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Game Jobs Going to India

by Alec Matias, Jul 08, 2005 6:57am PDT

MercuryNews.com has an article that examines the burgeoning Indian game industry. In particular, they speak with Rajesh Rao, CEO of Dhruva Interactive. His company has contributed to a handful of big-name games, including Forza Motorsport, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and Toca Race Driver 2. In essence, companies like his does the grunt work that the original developer doesn't want to bother with, such as modeling and texturing a huge amount of cars as Dhruva did with Forza and TOCA.

"We are acutely sensitive to the jobs issue," said Rao, 35, in an interview at a recent conference in Santa Clara. "We go in there if the people involved really want to do it with us. "Will there be jobs impacted? Yes. But is it good for the business and the industry? Yes. We see inefficiencies in the system, and we're dealing with them," he added.
However, the Indian market certainly hasn't been flooded with deals as publishers are wary of communication issues when outsourcing. Also, quite a few pubs have already turned to Taiwan and China for cheap development labor. Still, if companies like Dhruva are scoring contracts from big-time publishers, it could just be a matter of time. While Rao certainly doesn't mind taking the grunt work, he doesn't believe he'll be making an entire game for an American audience. "We'd be at a disadvantage," he said. "It's hard to imagine a game like Redneck Rampage being done by an Indian team."


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Comments

32 Threads | 151 Comments*
  • #88
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    By: Porkasaurus x
    Reply
    Here's a tip. If you are afraid of your job being outsourced - don't go into the following specializations:

    Prop modeling (guns, plants, chairs, etc.)
    Vehicle modeling (mostly for racing games)
    Network programming ( in my knowledge of this, a lot of companies plug this part in once the game engine is secure)

    These are a little more stable:

    Concept artists
    Environment modeling (next-gen, the higher the learning curve the more security)
    Characters with style (bystanders and budget games might go overseas for these)
    Non-sports game related art (It's hard to outsource style, even if you have concepts)

    These are the most stable:

    Designers
    Producers
    Engine programmers
    Gameplay programmers
    Art directors
    Management

    Jul 08, 2005 11:57am PDT