Choosing between building an in-house team and outsourcing game development is a dilemma many studios face. The decision often comes down to cost, control, and efficiency. But here’s the reality: outsourcing isn’t just a backup plan — it’s a strategic move that can save you time, money, and headaches.
Let’s break it down with hard numbers, real scenarios, and actionable insights to help you make the right call.
1. The Problem: Why the Choice Between In-House and Outsourcing is So Hard
- Fear of losing control: Studios worry that outsourcing means handing over the reins.
- Hidden costs of in-house teams: Salaries, taxes, office space, and equipment add up fast.
- Misconceptions about outsourcing: Many think it’s only for large studios or short-term projects.
But here’s the truth: outsourcing can be cheaper, faster, and more flexible — if done right.
2. The Real Cost of an In-House Team
Let’s crunch the numbers. Building an in-house team isn’t just about salaries. Here’s what you’re really paying for:
Recruitment and Onboarding
- Time: It takes an average of 42 days to fill a game developer position.
- Cost: Recruitment fees can range from 4,000 to 7,000 per hire.
- Onboarding: New employees take 3–6 months to reach full productivity.
Salaries and Taxes
Average salaries:
- Game Developer: 80,000–120,000/year
- 3D Artist: 60,000–90,000/year
- QA Tester: 40,000–60,000/year
Additional costs: Taxes, insurance, and benefits can add 20–30% to salary expenses.
Office and Equipment
- Office space: Rent can cost 10,000–20,000/month in major cities.
- Equipment: High-end workstations, software licenses, and peripherals can cost 5,000–10,000 per employee.
Downtime and Risks
- Project delays: If your game hits a snag, your team sits idle, but you still pay them.
- Employee turnover: Replacing a developer can cost 6–9 months of their salary.
Total Cost: For a team of 10, you’re looking at 1.2M–2M/year — and that’s before delays or turnover.
3. The Cost of Game Outsourcing: Why It’s Often Cheaper
Outsourcing isn’t just about cutting costs — it’s about optimizing them. Here’s how:
Transparent Rates
- You pay only for the work done, with no hidden costs.
- Example: Outsourcing to a studio like iLogos can cost 30–50/hour per specialist, depending on expertise.
Flexibility
- Scale your team up or down as needed. No paying for idle employees.
- Example: Need 10 artists for a 3-month crunch? Done. Need to reduce the team afterward? No problem.
Access to Expertise
- Outsourcing studios like iLogos have multiple gamedev professionals with experience in Unity, Unreal Engine, blockchain, AI, and more.
- No need to train employees, just tap into ready-made expertise.
Total Savings: Outsourcing can reduce development costs by 20–40%, depending on the project.
4. When Outsourcing Makes Sense
Here are the scenarios where outsourcing is the smarter choice:
Short-Term or Project-Based Work
- Example: Developing a prototype or MVP.
- Why: No need to hire a full-time team for a 3–6 month project.
Peak Workloads
- Example: Crunch time before a major release.
- Why: Quickly add 10–20 specialists without long-term commitments.
Niche Expertise
- Example: game back-end, blockchain integration or developing VR features.
- Why: Avoid hiring expensive specialists for one-off tasks.
LiveOps and Post-Launch Support
- Example: Regular updates, bug fixes, and community management.
- Why: Maintain your game without keeping a full team on payroll.
5. How iLogos Solves Common Outsourcing Pain Points
Still hesitant? Here’s how we address the biggest concerns:
Quality Control
- We provide weekly reports, demos, and sprint reviews to keep you in the loop.
- Our QA process ensures 98% bug-free delivery at launch.
Clear Deadlines
- We’ve delivered 500+ projects on time, including hits like Shadow Fight 1-3 (100M+ downloads).
- Agile methodologies keep us on track, even with tight deadlines.
Legal Security
- Every project starts with a clear contract, including NDAs and quality guarantees.
- We handle all legal and financial risks, so you don’t have to.
6. Checklist: Is Outsourcing Right for You?
Answer these questions to find out:
- Is your project short-term or seasonal?
- Do you need to scale your team quickly?
- Are you looking to save on taxes, office space, and equipment?
- Do you require niche skills (e.g., blockchain, AI, VR)?
- Are you ready to focus on strategy while experts handle execution?
If you answered “yes” to 3 or more, outsourcing is your best bet.
Conclusion
Outsourcing isn’t just a cost-saving measure — it’s a strategic advantage. With iLogos, you get:
- Cost savings of 20–40% compared to in-house teams.
- Access to multiple gamedev experts across all areas of game development.
- Flexibility to scale your team as needed.
Ready to see how much you can save? Why Wait? Contact iLogos Game Studio today for a free consultation or project audit.
