What Does a Freelance Game Developer Do, and Why Do You Need One?

By Washington Pearce

Introduction

Game development requires a blend of creativity and technical expertise, and at times the strain of a small studio trying to meet deadlines may be increased by obstacles hindering progress: unoptimized code, overwhelming workloads, and difficult features to implement are all barriers that independent studios face. In these situations, a freelance game developer can be your solution.

Freelance game developers are often specialized experts who work on a very flexible basis, making it possible for a studio to work through particular challenges without needing to go through the commitment of a full-time hire. Knowing the difference between a freelance and full-time game developer is important to understanding how and why you should choose to work with a freelancer. In this guide we will examine exactly where that difference lies, what common problems a freelance game developer can solve, and the best practices for working with a potential candidate.

What Does a Freelance Game Developer Do?

Like any freelancer, a freelance game developer is an independent contractor who works with game studios on a per-project basis. While their responsibilities vary greatly depending on your current needs, the typical range of a freelance game developer can include:

• Programming Gameplay: A game developer can create the core mechanics of your game including player controls and AI behaviors.
• Optimizing Performance: Often issues such as laggy frame rates and inefficient memory usage are things a freelance game dev can fix.
• Multiplayer Integration: Setting up online play can be daunting, but some game developers specialize in exactly that.
• Debugging: A freelance game developer can work with your existing project to identify and resolve technical issues.

Since a freelance game developer is by definition a contracted, short term professional, they are perfect for those specific project needs without the overhead of a permanent hire.

4 Issues that Suggest That You Need a Freelance Game Developer

Many small studios are pressed for labor: a problem that large studios just don’t face in the same way. Think of a freelance game developer as another, reliable wrench in your toolbox that can lend a hand in one of many different positions. If you are uncertain whether hiring a freelance game developer is the right decision, consider if your game is currently facing one (or more!) of these common challenges.

1. Skill Gaps

Game development demands a diverse skill set, from graphics programming to physics simulations. As a small team or solo developer, you may lack expertise in certain areas. A freelancer with specialized knowledge can bridge these gaps efficiently by bringing the special experience your team currently lacks. In many cases, these skill gaps can lead to long delays or make it difficult for your team to realize your gameplay vision.

2. Project Bottlenecks

As development progresses, unforeseen challenges can cause delays as certain parts of the development pipeline hold back other areas. When deadlines are at risk, a freelance game developer can provide additional support in a critical department in order to keep your production on track—and all this on short notice!

These bottlenecks can manifest in a variety of ways as features prove difficult to implement, unexpected bugs derail testing schedules, or your team is taxed by simultaneous milestones. Freelancers can act as temporary force multipliers to boost the productivity of your entire pipeline.

3. Multiplayer Integration

Multiplayer functionality is one of the most difficult aspects of game development. Since the network often takes place in an unfamiliar architecture, a freelance game developer specializing in networking can be just the right person to set up infrastructures or work on scaling up your preexisting servers for growing player bases.

Beyond server configuration, freelance game developers can assist with the other complex tasks requiring a depth of technical experience—matchmaking, latency reduction, and real-time synchronization. Hiring a freelance game developer to monitor these issues will guarantee that your network is robust, secure, and scalable.

4. Optimization and Platform-Specific Issues

Optimization is a huge part of game development, and it’s hard to pin down exactly what might be the problem with a laggy or inefficient game. A freelance developer is well-equipped to navigate novel code to reduce CPU or GPU load, adjust performance settings for different platforms and PC setups, and resolve bugs that might not be apparent during initial testing. If there’s a bug in your code that just won’t die, maybe you need a new set of eyes to review it.

A Strategic Investment for Game Development Success

Freelance game developers are a universally applicable tool for your studio. They can lend their additional expertise for short-term problem solving with long-term impacts for your game and your studio. If your project is facing skill gaps, roadblocks, or other frustrating issues then it might be time to bring a freelancer on board.

Hiring and vetting a freelance game developer can be a daunting task, however, contact us today to help you make an informed decision to find a freelancer who can elevate your project to match your vision.