Monument Valley Boss Says It Was ‘Too Romantic’ About Giving Staff ‘Long-Term Job Security’, Thinks Contractors Are the Future

Why It Matters

The pivot to a contractor‑heavy workforce could lower overhead for indie studios while reshaping employment stability across the UK games industry, influencing talent pipelines and economic contributions.

Key Takeaways

• Ustwo's games cost $9‑13 million, 3‑4 year cycles.
• Staff fell from ~40 to under 30, prompting contractor shift.
• CEO calls full‑time job security “too romantic” for small studios.
• UK games sector employs 26,000, each adds ~$145k economic value.
• Ustwo pivots to PC‑first, reducing reliance on mobile revenue.

Pulse Analysis

The rising cost of mid‑tier game production is forcing studios to reevaluate traditional employment structures. With development budgets now hovering between $9 million and $13 million and timelines extending over several years, the financial risk of maintaining a large permanent staff has become untenable for many independent developers. Contractors offer flexibility, allowing studios to scale talent up or down in line with project milestones, thereby preserving cash flow and reducing fixed payroll liabilities. This model also enables access to specialized skill sets on a per‑project basis, which can accelerate innovation without long‑term commitments.

In the United Kingdom, the shift toward contingent labor has broader macroeconomic implications. Ukie reports that 26,000 people are directly employed in the games sector, each contributing roughly $145,000 to the economy—almost double the national average. While this highlights the industry's high‑value output, the growing reliance on contractors could reshape the labor market, potentially eroding the stability that has traditionally attracted talent. Policymakers and trade bodies may need to adapt benefits frameworks and training programs to support a more fluid workforce while preserving the sector’s economic impact.

Ustwo’s decision to pivot from mobile to a PC‑first strategy underscores a strategic response to market saturation and revenue volatility on mobile platforms. By focusing on PC, the studio aims to tap higher‑margin ecosystems and longer product lifecycles, which align better with a contractor‑centric model. As other studios observe Ustwo’s approach, we can expect a wave of similar realignments, with firms balancing core creative teams against a scalable contractor pool to stay competitive in an increasingly cost‑conscious industry.