Outsourcing special: Day one

Today, Develop has started a three-day focus into the finer points of the intricate practice of outsourcing.

Now an industry standard, outsourcing work has been a saving grace for many studios, but it is not without both pitfalls and controversy.

The first feature of the focus explores the merits of offshoring work overseas, which is fast becoming an industry standard. As outsourcing is about securing experienced staff that don’t require training, offshoring has sometimes been accused of taking work away from emerging domestic talent.

However, according to Monumental’s offshore manger David Tolley, who spoke to Develop for the feature, establishing workforces overseas is essential in the UK.

“Obviously cost can be a major factor when deciding to outsource," said Tolley, "but the fact is that the UK has nowhere near enough skilled artists to fill the roles currently taken by external developers. It can take years to train as a good game artist, so outsourcing is a great way to hire specialist skill fast.”

Click here to read the in-depth offshoring feature, and check back over the next two days when industry veterans such as Catalyst Outsourcing’s Ivan Davis and Beriah’s Kevin Hassall look into issues such as how much time the practice actually saves, and if spending less money means you simply get what you pay for.