Ustwo Games is making a bold move by shifting to a contractor-heavy staffing model as of April 30, 2026, in London. This strategic pivot aims to enhance flexibility and significantly reduce development costs while transitioning from mobile platforms to a focus on PC and console gaming.
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.
