The decision comes after Maria Sayans, the studio’s leader, acknowledged the need for lower development budgets—previously ranging between £7 million and £10 million for mobile titles. Currently, Ustwo employs about 30 people, increasing to 40 during the production of Monument Valley 3. Yet, Sayans emphasized that future growth will rely heavily on contractors.

Key facts:

• Ustwo Games is transitioning from a traditional employee model to utilizing contractors for greater flexibility.
• The studio’s historical budget for mobile games has been between £7 million and £10 million.
• Currently, they have about 30 permanent staff members, which swells to 40 during peak production times.
• Sayans pointed out that their reliance on contractors was minimal during the height of Monument Valley 3’s development.

This strategic pivot aligns with Ustwo’s exploration of higher game pricing models—an approach that may not sit well with all players. Sayans remarked that while some may resist this change, core fans might perceive little difference between pricing points of £5 and £10. The intention is clear: pricing games higher could ensure sustainability for the team while allowing room for later discounts.

As Ustwo moves away from mobile platforms, the focus sharpens on PC gaming and console-first releases. This decision reflects broader industry trends where indie titles are increasingly making their mark beyond smartphones. However, it raises questions about how these changes will affect player engagement and market competition.

What remains uncertain is how effectively Ustwo can implement this contractor model while maintaining the quality and creativity that fans expect. The balance between flexibility and artistic integrity will be crucial in their upcoming projects.

The post Ustwo Games: A Strategic Shift in Development Model appeared first on News Canada.

The studio has historically produced mobile games with budgets ranging from £7 million to £10 million. Currently, Ustwo employs around 30 people, but this number swells to about 40 during peak development phases, such as with Monument Valley 3. Maria Sayans, the studio’s head, emphasized the need for lower budgets for future projects, indicating that the reliance on contractors will be crucial moving forward.

Key insights from Maria Sayans:

• “We’ve been a little bit too romantic about the idea that we should have employees and give people long-term job security.”
• “I think going forward, we’ll see that we’ve got a core team and any growth will come through contractors.”
• “Pricing [a game] too low is playing with the sustainability of the team… if in doubt, price it a little bit higher because you can always discount later.”

This shift reflects broader trends in the gaming industry where studios are increasingly evaluating their business models. Ustwo’s decision comes amid rising development costs and an evolving market landscape. The studio hopes that by maintaining a core team while expanding through contractors, they can better manage expenses without sacrificing quality.