ABSTRACT

This chapter provides a high-level overview of things to consider when working with outsourcers, including using middleware and how to effectively manage outsourcing. The quality of the outsourced work is dependent on how well the development team defines what is needed, communicates deadlines and constraints clearly, and provides useful feedback in a timely fashion. Think of the outsourcing vendor as an extension of the team, and treat them as such. Include them as much as possible in necessary meetings, make sure they receive important announcements, and try to establish a virtual “water cooler” where they can hang out and build rapport with the team. Outsourcing and middleware are proven ways to add value and capacity to the development team. One of the biggest benefits of middleware is that the developer can theoretically spend more time on creating and polishing unique features of the game than on creating a generic but necessary feature, such as lobby support for an online game.