Finding the right game art partner is no easy quest, and the success of your game could depend on it. In this two-part blog series, we’ll start by exploring why outsourcing is often the best choice, plus key models and benefits to consider before choosing a partner. Let’s get started!
The global gaming market is on track to exceed $363 billion by 2027. (UStimes) So, it goes without saying that making game art that stands out from the rest is a critical competitive advantage. Visuals aren’t just decoration — they form players’ first and lasting impressions. High-impact environments, memorable characters, and intuitive UI drive engagement and retention through thoughtful character design and overall game design.
Whether you’re an indie studio or an established publisher, augmenting your core art team with specialized partners lets you scale rapidly and control costs. But choosing the wrong partner can undermine your creative vision, slow your game development timeline, and ultimately your budget.
Partnering with the right game art team means balancing quality, speed, cost, and cultural fit — and that’s where GlobalStep’s nearly two decades of stylized-and-casual expertise ensures your project looks and plays exactly as you intend.
In-House vs. Outsourcing: Choosing the Right Model
To decide between in-house and game development outsourcing, compare the trade-offs below. An internal team offers full control and shared culture, while a game art outsourcing studio delivers on-demand game art services — from 2d game art outsourcing to 3d art services — with minimal overhead. Top game art outsourcing companies streamline art outsourcing and outsourcing game art so you scale fast without sacrificing quality.
| In-House Team | Outsourced Partner | |
| Control & Culture | Direct oversight, shared company values. | Leverage established processes — vetted partners primed to learn and embody your team culture and adapts quickly to your priorities. |
| Upfront Investment | Very high (hiring, benefits, workspace, training). | Minimal — only pay for delivered assets, no long-term commitments or overhead. |
| Talent Pool | A la carte talent pool but limited by local availability. | Access to best-in-class specialists worldwide, across the style spectrum in 2D and 3D design from hand painted to PBR. |
| Scalability | Slow, costly. Hiring/firing cycles can affect your PR. | On-demand scaling — ramp team size up or down within days according to planned project milestones and seasonal needs. |
| Time to Market | Long ramp-up for recruitment and onboarding. | Rapid kickoff via proven pipelines — start seeing concept art in weeks, not months. |
Key Benefits of Outsourcing Your Game Art
- Cost Efficiency: Some milestones are more intense than others. Increasing your internal headcount can slow down progress and be wasteful on low intensity cycles. Your funding can go farther when you supplemented (and boost) using scheduled spending per milestone.
- Speed & Agility: Tap into ready-made teams with domain-specific pipelines — no onboarding lag. If your pipeline isn’t set, experts can design one that’s right for you.
- Access to Innovation: Our varied experience gives us insight into various cutting-edge tools and workflows you get to use immediately.
- Risk Mitigation: Shift responsibility for deadlines, quality assurance, and IP security to experts.
Now that we’ve covered why outsourcing is a smart move and how it supports your game development goals, stay tuned for Part 2 — where we break down the seven essential factors you should use to evaluate and choose the right game art partner.
