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Speakeasy
09.07.2024

8 Must-Know Tips for Game Art Directors from Industry Expert, Minoh Kim

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In the 26th episode of our SpeakEasy, our CEO, Ninel Anderson, chats with the amazing Minoh Kim, the Art Director behind hits like League of Legends, Valorant, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

Minoh Kim is a well-known art director with a career that spans several top gaming companies and blockbuster titles, including Riot Games and Cryptic Studios.

He has been a big part of the visual development of League of Legends at Riot Games, helping create some of the most iconic characters and settings in the game. Minoh has also worked on Valorant, another major title from Riot Games, where his skills in character design and visual storytelling have been invaluable.

In this talk, Minoh shares invaluable insights on game art direction, team management, and the creative process.

How Teams are Organized Matter

Minoh shared some great insights into how his teams are set up. Each project has small, dedicated teams focused on different areas like visual effects (VFX), environment art, and concept art. These teams work closely together and with outside studios, which helps keep the creativity flowing and allows for lots of experimentation.

“We have resources for each discipline spread across all of game play. And so for each of the projects there are internal folks representing each discipline. So typically we have one or two point people. So, for example, in Arena, there would be one or two VFX artists, one environment artist, and one concept artist.”

Typically, there are key people in each team responsible for different disciplines. For example, in his new Arena project, you might find one or two VFX artists, an environment artist, and a concept artist. This setup allows for flexibility and rapid development. 

Despite being relatively small, these teams are very efficient, constantly working on research and development (R&D) and prototyping.

Why Constraints are Important

Interestingly, Minoh believes that having limits is actually helpful. He thinks that without constraints, nothing would ever get done. A balance between planning and doing is key; too much paperwork can slow things down, while just jumping in and working can lead to more creative results.

Players always want exciting new content, like cool arenas and sequel environments. However, when a team is only given limited resources and multiple projects happening simultaneously, it’s essential to decide where to allocate time and people. 

Minoh pointed out that constraints such as budget and time limitations help focus efforts and make sure projects are completed. Without these constraints, it’s easy to get lost in endless possibilities and never actually finish anything.

“I don’t think we could create anything cool if we were not constrained and. I feel like if we were not constrained by anything, we would never ship anything ever.”

Sometimes, You Have to Be Able to Work With Limited Resources

This can be the biggest challenge for many game artists. But in game development, although making great content is a top priority, but sometimes, resources are limited. Minoh talked about the challenge of spreading resources across multiple projects. This leads to having a proper budgeting and planning are necessary to make sure everything gets done on time and to a high standard.

“If we had, you know, unlimited amounts of money and funding and stuff, yeah, it’d be great to make more cool stuff for players.”

Minoh discussed how his teams often have to make tough decisions about where to allocate their efforts. With many initiatives and projects running concurrently, it’s important to prioritize. Sometimes, they have to be resourceful and scrappy, making the most of what they have.

Understanding The Creative Process is Important

“There’s always this ratio of where you want to spend your time. Do you want to spend time producing things, or do you want to spend time writing to communicate?”

As a game art director, Minoh understands that coming up with new ideas is a mix of structured planning and organic creativity. Initial sketches and ideas are explored thoroughly, and sometimes the first idea turns out to be the best. 

The ideation phase involves brainstorming and sketching out different ideas to see what resonates. This process can last for weeks or even months, depending on deadlines. Sometimes, the first sketch turns out to be the right direction, but the team still goes through a vetting process to ensure the idea holds up.

Defining the “right” idea isn’t a robotic process. It’s more about whether the essence of the character or setting speaks to the team. There are design briefs and high-level directions, but there’s room for flexibility. If a particular vision is not coming together, the art or narrative direction can shift to find a better fit.

Diversity in Character Design

Minoh’s work on creating Valorant characters shows his commitment to diversity. The characters come from various backgrounds and cultures, reflecting a wide range of accents and aesthetics. This inclusive approach helps players from around the world connect with the game.

From the start, the Valorant team aimed to create a diverse cast of characters. They included people from different cultures, backgrounds, and regions, ensuring that players could see themselves represented in the game. This goal wasn’t just driven by the art team but was a collaborative effort involving production, narrative, and other departments.

The launch roster of Valorant featured characters with varied appearances, accents, and cultural influences. This diversity was not just about visual representation but also included different personality traits and backstories. And through this, Valorant characters became more relatable and engaging for all players.

“We wanted to push the diversity of the cast as well. If you see the entire launch roster of Valorant, it’s like, oh, well, we have characters from different backgrounds, different cultures, all sorts of things, different accents, everything.”

Content is King

Minoh believes that having great content is very important. He shared that when they first released Arena, they learned a lot from player feedback. They used this feedback to make improvements and released a small content update. They repeated this process by gathering more feedback, making more adjustments, and releasing a new version of the game.

“There were things that we learned with the first release of Arena. We took player feedback, made some adjustments, and released a small content update in December. We did the same thing, took in additional player feedback, made some adjustments, and then put out a new version,”

Content is what keeps players coming back for more. Fresh content means new challenges, stories, and experiences that keep the game exciting. It also helps build a loyal player base, as players are more likely to stay with a game that constantly offers something new.

“Maybe we could spend more time on developing additional content for players because content is king.”Additionally, great content can attract new players, expanding the game’s community. By providing a variety of content, game developers can cater to different player preferences and play styles, making sure that everyone finds something they enjoy. 

Additionally, great content can attract new players, expanding the game’s community. By providing a variety of content, game developers can cater to different player preferences and play styles, making sure that everyone finds something they enjoy. 

Attention to Detail in Game Art

For games like Valorant, where characters are seen up close, the level of detail is essential. Minoh talks about adding intricate details to character models, making them look and feel more realistic and engaging.

In first-person shooters like Valorant, players often see characters’ hands and forearms up close. This proximity requires a high level of detail, from the texture of gloves to the tendons on the hands. These details make the characters feel more real and immersive, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Minoh’s team pays close attention to these details, to make sure that every element looks polished and believable, that it can captures the unique Valorant art style.

“We want to see extra details, you know, on the gloves, you know, you want to see things like the tendons on, you know, on the hands, you know, because it’s very close up to the camera.”

There Are Many Different Disciplines That Come Into Play When Building Maps

Understanding how to create game maps involves a detailed and iterative design process. When building maps, there are many different disciplines that come into play, even for smaller modes like arena.

“There are a lot of different disciplines that factor into even like a smaller mode, like Arena.”

For example, UX designers need to redesign the user interface (UI) to fit the new mode. They make sure players can easily find information, like which team they are fighting, their team’s health, and what happens if they lose a battle. This helps players understand the game better.

Next, visual designers come in to make everything look good. They create the visual elements like boxes, icons, and frames. This takes a lot of work and time, with many people working on it for months to get it right. 

Engineers also play a big part in making sure all the designs work properly in the game. They implement the designs and make sure everything runs smoothly. Even creating a small icon for a new item involves several steps. Designers think of the idea, and then the visual team draws and finalizes the icon.

Every small part of building a game map requires careful work and teamwork. This ensures that when players play the game, everything looks and works perfectly, making the game enjoyable and easy to understand.

In a Nutshell…

Constraints, collaboration, and understanding the creative process are a blueprint for creating iconic and memorable gaming experiences. For instance, in games like Valorant, art direction plays a big role in defining the visual identity and enhancing player immersion. Game artists work meticulously on character models, making sure they align with the distinctive Valorant art style.

As Minoh’s explained, in first-person shooters such as Call of Duty, especially Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the level of detail in weapons is essential. Game artists focus on intricate details to make weapons look and feel realistic. This attention to detail is part of the broader art direction that brings the game to life.

Creating engaging game maps, whether for Valorant, Call of Duty, or other games, requires a deep understanding of how to build game maps effectively. This involves not only designing visually appealing environments but also ensuring they improve gameplay. Collaboration among designers, artists, and developers is key to this process.

League of Legends game development shows how art direction, character design, and map creation come together to create a cohesive and engaging experience. By understanding and integrating these elements, game developers can create games that are both visually stunning and highly playable.

Check out the full episode of SpeakEasy #26 on YouTube

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03.07.2024

How Hard Is It to Port Games to Nintendo Switch?

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The Nintendo Switch is without a doubt a massive thing and has become one of the most popular gaming consoles in the world. While its success was expected, its sales figures never fail to amaze us. By far, the Nintendo Switch has sold over 100 million units since its launch, making it the fifth best-selling console of all time.

Now, in 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 is officially here, and it’s taking things to a whole new level. With more power, improved graphics, and an even better hybrid experience, the Switch 2 is ready to push the boundaries of portable gaming even further.

As gaming grows, developers need to make sure their games work on different platforms. With the Switch 2 out now, developers will need to make sure their games work on both the original Switch and the new one. In 2025, game porting is going to be more important than ever.

At Devoted Studios, we focus on making sure games run smoothly on the Nintendo Switch through our game porting service. So this time, we will walk you through the main challenges of porting to the Switch and our step-by-step process when we port games to Switch.

What Are the Common Challenges When Porting to Nintendo Switch?

Nintendo Switch porting can be tricky for several reasons. Here are some of the main issues most developers face:

  • Hardware Limitations: The Switch’s hardware is less powerful than other contemporary consoles like the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. This requires developers to significantly optimize their games to make sure they run smoothly on the Switch. They often need to reduce the resolution, decrease texture quality, and simplify complex graphical effects.
  • Performance Optimization: To set out a game running at a stable frame rate on the Switch is not easy. Developers must carefully manage CPU, GPU, and memory resources, often rewriting significant parts of the game code to be more efficient.
  • Storage Constraints: The Switch’s game cartridges have limited storage capacity, and its internal storage is relatively small compared to other consoles. This forces developers to compress game assets and sometimes even exclude certain content or features to fit within these constraints when they want to port games to Switch.
  • Battery Life Considerations: As a portable console, the Switch’s battery life is a crucial factor. Developers need to optimize their games to be less power-intensive, balancing performance and visual fidelity to extend playtime on a single charge.
  • Unique Features and Controls: The Switch’s hybrid nature and unique control options, including Joy-Con controllers, motion controls, and the touchscreen, require additional development effort to integrate these features seamlessly into games originally designed for traditional consoles.
  • Porting Older Games: Bringing older games to the Switch can be particularly challenging when developers want to port games to Switch, as it might involve updating outdated code, assets, and systems to be compatible with modern hardware and software standards of the Switch.

But despite these challenges, developers are motivated to port their games to Nintendo Switch due to its popularity and unique market position, which offers the potential for significant financial returns and reaching a broad audience of both hardcore and casual gamers.

What’s Involved in Devoted Studios’ Game Porting Process?

At Devoted Studios, we follow a clear and organized process to guarantee successful game porting to Nintendo Switch, and these are the breakdowns of our development stages:

Estimation (Review & Planning)

  • Code Access: We start by looking at the game’s code and trying to launch it on the Switch.
  • List of Planned Updates: We review any planned updates or changes to the game.
  • Platform Features Support: We check what platform-specific features need to be supported.
  • Additional Features or Content: We identify any new features or content the client wants.

Onboarding (Build Launch & Planning)

  • Getting Build Functioning: We launch the game on the Switch and set quality settings to ensure it runs at least to level one.
  • Removing Launch Blockers: We fix any issues that prevent the game from running.
  • Review of Initial Build Status: We evaluate the game’s performance and identify any blocked features.
  • Planning of Optimization and Development: We decide the order of optimizations and fixes.

Alpha (Blockers, Pass 1)

  • Optimization Pass 1: We make critical performance updates that can be applied to the whole game.
  • Removing Gameplay Blockers: We fix major gameplay issues that prevent further progress in the game.
  • Basic Platform Features Integration: We ensure essential platform features work correctly.
  • Initial TRC Check: We conduct initial checks for compliance with Nintendo’s technical requirements.

Beta (Features, Pass 2)

  • Optimization Pass 2: We apply specific optimizations to problem areas in the game.
  • Bug-Fixing: We resolve remaining critical and major bugs.
  • Platform Features Advanced Work: We ensure all platform-specific features work as intended.
  • Tuning of Game Functions and Gameplay: We adjust game functions based on feedback.
  • New Features Development: We develop any additional features required.

RC Candidate (Bug-Fixing, Tuning)

  • Bug-Fixing: We resolve any known bugs that may arise during the porting process.
  • Tuning: We adjust game aspects according to client feedback.
  • Developers Side TRC Check: We perform a final check for compliance with technical requirements.
  • TRC Support (Optional): If needed, we provide additional builds to meet platform reviewers’ requirements.

At Devoted Studios, We Have Successfully Ported Many Games to Nintendo Switch

Here are some of our highlights:

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach
About the game:

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach, a VR survival horror video game developed by Steel Wool Studio that lets players experience a chilling, high-stakes battle against animatronic horrors.

Devoted Role: Porting to Switch & Optimization for PS

Our team at Devoted Studios undertook the porting of Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach to various consoles, including porting to Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One/X/S.

Our tasks involved optimizing performance and porting DLC content to ensure a seamless gaming experience across platforms.

Platform & Engines:
Devoted Achievements:
  • Achieving stable 30 FPS on Switch, using up to 1024 textures, and tuning Light and Shadows to provide quality gameplay.
  • Stabilizing performance on the past gen consoles (60 fps avg) while bringing in visual improvements to hit quality comparable with PC version Ultra settings.

Risk of Rain 2

Risk of Rain 2
About the game:

Risk of Rain 2 offers players an exhilarating cross-platform experience with intense gameplay, diverse environments, and strategic challenges.

Devoted Role: Co-dev & Porting to Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X|S

In our collaboration with Gearbox, we took the task of porting Risk of Rain 2 to various platforms. Our responsibilities included optimizing network performance for multiplayer compatibility and improving graphics across all game versions.

Platform & Engines:
Devoted Achievements:
  • We collaborated on development and ported Risk of Rain 2 to Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox X|S.
  • Integrated all network features, including voice chat, matchmaking, and data transport.
  • Optimized rendering to enhance the game’s performance across platforms.
  • Ensured seamless support for downloadable content (DLC).

Open Roads

Open Roads
About the game:

Open Roads follows a mother and daughter on a road trip adventure to explore a series of long-abandoned family properties, uncovering secrets of their past along the way.

Devoted Role: Tech Art and Lighting for Porting to Switch, Optimization Process for Switch, Lighting Setup and Baking, and Scene Dressing

Our role involves making sure game graphics and lighting work well on Nintendo Switch. This includes adjusting how light looks, making sure the game runs smoothly, and improving how environments look to enhance players’ experience.

Platform & Engines:
Devoted Achievements:
  • Creating an optimized tree system for the Nintendo port to achieve 30fps.
  • Relighting and post-processing the scene to enhance the overall experience and mood.

Porting games to the Nintendo Switch can come with its own set of challenges, like working with hardware limits and meeting Nintendo’s technical requirements. And now with the Nintendo Switch 2 out, there are even more possibilities — but also new things to consider. At Devoted Studios, we take a clear and organized approach to make sure every porting project, whether for the original Switch or the Switch 2, goes smoothly. 

With our experience and expertise in Nintendo Switch porting, we’ve successfully delivered countless projects, and we’re ready to tackle the next generation of gaming.

We believe every game can unlock its full potential with our proven expertise in game porting. Discover how Devoted team expert team can seamlessly bring your game to the Nintendo Switch! 

Visit our Porting page to learn more about our services and how we can help bring your game to the Nintendo Switch. 

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27.06.2024

Apple’s New Game Mode: A Revolution in Gaming Experience on iPhones, MacBooks, and More

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Apple recently made waves at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) with the announcement of an exciting new feature: Game Mode as part of iOS 18. This innovative addition promises to enhance the Apple gaming experience across the Apple’s ecosystem, including iPhones, MacBooks, iPads, and other Apple devices. 

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into what Game Mode is, its impact on developers, the specific requirements for utilizing this mode, and the benefits and challenges it brings to game porting.

What is Apple’s Game Mode?

Apple’s Game Mode is a dedicated feature designed to optimize gaming performance across its devices. Game Mode automatically activates during high-intensity gaming, ensuring your iPhone performs at its optimal level.

By prioritizing system resources such as CPU and GPU power for gaming applications, Game Mode aims to reduce latency, enhance frame rates, and deliver smoother gameplay. The addition of Game Mode to iOS is the latest step in Apple’s push to encourage people to play high-fidelity games on their Apple devices.

This is part of Apple’s latest strategy to position its devices as serious contenders in the gaming market, serving both casual and hardcore gamers.

Impact on Developers: Do Games Need Porting?

One of the primary concerns for developers is the process of porting existing games to Apple’s new Game Mode. Fortunately, Apple has anticipated this need and introduced the Game Porting Toolkit, a comprehensive set of tools and resources aimed at simplifying the porting process. This toolkit provides developers with everything they need to make sure that their games are not only compatible but also optimized for Apple’s hardware and software.

According to Apple’s recent update on empowering developers, the Game Porting Toolkit includes documentation and tools that assist developers in integrating their games seamlessly with Game Mode. This includes optimizing resource allocation, fine-tuning performance settings, and leveraging specific APIs tailored for enhanced gaming experiences. By utilizing these resources, developers can expedite the process of adapting their games to leverage the full capabilities of Game Mode without extensive rewrites or complicated porting procedures.

Transitioning Existing iOS and macOS Games

For developers already familiar with Apple’s ecosystem, transitioning existing iOS and macOS games to Game Mode is expected to be straightforward. Porting iOS games typically focuses on optimizing performance rather than requiring extensive rewrites. The Game Porting Toolkit further facilitates this by providing guidelines and tools specifically designed to improve performance and compatibility with Game Mode.

Porting from Other Platforms to Apple

For developers new to Apple’s ecosystem, the process of porting to mobile with Game Mode may initially seem very involved. However, Apple’s commitment to supporting developers navigate the  extensive documentation and developer tools simplifies this transition significantly. The integration of Game Mode into Apple’s ecosystem introduces new opportunities for developers to expand their reach and cater to Apple’s growing community of gamers.

Requirements for Games Running in Game Mode

For games to run optimally in Apple’s Game Mode, developers need to meet specific requirements. These requirements are designed to help games take full advantage of the optimized system performance Game Mode offers:

  • Resource Management: Efficiently managing CPU and GPU resources is crucial. Games should be designed to ensure that Game Mode can prioritize these components effectively, leading to smoother gameplay and faster response times.
  • Frame Rate Optimization: Maintaining a high frame rate is essential for a smooth gaming experience. Developers should focus on optimizing their games to achieve and sustain high frame rates, even during intensive gaming sessions.
  • Latency Reduction: Minimizing input and network latency is important for responsive gameplay. This can be achieved through optimized code and efficient use of network resources, ensuring that players experience minimal lag.
  • Compliance with Guidelines: Adhering to Apple’s development guidelines is essential. These guidelines provide a roadmap for optimizing games to fully leverage the benefits of Game Mode, covering aspects such as resource allocation and performance optimization techniques.

The Benefits and Challenges

Apple’s introduction of Game Mode at WWDC24 marks a significant step forward in mobile and desktop gaming. The introduction of Game Mode not only enhances performance but also improves the overall gaming experience on Apple devices. By optimizing system resources and reducing latency, Game Mode promises smoother gameplay and faster response times. Developers can capitalize on these enhancements by fine-tuning their games to maximize frame rates and minimize input lag, thereby providing players with a more immersive and responsive gaming experience.

While the new mode brings numerous benefits, developers still do need to make sure their games are optimized to take full advantage of these features. But overall, Game Mode is expected to attract more gamers to Apple’s platform, opening new opportunities for developers and elevating the gaming experience for users.

Are you looking to improve your game’s performance on Apple devices? Porting existing games to Apple’s new Game Mode just got easier with Devoted Studios’ porting services. Be it porting to mobile or desktop, our services guarantee a smooth transition for a better gaming experience. Check out our portfolio to see our successful projects and how Devoted Studios can help you succeed.
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10.06.2024

Game Porting – is it an art, a science, or a bit of both: Insights and Success Stories from Devoted Studios

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Let’s Talk About Developer Porting

At Devoted Studios, we recognize the importance of developer porting — transferring games from one console to another — to expand a game’s reach and enhance player experiences. With our extensive expertise in this area, we’ve successfully navigated the complexities of porting for various titles.

Why is Porting Essential in Today’s Gaming Landscape?

Here are some stats that highlight the importance of developer porting:

  • Market Reach Expansion: Games available on multiple platforms can reach up to 40% more players, significantly increasing potential revenue streams.

  • Sales Boost: Cross-platform releases often see a 20-30% boost in sales compared to single-platform releases.

  • Player Retention: Games that offer cross-platform play experience 15% higher player retention rates.

  • Revenue Growth: According to Newzoo, the global games market is projected to generate over $200 billion in 2024, with multi-platform games contributing a significant portion of this revenue.

  • Consumer Demand: A survey by Statista revealed that 60% of gamers prefer titles that are available on multiple platforms, emphasizing the importance of accessibility.

  • Competitive Advantage: Developers who effectively port their games to various consoles can capture a larger share of the market, outperforming competitors who stick to a single platform.

What Challenges Have You Faced While Porting a Game?

Whether you’re a developer, a publisher, or an avid gamer, share your insights and experiences. Let’s discuss the pivotal aspects of game porting and how we can continue to push the industry forward.

Devoted Studios’ Expertise in Developer Porting

At Devoted Studios, we pride ourselves on our ability to tackle the most challenging technical porting projects, particularly those involving bringing games to various consoles. Let’s explore some of our noteworthy achievements in this domain.

Gearbox’s Unity-Powered Roguelike Risk of Rain 2 (Nintendo switch porting)

About the Game:

Risk of Rain 2 presents players with a thrilling multi-platform experience, featuring intense gameplay, diverse environments, and strategic challenges.

Devoted Role: Co-dev & Porting to Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X|S

In our collaboration with Gearbox, we took on the task of porting Risk of Rain 2 to multiple platforms. Our responsibilities included optimizing network performance for multiplayer compatibility and enhancing rendering across all versions of the game.

Platform & Engines
Devoted Achievements:

1. We significantly optimized CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smooth gameplay on the Nintendo Switch platform.

2. Through meticulous shader, scene profiling, post-process, and material optimization, we achieved an average performance increase of 57% across all levels of the game.

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach

Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach
About the Game:

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach immerses players in a thrilling horror experience, challenging them to survive against terrifying animatronic adversaries.

Devoted role: Porting to Switch & Optimization for PS4

Our team at Devoted Studios undertook the porting of Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach to various consoles, including porting to Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One/X/S.

Our tasks involved optimizing performance and porting DLC content to ensure a seamless gaming experience across platforms.

Platform & Engines
Devoted Achievements:

1. We achieved a stable frame rate of 30 FPS on the Nintendo Switch, employing advanced optimization techniques such as texture management and lighting adjustments.

2. Our efforts led to improved performance on past-generation consoles, with visual enhancements comparable to the PC version’s ultra settings.

Our collaboration with Steel Wool Games on the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise continues to flourish. We are currently involved in porting “Ruin,” a massive DLC for Security Breach, to several platforms, including the PS5 PSVR2 and Xbox. Additionally, we are working on ports for other titles in the series, such as FNAF: Help Wanted, for various platforms.

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (2019)

Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted
About the Game:

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted offers players a captivating VR experience, immersing them in the terrifying world of the iconic horror franchise.

Devoted Role:

Our team was responsible for porting Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted to the PSVR 2 system, ensuring optimal performance and visual quality for next-generation hardware.

Platform & Engines
Devoted Achievements:

We successfully optimized the game for the PSVR 2, enhancing its visual quality to meet the standards of next-gen hardware.

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2

Five Nights at Freddy's Help Wanted 2
About the Game:

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 continues the immersive VR experience of its predecessor, delivering new thrills and horrors to players.

Devoted Role: Porting to PSVR 2 System

Our upcoming project involves porting the game to Meta (Oculus) Quests 2, 3, and Pro, with plans for additional platforms in the future.

Platform & Engines
Devoted Achievements:

While the project is currently underway, we are committed to optimizing the game for the Meta Quest platform, ensuring smooth performance without compromising quality.

Spellbreak

Spellbreak Has Arrived - Epic Games Store
About the Game:

Spellbreak offers players a unique and immersive battle royale experience, combining spellcasting with strategic gameplay elements.

Devoted Role: Full Cycle Porting to Nintendo Switch

Our team was tasked with the full-cycle porting of Spellbreak to the Nintendo Switch, including asset optimization and UI adaptation for the platform.

Platform & Engines
Devoted Achievements:

We successfully optimized CPU and GPU performance for smooth gameplay on the Nintendo Switch, ensuring a seamless integration of core content and features.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Devoted Studios’ expertise in developer porting is evident in our successful collaborations and achievements across a diverse range of projects. We remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of game porting and delivering exceptional gaming experiences to players worldwide.

Searching for ways to engage a new audience with your game? Porting is the solution that can achieve this goal and multiply your gain. Devoted Studios would love to become your trusted partner in providing game porting services.
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<svg class="svg-icon" width="16" height="16" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><defs><path id="a" d="M0 0h24v24H0V0z"></path></defs><clipPath id="b"><use xlink:href="#a" overflow="visible"></use></clipPath><path clip-path="url(#b)" d="M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10 10-4.5 10-10S17.5 2 12 2zm4.2 14.2L11 13V7h1.5v5.2l4.5 2.7-.8 1.3z"></path></svg><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-06-10T09:13:02+03:00">10.06.2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-06-20T13:24:33+03:00">20.06.2024</time>Posted inGamedev
17.05.2024

Everything you need to know about Unreal Engine 5.4

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Unreal Engine 5.4 has arrived, with new features and enhancements. In this article, we’ll delve into the key elements of Unreal Engine 5.4.

Animation Evolution

Character Rigging and Animation Authoring

Unreal Engine 5.4 introduces significant upgrades to its animation toolset, streamlining character rigging and animation authoring processes directly within the engine. The Experimental Modular Control Rig feature allows developers to construct animation rigs using modular parts, eliminating the complexities of traditional granular graphs. This not only enhances efficiency but also fosters a more intuitive approach to animation rig creation.

Automatic Retargeting simplifies the reuse of bipedal character animations, ensuring seamless integration across various characters and projects. Additionally, enhancements to the Skeletal Editor and new deformer functions in the Deformer Graph enhance accessibility and flexibility in animation workflows.

The revamped Sequencer boasts improved usability and readability, making nonlinear animation editing a breeze. Keyframe Scriptability empowers developers to create custom animation tools, unlocking endless possibilities for animation creativity.

Unreal Engine 5.4 - Visual

Animation Gameplay

Unreal Engine 5.4 brings Motion Matching to the forefront as a Production-Ready feature. Battle-tested in Fortnite Battle Royale across all platforms, Motion Matching helps animation transitions by leveraging a vast database of captured animations. This animator-friendly framework enhances performance, scalability, and memory efficiency, setting new standards for animation in gameplay.

Choosers, another notable addition, enables contextual animation selection based on game variables, bridging gameplay logic seamlessly with animation outcomes.

Rendering Capabilities

Nanite Enhancements

Nanite, Unreal Engine 5’s micropolygon geometry system, receives enhancements like Experimental Tessellation for intricate detail rendering without mesh alterations. Software Variable Rate Shading (VRS) via Nanite compute materials delivers substantial performance boosts, complemented by spline mesh workflows for dynamic environment creation.

Temporal Super Resolution (TSR)

TSR enhancements ensure consistent output quality across platforms, reducing ghosting and offering new visualization modes for fine-tuning. Rendering performance optimizations, including GPU instance culling and improved shader compilation, cater to developers aiming for smooth 60 Hz experiences.

Movie Render Graph

Unreal Engine 5.4 introduces Movie Render Graph (MRG), a node-based architecture for linear content creation. With features like Render Layers and support for Path Tracing and Deferred Rendering, MRG empowers artists with versatile tools for high-quality cinematic output.

Looking for professional Unreal Engine game development services? Devoted Studios is your answer. Get a quote today and let us bring your game ideas to life.
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AI and Machine Learning Advancements

The Neural Network Engine (NNE) transitions to Beta status, offering seamless integration of pre-trained neural network models for diverse applications such as animation, rendering, and physics. Extensibility hooks ensure flexibility and future-proofing for third-party integrations.

Developer Productivity and Efficiency

Derived Data Cache (DDC) Enhancements. Cloud and local DDC improvements streamline data sharing and caching processes, enhancing collaboration and workflow efficiency. Multi-Process Cook and Unreal Build Accelerator (UBA) further accelerate content creation and compilation, empowering developers with scalable solutions for faster iterations.

Media and Entertainment Innovations

Unreal Engine 5.4 introduces specialized tools like Motion Design mode for motion graphics and Virtual Camera enhancements for virtual production workflows. The USD importer in the Cloth Editor revolutionizes cloth simulation workflows, enabling real-time simulation setup with ease.

Linux Support and Stability

Linux support receives significant stability improvements, alongside Experimental ray tracing support for Vulkan, expanding platform compatibility and performance capabilities.

Comparison with Other Engines

Unity: Unity, a leading game engine, offers robust features for game development. While Unity has made strides in areas such as performance optimization and visual scripting, Unreal Engine 5.4 stands out with its advanced rendering capabilities, especially with Nanite and Lumen, providing unparalleled visual fidelity.

Unreal Engine 5.4 Comparison: Unity

CryEngine: CryEngine is known for its stunning visuals and realistic environments. Unreal Engine 5.4 competes favorably with CryEngine in terms of visual quality, with Nanite and Lumen offering similar capabilities in rendering highly detailed scenes and dynamic lighting.

Unreal Engine 5.4 Comparison: CryEngine

Amazon Lumberyard: Amazon’s Lumberyard engine focuses on integration with AWS services and ease of use. Unreal Engine 5.4, while not as tightly integrated with AWS, excels in rendering capabilities, animation tools, and overall performance, making it a strong contender for developers seeking cutting-edge features.

Unreal Engine 5.4 Comparison: Amazon Lumberyard

Godot Engine: Godot is an open-source engine known for its flexibility and community support. While Godot offers a cost-effective solution for indie developers, Unreal Engine 5.4’s advanced features, particularly in rendering, animation, and scalability, make it a compelling choice for larger studios and ambitious projects.

Unreal Engine 5.4 Comparison: Godot

Conclusion

Unreal Engine 5.4 sets a new benchmark for game development tools with its comprehensive feature set and performance enhancements. While other engines may offer comparable features in isolated areas, the holistic approach of Unreal Engine 5.4 across animation, rendering, AI, developer productivity, and media workflows makes it a great choice for developers seeking unparalleled creativity and efficiency.

<svg class="svg-icon" width="16" height="16" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><defs><path id="a" d="M0 0h24v24H0V0z"></path></defs><clipPath id="b"><use xlink:href="#a" overflow="visible"></use></clipPath><path clip-path="url(#b)" d="M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10 10-4.5 10-10S17.5 2 12 2zm4.2 14.2L11 13V7h1.5v5.2l4.5 2.7-.8 1.3z"></path></svg><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-05-17T07:57:56+03:00">17.05.2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-05-22T09:08:43+03:00">22.05.2024</time>Posted inGamedev
02.05.2024

How to Port a PC Game Successfully: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

watch 12 months

A game’s porting can be a calculated commercial move that draws millions of new players to your community and increases the devoted following of current players. Without starting from scratch, you can do more by porting an existing game. In essence, you’re making your game more accessible.

But carrying out a prosperous port demands an unmatched strategy that is painstakingly created. This strategy should specify the precise steps that must be taken to succeed. We’ll explore this specific strategy today. You can save this page as a checklist to access anytime by bookmarking it for your convenience.

What is game porting?

Game Porting transfers and customizes game environments and mechanics to smartphones, tablets, or game consoles. The main goal of the development phase is to provide users with the ability to play the game on portable devices and gadgets. The other article provides more information about the benefits of game porting.

How to Port a Game: Consoles and Mobile

PUBG Mobile’s popularity is an example of how effective this strategy is. The overall number of unique users on the mobile application increased by 5+ times between 2018 and 2024. The following three primary goals can be accomplished by adapting the game for mobile applications or platforms, such as the PS4 or Nintendo Switch:

  • Improving the game: You will utilize current technology to develop the game. This approach will help optimize the game, making it safer and more enjoyable for the community.
  • User base expansion: According to several studies, there are two players on the game consoles for every three players on the PC. The game porting solution can attract up to 60% of new players.
  • Constant profit growth: porting the game can bring you a profit equal to the new game’s release.

Game Porting Stages

Now, let’s discuss the main game porting stages you will face.

1. Target Platform Planning and Analysis. You must understand the target platform’s specifications, value, capabilities, and limitations. Developers must evaluate factors such as hardware architecture, input methods, screen resolution, and performance limitations to determine the feasibility and requirements for successful porting. 

2. Adapting the source code. Immediately after discussing the requirements, you need to determine the game’s basic logic and functionality, the target platform’s programming language, and the API. As part of this step, you should:

  • analysis of existing source code to identify potential problems ;
  • compilation and rewriting of code segments for compatibility;
  • implementation of cross-platform tools and interim software to simplify the process.

3. Optimizing the game’s performance. You must take the following steps to create a smooth and seamless gameplay across various configurations and consoles:

  • tailoring graphics, adjusting texture and shader settings specifically for the target platform;
  • implementing optimal performance enhancements for CPU and GPU, along with configuring advanced memory usage;
  • ensuring consistent frame rates and minimal loading times for game elements.

4. Tailoring gameplay and control elements. As part of this step, you need to:

  • ensure the correct selection of controls for different input devices;
  • redesign user interface elements;
  • adjust gameplay mechanics for touch screens or motion control.

5. Testing and debugging stage. After creating the initial version of the ported game, you can begin smoke testing to ensure a perfect gaming experience for users.

6. Release and following updates. The porting game to the console signifies the success of the first part of your work. Next, you will add new functionality, game levels, and bug fixes. Your developers should also remember that new fixes and add-ons must comply with the platform’s game requirements.

We have also written an expert article about the cost of porting a game. Make sure to read it to prepare your budget for the development process.

Summary

Game porting requires careful preparation or strategic collaboration. This text outlines the process of transferring a game to gaming consoles, from initial preparation to updating game mechanics after release.

Read it and keep it handy as a checklist for the game porting process. However, you can simplify things by turning to the Devoted Studios team. Contact us, share your idea, and we’ll provide you with the roadmap for your future project.

<svg class="svg-icon" width="16" height="16" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><defs><path id="a" d="M0 0h24v24H0V0z"></path></defs><clipPath id="b"><use xlink:href="#a" overflow="visible"></use></clipPath><path clip-path="url(#b)" d="M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10 10-4.5 10-10S17.5 2 12 2zm4.2 14.2L11 13V7h1.5v5.2l4.5 2.7-.8 1.3z"></path></svg><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-05-02T09:26:50+03:00">02.05.2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-05-02T09:46:59+03:00">02.05.2024</time>Posted inGamedev
18.04.2024

The Power of Collaboration: How Fortnite Brings a Whopping $50 Million in Just a Few Hours

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Even if you don’t play Fortnite or like the same shooters, you can’t argue with the company’s success. We will now discuss how collaboration is essential to Epic Games’ success. The key to significantly increasing the revenue of your gaming business is forming the Right Partners.

However, only some partnerships are as advantageous to the brand as others. Lord of the Rings: Gollum` case has shown how even massive licenses may let consumers and STEAM communities down. As a result, Devoted Studios will discuss the significant partnerships and missteps that Fortnite has made that have kept the game from being even more popular.

Fortnite Success: From 2018 to 2024

Fortnight is a brand, like the Marvel or Lego licenses. Its main goal is to maximize profit and regularly increase the number of active users in the game. Thanks to collaboration, the game breaks records and goals.

Fortnite + Marvel Collaboration

For example, in 2018-2019, even before COVID-19, thanks to the active Fortnite policy, the company attracted 350 million unique players. Thanks to these players and the introduction of purchases of collectible items, the game received more than $9 million.

The collaboration between Fortnite and the NFL (2021) brought the game $50 million in just a few hours. Through such partnerships, brands come out to meet goals and grow. Do you think it’s worth it or not? Let’s compare it to Marvel’s income. According to official records, Marvel earned $25 billion between 2008 and 2022. Compare these numbers and be sure that collaborations do help significantly increase profits.

Do you want to start collaborating with Fortnite? Devoted Studios' UEFN services will help you with this. Our developers have helped create the Sandbox Hells Kitchen metaverse and have expertise in other Web3 projects. That means we will help you create a collaboration that will be written about in Medium and other authoritative publications.
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Fortnite and Artists’ Collaborations

Fortnite has embraced the transmedia strategy, and each collaboration has a history. One of Fortnite’s most extensive collaborations was with Travis Scott. Here’s what Epic Games got from this collaboration:

  • In total, the partnership gathered about 46 million players.
  • About 28 million players joined the live in-game event.

The collaboration with Travis Scott made Fortnite one of the most discussed games on the planet.

Fortnite + Travis Scott Collaboration

The collaboration with Eminem became another legendary partnership. In addition to an exciting performance, Epic Games attracted millions of players in a limited time by introducing a limited series of skins.

Fortnite: Collaboration Fails

Sometimes, you must make a mistake to get the best collaboration for $20+ million. And Fortnite is no exception. Let us remember the brightest of them:

  • Despite their popularity, the Ghostbusters’ skins have yet to yield the expected results.
  • The same unexpected result was obtained after cooperation with Matrix licenses.
  • Players were very eager to have Pennywise in the game, but the game did not attract enough players.
Fortnite Collaboration - Wreck-it Ralph

As you can see, even the best licenses sometimes fulfill expectations. However, such mistakes can also be a springboard to future great results.

Conclusion

GameDev collaborations can make your company an authentic brand but can also disappoint fans. Unfortunately, there is no secret strategy for always choosing the best partners.

But to increase your chance of getting the best collaboration, you can do it on Devoted Studios’ YouTube channel. Be sure to check out the Fortnite collaboration issue described in the text above.

<svg class="svg-icon" width="16" height="16" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><defs><path id="a" d="M0 0h24v24H0V0z"></path></defs><clipPath id="b"><use xlink:href="#a" overflow="visible"></use></clipPath><path clip-path="url(#b)" d="M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10 10-4.5 10-10S17.5 2 12 2zm4.2 14.2L11 13V7h1.5v5.2l4.5 2.7-.8 1.3z"></path></svg><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-04-18T09:34:44+03:00">18.04.2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-04-18T09:56:18+03:00">18.04.2024</time>Posted inGamedev
16.04.2024

Future of Game Development Processes and AI. SpeakEasy with Serge Knystautas

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We find ourselves comparing the GameDev industry’s past to its present while discussing its future. Think back to news about the thrill Ubisoft developers felt when Prince of Persia: Sands of Time was released in 2003. They knew full well that the game’s captivating gameplay and plot would draw in players.

As we fast-forward to the present, we observe a clear evolution in game creation techniques, with a noticeable trend towards online and open-world games—the “finish line” for a game used to be its release. For modern games, though, the release is only the beginning—many bug patches and content upgrades are still to come.

Today in SpeakEasy, we are privileged to have Serge Knystautas, a seasoned expert in the game production department, share his invaluable insights. His expertise has been instrumental in ensuring games.

About Serge Knystautas

Currently employed by the company as an engineer, Serge Knustautas has had an exciting career path that began with creating email servers based on Java and led him to work on projects like Singularity 6 and other well-known games like Valorant.

Game Development and AI

Serge is well-versed in the game production industry’s current trends and controversial nuances. He has seen the successes of AAA games firsthand and actively contributed to creating popular online gaming experiences. Moreover, his vast knowledge allows him to predict how AI will change the game development industry in the future. 

We cover a variety of subjects in our interview insights with Ninel Anderson and Serge Knystautas, including:

  • Wants to configure the most influential work of the development department;
  • Plans to choose a relevant direction for its future game;
  • Preparing for AI to take a job from developers.

One of Serge’s main superpowers is teamwork. Thanks to the work on sports games at Prestosports, our guests know how to set up effective teamwork. And about this, below.

Four principles of modern game developer work

If you pay close attention to what Serge has to say, you’ll pick up four valuable tips that are essential for game creators to know:

1. Listen to the player: Use a Community Manager’s help to interact with gamers to determine what should be created first. Players express many wishes simultaneously, and only skilled community managers can translate this cacophony into insightful information. Even though you can have your vision, players naturally point you in the appropriate path for the following improvements. Prepare to compile and rank upcoming features appropriately.

2. Set proper priorities: Trying to do everything at once will always result in less productivity when finishing chores on time. Prioritize your tasks and give them your best effort.

3. We don’t like simple! Accept challenges: You should assemble a team of eager developers for complex tasks. When challenges are seen as opportunities, the idea of problems is replaced with positive potential. These kinds of functions draw talented people who make excellent games.

4. Add a little chaos: While control is still necessary in any undertaking, allowing for some managed anarchy is also essential. While following plans to the letter may appear convenient, controlled chaos encourages creativity and may result in original solutions. Now and again, they stray from the conventional and adopt a different viewpoint on well-known components. It helps with both avoiding bugs and making complex problems easier to solve.

You will profit more from your work if you apply these concepts.

Briefly about AI and GameDev

Have you heard the rumors that AI will soon supplant programmers? Serge frequently evaluates the capabilities of AI platforms and contrasts them with the output of other expert teams. After this process, he concluded that while AI cannot completely replace GameDev developers just yet, such platforms can still be useful.

What precise function does AI serve in game development, then? Listen to our guest on the Devoted Studios YouTube channel for in-depth analysis. With a wealth of other insightful information, Serge dives into creating an efficient development team in GameDev and offers helpful advice.

You’ll learn more about the possible uses of AI in game development and how to maximize the performance of your development team by hearing about Serge’s experiences and knowledge.

<svg class="svg-icon" width="16" height="16" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><defs><path id="a" d="M0 0h24v24H0V0z"></path></defs><clipPath id="b"><use xlink:href="#a" overflow="visible"></use></clipPath><path clip-path="url(#b)" d="M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10 10-4.5 10-10S17.5 2 12 2zm4.2 14.2L11 13V7h1.5v5.2l4.5 2.7-.8 1.3z"></path></svg><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-04-16T09:28:11+03:00">16.04.2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-04-17T10:10:21+03:00">17.04.2024</time>Posted inSpeakeasy
26.03.2024

How to Choose the Perfect Game Development Outsourcing Company

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The ongoing game development in 2024 persists, yet every owner of a GameDev startup must grasp a critical point: merely producing more games does not guarantee that your startup will ascend to the ranks of the most robust gaming companies within a year or even five years.

Consider, for instance, Lionshead Studios, which significantly impacted the PC gaming market in 2004 with the release of Fable: The Lost Chapters. Despite announcing a sequel titled Fable Legends in 2013, the developers were compelled to shut down operations despite receiving support from Microsoft.

This situation raises the question: How can one expedite game development and circumvent critical challenges? Below, we will delve into this question comprehensively.

Understanding the Concept of Game Development Outsourcing

Comparison is often the key to understanding, especially when it comes to the main stages of game development, whether pursued independently or with the assistance of a professional studio.

Outsourcing game development involves entrusting specific tasks or the entire game development process to a third-party company. Consider the many preparatory steps and organizational tasks you can bypass through this approach.

Devoted Studios and other reputable studios already possess access to a complete range of skilled professionals and teams essential for game development. By this co-development, you can receive assistance at any stage of the game development cycle, including game design, programming, animation, testing, and other critical phases.

The Role of a Game Development Outsourcing Company

Outsourcing studios to Game Dev offers advantages beyond saving time and budget. Let’s consider the additional benefits for your future game.

  • Game Conceptualization and Design: From brainstorming ideas to designing game mechanics, studios can provide you with a comprehensive game design document.
  • Technical Implementation: They handle all the coding requirements, including game mechanics, AI functionality, and user interface.
  • Art and Animation: These companies have a team of skilled artists and animators to create engaging visuals and characters for your game.
  • Sound Design and Music: They also work on the audio aspect of the game, creating sound effects and music to enhance gameplay.
  • Quality Assurance and Testing: They ensure the game is bug-free and provides a smooth gaming experience.
  • Project Management: They handle all aspects of project management, ensuring that the game development process stays on track.
  • Marketing and Distribution: Some companies also offer marketing and distribution services, helping you reach your target audience effectively.
  • Porting: Third-party GameDev studios can help your PC game run on Nintendo Switch and other Game platforms. Please look at how we successfully ported Five Nights at Freddy’s. The involvement of top specialists in the project made this exciting and successful process possible.

Choosing the Suitable Game Development Outsourcing Company: Game Porting

If you're interested in understanding how Devoted Studios can assist in creating your game or swiftly porting it to a game console, feel free to contact us. We will work together to establish a personalized and convenient collaboration approach.
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From words to practice: How to Choose a Game Development Outsourcing Company

Let’s look at the five main points you must consider when choosing a company.

1. Marketing and Distribution: Some companies also offer marketing and distribution services, helping you reach your target audience effectively.

2. Skill Set and Team Composition: The studio must have a team of highly skilled professionals who can immediately participate in the development process.

3. Technical Skills: It’s crucial to review the studio’s website for evidence of exceptional technical skills through their showcased projects.

4. Creative Vision and Innovation: The studio should meet your requirements and offer imaginative ideas and innovative technologies to enhance the project.

5. Budget and Cost: It is recommended that you communicate with the studio managers to review their previous projects, comprehend their pricing method, and evaluate it with your budget to guarantee compatibility.

It’s crucial to recognize that before selecting the proper studio, you must clearly understand the type of game you want to create. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to figure every detail out from the start, but you should have a conceptual framework.

Conclusion

We’ve established that selecting the proper studio is a crucial step in shaping the final version of your game. This decision significantly impacts the speed of game development and the quality of the final product. Let’s summarize how you can choose a suitable game studio:

  • Have a clear vision of your future game. This will enable you to better understand the expertise required for development.
  • Select a GameDev studio with impressive projects in their portfolio: This indicates their capability and experience in delivering quality games.
  • Choose a studio that aligns with your budget: Ensure that their pricing structure fits within your financial constraints.

Following these guidelines will help you choose the proper studio for your future game, setting a solid foundation for a successful development journey.

<svg class="svg-icon" width="16" height="16" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><defs><path id="a" d="M0 0h24v24H0V0z"></path></defs><clipPath id="b"><use xlink:href="#a" overflow="visible"></use></clipPath><path clip-path="url(#b)" d="M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10 10-4.5 10-10S17.5 2 12 2zm4.2 14.2L11 13V7h1.5v5.2l4.5 2.7-.8 1.3z"></path></svg><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-03-26T10:34:21+03:00">26.03.2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-03-26T10:37:33+03:00">26.03.2024</time>Posted inGamedev
28.02.2024

How to Get Hired to AAA Studios: Tips from Artem Volchik

watch 1 year

There are no professionals in gaming who do not aspire to work on AAA projects. Instead, some 2D/3D artists or illustrators may need confidence. If you want to bolster your confidence by earning +100 Confidence Points, explore our YouTube “Get Hired” series

Additionally, the insights shared in these episodes will prove valuable to seasoned professionals and startup owners searching for suitable artists, offering a clearer understanding of the criteria for identifying the ideal candidate.

Ninel Anderson (CEO at Devoted Studios) recently hosted an interview with Artem Volchik (Art Director at Raid Base Inc), where they delved into suggestions for enhancing portfolios to maximize the chances of landing exciting positions at AAA companies. We’re eagerly anticipating practical reviews of actual portfolios, which can serve as invaluable resources for presenting one’s work more effectively.

A Brief About Artem Volchik

Artem’s journey began as an ordinary teenager with a penchant for watching cartoons, playing computer games, and indulging in imaginative musings. Little did he know that his initial foray into drawing mods and characters from Half-Life and Quake would be the stepping stones to his career in the GameDev industry. Through these pursuits, he honed his skills and cultivated valuable connections within the industry.

How to Get Hired on AAA Project

Having already contributed to renowned companies like Riot Games, known for their popular titles Valorant and League of Legends, Artem understands that the key ingredient to success in an artistic endeavor is an unwavering passion for the craft. This enthusiasm propels professionals like him to strive for daily improvement, ultimately creating exceptional games that epitomize effective advertising.

However, the revelations in the text and video are just the beginning. Stay tuned for more invaluable insights awaiting you.

3 Key Elements of the Best Artist in GameDev

Every illustrator and artist is a unique specialist despite working with similar tools. Therefore, each project requires a suitable professional. Here are the three main qualities to look for in applicants:

  • Personal involvement in the project: Don’t prioritize ranks or statuses; focus on the candidate’s enthusiasm and dedication. If a candidate passionately discusses their role and shares exciting experiences during the interview, note it.
  • Utilization of new technologies and methods: Beware of candidates who claim to be a “3D Generalist” and insist they can handle any task. If you seek a Strong Environment Artist, ensure the candidate meets your requirements.
  • Relevant experience: Verifying that the candidate possesses sufficient attention to detail and relevant experience in your field is crucial.

As previously mentioned in our Blog articles, hiring actively engaged professionals is the most effective way to accelerate game production. Also, this advice will be good for artists and illustrators who want to participate in AAA Studio.

We need more insights

An interview with an engaging and experienced Art Director like Artem always yields valuable insights. Every word he shares is laden with information that can enlighten and inspire. We highly encourage you to watch the full “Get Hired” video on YouTube to gain access to this wealth of knowledge.

In the interview with Ninel and Artem, you can expect:

  • Detailed insights into the interview and onboarding processes for the Art Team at AAA studios.
  • A comprehensive overview of successful and unsuccessful cases within portfolios provides invaluable learning opportunities.
  • An intriguing discussion on AI versus Human creativity, where the guest from the studio will attempt to discern between works produced by AI platforms and those crafted by human artists.

This episode will provide you with an in-depth comprehension of the internal mechanisms of AAA studios, as well as their contribution to contemporary top-notch projects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezmFdZQJGX8
<svg class="svg-icon" width="16" height="16" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><defs><path id="a" d="M0 0h24v24H0V0z"></path></defs><clipPath id="b"><use xlink:href="#a" overflow="visible"></use></clipPath><path clip-path="url(#b)" d="M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10 10-4.5 10-10S17.5 2 12 2zm4.2 14.2L11 13V7h1.5v5.2l4.5 2.7-.8 1.3z"></path></svg><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-02-28T09:09:24+03:00">28.02.2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-03-01T09:41:39+03:00">01.03.2024</time>Posted inGamedev

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