Why Co-Development Is the Future of Video Game Production?

Everybody in the game industry will agree now: the fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape of game development has reached a pivotal moment in 2023. The game development process is facing a number of challenges like rising costs, the need for faster development cycles, and the demand for cutting-edge technology. 

To overcome these challenges and succeed in tough competition, gaming companies are now actively turning to co-development as a saving grace. In this article, we will delve into why 2023 is the year for optimization in the gaming industry and how co-development is emerging as the savior that gaming companies need.

How Co-Development Cuts Costs?

Outsourcing game development to a full-cycle co-development partner like Walla Walla Studio in 2023 offers significant cost-efficiency. Such partners bring their specialized skills and resources, reducing your need for in-house investments (plus the most professional of them can also contribute to your company’s business and organizational issues). By sharing development expenses, you can allocate the budget more wisely, enabling investments in high-quality assets, technology, and marketing. 

Co-development also accelerates production, ensuring faster time-to-market, which is essential in the competitive gaming industry. Importantly, it optimizes resource usage, directing your company’s core talents toward innovation and creative aspects, while outsourcing routine tasks. In a cost-conscious gaming landscape, co-development now becomes a smart strategy to navigate challenges and enhance a game’s overall quality and success.

What Other GameDev Problems Are Successfully Solved by Co-Development?

You Get Faster Release Cycles

Gone are the days when gamers waited patiently for years between game releases. Nowadays players expect a steady stream of fresh content and updates. This necessitates shorter development cycles, which can be challenging to achieve without a reliable co-development partner. An external co-development studio is always motivated, they are like the engines of your idea, pushing it to the outstanding results.

Adopting New Technological Advancements

The gaming industry is a hotbed of innovation. From augmented reality (AR) to virtual reality (VR) and cloud gaming, we are constantly adopting new technologies. Staying on the cutting edge of these advancements is critical to staying relevant. Your co-development partner can incorporate their efficient technologies into your project and bring it to the next level!

Starting Your Global Market Expansion

The gaming audience knows no borders. Companies must adapt their products to cater to diverse cultural preferences and market trends worldwide. This expansion requires an understanding of the global gaming landscape and the ability to tailor games successfully to different regions. It’s so much easier when you have a co-development partner with experience in the regional markets you’re interested in.

No More Talent Shortages

Perhaps one of the most pressing challenges in the industry is the shortage of skilled game developers and designers. This scarcity can significantly delay game development and impact the overall quality of the final product. With a co-development partner, there will be no problem like this. You may outsource routine tasks freeing up time for your creative minds or you may set up a creative challenge for your co-development partner with a skilled art team on board.

Which Skills Are the Most In-Demand for Game Co-Development Now?

Professional full-cycle co-development partners are interesting and helpful in the context of in-demand skills and resources they can offer to your company’s title development. Today’s the most needed and wanted work areas for co-development in the game industry are:

Performance & Game Optimization

In the gamedev world performance optimization is key. Players demand seamless experiences with high frame rates and minimal lag. So, your co-development partners skilled in optimizing game performance can significantly enhance the overall player experience.

Assets Creation & Implementation

Creating and implementing assets, including 3D models, textures, and animations is a critical part of creating a game. Co-development partners proficient in asset creation and integration can ensure that your game’s visual elements are top-notch.

In terms of efficiency, it’s even more beneficial to order a full-cycle outsource. You’ll have both asset development and asset implementation to the game done by one team so that your inner specialists won’t need to fix any bugs connected with outsourcing artists’ work. Win-win!

Quality Assurance (QA)

Quality assurance is the backbone of any successful game launch. Rigorous testing and bug fixing are essential to delivering a polished and enjoyable game. Co-development studios with robust QA teams can help identify and rectify issues, ensuring a smoother game release.

What Are the World-Known Examples of Successful Co-Development? 

There’s no better illustration of co-development efficiency than the number of game titles you definitely admire that have appeared from such collaborations.

“Halo 4”

Microsoft’s 343 Industries collaborated with various studios, including Certain Affinity and Saber Interactive, to develop “Halo 4.” This collaboration led to the creation of one of the franchise’s most acclaimed titles.

“Final Fantasy VII Remake”

Square Enix partnered with CyberConnect2 to bring the highly anticipated “Final Fantasy VII Remake” to life. The collaboration allowed for a fresh perspective on the classic game, resulting in a critical and commercial success.

“Resident Evil Village”

Capcom worked with several external studios, including M-Two Inc., to develop “Resident Evil Village.” The collaboration helped deliver a game that revitalized the iconic franchise.

“Fortnite”

Epic Games continuously collaborates with various studios worldwide to create content for “Fortnite.” This ongoing co-development effort keeps the game fresh and exciting for its massive player base.

Why Refer to Walla Walla Studio As Your Co-Development Partner?

Finding the right co-development partner in the game industry is your crucial step towards creating successful and innovative games. Saying “games” we mean that it’s comfortable and efficient to create a long-term business relationship with a studio that will contribute not just to one of your titles but to every project you need help with.

What Does Walla Walla Studio Guarantee in Co-Development?

1. Reliable and responsible approach to product and service quality.

We uphold a steadfast commitment to ensuring the quality of both products and services. Expect a reliable and responsible approach to every aspect of your project.

2. An ability to contribute to the business and organizational issues of your project as well.

Beyond technical expertise, we’re ready to contribute valuable insights into the business and organizational facets of your project. We understand that success extends beyond code and graphics.

3. An access to the in-demand talents with exclusive professional expertise. 

With us, you gain access to highly sought-after talents boasting exclusive professional expertise. Our team comprises skilled individuals who are passionate about what they do.

4. Skilled project management allows join your team at any stage of game development or conduct a full cycle from scratch.

If you’ve already begun your project and find yourself facing challenges, our project management team can seamlessly integrate into your existing team. We’ll assess your current status, identify areas for improvement, and provide the necessary expertise to enhance and expedite your project’s development.

Alternatively, if you’re embarking on a new game development venture, we can take the reins from the very beginning. Our experienced producers and project managers will guide you through every stage of the development process, from initial concept and planning to design, development, testing, and launch.

5. Your project’s success is our major goal.

Yes, that is our primary goal from day one. At Walla Walla Studio, we understand that co-development is a collaborative journey. We are committed to delivering exceptional results while focusing on your project’s unique needs and objectives. Your success is our success, and we are dedicated to exceeding your expectations every step of the way.

Summing up

​​In a landscape where innovation and efficiency are paramount, co-development has emerged as the future of video game production, offering the key to overcoming challenges and creating exceptional gaming experiences. By implementing a co-development strategy with a reliable partner you’ll secure a competitive edge for yourself in the game industry for the next years.