A Case For Virtual Game Development – Need For Speed: Shift

I had wanted to become a contractor for my chosen profession — video game programming — for quite some time, but the vast majority of developers in the UK were hostile to the idea. So when I heard about Slightly Mad Studios, I couldn’t believe my luck.

Not only is contracting encouraged, but working remotely is the norm. So how can a developer with staff spread over the globe possibly hope to produce a successful AAA project?

Slightly Mad’s recent critically acclaimed release, Need for Speed: Shift, is proof positive that not only is a virtual development company possible, but that it can thrive. This article explains how.
A Brief History of SMS

The origins of Slightly Mad Studios lie in a modding group called SimBin who produced the much acclaimed GTR2 and GT Legends. The core of the development team, led by Ian Bell, broke away to form Blimey! Games, which led in turn to Slightly Mad Studios.

Thus the company always had a somewhat loose physical structure where geographical diversity was ingrained. By September 18, 2009, the first SMS product, Need For Speed Shift, was released worldwide by Electronic Arts to positive reviews — the Xbox 360 version currently has an 83 on Metacritic.
The Virtual Developer Model

Remote working in “virtual companies” is not a new idea; it has been discussed previously on Gamasutra by Jake Simpson, for example, who offers many useful tips. However, rarely has the idea been so completely embraced as it has at Slightly Mad Studios. Max Meltzer has also discussed at length the difficulties in managing a remote team. The set-up at SMS is somewhat different, however, in that it employs remote individuals rather than remote outsourcing teams.

Although some SMS staff choose to work at the small London head office, the vast majority work remotely. The UK is home for a large chunk of the team, about 50 percent, but many are based in various parts of Europe with others in North and South America, South Africa, Scandinavia, and Australia. One staff member’s registered location is an Indian Ocean tropical island; as long as you can get a reliable broadband connection, geography is not an issue.

The team members’ contractual arrangements with SMS are equally varied. Many work on short or longer fixed term contracts, although traditional employment is available if preferred. About half the team are full time employees, but all non-UK staff are consultants.

A small number of UK staff who own their own companies are also consultants. I personally work through my own limited company, S1m On Ltd, although my relationship is a little closer to SMS than perhaps would be usual for an outsourcing arrangement. Of course, intellectual property rights must be properly dealt with in any contract as must non-disclosure obligations, but this is straightforward. … Full text