Porting a game to new platforms is a critical step in expanding your audience and maximizing revenue. However, deciding whether to handle the porting process internally or to outsource it to a specialized studio can be challenging. Both options have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your team’s resources, expertise, and long-term goals.
In this article, we’ll break down the advantages of each approach, focusing on key factors like cost, time, quality, and scalability. Whether you’re working with Unreal Engine or another engine, and targeting consoles or other platforms, this guide will help you make an informed decision.
Pros of In-House Porting
1. Lower Upfront Costs
At first glance, handling the port internally might seem more cost-effective. You avoid paying external fees, and your team retains full control over the process.
- Hardware Costs: While you’ll need to invest in the necessary consoles and development kits, these are one-time expenses that can be reused for future projects.
- Time is Money: However, the time your team spends learning and executing the porting process can add up. If your developers are not already familiar with the target platform, the learning curve can be steep, potentially delaying your release.
2. Learning for Future Projects
Porting a game in-house allows your team to gain valuable experience, which can be beneficial if you plan to port multiple games in the future.
- Skill Retention: If your studio frequently releases games across multiple platforms, this knowledge can streamline future porting efforts.
- Limited Long-Term Value: On the other hand, if you only port games occasionally, the skills learned may become outdated by the time you need them again. Platforms and engines, like Unreal Engine, evolve rapidly, and best practices for optimization and development can change significantly between projects.
Pros of Outsourcing Porting
1. Faster Time to Market
One of the biggest advantages of outsourcing is speed. A specialized porting studio, like Making Port, already has the expertise and tools to handle the process efficiently.
- No Learning Curve: Your team won’t need to spend months learning the intricacies of a new platform. Instead, you can focus on what you do best. Developing new games or content.
- Parallel Development: Outsourcing allows you to work on your project while the port is being handled externally, reducing downtime and accelerating your release schedule.
2. Higher Quality and Expertise
A dedicated porting studio brings years of experience and specialized knowledge to the table. This often translates to a higher-quality final product.
- Platform-Specific Optimization: Specialized studios understand the nuances of optimization for different consoles and hardware. They know how to squeeze the best performance out of each platform, ensuring your game runs smoothly and looks great.
- Up-to-Date Practices: Porting is not a one-size-fits-all process. What worked for one game or platform may not work for another. Outsourcing ensures your game is ported using the latest tools and techniques, reducing the risk of technical issues or performance bottlenecks.
3. Staying Current with Industry Changes
The gaming industry is constantly evolving. New consoles, updates to Unreal Engine, and changes in platform requirements can make it difficult to stay current if porting isn’t your primary focus.
- Future-Proofing: By outsourcing, you ensure that your game is ported using the most recent standards and best practices. This is especially important if there’s a significant gap between your porting projects, as the landscape can change dramatically in just a few years.
Conclusion: Which Option Is Right for You?
The decision to port your game in-house or outsource ultimately depends on your studio’s resources, expertise, and long-term strategy.
- In-House Porting Makes Sense If:
- You plan to port games frequently and want to build internal expertise.
- You have the budget and time to invest in training and hardware.
- Your team is already familiar with the target platform and Unreal Engine (or your chosen engine).
- Outsourcing Is the Better Choice If:
- You want to save time and ensure a high-quality port without diverting your team’s focus.
- You don’t port games often and want to avoid the overhead of staying updated with platform changes.
- You prioritize optimization, performance, and a seamless player experience across all consoles.
For most indie and mid-sized studios, outsourcing porting to a specialized partner like Making Port is the most efficient and cost-effective solution. It allows you to leverage expert knowledge, reduce risks, and focus on what you do best. Creating amazing games.
