Producer Needs to Keep Everyone Connected

The best projects are the ones where everyone knows what’s going on. Carol says that regular updates, visible timelines, and respectful communication go a long way.
She usually sends weekly reports, holds weekly meetings with clients and teams, and makes sure that milestones and task deadlines are clear from the start.
“We use delivery checklists and definitions of done,” she explained. “That way, everyone knows what’s expected. No surprises.”
At Devoted, strong communication is one of the most important parts of production.
Carol shared how they keep things clear across teams and time zones:

We also translate between creative and technical language when needed. That way, no detail is lost between the concept and execution. Above all, we care—we make time to listen and follow up with empathy and clarity.

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The Things That Slow Teams Down (That No One Talks About) and How to Catch Them Early

Not all blockers are obvious. Some are small and quiet, like missing specs, delayed feedback, or unclear briefs. Carol calls these silent blockers.

If there’s one thing every producer should do at the start of the day, it’s check for silent blockers.

By spotting these early, producers can stop them from growing into real problems.
So how do you spot them before they cause delays?
For Carol, it starts with a morning scan. She looks at all ongoing projects, checks deadlines, reviews conversations, and tries to catch anything that looks stuck. She runs quick 15-minute stand-ups with her team to make sure everyone’s aligned and follows up on any unresolved questions or missing feedback.
These small habits help her catch issues early—before they grow into bigger problems
Carol also keeps a close eye on how fast the work is moving compared to what was planned. If something feels off, she speaks up.

Open, honest communication is key. If we see something slipping, we bring it up and work together to course correct.

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A Day in the Life of a Devoted Producer (And How You Can Work Like One Too)

Being a producer at Devoted Studios means handling a lot of moving parts, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. It’s about having a clear structure, staying aware of what’s going on, and building simple habits that keep everything running smoothly without burning out.
So what does a “typical day” look like?

Our day is a mix of short-term follow-up — resolving blockers or clarifying briefs — and long-term planning, like tracking milestone health, balancing resource allocations, and flagging potential risks. It’s all about keeping the momentum steady while making sure the quality and communication stay sharp.

Another thing Carol keeps an eye on is project pace, “We track how fast things are moving compared to the plan. If something looks off, we bring it up early and adjust.”

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Advice for New Producers

As we wrapped up our conversation, we asked Carol what advice she’d give to someone stepping into the world of co-development for the first time. Her advice was simple:

Build trust by being considerate and proactive. Don’t wait for problems to escalate. Overcommunicate when you’re unsure, and always remember you’re here to enable the team and protect the project—not to micromanage.

Quick Tips to Take With You
Here are a few of Carol’s habits and insights—quick to remember and easy to apply:

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Let’s Wrap Up Our Conversation!

Producers at Devoted Studios are the reason projects stay on track, teams stay supported, and clients stay confident in the process. They combine structure with empathy, clarity with flexibility, and planning with heart.
Carol is just one example of how our production team leads with intention and care—making space for artists to create, developers to focus, and ideas to move forward. Behind every smooth delivery is a producer making sure the right people are aligned, the right tools are in place, and the creative vision stays protected.
If you’re building something and want a steady hand guiding the process, we’re here to help.
Partner with producers who keep things moving, without the stress.