47% of game studios unhappy with outsourcing results: survey

CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — Outsourcing has become a staple in the game development industry, offering access to specialized skills and cost efficiencies. However, a recent survey by 80 Level revealed that 47% of game studios are not fully satisfied with the results of their outsourcing efforts. 

The primary reasons for this dissatisfaction include poor quality of services and communication issues.

Game studios’ loyalty to outsourcers

The survey utilized the Net Promoter Score (NPS) to gauge the loyalty of game studios to their outsourcing partners. The aggregated NPS score was a negative -24%, indicating a significant level of dissatisfaction among respondents. 

Specifically, 47% of participants rated their experience between 0-6 out of 10, while only 23% gave a high satisfaction score of 9-10. Approximately 30% fell into the passive category, rating their experience between 7-8.

Top reasons for outsourcing dissatisfaction

The survey highlighted several key issues contributing to the negative experiences of game studios with outsourcing:

• Low quality of services (57%): The most common complaint was the subpar quality of work delivered by outsourcing partners. This has led to frustrations and unmet expectations.
• Communication complications (30%): Poor communication processes were cited as the second most significant issue. Misunderstandings and lack of clear communication channels have hampered project progress.
• Unmet obligations (19%): Some studios reported that the services received did not align with the promises made by outsourcers, leading to further dissatisfaction.
• Pricing terms (10%): Issues with adherence to the original contract’s pricing terms were also mentioned, though less frequently.
• Missed deadlines (2%): A smaller percentage of respondents experienced delays in project timelines, adding to their frustrations.

Comparing data with industry reports

The findings from the 80 Level are consistent with the 2023 XDS report, which also identified poor communication as a major challenge in outsourcing. The XDS report noted that communication issues were second only to the lack of capacity among outsourcers.

The dissatisfaction among game studios highlights the critical need for choosing reliable and high-quality outsourcing partners. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, addressing these issues will be essential for fostering successful outsourcing relationships.