Ustwo Games plans to lower development costs and increase contractor use for PC and console shift
Updated
Updated · Game Developer · Apr 28
Ustwo Games plans to lower development costs and increase contractor use for PC and console shift
2 articles · Updated · Game Developer · Apr 28
CEO Maria Sayans revealed Ustwo's recent titles cost £7–10 million over three to four years, with staff peaking at 40 during Monument Valley 3's development.
The studio will now maintain a core team of under 30 employees, relying more on contractors and co-development teams to improve flexibility and financial sustainability.
This shift follows declining mobile platform deals and aims to balance meaningful single-player experiences with sustainable budgets, while also reconsidering game pricing strategies for platforms like Steam.
Is the era of stable careers at acclaimed indie game studios now over?
How is AI reshaping game studio hiring even faster than executives admit?
Is the contractor model a cure for the game industry's crisis or just another symptom?
When studios shed employees for contractors, who truly owns the creative vision?
Did London's high costs force this change, or is it a global industry trend?
Can a studio built on contractors capture the magic of Monument Valley again?