The Invisible Developers Behind the Biggest Games

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Invisible. Unknown. Uncredited. And yet - these ghost developers are the hidden forces behind some of the biggest games you've ever played. From crafting entire levels to porting full games, they do it all… but never get the credit they deserve.

So why do they stay in the shadows? And who benefits from keeping them invisible?

In this video, we dive into the secret world of ghost developers, uncovering why studios refuse to credit them, the dark history behind this practice, and how it’s still happening today. Plus, we explore Japan's biggest invisible studio, TOSE, and why their secrecy may finally be catching up to them.

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Written & Produced:
Belinda Ercan

Edited by:
Mohammed Ali

Strategy: n8wealth

Still images generated with Midjourney AI

[leana]

I actually work for an Outsourcing Company that works with multiple well known studios and has quite alot of Veterans. What many also don't know is that Developers are often Prohibited from interacting with social media except a few and that's what Community Managers are for. Even though many Players don't see them but they are the shield and filter feedback and take the backlash off them.

[octopaul]

This kind of thing is very common in the music industry too, so many big artists use teams of session musicians, writers and producers who can often go completely unnamed. Great video once again!

[sembiance]

Top notch game journalism. Love all your vids.

[tasint]

The Concord developers probably wished to be unmentioned ghost devs

[AsimovBR]

Top-notch YouTube gaming content! I absolutely love this channel—it's a must-watch for any gamer!

[undudeme]

It’s even worse for us so-called ‘Enterprise Application devs’. No mention of our names anywhere.

[gabrieliatarelli]

I dont know if there is a form of funding your excellent work besides using your sponsor service with your code but here is a small amount just to say thank you and keep doing your great journalistic job.


If you use the membership option here in YouTube i would sign in a sec.

[holobucket]

reminds me a lot of ghost producers in the music industry. Having ghost-produced for others myself, it offers the freedom to create different content for different clients rather than having to build a brand up for yourself. Less risk and more flexibility

It’s also a lot more reliable in an industry like gaming where actual profit isn’t guaranteed after the increasing development costs. Dev/publishing teams are taking a financial risk on you rather than you risking the market itself. If a game actually turns a considerable profit then you made your client happy, and if it doesn’t then you’re the one who’s happy since you don’t have investors breathing down your neck.

[daikoophasianidae]

imagine being a ghost dev for 50 years then suddendly going public showing that u actually develloped like all the best games ever made and litteraly become the biggest gaming company in the world

[amharbinger]

Learn something new everyday. Time to look into this more.

[cit-q]

Your content is really great! It deserves much more recognition.

[ericmikuta]

Happy Xmas and Merry New Year!!! I could watch you talk about anything.🥰

[Aper-jmAln]

I love these videos. I genuinely wish that they keep coming. They are really a fresh view from the usual gaming themed documentary/video essay types of vids.

[layth]

Your ‘’ghost development’’ are looking good.

[severalkorveks]

Glad to see some excellente Journalistic work in the gaming industry <3
Thanks for standards in quality

[VirtousStoic]

Thanks for coming back to longer videos appreciate it

[Kraateer.]

That's what shorts are for. Hooked me for the whole video. Good job.

[chifmaster]

There was somthing distracting in this video, I can't quite point it out.

[ChillGamer]

Maybe I am naive or ignorant but I genuinely had no idea this kind of thing happens, it's wrong and sad that developers don't get the recognition they deserve for the incredible work that they do. Thank you Belinda for yet another fascinating video and shining a light on this topic, by the way was it cold in your office? wow lol.

[clawhammr]

Great job on the video, had no idea about this