Addressing the Talent Gap - Solutions for Lack of Internal Experts

One of the biggest challenges that mobile game developers face today is finding and retaining qualified talent.??

The talent gap is especially acute for internal experts, such as software engineers, designers, and data analysts, artists, and producers, who have the skills and experience to lead and manage complex game projects. The competition for talent is fierce, and the industry’s legacy recruiting practices often hinder the hiring process by requiring outdated skills that aren't necessarily relevant for current roles.?

This lack of internal experts can have negative impacts on the quality, speed, and profitability of game development.??

The TIGA Skills Report 2023 reveals that a significant 68% of UK game development studios are experiencing difficulties in filling vacancies within their workforce. Additionally, 59% of these studios feel that this talent shortage is stalling their growth, highlighting the pressing issue of skill gaps in the UK gaming industry.?

Without internal experts, studios may struggle to create innovative and engaging games, meet deadlines and budgets, and compete with other players in the market. Therefore, it is essential for studios to find effective solutions to address the talent gap and secure the internal experts they need.?

Understanding the Talent Gap?

The demand for specialized skills in game development continues to outpace supply.??

Here are some strategies that studios can implement to overcome the lack of internal experts:?

• Develop a clear and attractive employer brand: A strong employer brand can help studios attract and retain talent by showcasing their vision, values, culture, and benefits. Studios should communicate their employer brand through various channels, such as social media, websites, events, and referrals, and highlight what makes them unique and appealing to potential candidates. ? ?

-------> For example, studios can showcase their past and current projects, their work environment and culture, their employee testimonials and feedback, and their recognition and awards in the industry.? ?

• Invest in training and development: Employee turnover in the gaming industry remains high, with the current rate at 22.6%, surpassing the average range of 12% to 20%. This reflects the ongoing challenge of not only finding but also retaining skilled professionals in the field. ? ?

Training and development can help studios nurture and grow their internal talent pool, as well as attract new talent who are looking for opportunities to learn and advance their skills. ? ?

Studios should offer regular and relevant training programs, both internally and externally, that cover the latest tech, tools, and best practices in game development. Providing career development paths and mentorship programs for their employees will encourage them to take on new challenges and responsibilities. ? ?

• Outsource tasks and leverage external partners: Outsourcing can help studios free up their internal resources and focus on their core competencies, while relying on external partners to handle the non-core tasks, such as art creation, QA testing, localization, or marketing. ? Outsourcing can also help studios access a wider and more diverse pool of talent, expertise, and technology, and benefit from the flexibility and scalability of external partners without the overhead costs of maintaining full-time positions. ? ?

Collaborating with specialized external partners can bring in-depth expertise and accelerate development cycles. Studios should carefully select and manage their outsourcing partners, and ensure that they share their vision, quality standards, and communication styles.? ?

------> Check out our handy eBook, Avoiding Outsourcing Disasters: a Guide to Smooth Collaboration, for some extra tips. ?

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• Collaborate with educational institutions and industry associations: Collaborating with educational institutions and industry associations can help studios build a pipeline of future talent, as well as raise awareness and interest in the game industry among students and young professionals. Studios can partner with universities, colleges, and vocational schools that offer game-related courses and programs, and provide them with guest lectures, internships, scholarships, or project sponsorships. Studios can also participate in industry events, such as conferences, workshops, hackathons, or game jams, and network with potential candidates, peers, and mentors.? ?

• Offer competitive compensation and incentives: Compensation and incentives are important factors that influence talent attraction and retention, especially for highly skilled and experienced internal experts. ? ?

Studios should offer competitive and fair compensation packages that reflect the market rates and the value of the employees' skills and contributions. Incentives, such as bonuses, stock options, profit-sharing, or revenue-sharing, that reward performance and loyalty can help align the interests of the employees and the studio.? ?

• Implement a talent management system: A talent management system can help studios optimize their talent acquisition, development, and retention processes, and ensure that they have the right people in the right roles at the right time. This can include tools and practices, such as talent assessment, succession planning, performance appraisal, feedback, recognition, and career counseling, that help studios identify, evaluate, and develop their internal experts.??

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These are just some of the possible solutions that game studios can implement to address the lack of internal experts, which is a major challenge for the industry.??

By adopting these strategies, studios can improve their talent acquisition and retention and enhance their game quality, productivity, and competitiveness.??

Monthly Game Wave?

Dive into our ‘Monthly Game Wave', your exclusive ticket to ride the gaming industry's latest waves of news and highlights, ensuring you stay ahead of the pixelated curve.?

• Asia and MENA continue to trend as emerging hotspots in the video game industry. With nearly 2 billion gamers projected by 2028, these regions are driving global gaming growth, having already generated $85.586 billion in 2023, representing a 4.6% year-over-year increase. This growth outpaces the global market, reflecting a burgeoning interest and investment in gaming. The New Frontier of the Gaming Industry in MENA - Innovecs Games?
• If you're at Gamescom LATAM this week, make sure to connect with Philip Morris , our VP of Sales! He's keen to chat about all things gaming, from player insights to game development cycles. Philip is an expert at understanding what gamers truly want, and he's excited to share how Innovecs Games can help elevate your projects with personalized, player-focused experiences. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights and take your games to the next level. See you at the Sao Paulo Expo!?
• We love to see games being used in creative ways – the Games for Change is a fantastic initiative highlighting the power of games and XR in driving social change. Thanks for the share Eric Tucker . Can’t wait to see highlights from the #G4C2024 festival!??
• The Nintendo Direct June 2024 livestream showcased numerous games coming to the Switch this year and next, including a standout trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Mario and Luigi: Brothership, a new Zelda entry, and the largest Mario Party game yet, alongside reveals like a Romancing Saga remake and a Capcom classics combo.?

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That’s a wrap for our June Newsletter – thanks for reading and don’t forget to Subscribe to stay in the loop with Innovecs Games Pulse.??