Game Co-Development Studios
Co-development means an external studio works inside your project alongside your team, on your build and your backlog, rather than delivering a finished package from the outside. 11 studios in this directory carry the co-development tag.
Co-development is not the same as outsourcing a deliverable. In an asset or discipline contract you write a spec, the studio goes away, and something finished comes back. In co-development the partner works in your repository, against your backlog, in your sprint cadence, usually with their own producer and tech lead sitting alongside yours. You are buying an extension of your team, not a package.
That distinction changes what you are buying and what can go wrong. Asset outsourcing fails when the spec was vague. Co-development fails when ownership is vague: two teams both think the other owns the build, or nobody owns performance. The upside is speed. A co-dev partner can add ten engineers and artists in weeks and take a whole feature vertical, which is not something you can do by hiring.
How co-development deals are usually structured
Most co-dev arrangements price a team rather than a deliverable: a named set of seats at a monthly rate, committed for a minimum term, usually three to six months. Ramp-up is real and worth planning for. A new co-dev team is rarely at full output before the second month, because the first weeks go on build setup, codebase orientation and getting review turnaround down to something workable.
The three structures you will see most often:
- Dedicated team: named seats, monthly rate, minimum term, your backlog and your definition of done. Highest coordination cost, highest throughput.
- Feature ownership: the partner owns one vertical slice end to end, such as multiplayer, the shop, or the console build, and delivers against milestones.
- Blended hybrid: a small embedded core plus surge capacity for art or QA that scales up around milestones and back down afterwards.
What to settle before the first sprint
- Who owns the build, who owns performance budgets, and who has final technical sign-off
- Source control, branching model, and whether the partner commits to trunk or to a fork
- Code review turnaround expectations in hours, since this is the single biggest drag on co-dev velocity
- Overlap hours per day, not just time zone. Four real overlapping hours is workable; one is not
- Security and NDA scope, including whether the partner can see the full repository or only their module
- Ramp-down terms. Co-dev contracts are easy to start and expensive to unwind if notice periods are long
What co-development costs
Co-dev seats are priced off the underlying discipline rather than as a separate product, so the useful reference is the market rate for the roles you are staffing. Typical market rates per hour: programming runs about $35-60 entry, $60-120 mid, $120-250 senior; 3D art runs about $30-50 entry, $50-100 mid, $100-200 senior. A monthly seat rate is normally those numbers times roughly 160 hours, with a discount for term commitment and a premium for senior leads.
Budget management overhead on top. Somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of your own team's time goes into reviews, syncs, and integration on a live co-dev engagement, and pretending otherwise is how co-dev projects end up behind schedule while looking fully staffed on paper.
Where co-development goes wrong
- Nobody owns the merge. Two teams commit into the same branches with different standards and integration debt compounds quietly.
- The partner is treated as a vendor rather than a team, so they are last to hear about design changes and rebuild the same thing twice.
- Senior people appear in the pitch and juniors appear in the sprint. Name the leads in the contract and require notice on substitutions.
- The engagement starts without a defined exit. Handover documentation and knowledge transfer belong in the contract from day one, not in the final month.
For the difference between co-development and full-cycle outsourcing in more detail, read full-cycle vs co-development. If you need a partner that owns the whole title instead, look at full production studios.
Co-Development studios in this directory
View with filters
## About Pingle Studio Pingle Studio is a Ukrainian game development outsourcing company founded in 2007 in Lviv. With nearly 400 employees and offices across Ukraine, UK, and Canada, they provide co-development, porting, QA, and art services for clients including Epic Games, Disney, and Square Enix. ## Company History - **Founded:** 2007 - **Headquarters:** Lviv, Ukraine - **CEO:** Dmytro Kovtun (18+ years experience) - **Team:** ~400 employees (86% technical) ## Global Offices - Lviv, Ukraine - Dnipro, Ukraine - Kyiv, Ukraine - Kharkiv, Ukraine - London, UK - Ottawa, Canada ## Services ### Game Development - Co-development - Full-cycle production - Multiplayer development ### Porting - Console porting - PC porting - Platform optimization ### Art & Animation - Game art production - Animation services - Visual development ### QA - Game testing - Quality assurance - Bug tracking ## Technology - Unreal Engine - Unity - Cross-platform expertise ## Notable Clients - Epic Games - Disney - Lucasfilm - Embracer Group - Team17 - Zynga - Square Enix - tinyBuild - Revolution Software ## Notable Projects - Hello Neighbor - SpeedRunners - Life is Strange ## Why Choose Pingle Studio - **Epic, Disney, Square Enix** clients - **~400 employees** scaled team - **Hello Neighbor** credits - **Ukraine + UK + Canada** global presence - **Since 2007** 17+ years experience
## About N-iX Games N-iX Games is a Ukrainian game development and art outsourcing studio, part of N-iX, a leading European software company. Founded in 2012 in Lviv, they have 210+ specialists focused on co-development, Unreal Engine, and art production for AAA clients. ## Company History - **Founded:** 2012 - **Location:** Lviv, Ukraine (offices in Europe and USA) - **Parent:** N-iX (European software company) - **Team:** 210+ specialists ## Services ### Art Outsourcing - 2D art (65+ artists under Art Directors) - Concept art and illustrations - Environment and character art - Game icons and backgrounds - UI/UX design ### Game Development - Co-development partnerships - Unreal Engine development - Cross-platform development - VR development ## Technical Expertise - Unity - Unreal Engine (Epic MegaGrant recipient) - Scala - Photon ## Notable Clients & Projects - **Paradox Interactive** - Crusader Kings III, Stellaris - **Supermassive Games** - Long-term partnership - **Wargaming** - Custom tank styles, camo patterns - **Triangle Factory** - VR projects - **Arcanium** - Award-winning game ## Portfolio - 100+ successful 2D art projects (8 years) - AAA-level art quality - VR development expertise ## War Resilience Contributed $1.8M to Ukraine's fight, relocated team to safety, received $100K Epic MegaGrant, established Unreal Engine training center. ## Why Choose N-iX Games - **210+ specialists** dedicated team - **Paradox, Supermassive** partnerships - **Epic MegaGrant** recognition - **8 years** 100+ art projects - **Ukraine-based** competitive rates
## About Kevuru Games Kevuru Games is a Ukrainian game development and art production studio founded in 2011. With 300+ professionals and 13+ years of experience, they partner with EA, Housemarque, Bandai Namco, and Epic Games on AAA projects including Star Wars and Fortnite. ## Company History - **Founded:** 2011 - **Headquarters:** Kyiv, Ukraine - **Additional Office:** Limassol, Cyprus - **Team:** 300+ professionals - **Avg. Client Relationship:** 3+ years ## Services ### Game Development - Full-cycle development - Mobile games (iOS, Android) - Cross-platform development ### Game Art - 2D art and illustration - 3D art (AAA quality) - Character design - Environment art ### Animation - 2D animation - 3D animation ### Technical Services - QA testing - Localization - Live ops support - Game porting ### Engines - Unity - Unreal Engine - CryEngine ## Notable Projects - **Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge** (Lucasfilm) - AAA characters - **Fortnite** (Epic Games) - EA titles - Disney projects ## Major Clients - Epic Games (Official Partner) - Electronic Arts - Disney - Lucasfilm - Housemarque - Bandai Namco ## Industry Recognition - Top 10 Ukraine Game Development Companies (GameDev.DOU) - Epic Games Official Service Partner ## Why Choose Kevuru Games - **Epic Games** official partner - **Star Wars, Fortnite** credits - **300+ professionals** team - **13+ years** experience - **Full pipeline** services
## About Amber Amber is a full-service global game development company positioned as an innovation partner for creative industries. With 850+ game development professionals across 9 production locations on 4 continents, Amber delivers comprehensive development services to the world's leading publishers. ## Company Scale - **850+ game developers** - **9 production locations** - **4 continents** of global presence - Veteran product leadership ## Services ### Full Game Development - Complete project ownership - Original IP creation - End-to-end production ### Co-Development - Partner studio collaboration - Feature development - Content creation support ### Level Design - Environment creation - Gameplay spaces - World building ### Art Production - 2D and 3D art - Character and environment assets - Technical art ### Development Support - Engineering assistance - Technical implementation - Tool development ### Live Ops - Post-launch support - Content updates - Player engagement ### QA and Player Support - Quality assurance testing - Community management - Customer service ### Localization - Multi-language support - Cultural adaptation ### Marketing - Promotional content - Trailers and assets ## Global Locations ### North America - San Francisco - Los Angeles - Montreal - Guadalajara ### Latin America - Bogotá ### Eastern Europe - Bucharest - Botosani - Kyiv ### Asia-Pacific - Manila ## Notable Projects - **Monument Valley 3** - **2XKO** (League of Legends fighting game) - **Gotham Knights** - **Happy Gilmore 2: Golf Mayhem Demo** - **Secret Neighbor** - **PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle** ## Major Clients - Warner Bros. - Ubisoft - Netflix - Epic Games - Riot Games - Disney - King - Gameloft - Roblox - Amazon ## Recognition - **Mobile Games Awards 2025:** Best Co-Dev/Outsourcing Studio - **ISO 27001 Certification:** Information security standard ## Why Choose Amber - **Global scale** with 850+ developers worldwide - **Major client roster** including top publishers - **Award-winning** co-development services - **Full-service capabilities** from development to live ops - **ISO certified** security standards
## About Game-Ace Game-Ace is a custom game development studio headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus, operating as a division of Program-Ace. With 19+ years of experience and 400+ specialists, they provide turnkey game development, AR/VR gaming, and game art services. ## Company Scale - **Founded:** 2005 - **120+ in-house professionals** - **400+ talent pool specialists** - **200+ games delivered** - **19 years** in operation - **Offices:** Cyprus (HQ), Germany, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Canada ## Services ### Development Services - Full-cycle game development - Game co-development and outsourcing - Game porting and prototyping - Game testing and QA - Gamification solutions - Web3/NFT/blockchain game development - VR/AR game development ### Platforms - Mobile (iOS/Android) - PC - Console - Browser-based games ### Game Engines - Unity - Unreal Engine - Roblox - HTML5/WebGL ### Art & Design - 2D/3D game art - Animation - UI/UX design - VFX services - Slot game art ### Staffing - Developer hiring - Staff augmentation ## Notable Clients - Unity - Wargaming - Flying Wild Hog - GSN Games - Namco - Hopster - Bigpoint - Kalypso ## Notable Projects - The Protagonist: EX-1 - Farmerama - Evil West - Star Archer VR - Multiple slot games ## Why Choose Game-Ace - **19 years** of game development experience - **200+ games** delivered - **Major clients** including Unity, Wargaming - **Global offices** across 5 countries - **Full-service** from development to art
## About Magic Media Magic Media is an international gaming, tech, and entertainment group with 1,000+ professionals across 14 countries. They have produced 300+ games and offer full-cycle development, art production, VFX, and cybersecurity services. ## Company Overview - **Team:** 1,000+ professionals - **Countries:** 14 worldwide - **Portfolio:** 300+ games (PC, mobile, console, VR/AR) - **Includes:** Starloop Studios (since 2011) ## Services ### Game Development - Full-cycle development - Co-development - Game porting - Mobile, PC, console, VR/AR ### Art Production - Concept art - 2D art services - 3D modeling - Texture painting - Character art - Environment art ### Additional Services - Game VFX - Video production - Cybersecurity - Animation ### Tools & Technology - Photoshop (2D/concept) - Autodesk Maya, Blender (3D) - Substance Painter (texturing) ## Client Portfolio AAA Game Publishers and world-class brands trust Magic Media with their IP and projects. ## Approach Deliver tailored, full-cycle solutions with focus on: - Transparency - Reliability - Security - Flexibility - Scalability ## Why Choose Magic Media - **300+ games** produced - **1,000+ professionals** globally - **14 countries** presence - **Full-cycle** development + art - **AAA publishers** trust
## About iLogos Game Studios iLogos is a game development and art outsourcing studio founded in 2007, now headquartered in Gibraltar. With 300+ experts and 460+ completed projects, they serve major publishers including Rovio, Ubisoft, EA, and Disney. ## Company Scale - **Founded:** 2007 (19+ years) - **300+ dedicated experts** - **460+ projects** completed - **100+ returning clients** - **Headquarters:** Gibraltar ## Services ### Game Development - Full-cycle development - Porting services - Live operations - Testing and QA ### Game Art - 2D and 3D art - Character design - Animation - UI/UX design - Concept art ### Platform Expertise - Unity - Unreal Engine - PC and console - Mobile (iOS/Android) - Casino games - Educational games ### Specialized Services - NFT/blockchain games - Metaverse solutions - AI solutions - Playable ads ## Major Clients & Projects - **Rovio:** Angry Birds 2 - **Nekki:** Shadow Fight series (100M+ downloads) - **Wooga:** June's Journey (10M+ installs) - **Ubisoft:** Hungry Shark Evolution (500M+ downloads) - **Disney Interactive** - **EA** - **Sony** - **Warner Brothers** ## Contact bizdev@ilogos.biz ## Why Choose iLogos - **500M+ downloads** on projects - **Rovio, Ubisoft, EA** client roster - **300+ experts** for scale - **19+ years** experience - **Full-service** dev and art
## About d3t d3t is a UK-based work-for-hire co-development studio with 180+ developers, part of Keywords Studios. They specialize in adding value to games through expert development support on AAA titles. ## Company Scale - **180+ developers** - **Keywords Studios** subsidiary - Award-winning workplace ## Services ### Co-Development - Full game co-development - Feature development - Platform porting - Performance optimization ### Specializations - AAA game support - Multi-platform development - Live-service games ## Notable Projects - **EA SPORTS FC 26 & 25** - **Hogwarts Legacy** - **Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy** - **Alan Wake Remastered** - **Dead Island 2** - **Mafia: The Old Country** - **The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt** - **LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga** ## Major Clients - Sharkmob - Dovetail Games - 505 Games - Fireproof Games - Glowmade ## Location **Headquarters:** Runcorn, Cheshire, UK Daresbury Point, Greenwood Drive, Manor Park, WA7 1UG ## Recognition - **GamesIndustry.biz Best Places to Work** (2024) - **Best Large Studio** - Game Republic Awards (2025) ## Why Choose d3t - **AAA proven** with major franchises - **180+ developers** for scale - **Keywords Studios** backing - **Award-winning** workplace culture - **UK-based** with established reputation
## About Electric Square Electric Square is a AAA game development studio owned by Keywords Studios, with approximately 300 staff across four global facilities. They specialize in creating AAA action games and applied R&D through their "Reactor" division. ## Company Scale - **~300 employees** - **4 global studios** - **Keywords Studios** subsidiary ## Services ### Game Development - AAA action game development - Full game production - Co-development ### Applied R&D (Reactor Division) - Technology research - Innovation development - Prototype creation ## Notable Projects - **Mafia: The Old Country** - Recent collaboration - **Lord of Hatred** - Revealed project ## Global Locations - **Brighton, UK:** The Office, 1 Market Square, Circus Street - **Singapore:** Aperia, 12 Kallang Avenue - **Malta:** The Golden Mile Business Centre, St George's Road, Paceville - **Ireland:** South County Business Park, Dublin 18 ## Parent Company **Keywords Studios PLC** ## Company Culture "Life with Electra" initiative emphasizing workplace culture and talent development. ## Why Choose Electric Square - **AAA game expertise** with major publisher partnerships - **300 staff** across global locations - **Keywords Studios** backing and resources - **R&D capabilities** through Reactor division - **Multi-region presence** for talent and time zone coverage
## About Iron Galaxy Studios Iron Galaxy Studios is a leading American video game developer and technical consulting studio founded in 2008. Based in Chicago with studios in Orlando, Nashville, and Austin, they specialize in porting, co-development, and support work for major publishers. ## Company History - **Founded:** 2008 by Dave Lang - **Headquarters:** Chicago, Illinois - **Recognition:** Fortune's Best Small/Medium Workplaces Chicago 2024 (#6) ## Studio Locations - Chicago, Illinois (HQ) - Orlando, Florida - Nashville, Tennessee - Austin, Texas ## Services ### Porting - Console-to-PC conversions - PC-to-console ports - Nintendo Switch optimization - Cross-platform development ### Development Services - Technical consulting - Co-development support - Lead development - Quality assurance ## Portfolio 80+ games across various platforms. ## Notable Porting Projects ### Nintendo Switch - **The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim** (2017, with Bethesda) - **Diablo III** (2018, with Blizzard) - **Dauntless** (2019) - **Overwatch** (2019) - **Apex Legends** (2021) ### PC Ports - **Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection** (2022) - **The Last of Us Part I** (2023) ### Original Development - **Killer Instinct** Seasons 2 & 3 - **Rumbleverse** (original IP) ### Earlier Work - Bionic Commando - Dark Void ## Industry Recognition - Great Places to Work Chicago 2021 certified - GamesIndustry.biz US Best Places To Work winner - Top Workplaces USA 2022 winner ## Why Choose Iron Galaxy - **80+ games** portfolio - **Bethesda, Blizzard, Naughty Dog** porting work - **Nintendo Switch** optimization experts - **Award-winning** workplace culture - **Full-service** technical consulting
weirdo
Co-Development outsourcing: common questions
What is game co-development and how does it differ from full outsourcing?
In co-development an external studio works inside your project, on your codebase and backlog, alongside your own team. In full outsourcing you hand over a spec and receive a finished deliverable. Co-development buys team capacity and shared ownership; outsourcing buys a defined package. Co-development moves faster but needs far tighter coordination and clear ownership rules.
How much does game co-development cost?
Co-development is usually priced as named seats at a monthly rate with a minimum term of three to six months, derived from the discipline rate. Typical market rates per hour are roughly $35-60 entry to $120-250 senior for programming, and $30-50 to $100-200 for 3D art. Expect a term discount and a premium for senior leads.
How long does it take a co-development team to reach full output?
Plan for a ramp period rather than instant capacity. The first weeks go on build setup, codebase orientation, and getting code review turnaround to a workable pace. Teams typically reach steady output in the second month. Shortening that ramp depends more on your onboarding documentation and review responsiveness than on the partner.
What should be agreed before a co-development engagement starts?
Settle build ownership, performance budget ownership and final technical sign-off. Agree the branching model, code review turnaround in hours, and the number of genuinely overlapping working hours per day. Put named leads, substitution notice, NDA scope, handover documentation and ramp-down terms in the contract before the first sprint.
Which studios offer co-development for AAA projects?
Look for studios with shipped console titles, experience working inside a client repository, and their own producer and tech lead rather than only individual contributors. Ask which parts of a shipped title they owned and whether they worked in the client build. Many full-production studios do co-development without tagging it separately.
Where to go next
Best co-development studios
Ranked shortlist of studios that work inside client teams.
Browse co-development studios
Filter by country, engine, platform and team size.
Full-cycle vs co-development
Which model fits which stage of production.
Full production studios
Partners that take a title end to end instead.
Ready to shortlist co-development studios?
Filter by country, engine, platform and team size, then contact studios directly. Browsing is free and needs no account.