Hybrid Teams: How to Combine In-house Development and Outsourcing in Game Development — Tips for Effectively Integrating External Teams into the Overall Game Development Process
In game development, more studios are choosing a hybrid model that combines in-house teams with outsourcing partners. This approach allows for more efficient resource management, access to specialized skills, and shortened production times. However, successful integration requires a well-structured process for collaboration. In this article, we will discuss key strategies for combining internal and external teams, as well as real examples from the industry.
1. Defining Tasks and Responsibilities Between Teams
The first step in creating a hybrid team is clearly defining responsibilities. It’s important to determine in advance which tasks will be handled by internal developers and which will be outsourced. This helps avoid duplication and misunderstandings. External partners should be provided with detailed technical tasks and a clear understanding of how their work fits into the overall development process.
Example: Ubisoft and Outsourcing Studios
Ubisoft often involves multiple outsourcing teams for large projects, such as the Assassin’s Creed series. Ubisoft’s internal studios handle the core elements of the game, including world design and primary gameplay, while outsourcing teams focus on detailing, creating textures, animations, and modeling. This setup allows internal resources to focus on key aspects while maintaining control over the game’s main components.
2. Establishing Effective Communication
Communication is key to the success of a hybrid team. To ensure that external teams can perform their tasks effectively, it’s crucial to establish channels for constant communication and information exchange. Platforms like Slack, Trello, or Jira can significantly streamline this process.
It is also essential to appoint a coordinator who acts as a liaison between the internal and external teams, ensuring that all parties can promptly share information, resolve issues, and report progress.
Example: Epic Games and the Development of Fortnite
When Epic Games started developing Fortnite, the company brought in numerous outsourcing studios to work on various aspects of the game, such as character animations and model creation. To ensure smooth communication, they implemented a system of daily reports and regular video conferences to discuss progress, which helped minimize delays and misunderstandings.
3. Creating a Unified Cultural Environment and Working Standards
Integration of external teams will be more successful if all sides adhere to a common set of development standards and methodologies. It’s essential to discuss and agree upon development processes early on, whether it’s Agile, Scrum, or another methodology.
Creating a sense of shared goals and unity between internal and external teams is also important. This can be achieved through regular online meetings, joint reviews, and discussions about the project’s overall objectives.
Example: CD Projekt Red and the Development of The Witcher 3
During the development of The Witcher 3, CD Projekt Red collaborated with outsourcing studios to create certain game elements like animations and textures. The external studios had to follow CD Projekt Red’s internal standards to ensure consistency in visual and mechanical elements. The company developed detailed guidelines and quality standards, allowing them to integrate the external teams’ work into the final product seamlessly.
4. Synchronizing Processes and Work Schedules
Synchronizing work processes between internal and external teams is critical to successful integration. This applies not only to the tools used but also to the work schedule. If external teams work in different time zones, it’s important to coordinate times for regular real-time meetings and communication.
Example: Rockstar Games and the Development of Red Dead Redemption 2
For the development of Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar Games utilized multiple external studios spread across the globe. To synchronize their efforts, Rockstar implemented a unified schedule and revision system that allowed progress tracking in real-time. This significantly reduced delays despite the difference in time zones.
5. Maintaining Consistent Quality Control
It is important to establish regular quality control stages to ensure that external teams are working in line with expectations. Introducing interim reports and reviews helps identify potential issues early on and allows for adjustments, avoiding major rework in the future.
Example: Sony and the Development of God of War
During the development of God of War, Sony worked with external teams to create various parts of the game. They implemented a system of regular quality checks, allowing external teams to submit results at intermediate stages. This helped avoid mistakes and ensured high quality in the final product.
Hybrid teams that combine in-house development and outsourcing can significantly accelerate the game development process and improve its quality. However, to ensure success, it is necessary to establish clear communication, synchronize processes, and maintain strict quality control. Companies like Ubisoft, CD Projekt Red, and Epic Games have shown that, with the right approach, outsourcing can become an integral part of successfully developing large-scale projects.
