adminGame performance optimisation can affect memory use, CPU workloads and whether a title meets its target platform requirements. UK co-development studio CodeDev has launched The Performance Guys, a specialist division focused on technically demanding optimisation work for games and other real-time projects.
Game performance optimisation at The Performance Guys
The new division is staffed exclusively by engineers and technical artists, and CodeDev says it is recruiting senior engineering talent. Before the formal launch, the team had worked on Mafia: The Old Country for Hangar 13, as well as projects for Epic Games, Otherside Entertainment and an unannounced AAA title.
CodeDev says its optimisation work can substantially reduce memory consumption. As one example, the company cited a cross-console overhaul that cut memory usage by as much as 50%, bringing the project within strict platform limits. This is a company-reported result, not a guaranteed outcome for other games; performance improvements depend on each project’s code, assets and technical constraints.
For development teams, the practical takeaway is to monitor memory and processing budgets throughout production rather than waiting until late in the schedule. Early profiling can help teams identify expensive work while there is still time to assess possible fixes.
Why specialist optimisation matters
CodeDev CEO Myke Parrott said that Unreal Engine offers extensive capabilities, but making a game run smoothly can require a particular set of technical skills. He also noted that optimisation is often postponed until late in development, and that partner studios had repeatedly asked CodeDev for this kind of support.
Late-stage work can be especially challenging when performance problems involve several systems or depend on tasks handled by different parts of a team. A useful first step is to profile the project, identify where the largest costs occur, and trace which systems or dependencies contribute to them. Teams should then prioritise changes that address a measured bottleneck, rather than making broad adjustments without evidence.
Performance Intelligence and profiling
The company has also built an internal tool called Performance Intelligence. CodeDev says it presents more detailed data about budget and CPU usage than Unreal Insights while aiming to keep that information manageable for users.
According to the company, the tool can help distinguish between time spent doing local work and time spent waiting for other work. It also shows where tasks are running, which can help teams spot execution on an unsuitable thread. CodeDev says this information can shorten triage by helping developers identify the responsible area, confirm dependencies and select a high-cost task that can be controlled.
When reviewing profiling data, teams can benefit from checking both the size of a spike and its cause. A large reading alone may not explain whether the issue is computation, waiting or a dependency elsewhere in the project. Connecting measurements to the system responsible makes it easier to choose and evaluate a potential fix.
The Performance Guys is focused on optimisation for Unreal Engine, Unity and proprietary technology. CodeDev says the division works across indie, AA and AAA games, as well as virtual production and high-end visualisation. Its launch reflects a growing need for dedicated technical support when projects must meet demanding performance budgets. For studios planning game performance optimisation, profiling early and tying fixes to measured bottlenecks are practical ways to make the work more focused.
Image credit: The Performance Guys
