How to Budget for Game Art Outsourcing?

Hi everyone,


Outsourcing game art can be a fantastic way to access top-tier talent without building an in-house team. But one of the biggest questions I hear is: How much does game art outsourcing actually cost?


I recently came across a detailed guide that breaks down the pricing factors and what you can expect when outsourcing art for your game. It covers everything from 2D and 3D art to animation costs, helping you plan your budget more accurately.


If you’re interested, check out this article: https://retrostylegames.com/blog/game-art-outsourcing-price/


Would love to hear your experiences and tips on managing art budgets for game projects!

Having worked with several clients on game development projects over the last decade, I can say that budgeting for outsourced game art isn't just about the hourly rate. It is all about understanding the art style, scope, revision cycle & the communication process.

1. Art Style

Whether it’s pixel art, realistic 3D, cel-shaded or cartoon-style, the complexity of the art style greatly affects pricing.

For Example, in one of our (Impero IT Services) recent projects, a mobile action RPG for a European client, we helped source stylized 2.5D character animations. The client initially budgeted for flat 2D art but shifted to stylized 3D halfway through, which increased costs by 60%.

2. The Cost Ranges

• 2D Character Design: $100–$400 per character
• 3D Character (modeled, rigged, textured): $800–$2,000+
• Animations: $150–$500 per animation cycle (walk, jump, attack)
• Environment Art: $300–$1,500 per scene
• UI/UX Assets: $200–$1,000 for a full set

Rates vary significantly depending on region (Eastern Europe, USA, etc.) and whether you are working with freelancers or studios.

3. Create a Visual Asset Tracker

We always advise our clients to build a Game Asset Tracker using tools like Notion or Google Sheets. It should outline:

• Asset name
• Type (character, prop, UI)
• Estimated hours/cost
• Status (WIP, Ready for Review, Approved)
• Revision count