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How to Outsource Game Art in 2025

June 21, 2024

According to Verified Market Research, the global game art outsourcing market was valued at USD 1.5 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $3.8 billion by the end of 2033. As you can see, it’s a steadily growing market, popular and demanded, and it will continue its growth in a foreseeable future.

And it's not only popular, but also pretty useful, as a service. Outsourcing game art can be a game-changer for developers looking to enhance their projects with high-quality visuals without overburdening their in-house teams.

Here's a comprehensive guide on how to effectively outsource game art in 2025, combining a straightforward, informal approach with Hemingway Editor recommendations. Jump straight to the most interesting topic:

What is Game Art Outsourcing in 2025?

Game art outsourcing is hiring external teams of talented artists or freelancers to create your game’s visuals — characters, environments, animations, UI and other things. This practice has evolved, and in 2025, it leverages global talent pools, offering diverse styles and expertise.

These 2D artwork was used in touchten games' project and drawn by our artists in our amazing collaboration. | artwork by RocketBrush Studio

Outsourcing helps streamline the development process, allowing studios to focus on core mechanics and gameplay while maintaining great visual quality.

A modern game art outsourcing company often works remotely, collaborating with team members, using all necessary tools, cloud collaboration platforms and streamlined workflows which are tested and proven to be working in successful collaboration with various clients.

What Does Game Artwork Include?

Artwork in games includes everything from character designs and environments to user interfaces, visual effects and animations. It can be in 2D or 3D, can be of various styles and can have a particular focus aimed at a particular audience of your project.

These elements are crucial for creating immersive and engaging experiences. High-quality game art can set a game apart, making it visually appealing and enhancing the overall user experience.

Why is Game Outsourcing Art Services Profitable For Developers?

In 2025, how to outsource 3D game art is a specifically hot topic: it helps to cut costs, focus on the most important work and allows you to gain access to talents and tools. Many developers outsource game art nowadays for several reasons. Have a look at them:

  1. Cost Efficiency: Hiring a full in-house art team can be pretty expensive. Outsourcing game art reduces costs by avoiding the overhead of hiring full-time in-house artists. External teams often work from regions with lower living costs, providing high-quality work at a fraction of the price.
  2. Access to Talent: One of the biggest benefits is the ability to tap into international expertise. By outsourcing, developers can tap into a global talent pool, finding artists with specialized skills and unique styles that might not be available locally.
  3. Flexibility: If you need to scale your team up or down based on your production phase, game art outsourcing makes that fairly easy, for both a short sprint or a long-term project . Outsourcing offers scalability, allowing studios to adjust the size of their art team based on project needs. This flexibility is crucial for managing varying workloads and meeting deadlines.

Ten Tips To Outsource Game Art: Step-by-Step Guide

Game art outsourcing is actually fairly simple. It doesn't require a lot of actions: you just have to find the right studio, settle on your needs and sign a deal. Then, a great studio will keep you in the loop, ask for your feedback and produce work made exactly for your project.

Great artwork is vivid and immersive. This image hopefully makes you feel like a pirate experiencing this battle in real life! | artwork by RocketBrush Studio

Let's see how you can start outsourcing game art by following these tips and steps:

Define Your Art Style and Requirements

Before you start outsourcing game art, have a clear idea of what you need. What style are you aiming for? Is it realistic, stylized, low-poly, maybe you want pixel art? Make a checklist of all required assets (3D models, environments, UI etc.) and specify technical details like resolution, formats and target platform.

Research and Choose Best Game Art Outsourcing  Partner

Browse portfolios on websites like ArtStation, Behance and Clutch. Look for teams that specialize in your required style, particularly if you’re looking for ways to outsource 3D game art. Check testimonials, case studies, and client reviews.Check reviews and testimonials to gauge their reliability and quality of service. Consider their experience, expertise, and communication skills.

Create a Detailed Art Brief

A clear brief saves time and headaches. It's very important to provide your chosen partner with a comprehensive art brief. Include an overview of your game, its story, gameplay mechanics,and the role of art in enhancing the player experience. Use concept art, mood boards and references to convey your vision clearly. Be specific about technical requirements and deadlines. A great brief allows you to get best results and quicker, without any potential misunderstanding.

Negotiate Terms and Sign a Contract

This is where it gets a bit more serious than before. When it's all settled, formalize the agreement by outlining the scope of work, delivery milestones, payment terms and confidentiality requirements. Ensure the contract includes provisions for revisions and dispute resolution. Define ownership rights for the artwork to avoid any future conflicts.

Set Realistic Deadlines

Be realistic with deadlines: quality takes time, especially in 3D pipelines. Rushed work can lead to increased prices and subpar quality. Allow enough time for the artists to create, review and revise the artwork. If deadlines are inevitable, make sure to remember to plan things thoroughly next time. Rest assured, you will get better results without hurrying.

Maintain Effective Communication

Establish clear communication channels and regular update meetings. Use project management tools like Trello or Asana to track progress and share feedback. Regular check-ins help ensure the art aligns with your expectations and allows for timely adjustments.

Ensure Quality Assurance

Implement a quality assurance process. Regularly review the work-in-progress and provide feedback. This ensures the final product meets your standards and fits well with the rest of your game.

Review and Approve Artwork

Thoroughly review all delivered assets against the initial brief. Provide constructive feedback and request revisions if necessary. Integrate the artwork into your game to ensure it works seamlessly with other elements.

Receive Final Deliverables

Ensure you receive all final files in the specified formats: layered PSDs, model files, texture atlases, documentation (color codes, naming conventions) and final exports. Request additional documentation, such as color codes or usage guidelines, if needed. Complete the final payment upon delivery and acceptance of the artwork.

Maintain Communication for Future Needs

If the studio delivered great results, keep the connection alive. Building a long-term relationship with your game art outsourcing company pays off in reliability, speed and better understanding of your style. Provide feedback on the experience to help them improve their services.

Additional Considerations In Game Art Outsourcing

Our collaboration with Uken Games on Puzzle Solitaire's visuals | artwork by RocketBrush Studio

Here are some extra things you can pay attention to as you start collaborating with game art outsourcing studios. Have a look:

Cultural Fit

Ensure that the studio's working style and values align with your own. This can be assessed through initial communications and by reviewing their mission and vision statements. A good cultural fit can lead to smoother collaboration and better results.

Trial Projects

Start with a small trial project to evaluate the studio's capabilities, communication, and delivery speed. This can help you make an informed decision before committing to a larger project.

Budgeting

Always discuss game art outsourcing price upfront. Be clear about your budget from the outset . While outsourcing can be cost-effective, game art outsourcing price vary widely. Ensure that the studio's rates align with your budget and that there are no hidden costs.

Long-Term Planning

Consider the long-term implications of your outsourcing decisions. Establishing a good relationship with the best game art outsourcing partner can be beneficial for future projects, ensuring consistency and reliability.

FAQ:

What is the typical cost to outsource 3D game art in 2025?

In 2025, the typical game art outsourcing price ranges from $25 to $80 per hour depending on the complexity of the assets, the studio’s expertise, and the region. For fixed-price projects, character models may cost between $1,000 and $5,000 each.

How can I find a reliable game art outsourcing company?

To find a reliable game art outsourcing company, look for studios with a strong portfolio in your genre, verified client reviews, and transparent communication. Platforms like Clutch, ArtStation, and LinkedIn are useful for research. It also helps to start with a small test task to evaluate quality and workflow compatibility.

What risks should I consider when outsourcing game art?

When considering how to outsource 3D game art, be aware of risks like inconsistent quality, missed deadlines, IP protection issues and communication barriers. You can reduce these by setting clear expectations, using NDAs and contracts, and maintaining regular check-ins during production.

Which countries offer the best game art outsourcing rates in 2025?

The best countries to outsource game art in 2025 include Ukraine, Poland, Vietnam, the Philippines, and India. These regions combine competitive pricing with strong portfolios. Eastern Europe is known for stylistic flexibility, while Southeast Asia offers cost efficiency.

Now You're Ready to Bring Your Visuals to Life

Outsourcing game art in 2025 is a great strategic move that can significantly enhance your game's visual quality while managing costs and accessing global talent. By following these steps and maintaining clear communication, you can create a successful partnership that contributes to the creation of visually stunning and engaging games.

Our game art outsourcing company is eager to collaborate and help you out!

RocketBrush Studio is a trusted game art outsourcing company specializing in 2D and 3D art, concept design, stylized environments and character animation. Our team has helped indie and AAA studios around the world deliver top-tier visuals — on time and on budget. Hit us at hello@rocketbrush.com and let's see what we can build together!

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