MASTERING THE ART OF GAME ART OUTSOURCING AND MAXIMIZING ITS BENEFITS

1. What does game art outsourcing entail?

Game art outsourcing involves commissioning digital art for your mobile or PC game from an external contractor rather than relying on an in-house team.

2. How does game development outsourcing differ from game art outsourcing?

Game development encompasses the complete cycle of creating a product, while game art production is just one aspect of this process.

3. What is the cost of game art outsourcing?

The price of game art outsourcing depends on the specific task, its scope, and its complexity. Generally, outsourcing can be more cost-effective compared to in-house production, but this can vary across regions. For instance, average hourly rates in the US or Canada may be considerably higher than those in Eastern Europe. Nonetheless, high-quality work with complex requirements will likely come at a higher cost. Additionally, if the rates offered are significantly lower than the average, it's essential to scrutinize the outsourcing partner's qualifications and understanding of the task.

4. Can game art outsourcing help me save on my development budget?

It's not always the case. More frequently, you might engage an external partner when you have a consistent content production process and need to expand it. In such cases, outsourcing can significantly accelerate your game development.

5. How does working with a game art outsourcing company differ from working with a freelance artist?

A game art studio typically has a well-structured production process and a dedicated project manager for communication. While there are many skilled freelancers, managing several of them for a larger project can be challenging. In contrast, when working with a game art studio, there will be management overseeing work-in-progress updates, as well as an art lead or art director ensuring compliance with the art style. If an artist becomes unavailable, a studio will provide a replacement, whereas finding a substitute for a freelancer would be your responsibility.

6. Are game art studios and game art outsourcing studios essentially the same?

While there may be minor differences, both types of studios focus on digital art production for video games.

8. Is game art outsourcing suitable for small indie developers?

Outsourcing teams offer services to both large companies and indie studios. However, the best use of an outsourcing team is often to help scale up the production of an existing mobile or PC game requiring a continuous stream of new content.

9. Do game art outsourcing companies excel in all areas of expertise?

Different companies specialize in different services, such as 2D, 3D, or animation. It's advisable to inquire about their primary areas of expertise at the beginning of your collaboration. For example, Star Game Studios specializes in custom-made 3D low-poly assets for mobile games, game characters, casual 2D illustrations, game icons, and items, among other services.

10. Do I need to have a call with a game art outsourcing studio to have my project reviewed and estimated?

Calls are not mandatory, and their necessity depends on your preferred communication style. Based on experience, the most efficient initial stage involves providing a project brief with all the necessary information for an estimate.

11. What is the fastest way to receive an estimate for my new project?

For a quick response, supply your potential game art outsourcing partner with a project brief that includes a list of content, a detailed description of all required assets, their specifications, and ideally, art style and pipeline guides. Alternatively, you can obtain a preliminary ballpark estimate by sharing an example of the desired art style and a general description of your requirements. This approach is more suitable for 2D art than 3D modeling. You may find our 2D project brief sample and 3D modeling task checklist helpful at this stage.

12. What red flags should I watch for during the initial communication with an external contractor?

Be cautious if the contractor:

• Asks too few or no questions, as more questions typically lead to more accurate estimates
• Provides estimates immediately without gathering information from you
• Has no feedback from other customers
• Is overly aggressive or pushy from a sales perspective

A reliable partner prioritizes their ability to complete the task, followed by the timeline and pricing.

13. How can I ensure confidentiality when sharing my project brief with multiple potential partners?

At Star Game Studios, we take the confidentiality of our partners' information seriously. To maintain confidentiality, we often propose signing an MNDA (Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement) to allow partners to share materials and documents about their projects freely and securely.

14. What are the payment options for game development and art outsourcing?

Common payment options include wire transfers to a bank account, Payoneer, or PayPal. PayPal is predominantly used by freelancers, while wire transfers are the standard method for legal entities like Limited Liability Companies and their global equivalents.

15. What other indicators suggest that a game art outsourcing studio is reliable?

Check if the studio maintains a blog where, in addition to discussing their game art outsourcing services, they share expertise, offer valuable advice, and engage in relevant industry topics.

16. Can you recommend any top game art outsourcing studios for my project?

We prefer not to single out any specific studios, as each has its own merits and proven expertise. If you'd like a personal recommendation, feel free to contact us.

17. Will my game art vendor assist with submitting my game to the App Store?

We have created an in-depth guide on submitting your game or app to the App Store, which we hope you find helpful.