About Us | Side - We Make Waves

Discover Side's 30+ years of experience & passionate teams delivering award-winning video game support services worldwide.

Side is a global game services company supporting studios with co-development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, player support, datasets, playtesting, software testing, IT services, and security testing. Our teams help developers and publishers scale production, improve quality, support players, and prepare games for global audiences.

Side services

• Game Development: Co-development, engineering, design, porting, and technical support for game studios.
• Quality Assurance: Functional QA, test automation, certification, security testing, and platform coverage.
• Art Production: 2D, 3D, concept, character, environment, animation, and production art support.
• Localization: Game translation, localization engineering, culturalization, and AI-augmented translation workflows.
• Audio Production: Voice production, music, sound design, post-production, and audio localization.
• Player Support: Multilingual player support, moderation, community care, and AI-assisted support workflows.
• Localization QA: Linguistic, cultural, and functional localization QA across languages and platforms.
• Datasets: Data collection, annotation, evaluation, TTS, ASR, and speech technology support.
• Penetration Testing: Application and game security testing from OSCP-certified specialists.
• Playtesting: Remote and in-person player research with participant sourcing and analysis.
• Software Testing: Software QA, test automation, and end-to-end testing for reliable digital products.
• IT Services: IT helpdesk, infrastructure, cybersecurity, onboarding, and global support services.

Frequently asked questions

• What is game outsourcing or external development?

  Game outsourcing is when game studios or publishers partner with external companies to handle specific parts of their development process, or even the entirety of a game’s development. Rather than doing everything in-house, game studios can delegate tasks like art production, programming, game design, QA testing, localization, or audio work to specialized teams. It's become a standard practice in the industry. This approach lets you access expert talent when you need it, scale your team up or down based on project demands, and focus your internal resources on core creative direction.

• Why is it important to leverage external development partners?

  External development offers several key advantages that can make or break your project. Leveraging external teams can be more cost-effective than in-house development while giving you access to specialized expertise you might not have internally. The ability to ramp up and down on a project as needed is one of the primary reasons developers seek out external development studios, managing growth while reducing risk. You also get fresh perspectives that can spark innovation and help avoid the creative tunnel vision that sometimes happens with internal teams.

• What is end-to-end game development?

  End-to-end game development, also known as full-cycle game development, refers to the complete process of building a video game from scratch. It covers every stage, from conceptualization and game design to deployment and post-launch support. At Side, we can partner with you throughout every phase of the journey, from ideation through production and ongoing support including design, art, animation, engineering, audio, quality assurance, localization, and community management. This approach is particularly valuable when you want a trusted partner coordinating all aspects of development instead of managing multiple vendors across different specialties.

• What is co-development for games?

  Co-development or Codev is when external teams work closely alongside your internal staff to support development of your project – whether that means porting the game to specific platforms, developing the game’s UI and UX, or building up an entire section of the game from scratch. In many cases, Codev also goes beyond engineering: teams may also provide art production, audio, and QA support, all managed by dedicated producers on the service provider’s side to ensure seamless integration with in-house teams. Unlike traditional outsourcing, co-development is collaborative: the external team becomes an extension of your studio, sharing workflows, tools, and processes.

• What game services does Side offer?

  Side provides comprehensive game development services across the entire production pipeline. Our core offerings include co-development, art production and animation for 2D and 3D assets, audio production (including voice, music, sound design and post production), quality assurance and testing services, localization for global markets, localization QA, player support, and community management. We also offer specialized services like datasets for speech technology, and various AI-powered solutions. With 20+ studios across 14 countries, we can scale teams to match your project needs while maintaining consistent quality standards throughout development.

• What makes Side different from other game service providers?

  Our global scale combined with a boutique approach and a wealth of experience is what sets us apart. We've contributed to over 2,000 titles over the last 10 years, including major titles like Baldur's Gate 3 , Cyberpunk 2077 , Genshin Impact , and many more, giving us proven experience across all genres and platforms. Our "side-by-side" client philosophy means we integrate completely with your team and adapt to your workflows, providing a tailored approach to each game and client that we partner with.

• Does Side work only with games?

  While games are our core and expertise, our services also naturally extend beyond gaming. Our development and QA capabilities include software engineering and software testing , as well as cybersecurity work like penetration testing , while our datasets team partner with some of the world’s biggest tech companies. However, our deep gaming industry knowledge – understanding consumer and player behavior, platform requirements, and industry standards – means we bring a gaming perspective and rigorous quality standards to everything we do for any industry.

• What are some best practices for developing strong external partnerships?

  Set measurable goals and scope early, such as detailed briefs and success metrics. Choose partners with proven experience in your genre and tech stack, not just the lowest price. Invest in onboarding: introduce outsourced teams to internal tools, processes, and brand guidelines. Establish clear communication channels and regular check-ins – weekly sprints and asset reviews help catch issues early. Most importantly, treat outsourced contributors as part of your extended team, rather than just vendors. Trust and collaboration are key to successful partnerships.

• How do I choose the right game services provider?

  Start by evaluating their portfolio and experience with projects similar to yours. In the 2025 XDS Insights Repor t on external development in games, quality of work was the top factor that developers and publishers considered when selecting an outsource studio. Look for specialized expertise in the areas you need, whether that's mobile optimization, porting to specific platforms, or particular art styles. Check their communication processes and project management capabilities. Ask for references and speak to past clients about their experience. Finally, ensure they understand your timeline, budget, and creative vision before committing.

• I'm part of an indie studio with limited resources – can I still partner with you?

  Absolutely! We understand the unique challenges indie studios face and offer flexible partnership models to fit different budgets and project scales. Our global reach of 20+ studios in 14 countries means we can often provide cost-effective solutions while maintaining quality. Many successful indie games have benefited from strategic outsourcing – it's often the smartest way to access expertise you couldn't afford to hire full-time while keeping your core team focused on your creative vision.