Stepico

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

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a project director of operations with Whatagoober and Goober Games. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Stepico Games?

We needed to outsource our development and art needs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our engagement with Stepico Games began with them supporting us in development. The team typically codes in C#, though our projects are typically in Unity. From an art standpoint, they use an animation tool called Spine.

Over time, our relationship went from a typical outsource client-vendor relationship into one in which our two teams blended.

What is the team composition?

Our core team is about 10 people, but we at times expand up to 15 to 20, depending on project needs.

How did you come to work with Stepico Games?

I found them through an online search. We did some project tests and further evaluation, and ultimately decided they were the best fit. 

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent between $200,000-$999,999 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our collaboration began in fall 2016 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project is still live, so we don’t have any hard metrics. However, Stepico Games has grown a lot since our collaboration. The capabilities of the team are high, especially given their cost. We’ve been happy to continue our partnership throughout the years.

They’ve been open to any extended collaboration we’ve wanted, remaining willing to take the lead on operations or be directed.

How did Stepico Games perform from a project management standpoint?

Stepico Games typically dedicates project management internally for each project. They’re as involved as you want to be, and stand-ups can happen as often as each day. To track progress, the team uses Jira, and Slack to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their flexibility with our needs is outstanding. They’ve never turned down our requests, growing or shrinking the team, or making other adjustments, as needed

Are there any areas they could improve?

So far, any shortcomings we’ve come up against are things that would be found in any other development studio. There have been growing pains, but their expertise and standards are high now.

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.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an Executive of Outside the Zoo

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Entertainment Production

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Game Development
• Art Development

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?

6-10 Employees

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

Art development from concept to finish. Game development from concept to finish.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Overall quality in final product / deliverable

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

Most definitely, everything was delivered on time with high level of quality. Transparent and clear communication.

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?

Stepico's ability to work with our needs and changing situations while delivering high-quality work is impressive.

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

None and really appreciate our working relationship.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Outsourcing Art Director of Limit Break

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Mobile Games

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• High Quality Artwork

SOLUTION

How did you find Stepico?

Referral

Why did you select Stepico over others?

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

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

Stepico was hired by our studio to achieve look development and execution on our project. The confidentiality of our project prevents me from speaking about specifics, but we asked the studio to help us achieve a look and style that would be unique to our project. They were very responsive, took direction well, and the work deliveries adhered to our strict visual quality and technical specifications.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Visual Quality of Artwork
• Technical Adherence
• Communication and Response Time

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

The studio leads were very fast in response time, and all feedback was addressed in a timely manner

What was your primary form of communication with Stepico?

Virtual Meeting

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

Stepico was especially valuable to our project due to the speed and accuracy of their deliveries, while maintaining a high quality in the deliverables. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to communicate with.

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

The project went very smoothly, so there's nothing I can think of that should have gone differently.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Managing Director & Technical direction real-time at VRFX Realtime Studio GmbH / LLC

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Stepico Games, and what were your goals?

We needed a Network Solution specifically tailored for real-time networking and remote controlling with Unity Engine for a Show exhibition software.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Because we co-worked on a game prject with them and we felt they are very nice to work with.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We can not unveil in detail what the scope was. We gave the stepico a time frame and our senior developer was defining the exact scope we need. C sharp with Forge networking as Unity engine integration.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

we worked with 3 People at Stepico

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Stepico delivers clean software, good code with great documentation. Implementation was a breeze, support is great, we are excited to have a new partner for tailored solutions.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

The management was exaclty how we wanted, timline was reached on time.

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

Very uncomplicated, very deep understanding of many fields in Gaming, Unity Engine and all it's depths.

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

There is always room for improvement.