The Surreal World of Budget Game Development on Fiverr

In an industry often characterized by million-dollar budgets, multinational corporations, and extensive development teams, the idea of commissioning a video game for just five dollars (approximately CA$6.60) seems almost surreal. Yet, if you venture onto Fiverr, one of the largest gig economy platforms, you’ll discover a plethora of sellers offering game development services at prices that would make even the most modest indie budget blush.

The Gig Economy and Game Development

The gig economy is a growing trend where short-term contracts replace traditional full-time employment. This shift has accelerated during the pandemic, as many individuals seek flexible work arrangements. Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer serve as digital intermediaries, facilitating transactions across various industries while taking a cut for their services.

For gig workers, these platforms can feel like battlegrounds. Increased competition has led to a "race to the bottom," where prices—and consequently, wages—are driven down. A recent study explored the landscape of game development on Fiverr, revealing that while the graphics and mechanics of these games may be limited, they are nonetheless playable and, as documented by several YouTubers, surprisingly fun.

Games, Outsourcing, and Gigs

The video game industry has long been plagued by issues such as unpaid overtime, labor unrest, and concerns about generative AI. These challenges reached a fever pitch following massive layoffs in 2024. While gig labor is often overlooked in discussions about the gaming industry, it highlights a tension between corporate desires for cheap labor and the increasing precarity faced by game workers.

The presence of video games on gig platforms is not surprising. Researchers have documented the industry’s forays into diverse socio-economic and geopolitical contexts, noting that tech companies have long utilized gig labor to reduce production costs. In 2019, Fiverr launched a dedicated gaming store to showcase development services ranging from writing to level design, further embedding gig work into the gaming ecosystem.

Gig platforms like Fiverr mirror corporate outsourcing practices but on a smaller scale. While North American corporations often outsource labor overseas to exploit lower labor standards, gig platforms allow anyone to opt into this labor arrangement as either a buyer or seller. This results in a remarkably inexpensive game development ecosystem, where one can spend $400 on a custom game or merely $5 to swap new art into an existing template.

The Concentration of Labor

As we delved into our findings, we were struck by the similarity among seller profiles. Most Fiverr game developers offered comparable services, and despite promoting the lifestyle of an "Anywhere Worker," the majority were based in Pakistan. This concentration is not surprising; global wage disparities mean that gig work, even at low rates, can pay more than typical service jobs in the Global South.

In response to this disparity, Pakistan has launched government programs aimed at teaching digital skills and pushing participants into the freelance economy. These initiatives train sellers specifically for gig platforms, enabling them to earn money and build portfolios that could lead to better job prospects in the future. Buyers, in turn, are eager to take advantage of prices that are significantly lower than what they might expect in Western countries.

A Warning for the Industry

While you won’t find the next Assassin’s Creed or Balatro on Fiverr, the platform offers a glimpse into the rapidly evolving gaming industry. The games created on Fiverr tend to be straightforward, often resembling titles in the mobile games space. For many developers, the goal isn’t to create the next hit game but to deliver affordable, functional products tailored to client needs.

Some of the most successful developers on Fiverr have worked with clients ranging from MSI Gaming to Gulf Oil. While the specifics of these corporate relationships remain unclear, they likely reflect broader efforts to offset production costs. Just as companies have turned to AI to create more efficient workforces, gig labor has emerged as another cost-cutting solution, reducing the need for stable labor arrangements.

Conclusion: The Future of Game Development

It may be tempting to dismiss Fiverr’s games as simple gimmicks or knock-offs, but they cannot be separated from the industry at large. The platform’s low price points and rapid production pace serve as a bellwether for declining industry standards: a lack of job security, a focus on speed and cost over creativity, and an outsourcing of game production through emerging technologies and alternate labor markets.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the implications of gig labor will become increasingly significant. The challenge lies in balancing the need for affordable game development with the necessity of ensuring fair wages and job security for those who create the games we love. The future of game development may very well depend on how we navigate this complex landscape.