Success Story: How Indie Studio Found Perfect Audio Partner

When Moonlight Games started developing their atmospheric puzzle game Echoes of the Deep, they knew audio would be crucial. As a small three-person team, they needed an outsourcing partner who could deliver high-quality sound design and music without breaking their budget. Here's how they found the perfect match.

The Challenge

Moonlight Games faced several challenges common to indie studios:

• Limited budget: They had set aside funds for audio but couldn't afford AAA rates
• Specific vision: The game required a unique soundscape blending orchestral and electronic elements
• No audio expertise: None of the team members had audio experience to evaluate potential partners
• Time pressure: They needed to launch within 6 months to hit their target release date

The Search Process

Finding Candidates

The team used Game Dev Outsourcing to find potential partners:

1. Filtered by Audio services to narrow down to relevant companies
2. Further filtered by budget range and team size to find appropriately sized partners
3. Reviewed portfolios, focusing on atmospheric and indie game work
4. Created a shortlist of 5 companies that seemed like good fits

Evaluating Options

For each shortlisted company, they:

• Listened to portfolio samples with similar mood to their game
• Read company descriptions and service offerings
• Checked responsiveness by sending initial inquiries
• Assessed communication style and professionalism

The Test Project

After narrowing down to 2 finalists, Moonlight commissioned paid test projects:

• Each company created a 30-second audio sample for a key scene
• Budget: $200 per test (a worthwhile investment to find the right partner)
• Timeline: One week turnaround

The tests revealed differences that weren't apparent from portfolios alone:

• Company A delivered technically excellent work but didn't quite capture the mood
• Company B (SoundScape Studios) nailed the emotional tone and was highly responsive to feedback

The Partnership

Moonlight chose SoundScape Studios based on the test project results and their communication style.

Scope of Work

The final agreement covered:

• Original soundtrack: 45 minutes of adaptive music
• Sound effects: 200+ unique sounds
• Voice processing: Whisper and echo effects for narrative elements
• Implementation: FMOD integration with the Unity project

Working Process

The collaboration followed a structured approach:

1. Discovery phase: 2-week period of sharing references, mood boards, and game footage
2. Prototyping: Initial sound designs and music sketches for key areas
3. Production: Full asset creation with weekly review calls
4. Integration: Final implementation and testing

Communication

Both teams established clear communication channels:

• Slack channel for daily async communication
• Weekly 30-minute video calls for reviews
• Shared Google Drive for asset delivery
• JIRA board for tracking tasks and feedback

Results

The partnership exceeded expectations:

Quality

• The soundtrack received praise in multiple reviews
• Sound design was cited as a standout feature
• Audio significantly enhanced the atmospheric experience

Timeline

• Delivered on schedule with two weeks to spare
• Structured milestones prevented scope creep
• Early feedback loops caught issues before they became problems

Budget

• Final cost came in 5% under initial estimate
• Test project investment paid off by avoiding a poor fit
• No costly revisions due to clear initial communication

Relationship

• Both teams enjoyed working together
• Moonlight has contracted SoundScape for their next project
• SoundScape gained a strong portfolio piece and testimonial

Key Takeaways

For Studios Looking for Partners

1. Define your needs clearly before starting the search
2. Use filters effectively to narrow down candidates
3. Review portfolios with your specific project in mind
4. Invest in test projects before committing to large scopes
5. Prioritize communication as much as creative ability

For Outsourcing Partners

1. Keep portfolios updated with relevant work
2. Be responsive during the inquiry phase
3. Embrace test projects as an opportunity to show your value
4. Communicate proactively throughout the engagement
5. Build relationships, not just complete transactions

What They Said

"Finding SoundScape through Game Dev Outsourcing saved us weeks of searching and possibly months of working with the wrong partner. The platform made it easy to find companies that fit our needs, and the test project approach gave us confidence in our choice."

— Jamie Lee, Creative Director, Moonlight Games

"We love working with indie teams who have a clear vision. The discovery phase with Moonlight was one of the best we've experienced. They knew exactly what they wanted, which made it easy for us to deliver our best work."

— Marcus Chen, Founder, SoundScape Studios

Try It Yourself

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