Should You Outsource Your Video Game in 2025? Pros & Cons

The video game industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, with development costs reaching an all-time high. As companies seek more sustainable ways to create games, outsourcing has become an increasingly valuable option.

As games have grown larger and more complex, the demand for shorter development cycles has driven studios to rely more on outsourcing. While outsourcing is not a new concept, having been widely adopted across various industries for years it has become an essential strategy in modern game development.

In 2023, the global video game outsourcing industry was valued at approximately $1.62 billion and is projected to grow to $1.95 billion by 2030.

Game outsourcing spans multiple disciplines, including art, animation, UX/UI design, quality assurance, game development, and more. With its cost-effective solutions and specialized expertise, the outsourcing market is expanding rapidly to meet increasing industry demands.

This blog aims to help developers who are considering outsourcing or simply want a deeper understanding of the process, helping them to make informed decisions for their projects in 2025.

When You Should Outsource?

Deciding when to outsource can be a difficult decision, as it requires understanding the project demands, deadlines, and available resources at any given time. However, there are several key situations where outsourcing can be a perfect solution:

• Extra Expertise - You may need a certain technical skill or experience that your team may not have available at the moment. Perhaps you’re tackling something new, facing tight deadlines, or unable to justify hiring a full-time role for the task. In such cases, outsourcing can be a highly effective solution.

• Tight Deadlines - Game development is fast-paced and unpredictable. Despite the best planning, deadlines can shift unexpectedly - one moment you're on track, and the next, a setback threatens your timeline. Your internal team may be hard at work to hit deadlines, and outsourcing provides valuable extra manpower and expertise in working under high-pressure deadlines, helping you stay on schedule without the need for permanent hires.

• Scalability - When your project scope expands, but hiring isn't an option or perhaps won’t be fast enough, outsourcing offers a flexible solution. You can quickly scale your team up with external specialists and reduce the engagement when the workload decreases. This flexibility helps manage cash flow, providing predictable costs and eliminating the need for long-term commitments in roles that may not be permanent.

Video game outsourcing studios have experienced teams that have worked on a wide variety of projects. They bring valuable expertise and prior experience to your game.

Benefits of Outsourcing Game Development

Outsourcing game development has become a powerful strategy for studios looking to optimize resources, reduce costs, and stay competitive. Whether you're an indie developer or a large studio, outsourcing can provide valuable expertise, flexibility, and efficiency. Here are some key benefits to help you decide if it's the right move for your project:

• Access to Specialized Skills - Video game outsourcing studios have experienced teams that have worked on a wide variety of projects. They bring valuable expertise and prior experience to your game. Outsourcing also provides access to specialized skills that may not be available in-house, or if they are, your internal team may have higher-priority tasks.

• Cost Efficiency - While hiring developers is essential for stability, recruitment can be time-consuming and expensive, especially with talent spread across the world. An outsourcing studio offers a flexible, cost-effective solution to manage workload fluctuations. It serves as a great stopgap if there isn’t enough work for a full-time role or if you need urgent support. You can quickly scale your team up or down as needed.

• Faster Turnaround - Video game production schedules can change rapidly due to bugs, evolving scope, or shifting deadlines. External development teams are deadline driven and can scale up quickly to keep your project on track and fill in critical gaps when necessary.

• Focus on Core Strengths - Your internal team has unique strengths and knowledge. By outsourcing specific tasks, your team can focus on what they do best while an external studio handles other work, ensuring efficiency and quality.

Challenges and Risks of Game Art Outsourcing

• Communication Barriers - Video game and outsourcing studios operate globally, making communication a critical cornerstone of successful partnerships. While quality and experience are essential, effective communication is the foundation of a smooth collaboration. When choosing a studio, it's crucial to ensure they can communicate effectively. At Athena Productions, our project managers and producers speak multiple languages, ensuring seamless communication with clients worldwide. Our team is experienced in working across nearly every timezone, and we always have someone available to connect at times that suit you. This guarantees a clear and consistent flow of communication throughout the project.

• Hidden Costs - Cost transparency is a common concern in outsourcing, but we address this by maintaining open and honest communication. We provide upfront quotes and detailed project estimations, keeping clients informed at every stage.

• Alignment with Vision - Ensuring everyone stays on the same page across multiple teams can be challenging. At Athena Productions, we tackle this by maintaining regular communication, including daily check-ins and meetings with our clients. Our internal review process is designed to align all artwork with the intended art direction and maintain strict quality control. This ensures that every piece we create meets our high standards and perfectly aligns with our client’s vision.

Game outsourcing spans multiple disciplines, including art, animation, UX/UI design, quality assurance, game development, and more.

How to Begin Outsourcing: Step-by-Step

You may know that you need to find an outsourcing studio, but where do you start? If you’ve never worked with one before, the process can feel overwhelming. To help, we’ve outlined key steps to guide you through the journey:

1. Define What Needs to be Done

The first step is to clearly outline the work you need assistance with. The more specific and prepared you are, the easier it will be to identify the right studio for your project. Define your goals, requirements, and expectations to ensure a smooth collaboration.

2. Set a Budget

Determine the budget you’re willing to allocate for outsourcing. Understanding your budget early on will help you assess and filter potential partners accordingly.

3. Finding the Right Partners

If you’re new to outsourcing, finding the right studio can be challenging. Here are a few effective ways to discover outsourcing partners:

• Ask for recommendations from industry peers.

• Explore platforms like LinkedIn and ArtStation, where studios showcase their work. Many outsourcing studios have dedicated pages highlighting their expertise.

• Use search engines to look for specific terms like "concept art outsourcing studio" to find experienced and well-known providers.

4. Evaluate and Choose with Confidence

When reviewing potential studios, take the time to:

• Examine their portfolio and past projects.

• Research their previous clients and testimonials.

• Schedule a video call to discuss your project, gauge their communication style, and assess whether they align with your vision and workflow.

Once you’ve chosen a studio, always formalize the partnership with a contract. For a more in-depth guide on selecting the right outsourcing partner, check out our detailed guide here.

5. Set Clear Goals and Expectations

After signing the contract, establish detailed briefs, deadlines, and milestones. Clarity from the start helps ensure both sides are aligned and working towards the same objectives.

6. Begin the Work and Maintain Communication

Once the project is underway, the outsourcing studio should keep communication channels open. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, schedule check-ins, or hold regular meetings to ensure a smooth collaboration. Strong communication fosters a productive and successful partnership.

Our internal review process is designed to align all artwork with the intended art direction and maintain strict quality control.

Final Thoughts

Video game outsourcing is playing an increasingly vital role in development as studios seek to optimize costs, expand capabilities, and meet growing industry demands. By strategically integrating external talent with in-house expertise, developers can boost their workforce, maintain flexibility, and ensure high-quality results without overextending internal resources.

However, successful outsourcing requires careful planning, clear communication, and a thorough understanding of your project's needs. By defining your goals, choosing the right partners, and maintaining a collaborative approach, you can leverage outsourcing as a powerful tool.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, outsourcing will remain an essential part of development, helping studios of all sizes launch their video games to the public more efficiently than ever before.

Athena Productions is a concept art studio with a team of experienced video game artists providing concept art and visual development - from 2D character design to UI/UX design - for projects ranging from AAA titles to indie hits. If you’re looking for a talented team of artists to bring your next project to life, contact us to learn more about our concept art services.