The future of external development in the gaming industry is an intriguing and multifaceted topic, one that is ripe for exploration and analysis. In my opinion, the industry is on the cusp of a significant shift, and the external development sector is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping this transformation. Let's delve into the key insights and predictions, offering a comprehensive overview of what the future may hold.
The Evolving Landscape of External Development
External development, a critical component of the gaming ecosystem, is undergoing a profound evolution. The industry is moving away from the traditional model of hiring large internal teams and towards a more strategic and integrated approach. This shift is driven by the increasing complexity and scale of modern games, which demand a more nuanced and specialized approach to development.
From Capacity Support to Capability Support
One of the most significant changes in external development is the transition from capacity support to capability support. In the past, external teams primarily focused on providing additional resources to help internal teams meet production goals. However, the future of external development is about more than just capacity; it's about expertise and specialized skills. The best external partners will own features, pipelines, live content, and even significant portions of a game, becoming an integral part of the development process.
The Rise of Co-Development
Marco Bettencourt, CEO and Founder of Redcatpig, highlights the future of external development as "much less about outsourcing and much more about true co-development." This shift towards co-development is a significant trend, as external teams become more deeply involved in the creative and technical vision of a game. By integrating external partners into the development process, studios can leverage specialized skills and expertise, leading to more innovative and high-quality games.
AI's Impact and Human Connection
AI is undoubtedly reshaping game development workflows, but it doesn't diminish the need for great external partners. In fact, AI amplifies the importance of human creativity and connection. As AI automates repetitive tasks, human intelligence and judgment become even more critical. The most memorable games are built on original ideas, emotional resonance, and the craftsmanship required to transform a vision into an experience that players care about.
Human connection will become an even greater differentiator. Publishers will seek partners they trust, teams that genuinely care about the games they create, and collaborators capable of bringing passion, creativity, and fresh thinking to the table. The future is not about human creativity versus AI; it's about talented teams using AI to amplify their capabilities and create experiences that would not have been possible otherwise.
The Role of External Publishing Development
Adam Orth, COO of Midwest Games, predicts the evolution of external development beyond traditional co-development, porting, QA, and art support. The next major evolution is external publishing development, where experienced publishing operators embed alongside studios and publishers to provide scalable support across production, marketing, community, platform strategy, forecasting, data analysis, creator programs, and launch execution. This shift reflects the industry's need for flexible, modular publishing ecosystems where external specialists can plug into projects at the exact moment they are needed.
The Power of Specialised Studios
Chris Wood, CEO of Tanglewood Games, emphasizes the value of specialised studios and their focused expertise. These nimble and experienced partners can slot into any development team seamlessly, taking projects to the next level. By banding together and sharing knowledge, specialised studios can offer multi-faceted solutions and achieve common creative goals. Networks of these specialised studios are being formed, and they hold the key to a future of sustainable and efficient game development.
The Future is Now
In conclusion, the future of external development is bright and full of potential. The industry is evolving towards a more strategic, integrated, and co-development-focused approach. AI will play a significant role in automating repetitive tasks, but human creativity and connection will remain fundamental. The rise of external publishing development and the power of specialised studios will shape the industry's future, leading to more innovative and high-quality games. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, external development will be at the forefront, driving the industry forward and creating experiences that captivate players around the world.
