Stepico

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Product Mananger of a training simulation company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

A Human Performance Optimization, Training & Data Company - Supporting Human Performance & AI human-studies programs through simulated small weapons training.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stepico to accomplish?

• Build a MVP of a new Unreal powered 3D small weapons simulator.

SOLUTION

How did you find Stepico?

Online Search

Why did you select Stepico over others?

High ratings

How many teammates from Stepico were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) using Unreal Engine to demonstrate the next-generation visual, interactive, and training capabilities of our training system. The MVP was intended to validate the feasibility of transitioning portions of our simulation environment into a modern 3D game engine architecture capable of supporting future military, law enforcement, and commercial training initiatives. The effort focused on creating a functional demonstration platform, not a production-ready training system at first and now is focused on production ready. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Increased efficiently to build 2D & 3D drills. Building drills much faster than the old simulator system! 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Great project managament! Positive attitude and very easy to work with. Delivery was on time and responded to our needs and concerns.

What was your primary form of communication with Stepico?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Stepico is a team of highly skilled professionals who are also very easy to work with. Fun team environment.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Stepico could have done differently?

None that I can think of. Perfect choice for our organization to partner with.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the COO of a gaming company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Develops and publishes original mobile games. We handle the full lifecycle, from initial concept and design through to launch and ongoing live operations. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stepico to accomplish?

• Early-stage prototyping
• Engineering and art support to build out the product
• Early marketing assets

SOLUTION

How did you find Stepico?

Online Search

Why did you select Stepico over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Stepico's initial scope was to take our game designer's specifications and build a working prototype from scratch. Once we brought on in-house engineers they shifted into a support role; delivering metagame features and the majority of our 3D art content. They also produced some early marketing assets, specifically App Store screenshots.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Stepico consistently met the development milestones required to move the project forward, ultimately enabling us to launch and validate our mobile game across multiple stages of development.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Project management was solid. They hit their deadlines, delivered to the quality bar we set, and were upfront about risks, blockers and misalignments rather than hiding them. Feedback was taken well and acted on. They also kept a production tracker up to date throughout, so we always knew where things were up to.

What was your primary form of communication with Stepico?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

In the early stages of our partnership, we didn't work with Stepico in the traditional outsourcer model of a large, fixed scope. Instead, we used smaller, iterative statements of work that allowed us to release builds, gather data, and reprioritise before engaging them for the next phase. They were flexible and open to working this way.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Stepico could have done differently?

The one area for improvement would be around ramping up on unfamiliar technology — there were occasions where asking more questions earlier would have saved some back-and-forth.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Studio Director of Wicked Games

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

igaming

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stepico to accomplish?

• I hired Stepico to create art and animation for two games: Transformers and Poison Ivy.

SOLUTION

How did you find Stepico?

Online Search

Why did you select Stepico over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Stepico were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The scope of work for Stepico included providing comprehensive art and animation services for two online slot games: Transformers and Poison Ivy. The key deliverables were as follows:

1. Concept Art & Visual Design
Creation of high-quality concept art that aligns with the game's themes and narratives.
Delivery of finalized character designs, backgrounds, symbols, and UI elements tailored for online slot games.
Style guides to ensure visual consistency across all game components.
2. 2D/3D Animation
Full animation of key game elements, including reels, symbols, and special effects.
Character animations for bonus rounds, wins, and other in-game events.
Smooth transition animations between game states to enhance player experience.
3. Asset Preparation for Development
Optimization of all graphical assets for seamless integration into the game engine.
Delivery of layered files (e.g., PSDs) and animation sequences in the required formats.
Ensuring all assets meet technical specifications for performance and compliance.
4. Iteration and Feedback Implementation
Regular checkpoints for feedback sessions with our team to align with project vision.
Revisions based on feedback to ensure the final output meets quality standards.
5. Final Delivery and Handover
Final package of all approved assets and animations.
Documentation for asset usage, ensuring easy reusability and integration for future updates.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The measurable outcomes from the project with Stepico that demonstrate progress and success include:

1. Timely Delivery of Key Milestones
Concept Art Approval: Both Transformers and Poison Ivy reached concept approval within the agreed timeframe, ensuring no delays in the production schedule.
Asset Completion: All graphical assets and animations were delivered according to the project timeline, allowing for seamless integration into the development pipeline.
2. Quality and Consistency of Art & Animation
Visual Cohesion: Delivered assets maintained visual consistency across all game elements, adhering to the style guides and brand requirements.
Animation Smoothness: Animations were optimized for smooth transitions and interactions, enhancing the overall player experience.
3. Performance Metrics
Optimized Assets: All assets were delivered in the required formats and sizes, ensuring fast load times and smooth performance across various platforms.
Minimal Rework: The number of revision cycles remained within the planned limit, reflecting the high quality of initial deliveries.
4. User Feedback & Engagement
Focus Group Feedback: Initial focus group testing revealed positive responses regarding the visual appeal and animation quality of both games.
Retention Indicators: Early analytics showed above-average session times and return rates, indicating that the art and animation contributed to player engagement.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

We were extremely satisfied with their project management. Stepico delivered all items on time, maintained clear communication throughout the project, and responded to our needs promptly and efficiently. Their flexibility and professionalism made the entire collaboration smooth and successfu

What was your primary form of communication with Stepico?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What impressed us most about Stepico was their ability to perfectly capture our vision through high-quality art and animations tailored for the iGaming industry. Their creative approach, attention to detail, and deep understanding of slot game dynamics truly set them apart. Additionally, their proactive communication and ability to adapt to feedback made the collaboration exceptionally smooth and efficient.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Stepico could have done differently?

no

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Chief Production Officer of an event-hosting company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The company hosts events at the biggest convention center in Norway and hosts hundreds of thousands of participants each in multi-day camps, conventions, conferences and events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stepico to accomplish?

• Create a full 3D map of one of Europes largest convention centers
• Have a model that was optimized for gaming that could function at 30fps
• Utilize LOD's so that it could be high enough quality for film production

SOLUTION

How did you find Stepico?

Online Search

Why did you select Stepico over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Company values aligned
• Delivered best in trial

How many teammates from Stepico were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The convention center is an event venue that offers a wide range of facilities for gatherings, accommodating both small groups and large-scale events with a capacity of up to 12,000 people. The center prides itself on providing versatile spaces, both indoors and outdoors, fostering social interactions while creating memorable experiences for its customers.

In addition to its event-centric offerings, the convention center provides various accommodation options, ranging from summer cottages and Nordic-inspired apartments to sophisticated hotel rooms. This diverse range of accommodations allows guests to choose the setting that best suits their preferences.

This project has been initiated to map this entire convention center in Unreal Engine 5.4+ in the realm of filmmaking and gaming. We are seeking an experienced outsourcing team that is proficient and with a proven track record in Unreal Engine to transform existing 3D Revit models of the convention center, into a dynamic and immersive 3D world in Unreal Engine, optimized for filmmaking and gaming. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The highlighted areas of the property convention center areas and buildings were to be recreated with high realistic and high poly/LOD quality in Unreal Engine, created and optimized for a future video game.

Surrounding landscape and buildings were also included in Unreal Engine to recreate the geographical area. The entire deliverable was submitted into an SVN where we were able to use it for film production and also check the quality of the deliverables.

The entire map of building exteriors was delivered in the final scope of the project (that included a parking garage).

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The project mangagement was efficient to gather the right people to the meetings, keep the meetings moving forward and also to ensure that the right resources were allocated to the project. 

They also delivered on the items that needed to be followed up between the meetings.

What was your primary form of communication with Stepico?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Extremely high quality, pride in the work that they deliver. Impressive final delivery. They are a positive team that wants to ensure that the customer is happy.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Stepico could have done differently?

They delivered on time and on budget...and with quality. What more should one require from a vendor?!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am a department head Studio of Skillex

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Skillex Games is a premium slot game studio creating distinctive, high-polish web and mobile casino games built to stand out. Each title combines bold visual themes, smooth performance, and demo-ready gameplay for operators, partners, and players looking for memorable slot experiences.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stepico to accomplish?

• Design direction - to help define the visual style, look, and overall creative direction of our games.
• Design production support - to assist with additional design-related work, including UI/UX elements, visual assets, concepts, and other creative materials needed during development.
• Art direction - to guide the quality, consistency, and presentation of the game art, making sure everything felt polished and aligned with our brand.

SOLUTION

How did you find Stepico?

Online Search

Why did you select Stepico over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Stepico were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Game Design and Visual Direction Stepico helped define the overall visual identity and creative direction for our games. This included establishing the style, mood, quality level, and visual approach needed to make the games look professional, modern, and commercially attractive. Art Direction They provided art direction to ensure that the visual assets were consistent, polished, and aligned with the intended theme of each game. This included guidance on character style, backgrounds, symbols, animations, color palettes, UI presentation, and overall artistic quality.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The project helped us make clear progress in the visual and creative development of our games. The main measurable outcomes were: Completed game design direction Stepico helped us establish the visual style and creative direction for our games, giving the development team a clear design foundation to work from. Improved visual quality of game assets Their art direction helped improve the consistency and professional quality of the game visuals, including symbols, backgrounds, UI elements, and overall presentation. Faster internal production process By providing design guidance and creative support, Stepico helped reduce uncertainty during production and made it easier for our internal team to move forward with implementation. More polished game presentation The work resulted in games that looked more commercially ready, with stronger art direction, clearer visual identity, and a higher-quality user experience. Usable design deliverables for development The team delivered design concepts, visual guidance, UI/UX materials, and creative assets that could be used directly or as reference during game development. Overall, Stepico’s involvement helped us move from early creative ideas to a more structured and professional visual direction, which improved the quality and readiness of our game products.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Stepico managed the project in a professional and collaborative way. Communication was clear, and they were responsive whenever we had feedback, questions, or changes in direction. They delivered the agreed design and art direction work on time, or within reasonable timelines when revisions were needed. Their team was flexible and understood our needs well, especially around the visual quality, style, and commercial presentation we wanted for our games. Overall, they were easy to work with, adapted to our feedback, and helped us move the creative side of the project forward in an organized way.

What was your primary form of communication with Stepico?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What impressed us most about Stepico was their ability to understand the type of visual quality we needed for casino games and translate that into clear design and art direction. They were not just creating nice visuals; they were helping us shape the commercial look and feel of the games. Their feedback, creative direction, and attention to consistency helped make the project feel more professional and production-ready. Their combination of design experience, art direction, and flexibility made them a valuable creative partner for us.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Stepico could have done differently?

There were no major issues with Stepico’s work, and overall we were satisfied with the collaboration. One possible area for improvement would be to provide even more structured documentation during the design process, such as clearer milestone summaries, revision notes, or final handover documents. This would make it easier for the internal team to track decisions and understand exactly how each creative direction evolved.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Head of Creative of a gaming company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Competitive Social Entertainment

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stepico to accomplish?

• Game Artwork

SOLUTION

How did you find Stepico?

Other

Why did you select Stepico over others?

Other

How many teammates from Stepico were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

2d Game Artwork

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

N/A

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The team provided visual assets on time and made iterations based on feedback very quickly an efficiently

What was your primary form of communication with Stepico?

Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They delivered great quality artwork - understood the brief with very little fuss and delivered it very fast

Are there any areas for improvement or something Stepico could have done differently?

N/A

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of God Search, a media company focused on revealing and glorifying Jesus.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stepico to accomplish for God Search?

We hired Stepico to make our product special.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Stepico handled the design for our project. The main deliverables included UI/UX design, wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity mock-ups for web and mobile.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 6-10 teammates from Stepico.

How did you come to work with Stepico?

We found Stepico through ChatGPT. We chose them because their pricing fit our budget, and they offered good value for the cost.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March–May 2025.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We were so pleased with Stepico's work. The details they put into the work were awesome.

How did Stepico perform from a project management standpoint?

Stepico provided daily updates. We communicated through virtual meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed by their attention to detail and smooth communication.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There was nothing they could improve on.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive at 8K Games

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Games developer company with self publishing

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stepico to accomplish?

• Provide delivery team for product development

SOLUTION

How did you find Stepico?

• Referral
• Other

Why did you select Stepico over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Stepico were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Creating game design documentation

Creating technical game foundation, client and back-end infrastructure

Creating art assets for the game(2d, 3d, animations, VFX)

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Game builds was delivered in time, within budget and requested quality.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Their delivery was skilled, opened in comunications, proactive in terms of project risks. 100% covered everything we've expected

What was your primary form of communication with Stepico?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They had a strong expertise in building high-load infrastructure, high-quality ART and QA teams. Flexibility of the development and project management teams

Are there any areas for improvement or something Stepico could have done differently?

All was good, in time and covered everything we expect, no any suggestions. Will work with them again in the future

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of FireAnt Studios LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We create encaptivating mobile gaming experiences!

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stepico to accomplish?

• Announcement Trailer

SOLUTION

How did you find Stepico?

Online Search

Why did you select Stepico over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Stepico were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

I found stepico because I needed a proven and trusted company to help me create a great announcement trailer for my game. 
they were timely and the project turned out amazing!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

I wanted an specific trailer to showcase different aspects of our game that is in development and they hit the key points!

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Stepico was very timely, and responded to my needs and when we had hiccups they made everything smooth with no hassle.

What was your primary form of communication with Stepico?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They were extremely knowledgeable about their field and projects and were very clear about everything. I especially liked the updates they provided in a weekly bases along with the open communication via email and slack 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Stepico could have done differently?

I think stepico executed and fired on every cylinder. I would have to work with them again to see if there are areas of improvement but for this time around I must say, there are no complaints. They were flawless.