Article in a Russian Game Magazine.

Spec-material: Outsource in Games
Maxim <Maxx> Miheyenko

Interview with Ben Mathis

Maxx: Hi, Ben! Tell us please about what it is freelancer as you it’s understand!

Ben: A freelancer is someone who is not full time salary in his employment. It can be on site, or remote. The company normally does not provide anything but money for the freelancer. No benefits, taxes withheld, software, or hardware.

Maxx: On what projects you work as freelancer? How it was?

Ben: I've worked on several projects as a freelancer, both directly for the studios, and also through a middle-man outsourcing studio. I much preferred working directly with the studios. It ended up with faster turn around time, and assets that better fit what the client wanted. I was much happier in these situations also.

Maxx: Do you like to work in office from 10 to 6 or work at home as freelancer? What do you prefer?

Ben: There are benefits to both. I like having the freedom to travel and work when/where I want like I can when freelance, but I also like having a team to work with and get to know.

Maxx: What you can say about outsourcers from China? Very cheap…

Ben: Outsourcing in China is very cheap. There are some highly skilled artists in China too. The biggest problem is finding one of the skilled houses, and making sure you can communicate well if there is a language barrier.

Maxx: How change level and quality and time for model from current gen to next-gen ? Please tell our readers about different between current and next gen graphics for you as freelancer.

Ben: Before, for ps2 and Xbox graphics, I could do a character in three days. Now for “next-gen” a character takes more like ten days, however I have finished one in three days before, but it was a lot of stress!

Maxx: How do you think it’s good to use outsource in creating of the game? Or better to make game by own studio, without any freelancers?

Ben: I fully believe in working with in house artists if you want the best possible product. There are too many things lost when you're hiring human wrists to make your art. I think ownership is a very undervalued asset that will produce much better art from an individual artist. When they think the product is “theirs” rather than “someone else's” the work quality is so much better.

Maxx: What do you think about future of outsource in game industry?

Ben: I don't think it will go away, and I think good games can be made with outsourced assets. However I think the very best games will continue to be made by cohesive teams, where all staff work directly with one another under one roof.

Thank you, Buddy!