The Best External Game Developers in California (Updated 2024)
Gamedev
Article
27.04.2023
With the global gaming market expected to soar to $503.14 billion by 2025 (up from $396 billion in 2023!), it’s clear that the demand for high-quality games is only going to get bigger.
But we all know game development is no walk in the park—it’s a fast-moving, complex industry that requires a ton of different skills. From brainstorming ideas to designing, coding, testing, and finally launching the game, every step is important and needs a lot of expertise. Plus, with new technologies and trends popping up all the time, things can get even more challenging!
Even the biggest game studios sometimes need a helping hand to turn their vision into reality. That’s where external game development studios come in. These companies are the pros at providing specialized game development services to other video game companies.
If you’re on the lookout for top-tier video game studios in California, you’re in the right place! California is packed with some of the most creative and innovative studios, with Los Angeles as a major hub for talent.
In this article, we’re excited to introduce you to some of the best external game developers in California!
Why External Game Developers Matters?
In the fast-paced world of game development, time and resources can be stretched thin, even for the biggest game developers studios.
External game developers specialize in offering their skills and expertise to help game studios meet their goals faster and more efficiently. Whether it’s for a short-term project or a long-term collaboration, these external teams provide fresh perspectives and specialized knowledge that can push a game from good to great.
But before you outsource to external game development studios, it’s important to know the most common types available and what they can offer.
| Full-Cycle Development Studios | These are the big players that can handle it all. Full-cycle development studios take your project from the very first concept all the way to launch. They’ve got the whole team: designers, developers, artists, and testers, working together to bring your game to life. |
| Co-Development Studios | Co-development studios work hand-in-hand with your internal team.They don’t take over the whole project, but they help with specific parts of it—whether that’s art, gameplay mechanics, or engineering. This partnership model is great for larger studios that may need to boost their manpower or expertise in a certain area without losing control of the project. |
| Art Studios | External art studios are the best at creating everything from concept art to polished 3D models and animations. No matter if it is character, environments, or attention-grabbing UI design, these teams make your game visually stunning. |
Top Game Developers in California
When it comes to creating groundbreaking games, California is home to some of the most innovative and talented video game studios in the world.
Devoted Studios
Devoted Studios is an external game development studio in Los Angeles that offers a range of services to game developers. These services include full-cycle development, co-development, concept art, porting, engineering, and end-to-end art production.
Devoted Studios has worked on a variety of projects, including games like Spellbreak, Kid A Mnesia: Exhibition, Palia, Blankos Block Party, Animal Jam!, Airphoria vol.2 (Nike project), and Coin Hunt World, among others.
They have also worked with 343 Industries to design new armor sets for the Halo: Master Chief Collection. Devoted Studios uses a range of technologies, including Unreal, Unity, and blockchain, among others. Their goal is to provide an equal opportunity for every talent in the world to work on the games of their dreams while nurturing and leading talent to success and recognition.
1518 Studios
This California-based game art outsourcing studio specializes in creating 3D artwork and video game assets. Their services include concept design, illustrations, user interface design, logo creation, 3D art and animation, motion capture, cinematics, and various types of 2D art.
1518 Studios has worked with companies like Supercell, Brainseed Factory, and Redemption Games. They’ve contributed to popular games such as Borderlands 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and more.
Azumo
Azumo is a game development studio in California that offers full game creation services for platforms like mobile, PC, consoles, and AR/VR. With over 8 years of experience, they use tools like Unity and Unreal Engine to develop games. Their services cover everything from designing the game to coding, testing, and launching it. They even help after the game is released with updates and fixes.
One of the well-known games Azumo worked on is Game of Thrones Legends, a mobile strategy game where players can build their own kingdoms and fight for the Iron Throne. Azumo has also partnered with big companies like Zynga.
Double Coconut
Double Coconut, one of the game development studios in California, has over a decade of experience in providing exceptional service to partners in the gaming industry. Specializing in Crypto and Mobile games, Double Coconut stands out for its industry-leading engineering capabilities, focusing on mobile and web projects built in Unity and HTML5.
As one of the leading game studios in California, Double Coconut offers full-service design capabilities to bring mobile, web3, Play-to-Earn, or NFT projects from concept to market. Their vast experience and expertise in game design make them a reliable partner for anyone looking to create a successful gaming project.
Jam City
Jam City is a well-known California video game company that excels in creating deeply engaging and unique mobile games that captivate global audiences. With over $4 billion in lifetime bookings and billions of downloads, Jam City has developed some of the most successful mobile games in the industry.
They are the creative force behind popular franchises like Cookie Jam and Panda Pop and collaborate with major global IP holders such as Universal, Disney, and Warner Bros. One of their biggest hits is Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, which topped the charts in over 40 countries upon release. Additionally, their AR game Jurassic World Alive remains a top performer in the market.
AAA Game Art Studio
AAA Game Art Studio, based in both the US and Cyprus, is a leading video game studio in California with over 20 years of experience. Known for delivering high-quality work on time, AAA Game Art Studio has partnered with major clients such as HarperCollins, Bandai Namco, and Konami. They specialize in multiple aspects of game art, including UI/UX design and both 2D and 3D art.
Each of these game studios in California has its own strengths, bringing something unique to the gaming industry. Devoted Studios, based in Los Angeles, is known for its wide range of services, from full game development to art optimization. They’ve worked on popular titles like Spellbreak and Halo: Master Chief Collection, proving they can handle big, challenging projects with ease.
If you’re looking for a reliable partner to help bring your game to life, studios like Devoted Studios are a great choice. Whether you need full development or just extra support, these California video game companies are experienced, creative, and passionate about making games that players love. From Jam City’s mobile hits to AAA Game Art Studio's stunning 2D and 3D art, gaming studios in California offer everything you need to create a successful game.
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