Concept art is a crucial part of any game development project, providing artists with a visual representation of a game’s overall design and aesthetic.
With the increasing demand for high-quality games and the need to keep costs down, many studios have turned to outsourcing concept art to third-party artists. In this article, we will explore the benefits and risks of concept art outsourcing, as well as real-life examples to illustrate how it has been used successfully in the industry.
Benefits of Concept Art Outsourcing
Cost Savings
One of the primary benefits of outsourcing concept art is cost savings. By hiring artists from a third-party studio, studios can avoid the high costs associated with hiring and training in-house artists. In addition, outsourcing to a studio with specialized expertise in concept art can lead to better quality work at a lower cost.
Time Savings
Outsourcing also provides time savings for studios. By delegating the concept art work to a third-party studio, teams can focus on other aspects of game development, such as programming and design. This can lead to faster project timelines and increased productivity.
Access to Specialized Expertise
Outsourcing also provides access to specialized expertise that may not be available in-house. For example, a third-party studio with experience in a specific game engine or art style may be able to provide better results than an in-house artist without that expertise.
Scalability
Finally, outsourcing allows studios to scale their concept art production as needed. This can be particularly useful during crunch periods, when deadlines are tight and additional artists are needed to meet them.
Risks of Concept Art Outsourcing
Communication Breakdowns
One of the main risks of outsourcing concept art is communication breakdowns. With teams working remotely, it can be challenging to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that designs are being executed correctly. This can lead to delays and rework, ultimately increasing costs.
Quality Control
Another risk is quality control. When outsourcing concept art to a third-party studio, studios must trust that the work being produced meets their standards. However, this can be difficult to ensure, particularly if the studio has little experience with the specific game or art style.
Intellectual Property Rights
Finally, there is the risk of intellectual property rights issues. When working with third-party artists, studios must ensure that they are not infringing on any copyrights or trademarks. This can be particularly challenging when dealing with complex art styles or designs that may be difficult to reproduce.
Real-Life Examples of Concept Art Outsourcing
Epic Games
Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, has been open about their use of outsourcing for concept art. In an interview with Polygon, Epic’s lead game designer said that they often outsource concept art to third-party studios in order to take advantage of specialized expertise and keep costs down.
Ubisoft
Ubisoft, the creator of Assassin’s Creed, also outsources concept art to third-party studios. In an interview with GamesRadar+, one of Ubisoft’s art directors said that they often work with specialized artists who have expertise in specific game engines or art styles.
CD Project Red
CD Project Red, the creator of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, also outsources concept art to third-party studios. In an interview with Kotaku, one of the game’s artists said that they often work with freelance artists who have expertise in specific areas, such as character design or environment art.
FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of concept art outsourcing?
A: Cost savings, time savings, access to specialized expertise, and scalability.
Q: What are the risks of concept art outsourcing?
