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People have been asking me about the outsourcing thing, specifically the claim made that Halo Infinite is outsourcing "at a ratio higher than a typical studio."
I didn't address this because we have no substantial info here, it's pure conjecture, but here's some insight... https://twitter.com/haruspis/status/1296248345237901313
I didn't address this because we have no substantial info here, it's pure conjecture, but here's some insight... https://twitter.com/haruspis/status/1296248345237901313
At least 10 external studios are credited for Halo 3:
- Damnfx
- Zoic Studios
- FASA
- Rare
- Excell Data Corporation
- Volt
- Xversity
- Filter
- FilmOasis
- Sakson and Taylor
These are partners for cinematic animation, and contractors for producers/engineering/artist/testing.
- Damnfx
- Zoic Studios
- FASA
- Rare
- Excell Data Corporation
- Volt
- Xversity
- Filter
- FilmOasis
- Sakson and Taylor
These are partners for cinematic animation, and contractors for producers/engineering/artist/testing.
(Note that The Last of Us Part II had 14 studios total working on it, not dissimilar numbers here spaced a decade apart.)
Microsoft is further credited for support on User Research and Experience, Research, Finance, HR/Recruiting, Testing, Localisation, and Marketing & PR.
Microsoft is further credited for support on User Research and Experience, Research, Finance, HR/Recruiting, Testing, Localisation, and Marketing & PR.
There's this idea that the final product was this gloriously singular, artistic, 'auteur' vision of Bungie which they brought to life all by themselves.
Get rid of this idea. This isn't how it works. Game dev (especially Triple-A game dev) is a MASSIVE collaborative enterprise.
Get rid of this idea. This isn't how it works. Game dev (especially Triple-A game dev) is a MASSIVE collaborative enterprise.
QA testing, Localisation, Audio, art and visual assets, programming, CG and animation, network stuff, even writing - all these things and more are often outsourced to other companies, which is why credits are so long and there are a bunch of other logos on the box.
Studios quite simply don't have the time, money, resources, and experienced personnel to handle all of these things on a purely internal basis. That's why outsourcing has all of these specialist areas.
With regards to Halo Infinite, don't jump to conclusions on this because a) we don't have visibility on the specifics, b) we don't know what's "usual" for a next-gen title, and c) devs have been working from home since March, an internationally unprecedented situation.
