What is game process outsourcing and how can it benefit game development companies
Introduction
Game development companies face numerous challenges in bringing their games to market, including tight budgets, limited resources, and a highly competitive landscape. One solution that many companies turn to is game process outsourcing (GPO), where they outsource specific tasks to third-party providers who specialize in those areas. In this article, we will explore the benefits of GPO for game development companies, including cost savings, improved efficiency, and access to specialized expertise. We will also provide case studies and expert opinions to illustrate how GPO has helped real companies achieve their goals.
Cost Savings
One of the main advantages of GPO is that it can help game development companies save money on labor costs. By outsourcing specific tasks to third-party providers, companies can take advantage of the provider’s expertise and experience without having to hire and train new employees. This can lead to significant cost savings, especially for smaller companies with limited budgets.
For example, a mobile game development company might outsource its 3D modeling and animation work to a specialized provider. This would allow the company to focus on other aspects of game development, such as programming and testing, without having to invest in expensive 3D modeling software or hire experienced artists. The result is a more cost-effective game development process that allows the company to bring its games to market faster and at a lower cost.
Improved Efficiency
GPO can also help game development companies improve their efficiency by freeing up internal resources for other tasks. When a company outsources a specific task, such as programming or testing, it frees up its own developers to focus on other areas of the game development process. This can lead to faster development times and improved overall quality.
For instance, a game development company that specializes in PC games might outsource its multiplayer programming work to a specialized provider. This would allow the company to focus on optimizing the game’s performance and improving its user interface, which could lead to better customer satisfaction and higher sales.
Access to Specialized Expertise
One of the biggest benefits of GPO is that it provides game development companies with access to specialized expertise that they may not have in-house. For example, a company that specializes in mobile games might outsource its virtual reality (VR) programming work to a provider with extensive experience in VR development. This would allow the company to take advantage of the provider’s knowledge and skills without having to invest in expensive VR equipment or hire experienced developers.
In addition, GPO can help game development companies tap into the expertise of providers that specialize in specific areas of game development. For example, a company that is developing a sports game might outsource its player modeling work to a provider that specializes in creating realistic athlete models. This would allow the company to create more lifelike and believable characters, which could improve the overall quality of the game.
Case Studies
To illustrate how GPO has helped real game development companies achieve their goals, let’s look at a few examples.
1. Ubisoft
Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest game developers, has been using GPO for many years to outsource specific tasks to third-party providers. For example, the company outsources its animation work to a provider in Quebec, Canada, which allows Ubisoft to take advantage of the provider’s expertise and experience without having to hire and train new employees.
2. CD Projekt Red
CD Projekt Red, the developer of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, used GPO to outsource its 3D modeling work to a provider in Poland. This allowed the company to focus on other aspects of game development, such as programming and testing, without having to invest in expensive 3D modeling software or hire experienced artists.
3. Playtika
Playtika, a social gaming company, used GPO to outsource its mobile game development work to a provider in Israel.