Ustwo Games to consider hiring more contractors to reduce development costs
Ustwo Games is reworking how it staffs and budgets projects after shifting to a PC-first strategy. CEO Maria Sayans said the studio’s old model—£7 million to £10 million budgets over three to four years—won’t fit the new direction, especially for smaller-scale PC games like Alba or Assemble With Care.
The practical change is a bigger reliance on contractors and co-dev, with a smaller core team and expansion only when needed. Ustwo currently has about 30 employees, rising to 40 during Monument Valley 3, but Sayans said contractor use was too low and will increase going forward. She also floated higher launch prices with later discounts as a way to keep the studio sustainable, even if that’s unpopular with players.
“We need to lower that.”
- what
- Ustwo Games plans to reduce development budgets by using more contractors and co-development.
- who
- CEO Maria Sayans outlined the strategy for Ustwo Games.
- when
- The studio currently has about 30 employees, rising to 40 during Monument Valley 3 development.
- impact
- Smaller core teams and more contract labor can lower fixed costs but reduce long-term job security.
Cost control helps sustainability, but job security takes a hit.
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