Certain Affinity's Quest for AAA Quality on a AA Scale

Can independent studios produce high-quality, big-budget games that compete with global publishers? Certain Affinity, founded in 2007, aims to achieve this goal. The studio has grown into one of North America's largest outsourcing development teams, working on franchises like Call of Duty and Halo. However, since 2019, the company has shifted its focus towards developing its own projects, with a debut, unannounced title in the works. The recent hiring of Paul Sams as COO has bolstered the company's business side, helping to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and political complexities. The studio's goal is to transform from a support studio to a lead developer, creating games from scratch that players will support. CEO Max Hoberman acknowledges the difficulties in making this transition, stating that it's easier said than done. The company has faced hurdles, including the need to focus on game production and the challenges of attracting talent in a competitive market. To address these issues, Certain Affinity has expanded its remote work access, allowing employees to work from various locations, and has implemented policies to support employees affected by changes in US laws, such as access to healthcare. The studio has also opened a Canadian office, which has facilitated the hiring of international workers. Despite the challenges, Certain Affinity remains committed to its goal of creating AAA-quality games on a AA scope, with a focus on promoting a diverse and multi-national workforce and de-emphasizing crunch. The company believes that taking an alternative approach to the norms of project development can help ensure the success of big-budget game development outside of major conglomerates. With a healthy financial situation and a proven track record, Certain Affinity is confident in its ability to achieve its goals and create original, high-quality games that resonate with players.