How to Find the Best Game Developers?
14 min read
How to easily find the best game dev studio to help you create your next best seller?
Outsourcing is an excellent solution in many cases—it saves time, money and stress. Many game developers are open to collaborating. If you've decided that you want to outsource game development—that's great! Hiring game developers might seem complicated but keeping a few things in mind speeds up radically the whole process.
Every IT field is different, and searching for a game developer is unlike searching for someone who works with web development. You need to consider a few things before you hire game developers.
Finding the right people is not an easy task but is crucial for a smooth game development process and a final quality product. Typing "hire game developers" in your browser might be something to start with, but take a closer look at more effective ways to find game development services.
Table of content:
Game Technology
One of the first things to consider is choosing a platform and the type of game you are interested in. Don't go into too much detail at this point, but a solid, broad vision of what the finished product should look like will make your cooperation with the game dev team easier.
All you need to know about XR
Technology is changing extremely fast. In 2022 we have a huge mobile game sector on the Google Play Store and various XR games. What is the meaning behind those letters?
XR stands for Extended Reality. It's a general term that can be divided into more specific ones.
Augmented reality (AR)
It enhances the reality and the real-world environment with computer-generated content. Augmented reality is used mainly but not only in apps and video games.
Mixed reality (MR)
MR merges both real and virtual worlds to create new environments where they can co-exist simultaneously.
Virtual reality (VR)
VR is an experience entirely generated by computers.
Concerns about making a game in XR
VR headset is the essential equipment to play a game in this technology. Their popularity has increased, but the prices are relatively high. Also, computers and consoles have to be accordingly advanced to run XR games. Many people feel motion sickness while playing VR games, so the audience is not as broad as in "classic" games.
Most popular platforms
The most popular are still video games on big platforms like PC and consoles. If you want to hire the best game developers, it is good to know a bit about the platform of your choice. The whole game design will depend on it. Different platforms may also attract different groups, so you need to define who is your target audience. Games and app developers can adjust the design and propose a platform that's meeting your requirements, but you should be precise about your needs.
This Choice Mstters
Why is it so important? There are various game development studios for hire; some of them specialize in specific genres and technologies. The "heart" of any project is a game engine (most known are Unity and Unreal engine), but there's more to talk about, like relevant programming languages.
You can achieve great results with the right team. To hire game developers perfect for your project, you should prepare some information in advance.
Pricing
Professional game developers earn much because their quality work, skill sets and prior experience are more and more valuable in the booming industry. Mobile game development might seem cheaper, but like many things—it depends on many factors. Numbers are not set in stone; the game development process can cost from thousands to millions of dollars.
Rates in game development are often calculated per hour. Beginners charge $25 per hour of work, but advanced game developers might want up to $120/h or even more. With higher fees comes better skills, better organization and higher quality of work, but it doesn't mean that not only those with top game development expertise should catch your attention. This topic will be covered in the latter part of this article; for now, let's get back to the most crucial question:
What will be the final cost, and what will it cover?
Pre-production
You need to take care of many details at this stage because any neglect can sabotage the project later.
Game developers, at this point, estimate budget, choose platform and genre, gameplay, game mechanics, plot, and characters. Game designers work on the game design document, and coders choose game engines, programming languages, and similar things.
Production
The longest part of the process is where an idea becomes the final product.
Creating games is possible because of the collective efforts of many people: 2D and 3D artists, animators, programmers, testers, and audio engineers. As you can see, these are not only people familiar with computer science but also creative fields like character design. Top game studios hire many people in each department to provide the best outcome possible, which will be loved by gamers and critics all over the world.
Project management is also essential because, without good organization, everything starts to fall apart. Leads - in this role, you can usually find an experienced programmer or artist - to take care of quality, assign specific tasks and solve problems.
Post-production
Good news: the game is launched, but can we take a break?
Top developers can't go on a vacation at this point because there's still so much to improve. Software engineers will have still some bugs to fix. There is a time to release new updates or add new content - good game developers take care of it too.
Where to Find the Best Game Dev Team for Hire?
Where to look for game developers for hire? Trying to search through popular phases in google might not be so helpful. A better idea is to head precisely to the place where you can find what you are looking for. There are a few places you can find a game development team.
Game development communities, freelance networks or dedicated hiring platforms (such as Toptal, X Team, or Clutch) are worth checking out. You can check their references and feedback from previous clients at this point. It's an excellent way to find out how reliable a studio is and how cooperating with other clients went.
It's better to find game developers who worked with each other before than find freelancers to team up to bring your vision to life. Project management and atmosphere inside the team are sometimes overlooked but significant factors. Inside friendly and well-coordinated teamwork goes more smoothly, and good video game developers are likely to stick with it instead of looking for a job elsewhere.
How to Recognize a Good Portfolio
You want to put your assets in the best possible hands. The first step is to get to know your devs. Look them up online - a presentable website, regularly updated social media channels, and thrilling portfolio are good signs. An outstanding portfolio is essential in the game industry, and experienced game developers know about it.
A portfolio is more than a business card or CV and can tell you many things about the game dev team. Consistency, being up to date, and finished projects are what you should be looking for.
Of course, with more projects done, the studio value increases, and their pricing may be higher. How much does it cost to hire a game development team? There's not a single answer to this. It depends on the project, how big and complicated it is and many other factors. Final pricing is determined during discussions at a later stage.
If money is the issue, aim for smaller companies with energy and a positive attitude. They may be less experienced, but the outcome of your cooperation will benefit you both. Why is it a good idea? Talented game developers, game designers, and game programmers can be found everywhere, and the company's size isn't the only factor you should consider. They will give you a more affordable price than big video game developers. If any team's online presence caught your attention, it's time for the next step.
Get in Touch
After gathering all the information online, time to contact the right person. The 'Contact us' tab should provide you with a name, email address, and phone number. Don't worry if you can't find a contact for the CEO - if you send a message directly to the company, it will go to the right person.
While writing, try to stay formal but friendly. Describe your project, budget, what's your vision. The first message is not for the details, but you need to outline your expectations - it will be easier for the game dev studio to make a decision on their side. When you're both interested in cooperation, an online call or meeting in person is an excellent time to go into details and more specific aspects.
Communication should be transparent - both sides should know what to expect from each other, how the process is going and if there's any problem to solve. Being in touch with the hired team is crucial. Creating games is not easy, and everyone involved should know how is it going.
There's no template for what such an email should look like because everyone's project is different. The game idea, your needs, specific technologies - you should include your main ideas to catch game developers' attention. Stick to a formal tone, but keep in mind that the gaming industry is relatively young, and your partners probably are too. A balance between formal professionalism and a friendly casual style would be perfect.
Benefits
What benefits can you expect when you hire game developers? They will provide you with their experience and all the staff required to make a good game. From programmers and 3D Artists to game designers - everyone you need in one place!
The list of benefits includes:
Full-time game devs are mostly laid-back but hardworking, and those are the people it's a pleasure to work with. Hiring a dev team from different countries or regions (for example, outsourcing in eastern Europe has gained tremendous popularity lately) is also possible since all work can be done online. Keep in mind that timezones and how they can affect your communication.
Risk
There are countless benefits of outsourcing game developers, but there might also be a risk. No option is perfect, so keep in mind these several common mistakes to avoid them in the future.
Poor communication with game developers
The perfect communication is clear and consistent, especially when two or more parties are involved in one project. Everyone knows what is going on, what to do next, and game development is smooth and painless. Sadly, sometimes communication may be not so great when information isn't transmitted as freely as it should be.
When this situation occurs, it's good to meet up with your game developers and tell them what you want to improve in this field. Before starting a project, all sides should be clear about their expectations.
Different company culture
Companies have different cultures, and the same is about game developers. One company considers normal, for example, keeping clear and organized documentation of game development, while the other might be a bit lenient with keeping it so tidy.
Solution? Try to know that the chosen company culture matches your standards and values. Know the impact of this aspect on finished projects and all troubles that might occur in the meantime.
Lack of trust with game developers
Without the proper communication, clear expectations and lack of transparency, it's tough to trust your team. Usually, problems tend to escalate when something seems off from the beginning, and no one tries to fix it.
To avoid this, insist on keeping documentation up to date. Don't hesitate to ask questions and be sure that the dialogue is clear all the time.
Can you avoid risk when you hire game developers?
The short answer is: no. Risk is unavoidable, but when you know about it, you can minimize it and act fast when something is not correct. Considering all things mentioned above, you should succeed with outsourcing with a problem.
Outsourcing game development is getting more popular as the gaming industry is booming. Hiring a game dev team is more convenient in many cases and can benefit both sides.
Find an Experienced Game Developer
You're probably certain that you want to hire game developers to help you with your project. Working with the right team will fulfill all your business needs, and it will be a pleasure. You can spend time not worrying about how the project go because you will have trusted people at your side.
Video games are getting more and more popular, and this tendency will still rise. Making games is a dream of many people, but playing games is a hobby of much more of them, from youngest to oldest. Games are not only considered entertainment for children; games now are created for different groups and people with different needs.
Games can help to relax after work, educate or make something more fun. You can find good developers at different skill levels if you have a little patience and consideration. There is a vast pool of specialists in this field, so you will undoubtedly find your perfect team.
It doesn't matter if you want to create a cute mobile game or a realistic simulator in VR - hire game developers and make a huge step towards fulfilling your project!
If you are looking for a team to create something unique, not matter if it's app, web or a game, we have solution for you!
At DreamStorm we know everything about how to make an outstanding video game. We started in 2018, and since then, we created a rich portfolio of computer, mobile games and business projects.
We are located in Gliwice, Poland and the team consists of more than 45 professionals - artists, animators, and programmers. We are working together not only to bring games to people, but we are avid players ourselves and know the industry very well.
Our excellent teamwork brought many brilliant stories and hours of captivating gameplay to life. Although DreamStrom still waits for larger recognition, we have the required skills to create an unforgettable gaming experience.
Let's get in touch!
To sum up: how to hire game developers?
Looking for a development team is a process and may take some time, but it's crucial to find people who perfectly match your requirements. What steps do you need to take in order to do it right?
Do a little research, be open about your requests, and communicate your goals clearly—you will find game developers in no time. Good luck!
What would you like to achieve. Our experts will answer on your all questions.
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