As the gaming industry continues to expand rapidly, with an estimated 1.47 billion people gaming by 2027, the demand for game development outsourcing continues to grow.

With studios working hard to keep up with player expectations, tight production timelines, keeping cost down and the growing complexity of making modern games, outsourcing has become a strategic resource.

Choosing the right outsourcing partner is more important than ever, and can be difficult knowing who to go with. The success of a partnership often hinges on the ingenuity, problem-solving, skills, reliability and compatibility of the external development teams, making it essential that studios carefully evaluate a potential partner.

This blog will explore the growing trend of outsourcing, and the top 10 game development outsourcing companies that we recommend you use in 2025.

Industry Trends and Market Overview

The gaming industry is continuously shaped by new trends. It is a fast-paced, ever-evolving sector that is always introducing new workflows and technologies.

As demand accelerates and the number of players grows, studios and publishers must adapt to a dynamic landscape shaped by price-conscious consumers, shifting preferences and emerging technologies.

AI and automation are playing an increasingly prominent role in outsourcing workflows from art generation to QA and localization. According to the XDS report published in 2025, 78% of publishers are either already using or planning to adopt AI within the next year which outpaces the 56% of outsourcing studios with similar intentions.

In terms of platform focus, the top three for developers remain Console Games, PC/Browser Games, and Mobile Games. Meanwhile, VR/AR continues to gain traction, hinting at potential future investment opportunities. These evolving trends underscore the importance of outsourcing providers being able to adapt and innovate alongside the industry.

Benefits of Outsourcing

There are several reasons why studios and publishers may choose to use a game art outsourcing company. Here are some of the most common:

• Access to international talent and specialized expertise.

• Flexibility to scale teams up or down based on project needs and timelines.

• Increased content production capabilities, particularly for live service games that require continuous updates and new features.

• Cost savings on long-term expenses such as hiring, office space, equipment, and software licenses.

• Access to rare or hard-to-find skills, such as cross-platform development (PC, console, mobile) or expertise in emerging technologies like AI programming or blockchain.

Game Development Process and Stages

Outsourcing in game development spans the entire production pipeline, offering support at every stage of a game’s lifecycle. Some outsourcing studios provide full-cycle development, while others specialize in specific areas.

Understanding these phases helps studios determine when to engage external teams to maximize efficiency and quality.

In pre-production, outsourcing partners can assist with game design documentation, technical planning, concept art, and visual development in the early stages which is often referred to as "blue-sky" concepts where teams begin exploring the project’s art direction.

During production, external teams may take on tasks such as 3D modeling, coding, production concept art, UI/UX design, and more, enabling studios to scale quickly and meet deadlines.

As the project progresses through alpha, beta, and gold stages, outsourced QA teams play a critical role in bug tracking and playtesting, ensuring the game is polished and stable before release.

In the post-launch phase, many studios rely on outsourced support for live operations, content updates, porting, and performance optimization across different devices and platforms.

By aligning the right outsourcing partners with each phase of development, studios can gain flexibility, reduce risk, and maintain a high standard of quality throughout the game’s lifecycle.

How to Choose the Right Outsourcing Partner

Choosing the right outsourcing partner can feel like a daunting task, but here are a few key tips to help you decide with confidence:

• Quality of Work - Evaluate the outsourcing studio’s portfolio, whether it includes internal projects, individual artist contributions, or previous client work. This provides a strong indication of their artistic capabilities and style alignment.

• Track Record and Established Relationships – When selecting a game art outsourcing studio, it’s important to assess their credentials, experience, and past projects. Case studies offer insight into a studio’s processes and problem-solving capabilities. If confidentiality limits the availability of case studies, client testimonials serve as valuable, authentic proof of expertise and reliability.

• Communication – Strong communication is perhaps one of the most important parts of a successful partnership, and often overlooked. An introductory email followed by a call can help you gauge their responsiveness, workflow, and cultural fit. These early conversations are essential for clarifying project scope, timelines, and potential challenges.

• Rates – It’s important that the studio’s rates align with your budget. Some outsourcing partners offer flexible pricing models or discounts based on task type, project duration, or contract terms. Understanding these options upfront can help you make a cost-effective decision.

• Establish Objectives and Measurements – To ensure a successful partnership, provide a clear and detailed brief outlining art style, quality standards, deliverables, and deadlines. Supplying internal references and setting benchmarks helps align expectations, reduce miscommunication, and build trust, allowing the outsourcing team to integrate seamlessly with yours.

• Test the Waters – If you're still unsure after initial discussions, consider starting with a small task or art test. This allows you to evaluate the studio’s quality, reliability, and responsiveness to feedback. It’s also important to confirm that the same team handling the test will work on the main project to ensure consistency and maintain production standards.

Leading Game Development Outsourcing Companies in 2025

Finding an outsourcing company can feel like an incredibly daunting task, especially when you are looking online, but we’ve curated a list of known and trusted outsourcing companies, from specialists to large full-development studios for you to choose from!

Athena Productions

It’s no surprise that we hold ourselves in high regard as an outsourcing studio - but we believe there’s something unique about what we offer, and the experience we give our partners when working with us.

Athena Productions is a concept art, visual development, and UI/UX outsourcing studio supporting both AAA and indie game projects. We’re recognized for our consistent quality, strong communication, and dependable delivery - qualities that have helped us build long-term, trusted partnerships with our clients.

Beyond production, we’re also committed to sharing our knowledge. Through our YouTube channel and blog, we provide insights into our workflows, helping clients and artists better understand how we work and what sets us apart.

Dekogon Games

Dekogon is a well-known 3D outsourcing studio based in North America, originally founded by veterans of the gaming industry. If you've worked with assets from the Unreal Marketplace (now known as FAB), chances are you’ve come across some of Dekogon’s high-quality 3D packs.

The team at Dekogon is highly experienced in using both Unreal Engine and Unity, with expertise spanning environments, props, characters, and hard surface modeling.

NMBRS Studio

NMBRS is a boutique visual studio specializing in high-end CG trailers and cinematic storytelling. With a team of seasoned digital artists, they offer a comprehensive production pipeline such as character design, environment creation, and advanced visual effects.

Focused on delivering original and visually striking content, NMBRS brings imaginative visions to life across trailers, key art, and in-game cinematics.

Virtuos

Virtuos is an independent video game development company providing full-cycle game co-development, engineering, and art production services. Virtuos has contributed to over 1,500 games across console, PC, and mobile platforms.

ENTANGLED Studio

ENTANGLED Studio is a co-development outsourcing studio specializing in full-cycle art production for video games. With expertise across multiple production pipelines, the studio supports partners from initial concept through to quality assurance testing.

Onyx Studio

Onyx Studio is a co-development and art production studio that provides services such as level design, 3D asset creation, and game development to clients including EA/DICE, Activision, Microsoft, and Epic Games.

Airship Interactive

Airship Interactive is a co-development and external art studio for the gaming industry. The studio specializes in character and environment art, technical art, props, level design, biome creation, AI integration, and art consultancy services.

Meteor Pixel

Meteor Pixel, established in 2016, partners with clients across the gaming industry to provide co-development and art outsourcing. Their services include game design, programming, and the creation of immersive VR experiences.

Plan A Collective

Plan A Collective is a game development studio specializing in full-scale co-development, engineering, and porting. The team delivers a wide range of services including 3D asset creation, grooming, visual effects (VFX), technical art, and UI/UX.

K9 Digital

K9 Digital is a UK-based studio specializing in 3D character creation for games, film, TV, and VR. With a highly experienced team, the studio delivers character art across a wide range of styles from hyper-realistic to stylized, covering every stage of the 3D character production pipeline.

Final Thoughts

Outsourcing still remains a powerful and strategic approach for 2025, enabling game studios to keep agile, access global expertise, and manage costs effectively.

However, true success lies in striking the right balance between cost-efficiency, quality of service, and specialized skills.

As developers and publishers navigate an increasingly competitive and changing landscape, carefully selecting and nurturing partnerships will be essential - not just for immediate gains, but for sustainable, long-term growth.

At Athena Productions, we specialize in concept art outsourcing that goes beyond aesthetics - every design we craft serves a purpose and tells a story. With years of experience behind us, we combine artistic vision with skill to turn your ideas into memorable realities.

Ready to build immersive, narrative-driven designs? Our concept art studio is here to collaborate and bring your vision to life. Let’s create something extraordinary together!