Ustwo Games is evaluating the possibility of increasing their contractor hires as a strategy to lower development expenses

After shifting focus to prioritize PC platforms, Ustwo Games has outlined plans to significantly cut development costs by increasingly employing contractors, as stated by the company's CEO, Maria Sayans.

In an interview with Game Developer, Sayans discussed Ustwo's history of creating mobile games with budgets between £7 million to £10 million, spanning production periods of three to four years. However, the CEO emphasized a need for drastic reductions in future projects.

Sayans remarked, "Projects akin to Alba or Assemble With Care need to be developed with much less financial input. There are successful models on PC platforms operating with considerably smaller budgets, which we find challenging due to being based in London with obligations like staff pensions."

Ustwo currently maintains a workforce of approximately 30, which expands to 40 when working on larger projects such as Monument Valley 3.

Reflecting on the company's outlook, Sayans commented on their prior approach: "We've perhaps been too inclined towards ensuring long-term job security for our staff. At the peak of the Monument Valley 3 project, our reliance on contractors was minimal. This is an aspect we aim to change moving forward."

The CEO elaborated on prospective changes, stating, "We'll focus on maintaining a core team, with any expansion managed via hiring contractors. It's a shift that I find challenging yet necessary after 20 years in the industry. We once enjoyed stability, which I hope to provide to our partners under this new model."

Adding to this plan, Sayans underscored the importance of moving towards flexible partnerships through increased contracting and co-development, which will aid in maintaining budgetary control.

To enhance financial stability, Sayans proposed introducing games at a higher initial price while offering subsequent discounts. "Although this approach might not be warmly received, our dedicated players are likely to see the value between a £5 and £10 pricing difference as marginal," she noted.