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Established in 2004, Virtuos has emerged as a major player in the game production industry. Serving as an external developer, Virtuos boasts a team of 3,800 skilled game developers who collaborate with game studios and publishers to help finalize their games.
Headquartered in Singapore, the company has a strong presence in Asia and has partnered with nearly all of the top 25 entertainment companies globally, contributing to video and game content.
Over recent years, I have had the opportunity to interview Virtuos CEO Gilles Langourieux multiple times, including a discussion at the Tokyo Game Show last February, where the company showcased its work on the Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater remake. Our conversations have covered various topics ranging from the state of the game industry job market to the integration of AI in game development.
Gilles Langourieux: A 20-year-old game remade in Unreal 5. It’s a monumental achievement for us to modernize such a classic game.
GamesBeat: That was a very extensive game.
Langourieux: Indeed, it was. This is where our strengths lie. To accomplish this in a timely manner, a large team of engineers and artists is essential.
GamesBeat: Does Snake Eater stand out as one of your largest projects?
Langourieux: Yes, involving hundreds of team members, between 200 and 300. It spanned a three-year period.
GamesBeat: These remakes seem to be beneficial for external development studios like yours.
Langourieux: They play a significant role in our business. Not every studio can undertake such projects. In our game division, remakes contribute to more than a third of our revenue, contrasting with co-development engagements. Our ability to tackle remakes of major titles sets us apart.
GamesBeat: Is it essentially starting from scratch with these projects?
Langourieux: Exactly. There is minimal reuse of existing assets.
GamesBeat: When competing for such projects, what is the process like? Do existing partnerships like the one with Konami in this case give an advantage?
Langourieux: As we are currently in Japan, establishing credibility is crucial. Our relationship with Japan began 15 years ago, primarily managed by our China studio. Proximity plays a vital role, facilitating frequent visits. Our business ties with Japan have grown significantly from our China operations. Initial collaborations with Square Enix laid the foundation for subsequent prestigious projects. Building a reputation for delivering quality and hitting deadlines ultimately positions us as a top choice for challenging projects like those presented by Konami.
Having a team proficient in Japanese becomes imperative. With Japanese producers on board, collaborating with Konami becomes more seamless. A studio in Europe attempting similar ventures faces more obstacles. This geographical advantage has garnered us a favorable reputation in the Japanese gaming industry.
Stay tuned for the continuation of this interview.
