Simulate studio talent distribution between original flagship RPGs and parent publisher co-development support. Balance core creative momentum, senior talent retention, publishing goodwill, and burn rate across a 36-month release horizon.
By allocating 140 devs (50%) to the lead RPG and 84 devs (30%) to publisher co-development, the studio protects its identity while proving corporate indispensability. Veteran staff retention remains solid due to the dedicated 28-dev incubation pod.
When major conglomerates acquire renowned independent developers (like Obsidian, Arkane, or BioWare), corporate leaders face pressure to reassign veteran teams to fix flagging flagship franchises. Too much support work triggers veteran departures and loss of studio voice.
Director-led experimental teams (10–30 staff) cost a fraction of AAA budgets but safeguard senior talent. Games like Pentiment and Grounded preserve studio pride and ship high-prestige critical hits between multi-year mega-productions.
Refusing all co-development protects your own game's release date, but leaves the studio vulnerable during publisher budget consolidation rounds. Reliable co-development buys executive patience when your own project hits production roadblocks.