The gaming industry is one of the fastest growing industries which is projected to reach over $300 billion by 2025. As the gaming sector continues to innovate, and deploy new games, an increase in competition and the sector’s expansion have led to the rise of game development work being offshored.
Game development comprises multiple intricate tasks, and offshoring provide multiple ways it helps big companies like Sony and Nintendo in getting their games to the market.
Reasons for Offshoring Game Development
Reducing cost
The goal of offshore game development, like that of other offshoring services, is to reduce production costs without compromising quality. The offshoring of game development to economies with lower labor costs, such as the Philippines, can result in a significant reduction in the overall cost of game production. These include cost reductions in operational, infrastructural, and salary areas, which allows for additional funding to be allocated to other essential aspects of game production.
Faster time-to-market
The competitive nature of the industry necessitates the need to accelerate the development cycles, which is another significant aspect that contributes to the offshore nature of game production. It is beneficial to have offshore teams because of the shifted time zones that they operate in. This allows for development to take place around the clock and speeds up project timeframes.
Preventing Crunch and Burnout
Game companies are regularly required to meet stringent deadlines or cope with unexpected challenges, which results in crunch time. During this period, members of the team work long hours under intense pressure. This can lead to low team morale, burnout, and reduction in productivity.
The outsourcing of certain aspects of the task has become an essential component for many firms to prevent this from occurring.
Access to Expertise
By working together with a workforce based overseas, video game companies can access a global pool of qualified individuals with specific knowledge and expertise. These teams usually contain members with a range of opinions, which fosters innovation and creativity throughout the entirety of the development process.
Flexibility and Scalability
Offshoring enables businesses to grow their staff in accordance with the requirements of the project, allowing the in-house team to focus on the most important areas of game design. The offshore workforce can perform activities that are both routine and resource-intensive, which enables the core game development team to be more creative and versatile in their workflow.
Common Offshore Roles
- Concept Art
- Game Design
- Asset Development (2D and 3D)
- Programming
- Quality Assurance
They have many benefits, but there are still some risks and mistakes to be aware of. Like any collaboration, choosing the right offshore service provider is essential. The offshore partner of choice needs to skillfully represent the company’s vision, guaranteeing harmony with the project’s concepts and aims. Thus, the key is to identify an offshore partner that, by means of efficient communication and a same goal, not only provides the benefits but also reduces the associated dangers.
Ready to level up your game development? It all starts with the right offshore partner. Prioritize seamless communication, strong project management, and a shared vision. Find an offshore game development company that aligns with your goals to maximize success while minimizing risks. Elevate your game’s potential—choose your offshore partner wisely and transform your vision into an unparalleled gaming experience today! Contact us.
