DEVOTED STUDIOS BLOG

April marked the exciting reveal of Epic Games’ new Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) at its State of Unreal 2023 presentation. This powerful application is set to launch on the Epic Games Store as a public beta, and will provide access to a variety of incredible features! It even comes with a brand-new scripting language called “Verse”. Does it mean significant evolution in Unreal Engine services? Let’s find out!

What Is UEFN?

Epic’s new Unreal Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) allows users the same customization capability used to create Fortnite. From terrain to props, players are able to construct unique spirits and tastes in their creations—ones that may look nothing like what Fortnite is famous for.

In fact, during a live demo onstage, Epic displayed a notably distinct world. Instead of cheery colors and grids overflowing with zestful cartoon creatures, we got an earthy experience with browns and tans dominating the screen.

But groundbreaking technology will be more than just gorgeous visuals: Epic also intends for interoperability between Fortnite and UEFN assets, enabling creative labor to shift quickly from one place to another. Bringing one’s innovation across platforms has become easier than ever before!

In 2018, Fortnite officially launched its Creative mode, which since then has become increasingly popular in the Unreal game development industry. It is even – importantly – a successful platform for players to make money as content creators. Epic has been actively positioning UEFN as an effective tool for both experienced Unreal Engine 5 developers and novice players wishing to elevate their expertise beyond Epic’s thoughtfully implemented in-game editing tools inherently included in Fortnite Creative. It is quite advantageous, suitable to the varying natures of such experience levels present across global Fortnite audiences using UEFN’s accessible game developer environment and potent creative array of drag & drop features.

“Verse” – a New Scripting Language

Epic Games has added a brand new scripting language, “Verse,” to its epic development platform, UEFN. According to Epic, this is an exciting move that makes game creation more accessible without sacrificing the flexibility and power typically desired in modern development. Verse is radically easier on developers than traditional programming languages, allowing the visionaries behind these virtual worlds the tools they require to make their creations come alive. 

This specialized scripting language also makes the path toward becoming a creator much smoother and simpler. Effectively streamlining the entire process means Unreal developers no longer need to worry solely about successful coding – instead they can focus on finding new ways to craft unique and exciting experiences through vivid imaginary universes.

UEFN could be a game-changer for creators who need to import custom assets. By granting access to assets from both the popular Fortnite and Unreal Engine platforms, the process of creation will be endlessly streamlined. Unreal development is able to take advantage of UEFN’s powerful toolset that can produce an innovative, one-of-a-kind game outside the classic Fortnite universe. This unprecedented level of interoperability creates new opportunities for developers and motivates them to develop awesome new experiences. With such open tools and abilities, creativity knows no bounds!

It looks like Epic Games is raising the stakes with their new UEFN update for the Fortnite franchise. Players and creators have been presented with a fantastic opportunity to build customized game worlds and import custom assets, meaning a previously unattainable level of creativity is now finally within reach. The impressive programming tools available, such as the new scripting language, make game development more accessible too. On top of that, the public beta on the Epic Games Store means any created content can be seen with ease. It’s officially an exciting time for gaming as witnessed by this newly launched feature: developers and players pay attention and scan for what new creations arise as a result of UEFN!

With the global gaming market expected to soar to $503.14 billion by 2025 (up from $396 billion in 2023!), it’s clear that the demand for high-quality games is only going to get bigger.

But we all know game development is no walk in the park—it’s a fast-moving, complex industry that requires a ton of different skills. From brainstorming ideas to designing, coding, testing, and finally launching the game, every step is important and needs a lot of expertise. Plus, with new technologies and trends popping up all the time, things can get even more challenging!

Even the biggest game studios sometimes need a helping hand to turn their vision into reality. That’s where external game development studios come in. These companies are the pros at providing specialized game development services to other video game companies.

If you’re on the lookout for top-tier video game studios in California, you’re in the right place! California is packed with some of the most creative and innovative studios, with Los Angeles as a major hub for talent.

In this article, we’re excited to introduce you to some of the best external game developers in California!

Why External Game Developers Matters?

In the fast-paced world of game development, time and resources can be stretched thin, even for the biggest game developers studios.

External game developers specialize in offering their skills and expertise to help game studios meet their goals faster and more efficiently. Whether it’s for a short-term project or a long-term collaboration, these external teams provide fresh perspectives and specialized knowledge that can push a game from good to great.

But before you outsource to external game development studios, it’s important to know the most common types available and what they can offer.

Top Game Developers in California

When it comes to creating groundbreaking games, California is home to some of the most innovative and talented video game studios in the world. 

Devoted Studios

Devoted Studios is an external game development studio in Los Angeles that offers a range of services to game developers. These services include full-cycle development, co-development, concept art, porting, engineering, and end-to-end art production.

Devoted Studios has worked on a variety of projects, including games like Spellbreak, Kid A Mnesia: Exhibition, Palia, Blankos Block Party, Animal Jam!, Airphoria vol.2 (Nike project), and Coin Hunt World, among others. 

They have also worked with 343 Industries to design new armor sets for the Halo: Master Chief Collection. Devoted Studios uses a range of technologies, including Unreal, Unity, and blockchain, among others. Their goal is to provide an equal opportunity for every talent in the world to work on the games of their dreams while nurturing and leading talent to success and recognition.

1518 Studios

This California-based game art outsourcing studio specializes in creating 3D artwork and video game assets. Their services include concept design, illustrations, user interface design, logo creation, 3D art and animation, motion capture, cinematics, and various types of 2D art.

1518 Studios has worked with companies like Supercell, Brainseed Factory, and Redemption Games. They’ve contributed to popular games such as Borderlands 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and more.

Azumo

Azumo is a game development studio in California that offers full game creation services for platforms like mobile, PC, consoles, and AR/VR. With over 8 years of experience, they use tools like Unity and Unreal Engine to develop games. Their services cover everything from designing the game to coding, testing, and launching it. They even help after the game is released with updates and fixes.

One of the well-known games Azumo worked on is Game of Thrones Legends, a mobile strategy game where players can build their own kingdoms and fight for the Iron Throne. Azumo has also partnered with big companies like Zynga.

Double Coconut 

Double Coconut, one of the game development studios in California, has over a decade of experience in providing exceptional service to partners in the gaming industry. Specializing in Crypto and Mobile games, Double Coconut stands out for its industry-leading engineering capabilities, focusing on mobile and web projects built in Unity and HTML5.

As one of the leading game studios in California, Double Coconut offers full-service design capabilities to bring mobile, web3, Play-to-Earn, or NFT projects from concept to market. Their vast experience and expertise in game design make them a reliable partner for anyone looking to create a successful gaming project.

Jam City 

Jam City is a well-known California video game company that excels in creating deeply engaging and unique mobile games that captivate global audiences. With over $4 billion in lifetime bookings and billions of downloads, Jam City has developed some of the most successful mobile games in the industry. 

They are the creative force behind popular franchises like Cookie Jam and Panda Pop and collaborate with major global IP holders such as Universal, Disney, and Warner Bros. One of their biggest hits is Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, which topped the charts in over 40 countries upon release. Additionally, their AR game Jurassic World Alive remains a top performer in the market.

AAA Game Art Studio 

AAA Game Art Studio, based in both the US and Cyprus, is a leading video game studio in California with over 20 years of experience. Known for delivering high-quality work on time, AAA Game Art Studio has partnered with major clients such as HarperCollins, Bandai Namco, and Konami. They specialize in multiple aspects of game art, including UI/UX design and both 2D and 3D art.

Each of these game studios in California has its own strengths, bringing something unique to the gaming industry. Devoted Studios, based in Los Angeles, is known for its wide range of services, from full game development to art optimization. They’ve worked on popular titles like Spellbreak and Halo: Master Chief Collection, proving they can handle big, challenging projects with ease.

If you’re looking for a reliable partner to help bring your game to life, studios like Devoted Studios are a great choice. Whether you need full development or just extra support, these California video game companies are experienced, creative, and passionate about making games that players love. From Jam City’s mobile hits to AAA Game Art Studio’s stunning 2D and 3D art, gaming studios in California offer everything you need to create a successful game.

These days, gaming is considered one of the most profitable and beloved industries. A comprehensive gaming experience requires more than just effort; talented developers, designers, coders, testers, and marketers working together ensures success. Unfortunately, not everyone has this kind of access – especially when working as a startup or an individual. But don’t worry – creating a successful game without a team is still possible! This dream can be realized without any pressure related to particular resources by outsourcing game development to a professional company. That said, how can you make sure all your gaming projects go off with a bang? This article will show you why you need to consider outsourcing all your gaming endeavors to a reliable third-party provider and give you the best tips on making it happen.

Start by defining your game concept

Before you start outsourcing game development, press pause for the moment and contemplate your concept for the game. What’s the theme? What’s the ultimate goal? Who’s it geared towards? Taking some time to conduct market research can be extremely beneficial here. Find out what styles of games tend to generate the most enthusiasm, and which features prioritize by your target audience. When is what you want to make already too mainstream? With investigation comes clarity in your ideas and well-thought-out assumptions — when collaborating with an outsourcing company, playing it right by keeping these points well-defined goes a long way in ensuring the successful delivery of your project on time!

Look for a reliable outsourcing game development company

It’s an exciting time as you now have a game concept to develop! Take the next step and start exploring professional outsourcing game developers that can work on your vision. First, narrow down your search for game development companies that specialize in the type of gaming that interests you and with experience working with international teams. Secondly, research online and analyze their portfolio to ensure that the purpose and style align with what you desire. Thirdly, reach out to some of the previous clients and ask for references if there’s something specific you need clarity on regarding their process or output quality. Last, but not least, look up ratings from directories like Clutch or G2 for extra assurances of their service reliability. By completing these steps properly, you’ll be poised to create a truly amazing gaming experience!

Collaborate and communicate with the outsourcing company

Successful completion of your gaming project requires strong communication with the game development team you are outsourcing to. Clear and structured briefings will 1asextualy help ensure progress is monitored and reports given in an efficient manner. Be sure to remind them from time to time of going over any updates or challenges. Also, it might be worthwhile to allocate multiple channels for the collaboration; for example, emails, Skype calls, and Slack which enhances responsiveness between all involved parties. Keeping a constant communication flow will bring many positive benefits as there is no worry of confusion due to knowledge miscommunication or any other expectations gap issues that may arise.

Keep your budget in mind

Outsourcing game development can be a cost-effective way to get the job done. However, creating a well-thought-out budget and outlining the project’s goals are essential for successful outsourcing. Make sure to negotiate the terms of the agreement, including price and expectations from both sides, before you move forward with any party. Moreover, an investment in a secure payment system that meets your milestones is also advised to achieve optimal results. With this peace of mind, rest assured that there won’t be any hidden costs that could hamper your project’s progress and success!

Trust the outsourcing game development company’s capabilities

When outsourcing your game development needs, it’s critical that you trust the company you hire. After selecting a partner, have confidence in their abilities to bring your creative vision to life — they specialize in game development and their staff can boast an impressive depth of knowledge in their domain.

You should feel comfortable delegating such an important task; they are dedicated on your behalf and with the guidance of experienced professionals, your innovation is sure to become a reality! Remember that no detail should go unnoticed: from major projects needing comprehensive strategies to minor tasks needing expert attention; your dream of making great games is safely placed here.

Creating a game without a team can be a challenging task. However, by outsourcing game development to a professional company, you can create a successful and engaging game project that meets your expectations. Collaborating with a reliable outsourcing game development company ensures that every aspect of your game is developed and supported by an experienced team, allowing you to focus on other parts of the process without compromising the quality of the game. By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to creating an amazing game that will stand out from the crowd. Happy gaming!

The world of movie making and special effects has grown leaps and bounds over the years– and the entry into that is virtual production. Through this dynamic technology, creatives are finding it easier, faster, and cheaper than ever to craft stunning visual effects. This revelation has not gone unnoticed in virtual interactive gaming platforms; certain studios have already adopted virtual production technology with mesmerizing results.

In its true form, Virtual Production can be revolutionizing the mediums of theater and video game development, by providing exciting creative opportunities that were never available before! In an effort to unpack all that different motion markets stand to gain from this customization – let’s enter into what it exactly is, how it functions,  and why it could revolutionize the industry as we know it.

What Is Virtual Production?

Virtual production technology is revolutionizing the way we create videos. It combines real-time motion capture with computer-generated graphics to produce stunning visual effects on a movie or television set.

Actors perform their lines in front of a green screen while motion captures cameras track every move they make. The captured movement data is analyzed to create 3D virtual environments that can be viewed and manipulated in real-time! This process delivers enormous advantages, benefitting directors and cinematographers by allowing them to preview scenes and make adjustments on the fly. All this results in significant cost savings for productions big and small!

Method with Growing Popularity

Virtual production is quickly becoming the preferred method for filmmakers and game developers, and it comes with plenty of remarkable advantages. For starters, no special effect seems too difficult to bring to life considering that virtual production gives you the power to create almost any environment with minimum cost. Hence, its fuss-free effectiveness opens up supernatural opportunities for the audience to get swept away in a vast array of unique set pieces.

What makes virtual production even better is its collaborative nature, as all people involved are in sync at every step of the process offering each other instant feedback. This way there’s less worrying about errors or reshooting scenes as everything happens swiftly, saving time and money in the process.

Flexibility as an Advantage

Virtual production has opened up the world of film and game production to an entirely new realm of possibilities. With this revolutionary tech, directors now have the greatest advantage, flexibility.

No longer do complex lighting and special effects require tedious reshoots or sending back footage. In real-time filmmaking and gaming, these talented individuals can change camera angles, lighting design, set design – every artistic element as they go!

Creative control over their vision in a way that was previously unavailable is overwhelmingly thrilling for team members. Throughout the process of creation, each principle can experiment with different settings until they find the perfect touch that will stand out to viewership. No longer is there a waiting period while elements are tested before being OK’d to use; now all it takes is an immediate diagnostic at hand directly operated on the virtual stage itself!

Not only does virtual production lessen completion time exponentially but it encourages directors and visual effect artists to get creative with transitional effects for a visually gripping outcome that may have otherwise been unattainable prior to its advent. Allowing makers this miracle blessing means top-class media is that much closer to reality already!

Cost-Effective Technology

Virtual production is providing an entirely new way to create special effects. Instead of taking the traditional route of costly sets, filmmakers and game developers can reduce expenses by going digital. Building a physical environment may eat up much of your film’s budget, but opting for a virtual one will save time and money!

It has been proven that virtual shooting scales back production times significantly due to no transition needed from constructing physical props. Virtual productions offer cost efficiency and realism where building in real life couldn’t or didn’t have to happen before—saving money on set pieces and decorations with realistic imagery without heavy drafting materials as well.

Overall, virtual productions afford quick production from extreme cost savings with fewer resources and refinements to support those stories behind big-headed shots.

Virtual production has the potential to revolutionize the way that special effects are created in movies and games. By allowing real-time collaboration, flexibility, and cost savings, it has the potential to change the game for studios seeking to create high-quality content. The technology is still in its infancy, but as it continues to develop, we’re likely to see more studios adopt it as a standard practice. We believe that virtual production is the future of special effects, and we can’t wait to see how it evolves in the years to come.