Outsourcing game development is an easy and cost-effective way to realize the vision of creating a game at minimal cost. We have prepared 5 main advantages of cooperation with an outsourcing company.
Advantages of outsourcing game development
Outsourcing Advantage #1. Everything is under control
By outsourcing a project, the client knows that the firm will keep them regularly updated on the process. You can control the update around the clock. The outsourcing firm will take care of everything from setting deadlines for developers to dividing and assigning tasks to developers.
In the case of direct hire, there is also an option available to the client to assess progress, but everything will have to be done independently.
Outsourcing Advantage #2. Cohesion above all else
The outsourcing firm knows the strengths and weaknesses of the employees, allocating tasks keeping these points in mind. It has already picked up programmers, game designers, artists, testers and other IT professionals with the right skills and tested them on the job. In addition, since the company specializes in game development and similar projects, doing it not the first day, the mutual understanding between the team members will be better. Absence of organizational and communication problems is necessary for timely project completion and effective collaboration.
In the case of direct hire, it will take some time to establish communication between team members. In addition, the employer will have to personally evaluate each computer game developer to learn the strengths and weaknesses.
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By outsourcing game development, there is a better chance of completing the project within the stipulated time frame. Outsourcing firms are better at planning and trying to meet the requirements.
If there is a need to increase engineering capabilities during the project, an outsourcing company will handle it faster. It has trump cards up its sleeve in the form of experienced HHs and HR professionals who will quickly recruit staff for custom game development. Yes, and most self-respecting outsourcing companies have a staff of engineers, so to expand the team it is enough to turn to internal resources.
In the case of direct hire, the client is directly dependent on the developers. Unless he is a coder himself and is personally familiar with Python, Ruby, Java or other beasts of the programming forest, developers are free to set goals at their personal discretion. This is fraught with the risk of the game’s code being written in a rare programming language and in a manner that no one outside the company will understand. Well, and don’t forget about the delays associated with finding specialists.
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Outsourcing Advantage #5. Expertise in everything
Offshore firms are equipped with the software and hardware needed to develop mobile or computer games. For example, to develop a game for the iPhone or iPad, you would have to write code only on Apple Inc. devices.
By hiring a company for outsourcing, the client gets extensive technical capabilities and skills. Experienced developers know how to avoid common mistakes and implement proven effective solutions. You can avoid additional costs associated with further maintenance and bug fixes by simply outsourcing game development.
Outsourcing Advantage #5. Incredible savings
Going to conquer the world of games, the client decides to create a separate center. Building such a business in Ukraine or another country, a startup expects to invest a lot of money in this business. The client expects to get a lot of return on such investments, in the longer term, of course. But the profitability of such an investment is questionable. Lack of market knowledge and simply a myriad of managerial, economic and other risks add to the cost.
So while the price of outsourcing game development seems high, the cost of the service is not taken from the ceiling and covers overheads. Find out the cost of creating a mobile game here.
In addition, you can’t forget about the priceless nerve cells whose connections will not be disturbed by the stress that accompanies the procedure of organizing a business. The client will not spend a penny on finding and vetting coders and designers. Forget about:
- licenses for the software you use (you don’t even have to buy Windows, honestly);
- hardware;
- laptops, monitors, north storage, desks, chairs, and other equipment;
- social benefits;
- to rent an office;
- Internet, cables, adapters and other consumables.
Learn more about Creating Gameplay: How the Feel of a Game Works
In addition, tax and legal costs will also be reduced. After all, before setting up a computer game development studio, a budding businessman should study the legal system, make sure to comply with safety and tax regulations, and comply with employment laws. Having found a legal option for business registration, you have to go through a simple registration procedure, and then for a very long time to comply with complicated regulations and laws. Whereas companies, such as Koloro, offering outsourced development services, have already developed effective legal schemes to support relationships with Ukrainian and international clients.
Learn about developing a profitable and simple mobile game
Outsourcing of game development stages
Individual tasks, such as code development or testing, have long since stopped being outsourced, being split between firms. A more common technique is when firms offer a range of services, from improving an idea to placing fully developed apps in stores. It is easier to choose an office where game development services are available under one roof, because it will make the job really easy. But if you really want to…
Writing standard code
Finding a cool company with experienced developers who are worth their money doesn’t always make you want to pay out that very money. Therefore, in order to save money, the development of component parts that are not related to the game itself are outsourced to another company. Beginning developers don’t mind simple orders and don’t pretend to be knowledge-intensive developers. This approach is often dictated not only by economic considerations, but also by the unwillingness to waste the time of experienced developers on routine work, which can be done by juniors.
More often it involves working on generic code – creating game components (embedded modules, COM objects or class libraries) according to given specifications. This kind of work is often done by newcomer companies.
Writing documentation and advertisements
Writing descriptions of the game and promotion in the stores can be entrusted to a company that specializes in this type of work. Present in the state are:
- technical writers;
- SEO people;
- SMM people;
- marketers;
- editors;
- proofreaders;
- interpreters;
- designers;
- typesetters;
- and other specialists.
This kind of outsourcing has survived because while technical writers will always find work at a custom game development company, an editor, proofreader, or translator will be an unburdened and therefore unprofitable employee.
Testing the finished game
You can only verify the quality of the finished toy by thorough testing. The existing language versions of the game are tested, on all kinds of devices and different OS versions. Not every start-up company has the resources for such events. Therefore, it is possible to outsource testing to a firm that specializes in these processes.
Outsourcing game development – the finishing touches
It’s not enough to just outsource a project and forget about it until release. A number of minor issues will have to be taken care of. For example, there is a possibility that the idea will be copied, so it is the client’s responsibility to disclose the idea only after signing an NDA agreement.
Not only creation makes sense, safety and security also play an important role in the success of the game and it is the client’s responsibility to take care of such aspects. One should check compatibility issues and thoroughly review the game before accepting the final version. The client’s creative ideas must find the right firm, because only then is it possible to fulfill the task. For example, VR-technologies are becoming more and more popular now, so it makes sense to order the development of a computer game using these technologies.
Do some research about the firm before making a final decision, and don’t let yourself be fooled by false reviews and a stolen portfolio. Don’t hesitate to change firms if they don’t meet the established standards. Finally, the client can cancel the agreement if the offshore firm has not met the agreed requirements.
