Collaboration Without Boundaries: Virtuos Redraws the Game Development MapCollaboration Without Boundaries: Virtuos Redraws the Game Development Map

Virtuos Studios in North America (Image via Virtuos)

Everyone in the games industry has been told too many times that the future has arrived, but that it’s kind of an exclusive place. The future is a genre, it’s a location, it’s an individual. An isolation. Here, but not there. Us, but not you. For Virtuos, the future doesn’t look like that. It looks better together; like a place where there is more content, more opportunity, more cultural localization and at the same time more potential for expansion. The future according to Virtuos is where hand-picked collaborators of exceptional talent align with the unique creative identity of a project, no matter where that project originates from. Gaming is a world without borders. Why, they ask, would game development be any different?

When the downturn struck the global gaming industry in 2023/24, post pandemic overexpansion and newly soaring costs saw many titles cancelled, and mass layoffs ensue. It’s worth noting here that Virtuos was not among the casualties of that period; they avoided mass layoffs while subject to exactly the same market conditions that were at the root of significant job losses—even studios being shuttered—elsewhere. Why? When an industry suffers a seismic change, the reaction is often seismic. Companies slim down as much as possible, as fast as possible; staff and clients are cut adrift. The example of Virtuos offers something different. Their collaborative approach to development not only helped them weather the industry storms of the past couple of years, giving clients and staff stability in a turbulent period, but presents a model for moving forward. At this pivotal time of recovery, and with Virtuos now having full development capabilities in North America, it’s time to look ahead to a more equitable future for gaming.

Access Excellence, Stay Agile: the Collaborative Model

The term “outsourcing” can draw mixed reactions; negative perceptions still cling to it, that lesser work is outsourced while the “important” stuff is kept in-house, that’s it’s purely a financial and not a creative decision. The Virtuos model offers true co-development: via their extensive network, developers can expand sustainably, project by project, expert by expert, and are assured total creative alignment and excellence. This means more flexibility for developers and publishers as they can access a greater pool of talent, and spread risk. The result is more diverse content for gamers as more developers can afford to put some skin back in the game, and the opportunity for greater localization by region. It de-centralizes development while still offering creative control, and integrity through exacting oversight. It’s not new, but it’s never been more relevant: Virtuos has over 20 years’ experience with this model, and continues to grow.

(Image via Virtuos)

Virtuos are also changing minds about where in the world external development can take clients. With the recent acquisition of Pipeworks in the US and a majority stake in Umanaïa of Montreal, Canada, Virtuos offers full development capabilities in North America, which means an unrivalled ecosystem of creative, technical and production experts. These studios are not only local to Virtuos’ other North American studios partners, but integrated with Virtuos studios worldwide, acting as a doorway to the wider Virtuos world. Enter any Virtuos studio and you are immediately connected to their teams worldwide.

Pipeworks Studios (Image via Virtuos)

Founded in 1999, Pipeworks has a stellar history that encompasses AAA blockbusters to quirky originals, while pioneering best practice in live operations, cross-play and streaming games. Pipeworks has helped develop over 125 games, from Godzilla: Destroy all Monsters to the Call of Duty franchise. Pipeworks is renowned for its multidisciplinary expertise, and, with the ability to oversee large scale developments and live operations, enhances Virtuos’ capacity to deliver end-to-end solutions. Lindsay Gupton, the CEO of Pipeworks, had this to say: “Together, we’re leading a new age of collaborative game development, fostering healthier, more sustainable outcomes for our partner studios and better experiences for our players. As a cohesive force, we are poised to lead this emerging era of external development in North America and beyond, tackling the industry’s biggest challenges and building the future of games.”

Beyond-FX (Image via Virtuos)

The 2024 acquisition of Beyond FX added real-time VFX to the Virtuos portfolio, as well as the largest global team of real-time VFX artists. Beyond-FX prides itself as art style “agnostic”, capable of contributing to any project at any stage, in any engine. Their impressive portfolio of 100+ projects includes Mortal Kombat 1, Valorant, The Callisto Protocol, God of War, Rocket League, and What Remains of Edith Finch. This adaptability, this humility, reflects their co-development mindsett—which is shared across Virtuos studios.

On joining with Virtuos, Founder and Head of VFX at Beyond FX Keith Guerrette commented: “We’ll continue delivering groundbreaking work and fostering exceptional relationships with clients around the world, leveraging Virtuos’ global expertise and network of talented studios. What’s even more exciting is our shared vision with Virtuos of shaping the future of co-development in gaming. In collaboration with Virtuos’ passionate teams, Beyond-FX will help define a new industry standard focused on providing quality services through strong partnerships, efficiency through flexible collaboration, and the creation of great games by pushing the artistic boundaries of what’s possible in game engines.”

Umanaïa (Image via Virtuos)

The Montreal-based Umanaïa was founded by veterans of, among other titles, Assassin’s Creed and For Honor. With a team of more than 40 senior developers, Umanaïa will lead development at Virtuos Originals, which encourages new IP creation for pitching to potential co-development and publishing partners. Yannis Mallat, President and Co-Founder of Umanaïa, said, “Umanaïa joining forces with Virtuos marks a perfect partnership at a pivotal moment in the industry. We’re excited to embark on this next chapter, confident that Virtuos is uniquely positioned to make a meaningful impact in an evolving gaming landscape. As passionate advocates for delivering unparalleled experiences to gamers, we are thrilled to combine our creativity, expertise, and technological innovation to new heights, together.”

Virtuos Montreal (Image via Virtuos)

Each studio has its specialty, each acquisition enhances, complements and bolsters the Virtuos offering. Virtuos Montreal offers stunning art direction and top tier concept art/design from co-development maestros. Their Art Directors pitch concepts and clarify the client’s design ideas, while a team of adaptable artists tailor their work to the specifications provided. The 3D concept design team uses modelling software such as Blender, with integration in Unreal Engine, allowing for a concept production that expedites the level building process. The hard surface team produces visually striking and highly functional designs of robots, vehicles, gear, and weapons. The client’s vision remains at the heart of the process; this is no anonymous conveyor belt where parts are added without thought, and the mis-matched whole shudders on to the next stop. Rather, the unique needs of every project are paramount, and the process is transparent. Communication is key to the success of Virtuos’ model; no matter the distance between client and studio.

Counterpunch Studios (Image via Virtuos)

Completing the North American line-up is Counter Punch, your partner in end-to-end cinematic, action and gameplay. Over its 15 years, this division has supported AAA partners with ground breaking, award-wining animation (titles include The Last of Us Part II, Marvel Midnight Suns, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard). From script to final, or jump in/jump out, they are your go-to for MOCAP, rigging, animation, and engine integration. The team specializes in integrating into partner pipelines in North American time zones for a seamless solution to any overflow needs. They’re up to the minute with the latest industry tech and can work with UE or a proprietary engines.

No Borders, No Limits

This extraordinary array of talent, combining decades of development experience, would be almost impossible to assemble under one roof. Except, Virtuos really is that one roof. With the breadth of available talent and the reach of the network, plus the core ethos that keeps the unique identity of each project at the heart of what they do, it’s not hard to see why their co-development capabilities are being touted as the ideal for an industry that already thrives on collaboration, cross-pollination, and limitless inspiration. Perhaps “roof” is too pedestrian a term for what Virtuos has built. They’re not a factory or a pressing plant, they’re a company of chameleons, an assembly of experts, who are ready and able to turn their considerable abilities to any title, while retaining its integrity. In that ideal future, all games will be made this way.