Mobile game publishers invest $21 million in backend technology for their games | Metaplay

Metaplay, a company specializing in backend technology for mobile games, recently conducted a survey revealing the significant financial investment top-tier mobile game publishers make in building and maintaining internal backend technology. The survey found that these publishers spend an average of $21.6 million on backend tech, highlighting the true cost of scaling hit games.

The survey, which involved 125 senior executives at large mobile game development companies in the U.S., also shed light on the human cost associated with in-house development of backend tech. It was discovered that game programmers are often diverted from creating gaming content to work on backend technology, impacting the game development process.

Furthermore, the survey revealed that the average salary of an employee working on internal tech at major publishers in the U.S. is $138,864. The average number of employees dedicated to internal tech is 52, and it takes approximately 36 months for companies to build their own internal tech.

Teemu Haila, chief product officer at Metaplay, expressed concern over the high cost of investing in backend tech without a guarantee of success. He emphasized the need for mobile developers to focus on creating great content rather than expensive backend technology.

Matt Wilson, a mobile gaming advisor and investor, echoed these sentiments, stating that building internal tech is becoming prohibitively expensive and distracting game-makers from their core responsibilities. The survey also revealed the types of games top-tier studios are developing and their outsourcing practices for various aspects of game development.

Overall, the survey provides valuable insights into the challenges and costs associated with building and maintaining internal backend technology in the mobile gaming industry.