Top 10 Castle Black Studios Alternatives & Competitors

Castle Black Studios is a full-service 3D Game Art Outsourcing and External Game Development company based in Chennai, India. Founded in 2017, they specialize in creating high-quality game development content across various platforms. With a small team of 2-9 employees, they focus on delivering creative solutions at an affordable hourly rate.

Below are 10 agencies, including Headless Studio, Lucrum Labs, Kvaba Interactive, Corporation Pop, illumisoft, Alternova, Inc., SharpMinds, Otinsoft, Cycling Bear Studio, SteamRoll East:

Top 10 Alternatives to Castle Black Studios by 7BE

Hire the Right Agency — Smarter, Faster, Cheaper

Hire Agency

This is how 7BE can help you:

Easily get vetted proposals from trusted IT agencies
Own your entire hiring and project sourcing journey
Discover competitive offers tailored to your needs

  • Headless Studio

    We create apps, VR, AR, plugins and videogames

    View Portfolio

    Pros:

    Affordable pricing compared to competitors
    Strong expertise in diverse tech fields
    Creative solutions across various industries

    Cons:

    Higher hourly rate than Castle Black Studios
    Limited project size options
    Less focus on gaming industry

    $25 - $49

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2017

    $1,000+

    Porto

    Verified

    Focus

    80% Custom Software

    80%80% Custom Software

    20%20% AR/VR

  • Lucrum Labs

    Let's create something beautiful.

    View Portfolio

    Pros:

    Strong problem-solving skills save costs
    Focus on quality before development
    Innovative approach to design

    Cons:

    High minimum project size requirement
    Undisclosed hourly rates can be a concern
    Less experience compared to older firms

    Undisclosed

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2019

    $10,000+

    Los Angeles

    Verified

    Focus

    80% Custom Software

    80%80% Custom Software

    20%20% AR/VR

  • Kvaba Interactive

    Creating beatiful seamlessly working solutions.

    View Portfolio

    Pros:

    Impressive proactive attitude
    Solid experience in development
    Affordable rates for the services offered

    Cons:

    Higher minimum project size than Castle Black
    Can be less flexible due to larger team
    Potential longer timelines with more staff involved

    $25 - $49

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2015

    $5,000+

    Sofia

    Verified

    Focus

    80% Custom Software

    80%80% Custom Software

    20%20% AR/VR

  • Corporation Pop

    Deeply engaging interactive experiences

    View Portfolio

    Pros:

    Long history in developing engaging experiences
    Higher caliber of professional relationships
    High-profile client base

    Cons:

    Very high minimum project size requirement
    Hourly rates are significantly elevated
    Larger teams may complicate communication

    $100 - $149

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2003

    $25,000+

    Manchester

    Verified

    Focus

    80% Custom Software

    80%80% Custom Software

    20%20% AR/VR

  • illumisoft

    Custom Technology. Sincere Relationships.

    View Portfolio

    Pros:

    Established credibility since 2014
    Strong focus on custom solutions
    Good reputation in client relationships

    Cons:

    High minimum project size limits options
    Significant hourly rates compared to budget studios
    Less accessibility for smaller clients

    $100 - $149

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2014

    $25,000+

    Kansas City

    Verified

    Focus

    80% Custom Software

    80%80% Custom Software

    20%20% AR/VR

  • Alternova, Inc.

    Your ally software development studio

    View Portfolio

    Pros:

    Established since 2019 with solid reviews
    Affordable hourly rates
    Versatile small team size for quicker turnaround

    Cons:

    Minimum project size similar to Castle Black
    Less variety in project types compared to others
    Often work with larger organizations

    $25 - $49

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2019

    $1,000+

    San Francisco

    Verified

    Focus

    95% Custom Software

    95%95% Custom Software

    5%5% AR/VR

  • SharpMinds

    Dedicated development teams for long-term projects

    View Portfolio

    Pros:

    Large team allows for versatile solutions
    Good international experience with clients
    Solid reputation from past projects

    Cons:

    Much higher hourly rates than Castle Black
    Greater complexity in project management
    Less direct communication with clients

    Undisclosed

    50 - 249

    Founded in 2004

    $1,000+

    Chernivtsi

    Verified

    Focus

    90% Custom Software

    90%90% Custom Software

    10%10% AR/VR

  • Otinsoft

    Interactive digital products

    View Portfolio

    Pros:

    Competitive hourly rate and flexibility
    Small team allows for personalized service
    Expertise in interactive products

    Cons:

    Higher minimum project size compared to Castle Black
    Limited scalability for larger projects
    Less established than longer-running studios

    $25 - $49

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2013

    $10,000+

    Iași

    Verified

    Focus

    70% Custom Software

    70%70% Custom Software

    30%30% AR/VR

  • Cycling Bear Studio

    Elevating Businesses with Software Solutions

    View Portfolio

    Pros:

    Fresh perspective and innovation from a new studio
    Good reviews regarding transparency
    Affordable range of hourly rates

    Cons:

    Higher rates than Castle Black Studios
    Limited number of completed projects
    Smaller team may impact bandwidth

    $50 - $99

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2020

    $5,000+

    Amsterdam

    Verified

    Focus

    60% Custom Software

    60%60% Custom Software

    40%40% AR/VR

  • SteamRoll East

    Experts in VR, AR, MR and 360 Virtual Tours

    View Portfolio

    Pros:

    Strong expertise in VR and AR technologies
    Lower minimum project size like Castle Black
    Creative solutions for industry challenges

    Cons:

    Much larger team may complicate coordination
    Potential for higher hourly rates
    Limited focus on broader gaming landscape

    $25 - $49

    50 - 249

    Founded in 2015

    $1,000+

    Buffalo

    Verified

    Focus

    80% AR/VR

    80%80% AR/VR

    20%20% Custom Software

Comparisons

Cost of services

  • Castle Black Studios offers a lower hourly rate (< $25/hr) compared to Headless Studio and other competitors.

  • The starting project size of $1,000+ is competitive, allowing for smaller scale projects.

  • Flexible pricing options make them appealing to startups compared to higher rates from Corporation Pop and illumisoft.

Geography

  • Being based in India, they can cater to a global clientele at a lower cost than European and U.S. competitors.

  • Strong English communication skills in a country with a vibrant tech scene provide a competitive edge.

  • Good time zone coverage for clients in both the U.S. and Europe due to India's location.

Technologies

  • Castle Black Studios focuses on specialized 3D game art, giving them an edge over broader service providers like Lucrum Labs and Kvaba Interactive.

  • They leverage cost-effective resources in India for creating high-quality assets, maintaining a competitive technological advantage.

  • Their smaller size allows for agile project management, compared to larger entities like Corporation Pop.

Recommendations

  • Launching on a limited budget

    Choose Castle Black Studios for their low hourly rates and minimum project size, making them ideal for startups and small projects.

  • Collaborating with U.S.-based agencies

    For collaboration with U.S. agencies, consider Alternova, Inc. as they have a proven track record and understanding of local market needs.

  • Looking for long-term digital partnership

    SharpMinds would be suitable for long-term partnerships due to their large team and established presence, ensuring dedicated resources.

  • Requiring niche B2B industry expertise

    Corporation Pop excels in creating engaging interactive experiences, making them a good choice for niche B2B projects.

  • Solving business problems with custom solutions

    illumisoft specializes in custom technology solutions, making them well-suited for businesses needing tailored services.

Just Give It a Try and Unlock New Possibilities

Hire Agency