Gamedev

Gamedev
28.10.2024

Why Should You Outsource Game Development?

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Developing a game can be an exciting yet challenging process. It involves everything from creating art and animations to coding and testing, all while keeping the end-user experience in mind. And with the fast-growing gaming industry, companies need to keep up. So, should you try to do it all in-house, or is it better to outsource the work to a game development studio?

In recent years, more businesses have been opting to outsource game development. Partnering with a specialized game development company does offer many benefits, from accessing top talent to saving time and money. But why game outsourcing? Let’s break it down.

Making Life Easier for Your Team

Game development outsourcing is when a company partners with an external studio to handle parts, or all, of the game creation process. Think of it as an extension of your own team! Instead of trying to do everything in-house, you collaborate with skilled professionals who specialize in areas like coding, design, art, or testing. 

This way, you can scale your team up or down as needed, without the long-term commitment of hiring full-time staff. Working with a game outsourcing studio means you get the extra help you need, while still keeping control of your project and vision. It’s like adding more hands to your project, giving you flexibility and access to expert talent.

Why Do Companies Start Outsourcing Game Developers?

Now, let’s talk about why outsourcing has become an increasingly attractive option for the gaming industry.

Access to Top Global Talent

One of the biggest perks of outsourcing game development is that you can work with talented people from all over the world. When you collaborate with a game outsourcing studio, you tap into a wide pool of artists, designers, developers, and other experts who have tons of experience. Whether you are building a mobile game or a console title, these professionals have seen it all and know how to get the job done.

At Devoted Studios, we work with creative professionals from different backgrounds and specialties, which means we can bring unique ideas and solutions to your game. Instead of being limited by the skills of your in-house team, outsourcing lets you access a broader range of expertise.

Cost Savings

Building and maintaining a full-time game development team can be expensive. especially when building an in-house team. You’re not only paying for salaries but also for benefits, office space, equipment, and ongoing training. These costs add up fast! 

However, by outsourcing to a game development studio, you can manage your budget much more effectively. You only pay for the services you need, when you need them. This flexibility ensures you don’t overspend on resources that may not be required at every stage of development, making it a more cost-efficient option for many companies. Below is a table of how much it costs to build a game.

Below is an estimation of how much it costs to build a game.

S. No. Type of Mobile Game Development Cost
1 Mini-Game $2,000 to $10,000
2 Simple 2D Game $10,000 to $20,000
3 Social Game App $18,000 to $30,000
4 Mid Level Mobile Game $10,000 to $50,000
5 Business Mobile Game $5,000 to $1,00,000
6 3D Game $30,000 to $60,000
7 AAA Game $300,000 to $500,000
8 Real Money Game $10,000 to $100,000

 

Source: appstudio.ca

Outsourcing your game development is a smart way to keep these costs under control, no matter the type of game you’re building. By partnering with a game outsourcing studio, you can access global talent without the high overhead of maintaining an in-house team. Need a simple mini-game for $2,000? Outsourcing can connect you with the right developers quickly and efficiently. Developing a more complex 3D or AAA game? Outsourcing gives you the flexibility to scale your team without long-term commitments, allowing you to adjust based on your project’s needs. 

Scalability and Flexibility

Every game is different, and each project comes with its own set of challenges. Some games require large teams, while others might only need a small group of developers. When you work with a game outsourcing studio, you get the flexibility to scale your team up or down based on the needs of the project.

Let’s say you are building a game for a major console launch. You might need a large team to work on complex elements like animation, level design, or multiplayer features. An outsource video game development studio can quickly gather a team of experts who know how to handle large-scale projects. On the other hand, if you are just developing a simple mobile game, you might only need a small group of developers.

Outsourcing game development gives you the freedom to adjust your team size without the long-term commitments that come with hiring in-house employees.

Faster Time to Market

In the gaming world, timing is everything. Whether you are creating a mobile game or a large console project, getting your game to market quickly can make all the difference. By working with an experienced game development studio like Devoted Studios, you can speed up your development process.

Outsourcing means you can bring in extra hands whenever you need them, which helps prevent bottlenecks and keeps your project on track. If you try to do everything in-house, you might find that you need to hire more people or wait for your current team to complete other projects before they can work on your game. That slows everything down. But when you outsource mobile game development, you can have multiple teams working at once, which gets your game out the door faster.

Focus on What You Do Best

Developing a game requires a lot of focus and time. If your team is tied up with coding, art creation, and testing, they might not have the bandwidth to work on other important areas of your business. By outsourcing to a game development company, you free up your internal team to focus on what they do best, whether that’s marketing, business development, or managing other key projects.

For example, if you specialize in mobile app development, it might make more sense to hire a game outsourcing studio to handle the game development side of things. That way, you can focus on growing your mobile apps while letting the experts create your game.

Mitigated Risks 

When you outsource game development, one of the key benefits is mitigated risks. Game development is a complex process that comes with many potential challenges, like budget overruns, missed deadlines, or technical issues. By partnering with a game outsourcing studio, you reduce these risks because you’re working with experts who have the experience and processes in place to handle such challenges.

Outsourcing teams are skilled at managing unexpected hurdles, such as staffing changes or technical bugs, without affecting the overall project timeline. They typically use proven workflows and risk management strategies to ensure that problems are identified early and addressed quickly. This reduces the likelihood of costly mistakes and helps keep your game on track.

Ready to Outsource Your Game?

Outsourcing your game development can be a game-changer, but how do you know if you’re ready? First, consider what parts of the project you need help with—whether it’s coding, art, animation, or the entire game. Make sure you have a clear vision and scope for your game. Once you know the skills and resources you need, it’s time to start looking for the right game development studio. You will want to partner with a team that understands your goals and can deliver on time and within budget.

Ready to get started? Let Devoted Studios turn your game idea into reality, faster and more efficiently!

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28.10.2024

Can You Make AAA Games with Unity?

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When we think of AAA games, titles like The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption 2, or The Witcher 3 often come to mind. These are massive productions with incredibly detailed graphics, complex mechanics, and long, incredible narrative.

But can Unity, a game engine historically associated with mobile games and indie developers, handle AAA game development? The answer might surprise you.

What Defines a AAA Game?

Before exploring Unity’s potential for AAA game development, let’s clarify what a AAA game actually is. The term ‘AAA game’ typically refers to titles created by large studios with extensive budgets, big teams, and high production values. These games are considered flagship products for companies, often taking years to complete and requiring millions of dollars. In short, AAA games represent the best that the industry has to offer in terms of visual quality, gameplay, and storytelling.

The cost of AAA game development, according to the CMA report, can go up to $1 billion, depending on the game’s complexity. Take for example, Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto, they required over $250 million in development costs.

Why are AAA games so expensive to make? The simple answer is because these projects involve multiple teams working across various areas such as art design, coding, voice acting, and marketing.

Unity Game Development: A Brief Overview

Unity is one of the most widely used game development engines globally, known for its flexibility, ease of use, and strong community support. Developers use it to build everything from simple 2D mobile games to complex 3D environments and VR experiences. Over the years, Unity game development has advanced significantly, with the engine becoming increasingly capable of handling more sophisticated projects.

Unity offers an intuitive interface and a vast library of assets, which makes it popular among small studios and indie developers. Its cross-platform compatibility and relatively accessible pricing model make it a go-to for developers of all sizes. 

However, when it comes to AAA game development, Unity isn’t always the first engine that comes to mind. But that does not mean it can’t. Unity is fully capable of developing AAA-quality games. Games like The Heretic and Cities: Skylines are examples of AAA games made with Unity.

Unity’s Growing Capability for AAA Games

While Unity originally catered to smaller projects, its capabilities have expanded significantly. The most recent versions of Unity offer tools like the High-Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP) and real-time ray tracing, which allow for lifelike lighting, shadows, and detailed environments. These features have brought Unity much closer to the visual quality often associated with AAA games.

For instance, Unity’s HDRP allows for advanced rendering techniques, making it easier to produce visually stunning games. Additionally, Unity’s Visual Effect Graph gives developers the ability to create complex particle systems, contributing to the immersive experiences typically found in AAA titles. Unity’s Data-Oriented Technology Stack (DOTS) also allows for more efficient game performance, which is crucial for large, complex games.

Another major advantage for Unity developers is its Asset Store, which provides pre-made models, textures, animations, and other resources that can drastically speed up game development.

Top 3 AAA Games Built with Unity Engine

While Unity is not yet the industry standard for AAA games, there have been several notable titles that highlight the engine’s capabilities. These examples demonstrate that Unity is more than capable of handling complex game mechanics, stunning visuals, and immersive gameplay experiences typically expected from AAA games. Here are some examples of AAA games built with Unity engine:

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, released in August 2020, is a colorful, battle royale game built with Unity, where players compete in fun, chaotic obstacle courses. Developers used Unity’s built-in physics engine to create dynamic and unpredictable interactions between the jellybean-like characters as they navigate these wacky challenges. 

Unity’s asset store was essential for sourcing 3D models, animations, and other elements, saving time and resources during development. The game’s real-time physics and seamless multiplayer functionality were made possible by Unity, allowing for smooth gameplay and a fun, engaging experience. Unity helped deliver the charm and unpredictability that makes Fall Guys so beloved.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps 

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is not only visually stunning, but it also delivers highly engaging and challenging gameplay. As a 2D platformer with ‘Metroidvania’ elements, the game offers tight, responsive controls that allow players to execute precise movements, which are critical for navigating its beautifully designed environments. Unity’s capabilities shine through in the fluidity of Ori’s movements, from double jumps and dashes to gliding through the air with a graceful fluidity that feels natural and responsive.

The gameplay centers around exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. Players control Ori, a small spirit creature, as they traverse a sprawling interconnected world filled with hidden paths, dangerous enemies, and cleverly designed puzzles. The game encourages players to revisit areas with new abilities, making exploration feel rewarding. 

Subway Surfers

Who doesn’t know Subway Surfers? It’s one of the most popular and addictive endless runner games developed by KiLoo and SYBO, and believe it or not, it’s made with Unity! The game’s vibrant graphics, smooth controls, and fast-paced action are all powered by Unity’s flexible game engine, which makes the gameplay experience feel seamless.

In Subway Surfers, players take on the role of a character running through subway tracks, trying to outrun the inspector and his dog. With simple swipe controls, they dodge oncoming trains, jump over barriers, and collect coins along the way. Power-ups like jetpacks and coin magnets add to the fun, making each run feel fresh and exciting.

The Future of Unity in AAA Game Development

Unity is gradually becoming a viable option for AAA developers. The constant updates to the engine and the introduction of advanced tools like HDRP and DOTS make it more competitive with other AAA game engines. Unity also offers greater flexibility and faster iteration times, making it appealing to game studios looking to innovate in their development process.

As more studios explore Unity’s potential, it is likely that we will see more AAA games developed with Unity in the coming years.

So, can you make AAA games with Unity? 

Absolutely, though it requires some additional effort and know-how. Unity has proven itself as a powerful tool capable of producing complex, visually stunning games. However, making a AAA game with Unity may require more customization and optimization compared to other engines.

Unity’s recent advancements have positioned it as a strong contender for large-scale projects, and as more developers look for ways to streamline the development process, Unity offers an attractive combination of flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency.

For studios interested in exploring Unity for their next game, whether it’s a mobile title or a full-scale AAA project, Devoted Studios can help. Learn more about our Unity game development services on our Unity Games Service Page.

At Devoted Studios, we’ve been part of developing cutting-edge games in Unity, delivering polished experiences across genres. We’ve demonstrated that Unity can meet the demands of high-quality production. Our work includes collaborations on games like The Sandbox: Hell’s Kitchen and Coin Hunt World, showcasing Unity’s capabilities in handling complex mechanics, beautiful visuals, and smooth gameplay across devices.

Power Up Your Game Development with Devoted Studios
At Devoted Studios, we bring your vision to life by offering top-tier Unity game development services tailored to your needs, our team of experts is here to deliver exceptional results. With a proven track record of successful projects across platforms, we know how to make engaging experiences that keep players hooked. From stunning visuals and smooth gameplay to making sure your game works across multiple devices, Devoted Studios is your partner in game development. Ready to get started? Learn more about our services and how we can help you on our Unity Games Service Page.
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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="2024-10-28T11:51:57+03:00">28.10.2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-10-28T12:33:04+03:00">28.10.2024</time>Posted inGamedev
24.09.2024

NFT Blockchain Game in 2024: Is It Still Relevant?

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The simple answer is, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) gaming will actually change the world in 2024. But, how? With all the buzz around new technology, NFTs, and blockchain that began to be everywhere from 2018 to 2022, you might be wondering if this trend is here to stay or if it was just a passing fad. 

While some trends in technology come and go, NFT gaming is different—it has the potential to reshape not just how we play games but how we view ownership in the digital space. From early buzz and experimental games to today’s full-fledged virtual economies, NFT gaming has come a long way. 

Now in 2024, NFTs are more than just a trend—they’re a transformative technology set to leave a lasting mark on the gaming industry.

But how did we get here? How did NFTs go from a niche concept to a mainstream phenomenon? And more importantly, why is NFT gaming still relevant today? 

Let’s talk about what NFT gaming is all about, how it became popular, and what’s next for this innovative technology.

How Did NFTs Game Become Popular?

Before we go further, what is NFT gaming? NFT gaming refers to video games that incorporate Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), allowing players to own, trade, or sell unique in-game assets that are stored on the blockchain. 

Unlike traditional games, where items like characters, weapons, or skins are controlled by the game developers and cannot be used outside the game, NFT games give players full ownership of their digital items. These assets, such as virtual land, rare characters, or special abilities, are represented as NFTs, which means they are one-of-a-kind and cannot be duplicated. This creates a new layer of interaction where players can buy, sell, or trade their assets across different platforms.

The rise of NFTs can be traced back to the period between 2012 to 2013 with the introduction of Colored Coins on the Bitcoin blockchain, which represented real-world assets digitally. Though simple, this idea laid the groundwork for what NFTs would become. 

In 2017, CryptoPunks and CryptoKitties on the Ethereum blockchain brought NFTs into the spotlight. CryptoKitties, a game allowing players to trade and breed virtual cats, introduced the ERC-721 standard, making NFTs unique and non-interchangeable. From 2018 to 2022, NFTs gained massive popularity, with high-profile sales like Beeple’s digital artwork selling for $69 million in 2021, cementing NFTs as a major force in digital ownership and gaming.

The NFT Games Market in 2024

The NFT games market in 2024 continues to grow and evolve, solidifying its place in the gaming industry. Thanks to advancements in blockchain technology, NFT games have become more accessible, user-friendly, and engaging. This steady progress shows no signs of slowing down, and here’s why NFT games are still making an impact today:

True Ownership and Control

One of the primary reasons NFT games remain relevant is the concept of true ownership. Unlike traditional games where in-game items, characters, or land are owned by the game developers, NFT gaming gives players real ownership of these assets. Because NFTs are stored on a decentralized blockchain, players can buy, sell, or trade their in-game assets in open markets, even outside the game environment. This ability to transfer and maintain ownership across platforms keeps players engaged, as they know their time and investment are secure and potentially profitable.

The Play-to-Earn Model

The play-to-earn (P2E) model continues to drive the popularity of NFT games in 2024. Players can earn real-world money through gameplay by selling their NFTs or participating in in-game economies. Games like Axie Infinity have proven that players, especially in certain regions, can make substantial income by playing these games. This financial incentive adds a layer of relevance and interest beyond entertainment, especially in a world where digital economies are expanding.

Increased Integration with the Metaverse

With the rise of the metaverse, NFT games are becoming more integrated into these virtual worlds. Players can now own virtual land, build properties, and create unique experiences that other users can interact with, much like in the physical world. As the concept of the metaverse grows, the ability to own and trade assets across multiple virtual worlds makes NFT gaming a key component in how people experience and interact with digital spaces.

Investment and Innovation

Investors and major gaming companies continue to see the potential in NFT gaming. The significant investment flowing into NFT game development means that these games are only going to get better, with improved graphics, gameplay mechanics, and more immersive experiences. 

Cross-Platform and Interoperable Assets

In 2024, the concept of interoperability—where NFT assets can be used across different games or platforms—is becoming more common. Players can carry their unique items, such as weapons or characters, from one game to another, creating a cohesive experience across multiple gaming ecosystems.

Devoted Studios Brings Your Metaverse Vision to Life

One of our notable NFT gaming projects Devoted Studios has worked on is Magic Craft, a massive war and conquest play-to-earn multiplayer game launched on the Binance Smart Chain. In Magic Craft, players form clans, engage in battles, and vie for dominance in a world driven by an advanced guild system, where victors can collect taxes in the game’s native cryptocurrency, $MCRT. The game’s unique economy and taxation system create a competitive and rewarding environment, making it a standout in the NFT gaming space.

Conclusion: Why NFT Gaming Matters in 2024?

In 2024, NFT gaming is not just surviving—it’s evolving and expanding into new, exciting territories. The combination of true ownership, the play-to-earn model, integration with the metaverse, and ongoing technological advancements ensures that NFT games will continue to shape the future of the gaming industry. With more players, developers, and investors getting involved, NFT gaming is set to remain a key part of how we experience and interact with digital worlds.

To dive deeper into how NFT games are transforming the gaming landscape, check out Devoted Studios’ NFT Blockchain Game Services. We offer expert insights and services to help developers create engaging and innovative NFT games for the future.

Want to create your own NFT play-to-earn game
or improve your current project? Devoted Studios can help! We specialize in game development and NFT blockchain solutions. Let our team bring your game ideas to life. Check out Devoted Studios' NFT Blockchain Games page to learn more and get started today!
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04.09.2024

How Indie Games Are Becoming Industry Hits

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Indie games, created by independent game developers are making a huge impact. It is currently reshaping the industry and creating new opportunities for game development studios. So far, According to Xscolla Summer Report, 2024 has seen a remarkable surge in the popularity of indie games, signaling a shift away from the long-standing dominance of big-budget AAA titles. 

Notable successes include Palworld, developed with a budget of $6.75 million, which has already sold over 25 million copies. This trend builds on the success of other popular indie games like Minecraft, Stardew Valley, Among Us, Fall Guys, and Valheim

The rise of indie games is more than just a trend — many say that it is a movement that’s transforming how games are made, shared, and enjoyed by players around the world. This article looks at what’s driving the growth of indie games and how indie games have influenced the game industry.

How Did Indie Games Become Popular?

Independent game studios and developers are on the rise, with more gamers choosing indie games than ever before. The percentage of American PC and console gamers playing indie games grew from 13% in 2021 to 18% in 2024. This growing interest is reflected in the average Steam ratings for indie games, which stand at 72%, nearly matching the 74% rating of AAA titles. 

This surge in popularity challenges the long-standing dominance of big-budget AAA games, and there are some reasons for this shift.

One major factor is that indie games can take risks and explore new ideas in ways that AAA titles often don’t. This willingness to experiment has led to fresh and exciting games that stand out, attracting players who crave something different. Another reason is the increased accessibility of game development. In the past, making a game required significant resources, limiting the industry to large studios with big budgets. 

Also nowadays, with powerful and affordable game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, the barriers to entry have been lowered significantly. So today, even a small team — or a single developer — can create a high-quality game that competes on the global stage.

What Drives Indie Players to Play Video Games?

Indie gamers are often motivated by experiences that allow them to step beyond the boundaries of reality. About 35% of indie gamers play to engage in activities they cannot do in real life, which is significantly higher compared to 23% of gamers from other popular genres. 

Moreover, indie gamers are 80% more likely to seek out opportunities to interact with gamers globally, highlighting their strong preference for a connected, community-oriented gaming experience. This desire for emotional connection and global interaction drives many indie gamers to choose titles that offer these unique and immersive experiences, setting them apart from players of other genres.

Growing Markets for Indie Games

The growth of indie game development is not limited to traditional gaming hubs, it is expanding into emerging markets around the world. The empowerment of game creators, driven by advances in technology, affordable development tools, and accessible distribution platforms, has played a significant role in this global expansion. These factors have lowered the barriers to entry, allowing a diverse array of voices and ideas to flourish within the gaming industry. 

As a result, developers from various backgrounds and regions can now contribute to the global gaming market.

Poland: An Indie Game Powerhouse

Poland has established itself as a leading hub for indie game development company in Europe. The country is home to renowned studios like CD Projekt Red, Mighty Koi, and 11 Bit Studios, which have helped create a vibrant and thriving game development scene. The local government has been instrumental in this success, providing essential funding and resources that support indie developers. This supportive environment has enabled Polish studios to produce some of the industry’s most acclaimed games.

India: A Rising Star in Game Development

India’s indie game development sector is experiencing rapid growth. With a large pool of tech-savvy talent, the country is becoming a prime location for game development. Indie studios like Broken Helm and Xigma Games are coloring India’s reputation in the industry. The government in India has played a supportive role, offering funding and resources to help indie developers flourish, making it a rising force in the global gaming market.

Kazakhstan: Entering the Game Scene

Kazakhstan is quickly making a name for itself in the indie game development world. Despite its relatively small industry, the country hosts game development studios such as HugePixel and Dreamgate Company. The government’s support, through necessary funding and resources, has been key to nurturing aspiring game developers in Kazakhstan, helping to build a new and dynamic gaming scene.

Romania: Historical and Growing Indie Presence

Romania’s indie game development sector is thriving, building on a rich history of game creation. Leading studios like 16 Bit Nights, Alien Pixel, and Metagame Studio are at the forefront of this growth. The local government has significantly contributed to the expansion, offering funding and resources to support indie game studios.

The Role of Game Outsourcing in the Indie Game Boom

When we think of game outsourcing in the gaming industry, we often picture large AAA studios hiring external teams to manage the massive workload that comes with developing blockbuster titles. However, outsourcing is not just a strategy for big-budget games; indie developers are also increasingly relying on it to bring their creative visions to life.

Indie game studios, though smaller in size and budget, face many of the same challenges as their AAA counterparts. They need high-quality art, sound, programming, and sometimes even marketing support to make their games stand out in a competitive market. With limited resources, indie developers often turn to game outsourcing to fill these gaps.

How Have Indie Games Influenced the Gaming Industry?

Indie games are having a significant impact on the gaming industry as a whole. They are changing how games are developed, influencing player expectations, and driving important shifts across the board.

Democratizing Game Development

The indie game movement is democratizing game development. With the right tools and a good idea, anyone can create a game, regardless of their background or resources. This inclusivity has brought a wider variety of voices and ideas into the gaming industry, resulting in a broader array of games that appeal to different tastes and preferences.

Shifting Player Expectations

Indie games are raising the bar for player expectations. Gamers no longer settle for cookie-cutter experiences — they seek innovation, emotional depth, and meaningful gameplay. Indie games, with their focus on storytelling and creative mechanics, meet these demands and influence what players expect from all games.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Building Strong Communities

Indie games often build strong, passionate communities that actively help shape their development. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter let developers connect directly with players, creating a sense of community and loyalty. This direct interaction allows players to give feedback, which helps improve the games as they are being made. It also creates a dedicated fan base that is excited to support the game and share it with others, helping indie games gain attention and success in a crowded market.

Key Takeaways

The rise of indie games is bringing a new chapter to the gaming industry, one that focuses on creativity, making games more accessible, and building strong communities. Game development studios now face both challenges and opportunities in this changing landscape. By embracing the indie approach — encouraging new ideas, using easy-to-access tools, and connecting with players — studios can succeed.

As the indie game market keeps growing, game development studios have a chance to change what it means to create and launch a successful game. The message is simple: great games can come from anywhere. It’s up to the studios to tap into this potential and create the next big indie hit.

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24.07.2024

The Latest Unreal Engine and UEFN Updates!

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The world of game development is always growing, and the recent updates to Unreal Engine and Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) are no exception. UEFN, a PC-based creation tool, offers much more powerful creation capabilities, including importing your own assets and the ability to write your own code with Verse, a new programming language. The latest Unreal Engine and UEFN updates are part of the 30.10 patch, released in July 2024. 

And with these updates, it will bring a host of new features and improvements that are set to change the way games are made and will bring some great benefits to all Fortnite developers. 

We are sure that even if someone is just creating their first game, or if they are already working on a big game project, developers will find these Unreal Engine and Unreal Editor for Fortnite updates to be super helpful. And here are why these updates are exciting and cannot be waited for.

NPC Spawner Device Is Going to be a Game Changer

One of the most exciting additions to the Unreal Engine is the NPC Spawner Device. This tool allows Fortnite developers to have greater control and customization over non-playable characters (NPCs) in their games. As many know, NPCs are a significant part of a game for creating engaging and more dynamic worlds – they can serve as allies, enemies, or neutral characters that interact with the player in various ways.

With the NPC Spawner Device, Fortnite developers can now tailor these characters to fit their unique and creative visions. Additionally, as mentioned on the Fortnite Creator Portal, the NPC Spawner device does not replace existing devices such as the Guard Spawner, Wildlife Spawner, or Character device. Rather, it provides more control to define how AI-driven characters look and interact within their island.

There Is a New Experimental Feature Called ‘Scene Graph’

Scene Graph is now available to try in UEFN as an Experimental feature! This means developers can test it out while it’s still being developed. They can explore this early version of the Scene Graph feature, but they won’t be able to publish islands using scene graphs until its Early Access release.

This Experimental release gives developers the chance to learn a new core feature for UEFN that is important for the platform’s long-term goals. The goal is to give these exciting new tools to developers so they can provide valuable feedback on how to improve them before the final release.

Creative Tools Are Improved and Enhanced

In addition to the NPC Spawner Device, several other creative tools have received significant improvements. These enhancements are designed to make game development smoother and more efficient, allowing Fortnite studios to focus on what they do best: creating amazing games. These are the areas where creative tools are being enhanced in UEFN Fortnite updates:

  • Fixed an issue where the player could fall through the floor after exiting the Inflate-A-Bull.
  • Fixed an issue where the touch screen UI would not appear for many vehicles in Creative. This issue is known to persist for the Inflate-A-Bull.
  • Fixed an issue where the Legendary Tactical Assault Rifle had the wrong number of rarity stars in the Creative Inventory.

Character Device

The Character Device has been upgraded to offer more options and better control over player characters. This includes new customization features that let developers fine-tune the appearance and abilities of characters in their game, with the new weapon “Two Hook Cannon” added to the update.

Guard Spawner

The Guard Spawner has also seen improvements, making it simpler to place and manage guards in their game. Fortnite developers are able to spawn different types of Guards with customizable options. They will also be able to give a custom weapon for the Guard to use by simply dropping a Guard Weapon on the device.

Dance Mannequin

For those who love to add a touch of fun and wit to their games, the Dance Mannequin device has been enhanced as well. This device allows Fortnite developers to incorporate dance moves and animations into their game, adding an addition of entertainment and personality.

Third Person Controls

Finally, the Third Person Controls device has received updates to improve the overall player experience. These upgrades make it easier to create smooth and responsive third-person gameplay, ensuring that players have a great time navigating their game. With better controls, players can enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable experience.

There Will Be New Free Content on the Unreal Engine Marketplace

In addition to the new devices and tools, the Unreal Engine Marketplace has just released a fresh batch of free assets for July 2024. These resources are perfect for Fortnite developers looking to take their projects to the next level. The marketplace is a treasure trove of assets, including textures, models, animations, and more. With these new additions, they have even more options to enhance their game and make it stand out.

Using these free assets, any Fortnite developer can save time and effort on creating basic elements from scratch, which will allow them to focus on the unique aspects of their game. Whether they need a detailed environment, realistic character models, or intricate animations, the Unreal Engine Marketplace has them covered. These free resources are a fantastic way to boost their productivity and creativity.

These Updates Is Setting New Standards in Game Development

The recent Unreal Engine and UEFN updates are setting new standards in the world of game development. The enhanced creative tools, combined with the new NPC Spawner Device and free marketplace assets, provide fortnite studios with everything they need to create incredible experiences. These updates make the development process more efficient and accessible, empowering developers to bring their ideas to life in ways they never thought possible.

The gaming community is already buzzing with excitement over these new features. Fortnite developers are exploring the possibilities and coming up with innovative ways to use these tools in their games. From creating detailed and more extended worlds to adding unique character interactions, the potential is limitless.

Do you want to improve your Fortnite projects?
Boost your Fortnite projects with Devoted Studios’ UEFN services. Our team knows the ins and outs of UEFN, making sure your projects are in capable hands. Visit our UEFN Service Page to learn more and get started.
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Final Thoughts

The recent enhancements to Unreal Engine and UEFN are a major step forward for the game development community. With new tools like the NPC Spawner Device and improvements to existing creative devices, Fortnite studios have everything they need to create amazing games. The addition of free marketplace assets further enhances the possibilities, providing developers with even more resources to bring their visions to life. The future of game development is here, and it’s more exciting than ever!

<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="2024-07-24T18:24:21+03:00">24.07.2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-07-24T20:12:27+03:00">24.07.2024</time>Posted inGamedev
03.07.2024

How Hard Is It to Port Games to Nintendo Switch?

watch 9 months

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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<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="2024-06-27T08:01:10+03:00">27.06.2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-07-01T19:22:47+03:00">01.07.2024</time>Posted inGamedev
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

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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

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