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NEW IN 2009
9th December 2009
The final What’s New for 2009 and everyone at Game Ops would like to take this opportunity to wish all our clients and contractors a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Please check out the contract and job boards as we have received several contracts and roles for a January start.
We look forward to catching up with you all in 2010!
25th November 2009
There has been a decline in the number of new contract positions available this month, as may be expected so close to Christmas. We have however, received a lot of interest from clients who have indicated that they will be looking to expand their teams at the start of the New Year.
With this in mind, we have been contacting our contractors to obtain updates on their current status and requesting updated CVs and showreels. If are registered with us and have not been contacted as yet, please feel free to drop us an email to let us know your availability.
27th October 2009
Mismanagement is something that happens a lot in this industry and the lack of solid producers is something that might make outsourcing a fearful venture for some. The only other issue is the fear of something new. As we know, it usually takes one of the big studios / publishers to get in on the act before the rest follow.
The biggest benefit of outsourcing is the ability to scale resources up and down as the project requires. With a core team covering the essential skills, additional resources can be scheduled efficiently. This industry has been blighted by carrying the cost of full development teams through the design and prototyping phase of a project when a much smaller team would have been more practical.
Provided the project is planned properly, it is a simple matter to identify the points at which more or fewer resources are required. By working with a professional company like Game Ops, we can then ensure that the right people are available when required. We believe it is the only financially viable model that secures the longevity of the gaming sector.
What outsourcing/in-sourcing offers is more control over costs, if you only pay for staff you need when you need them it will have a huge impact on project development costs. By embracing an ‘in house’ or ‘out of house’ staffing solution or by outsourcing specific elements i.e. code, art or cut scenes, properly managed, provides the basis for a sound financial future
It is not only Game Ops that promotes outsourcing - it was again featured in the press recently - most notably in an article by Catalyst's Ivan Davies which focused on getting the most out of outsourcing. He highlights the risks of the traditional model and how developers need to adapt and embrace an alternative way of working if they are to ensure continued success.
‘The days of the super-developer may be at risk, as the commercial reality of the traditional model – that sustaining a 100-plus workforce through those months of perpetual green-lights and reviews, all the while eating away at the rainy day cash reserves – looks more and more like suicide. We all need to work smarter to get the most out of that publisher dollar’ (Ivan Davies, Develop Online, Tuesday, 29th September 2009 at 8:00 am)
To access the complete article, click on the link below. Well worth a read!
http://www.develop-online.net/features/632/Outsourcing-101
22nd September 2009
This month Game Ops celebrates its 7th birthday and our register continues to grow. With access to more than 750 skilled contractors, we are able to deliver a professional service that the games industry requires and expects.
Game Ops will continue to lead the way in:
- providing highly skilled staff
- at a reasonable cost
- in a short timeframe
- across all disciplines
We will continue to develop our relationship with our existing clients and look forward to working with the studios who have as yet not experienced the services that Game Ops can offer.
To find out more please give us a call on 01382 731909 or drop us an email.
14th August 2009
In the past many Artists, Programmers, Producers and Project Managers who started out in the games industry, remained in the games industry, but times are changing and the expertise and applications used within game development are indeed transferable into other areas.
Recently, Game Ops has been contacted by a number of clients outside the games industry and we are working with them on a variety of projects. They have been able to access the multi-skills of our experienced contractors and apply these to their requirements. Consequently, this new clientele has introduced new and diverse opportunities which Game Ops is keen to explore and develop.
21st July 2009
As you will see from the contract board this month, we have a number of remote contracts on offer. Game Ops appreciates that many of you prefer this way of working as it allows greater flexibility than the studio based alternative. In discussions with our clients, we will determine whether a particular task can be successfully completed off site and whilst there are occasions that this will not be possible, we have found that many of the studios are happy to engage remote contractors.
For those clients who only have an in-house requirement, Game Ops ensures that additional costs - such as travel and accommodation - are fully reimbursed either during or at the end of the contract.
Whether remote or in-house, a contract with Game Ops is the best option.
Please note - not all available contracts are posted on the board. Contact us today to find if there is a role suitable for you.
18th June 2009
Half way through the year already and as yet there has been no let-up on the number of requests for contractors. The register at Game Ops continues to grow and now has almost 750 skilled and talented individuals, across all disciplines. Clearly Game Ops has to be the largest one-stop shop for the games industry when contractors are required.
Just a reminder that for permanent solutions, Game Ops is still able to offer a reliable, confidential service at a very competitive 10% flat fee across the board and many clients who utilize our contractors, also rely on us to help them source candidates for permanent roles within their studios.
Contact Game Ops to find out how we can help.
8th May 2009
In these troubling times, when a Swine Flu pandemic is possibly looming large, it has never been a better time to use offsite contractors. 
Seriously, using Game Ops’ remote contractors allows a studio to access specific skills and expertise at a fraction of the cost of the in-house option. Costs can be minimised through not having to pay for accommodation and travel. Many of our clients are already familiar with this concept and have adapted and benefitted from this way of working.
Please contact us on 01382 731909 or email to find out more.
3rd April 2009
March was a very busy time for Game Ops and we have successfully placed a number of contractors with studios who had not previously used our services. These new clients are now utilizing highly skilled individuals on their projects and curtailing their development costs in the process.
It was interesting to read the article by Owain Bennallack in Develop last month entitled ‘Towards a more equitable, flexible workforce’, where he outlines the huge benefits of hiring contractors. This is not a new ideology as Game Ops was founded on this premise in 2002 and has been supplying the industry with this ‘flexible workforce’ ever since.
For those Developers and Publishers who have not yet explored this option, please give us a call on 01382 731909 or drop us an email
16th February 2009
Over the last few days, Game Ops has experienced a notable increase in the number of requests for contractors. We have no doubt that this trend will continue throughout the year as many of our clients are re-evaluating their development budgets and streamlining their requirements.
If you have been considering contracting, now is a good time to contact us and discover what opportunities are open for you.
To register, simply submit your CV by email and one of the team will contact you to explain how Game Ops can make contracting easy.
7th January 2009
Happy New Year!
Whilst last year saw several casualties at the end of 2008 and some studios were forced to trim their staff, it was not all doom and gloom across our industry.
Many Developers and Publishers recognise the benefit from using contractors through Game Ops rather than taking on permanent members of staff. Being able to bring in highly experienced individuals for a specific period of time helps to manage and minimise their development costs.
Having a contractor working remotely or in-house on a designated task or for a set time, is far more cost effective than hiring someone full-time who is salaried and is legally entitled to all the current employment legislation.
Saving money and keeping within budget is paramount to ensuring that projects succeed.
Contact Game Ops to find out how we can help.
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