Version control is critical for all software development. Game studios in particular face a wholly unique set of challenges.
The majority of code repositories and version control platforms can manage text files just fine.
However, game development demands a system that can handle massive binary assets like textures, models, and audio files – something that Git is still not very good at handling.
With all of the different disciplines at play within any given game’s development lifecycle, a proper balance needs to be found between technical capabilities and user experience for non-technical team members (artists, designers, producers, etc.)
While Git remains popular due to its flexibility and widespread adoption, Perforce and Plastic SCM offer specific advantages for certain types of projects, particularly those involving large files, complex codebases, or game development workflows.
The question that remains then: when it comes to Perforce vs PlasticSCM, which of the two should small/medium game development teams choose? In this article, we’ll help you decide just that.
Understanding Game Development Version Control Needs
Most software development largely involves text-based source code. Game projects, meanwhile, involve sprawling amounts of complex binary assets that standard version control systems struggle to handle.
These assets (3D models, textures, animations, or audio files) can quickly grow to gigabytes in size, creating unique challenges:
- Binary files can’t be merged like text, making conflict resolution more complex
- Large file sizes strain network resources during syncs and updates
- Changes to binary assets aren’t visible in standard diff tools
- Cross-discipline collaboration requires specialized workflows for artists and programmers
As repositories grow, these challenges intensify. A mid-sized indie game can easily reach 200GB+ with thousands of binary assets undergoing frequent changes.
Without proper version control, this leads to asset duplication, lost work, and significant productivity drains.
Both Perforce and PlasticSCM were designed with these challenges and game devs in mind, offering specialized solutions for binary-heavy projects. But they take different approaches to solving these problems. Which of the two you choose can have a significant impact on your team’s workflow and efficiency.
Perforce vs PlasticSCM: what are the differences?
Which version control solution you choose should be based on an analysis across several vectors.
Ease of setup and learning curve
PlasticSCM’s user-friendly approach
PlasticSCM offers a modern, intuitive GUI designed for both technical and non-technical team members. Its visual approach to branch management and merging makes complex operations more accessible, particularly for artists and designers without command-line experience.
Setup is streamlined with minimal configuration required. Most teams can be up and running within hours. Moreover, Unity’s adoption of PlasticSCM as its default version control solution further simplifies the process for Unity-based projects.
Tutorial: how to setup PlasticSCM + Unity
Perforce’s steeper learning curve
Perforce P4 (formerly Helix Core) provides powerful capabilities but comes with a steeper learning curve. Initial server setup requires more significant technical expertise, though there are services like Assembla’s Perforce hosting that allow teams to fully offload Perforce management and maintenance.
The Perforce workflow is centered around the concepts of workspaces, changelists, and the depot structure. This terminology and other processes may initially confuse team members used to Git or other systems. However, this initial investment pays dividends through greater control and scalability as projects grow.
Handling large binary assets and performance
Perforce’s binary file management
Perforce excels at managing massive binary files with no practical size limits. Its p4 sync command is highly optimized for large codebases, with features like parallel syncing that can significantly reduce workspace update times.
The system’s atomic changelists ensure that related files are always committed together, preventing partial updates that could break builds. Perforce’s server-side operations handle the heavy lifting, minimizing client-side resource demands even with extremely large repositories.
PlasticSCM’s repository management
PlasticSCM handles repositories that are terabytes in size without performance degradation, making it suitable for mid-sized game projects. Its distributed architecture allows for efficient local operations while maintaining central repository integrity.
Both systems perform well with large binary files so it’s important to take the other factors listed here into consideration rather than focusing on raw performance.
Collaboration and remote work
PlasticSCM’s distributed model
PlasticSCM utilizes a distributed version control model with built-in task-based workflows. Team members can work offline with local repositories and synchronize changes when reconnected. The system’s branch visualization tools provide clear insight into project history and team contributions, particularly valuable for remote collaboration.
Perforce’s centralized approach
Perforce follows a centralized model requiring constant server connection. However, its proxy servers and edge servers help distribute load for geographically dispersed teams.
Perforce’s granular permission system offers precise control over which team members can access specific files or folders, an advantage for studios with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
PlasticSCM provides similar capabilities but with a more flexible approach to workspace management.
Game engine integration
Unity integration
PlasticSCM is Unity’s default version control system, providing an in-editor integration. Developers can perform common version control operations without leaving the Unity environment, streamlining workflows for Unity-focused teams. This native integration reduces context switching and makes version control more accessible to team members less familiar with dedicated VCS tools.
Unreal and other engines
Perforce has long been the industry standard for AAA game development, including Unreal Engine projects. While not natively integrated like PlasticSCM is with Unity, Perforce offers plugins for popular game engines and established workflows documented by major studios.
Studios working across multiple engines may benefit from Perforce’s broader industry adoption, while Unity-exclusive teams might find PlasticSCM’s tight integration more valuable for day-to-day operations.
Cost comparison and scalability
PlasticSCM pricing structure
PlasticSCM offers accessible entry points for small teams:
- Free tier for up to 3 users with 5GB cloud storage
- Cloud Edition starts at $6.95/month
- Enterprise Edition at $23.00/user/month
This tiered approach allows teams to start with minimal investment and scale as needed.
Perforce Pricing Options
Perforce pricing is a bit more expensive in comparison, with more enterprise-focused options:
- Perforce is free for up to 5 users, but excludes server hosting or on-prem setup costs.
- Perforce’s Helix Core Cloud starts at $39/user/month (up to 50 users).
- Assembla’s Helix Core add-on starts at $39/user/month, with volume discounts available for teams of 20+ users.
- Traditional licensing begins around $600 per user annually.
While more expensive initially, Perforce’s pricing structure includes enterprise-grade features and support that become more cost-effective as teams expand beyond 20 members.
Real-World Considerations for Indie Teams
Team Size and Growth Projections
Starting with PlasticSCM makes sense for teams of 2-10 people, especially with Unity projects. The free tier allows small teams to begin without upfront costs.
Perforce becomes more cost-effective as teams grow beyond 20 members. Teams anticipating rapid growth should consider the long-term advantages of Perforce’s scalability against the transition costs of switching later.
Technical Expertise Available
PlasticSCM requires minimal technical expertise to set up and maintain, making it suitable for teams without dedicated IT staff.
Perforce traditionally needs more technical knowledge, though solutions like Perforce P4 Cloud and Assembla’s Perforce hosting have reduced this barrier. Teams should honestly assess their technical capabilities when choosing between the systems.
Simplifying version control with managed hosting
Infrastructure management creates a significant burden for indie teams already stretched thin with development tasks. Managing servers, backups, security patches, and scaling concerns diverts valuable resources from game creation.
Managed hosting solutions eliminate these headaches:
- Assembla’s Perforce hosting provides fully managed infrastructure with automatic backups, security updates
- Helix Core Cloud offers similar benefits directly from Perforce with simplified setup
- Both options include dedicated support and guaranteed uptime
For small teams without IT staff, these solutions typically pay for themselves by eliminating server management costs and reducing downtime risks.
Most importantly, they allow developers to focus entirely on game development rather than version control administration.
Is your team already using Perforce? Eliminate the hassle of managing your own cloud or on-prem instance of Helix Core. Bring your Perforce license over to Assembla to experience hosting that is faster, more cost-effective, secure, and infinitely customizable.
