Metaplay

Technology

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Documents

The global game development market is projected to reach $190 billion by 2025, with 77% of developers anticipating continued industry growth and reduced workforce instability.
Studios are shifting toward leaner production models by outsourcing non-core technical infrastructure, with only 6% of developers planning to rely on internal builds by 2025.
Nearly 50% of developers plan to integrate specialized third-party tools to manage complex requirements like cross-platform synchronization and unified player inventories.

MetaplayJan 2025

Building an in-house mobile game backend costs an average of $21.6 million, requiring 52 developers working over a 36-month period.
Diverting gameplay programmers to backend infrastructure tasks slows overall development velocity for 50% of surveyed studios.
Internal backend development contributes to negative organizational outcomes, including increased employee turnover, higher rates of crunch, and direct revenue loss for 20% of studios.

MetaplayMar 2024

Building an in-house mobile game backend costs an average of $21.6 million per studio, based on 52 developers working for 36 months at a mean annual salary of $138,864.
The decision to build proprietary backend technology frequently diverts gameplay programmers from core development, with nearly 50% of studios reporting slowed production timelines as a result.
Internal backend development negatively impacts human capital, as one-third of surveyed studios reported increased employee crunch and higher turnover rates.

MetaplayMar 2024