Custom Simulation Development: When to Choose Studio Services Over DIY

For business school instructors and corporate learning teams, choosing how to develop a simulation is a question of fit: how much of the authoring should stay with your team, and when would expert support be useful? LiveCase offers a self-service AI Case Authoring Studio and Studio Services, a done-for-you option in which LiveCase's team of expert case writers, instructional designers, and scenario writers builds a simulation for you.

The AI Case Authoring Studio's 30-step workflow drafts about 80% of a simulation blueprint in minutes from your case materials. Studio Services is for teams that want a bespoke simulation built with the studio team. The right route depends on your project, your team's capacity, and how much hands-on support you want.

For a broader set of platform evaluation criteria, see how to compare business simulation platforms.

Pathway 1: Build with the self-service authoring studio

Start with your own case materials, teaching materials, or learning objectives, then use LiveCase's AI authoring workflow to draft a simulation blueprint. The workflow produces about 80% of a blueprint in minutes, and you can review and develop the draft for your learning goals. This route suits teams that want to lead the authoring themselves and have the time to shape the material.

For a step-by-step introduction to co-creating a first simulation, see your first simulation with AI co-creation. You can also explore entrepreneurship simulations for university courses.

Pathway 2: Work with Studio Services

Studio Services is the done-for-you route. LiveCase's team of expert case writers, instructional designers, and scenario writers works with you to build a custom simulation. This option is worth considering when the project calls for more direct support than a self-service workflow provides.

When to Choose Studio Services

Studio Services may be a good fit when one or more of these project factors matter:

1. A flagship or high-visibility program: The simulation is part of a prominent initiative where the team wants expert support in developing the experience.
2. Limited faculty or internal authoring time: Subject-matter experts can contribute their knowledge, but do not have time to lead the authoring themselves.
3. Complex, multi-role branching: The project has several roles or decision paths, and the team would value working with experienced scenario writers.
4. Institutional or brand standards: The simulation needs to reflect specific institutional, program, or brand requirements.
5. A tight launch date: The project has a fixed target date, so it is useful to discuss scope and timing with the studio before choosing an authoring route.

For programs focused on senior learners, see the guide to executive education simulations.

Publishing and learner access

LiveCase cases can be published with Harvard Business Impact, Ivey Publishing, and The Case Centre. On Harvard Business Impact, 8 of LiveCase's 15 published titles are best sellers.

Learners can launch LiveCase through Canvas or Blackboard via LTI 1.3. LTI provides launch and single sign-on, but grades are not passed back to the LMS. Results are reviewed in the LiveCase dashboard.

LiveCase reports 92% completion across 70,000+ learners. Authoring and previewing are free during early access, with no credit card required. Student runs cost $1.50 per student per run.

Which route fits your project?

Choose the self-service authoring studio if your team wants to lead the work and use AI to draft a substantial part of the simulation blueprint from existing materials. Consider Studio Services if you want LiveCase's expert team to build a bespoke simulation with you. If you are unsure which route fits, discuss your project and its requirements with the team.

FAQ

What is the difference between AI authoring and Studio Services?

The AI Case Authoring Studio is self-service: its 30-step workflow drafts about 80% of a simulation blueprint in minutes from your materials. Studio Services is the done-for-you route, where LiveCase's expert case writers, instructional designers, and scenario writers build a custom simulation for you.

How much does it cost to create a simulation?

Authoring and previewing are free during early access, with no credit card required, and student runs cost $1.50 per student per run. Studio Services pricing is quoted on request, so book a conversation with LiveCase to discuss your project.

How long does it take to build a custom simulation?

The 30-step AI workflow drafts about 80% of a simulation blueprint in minutes, but that is the draft stage, not a stated end-to-end build time. Studio Services timing depends on the project, so discuss the scope and target date with the team.

Can I publish a simulation I built myself?

LiveCase cases can be published with Harvard Business Impact, Ivey Publishing, and The Case Centre. If you are considering a self-authored simulation for publication, discuss the project and publishing route with the LiveCase team.

Further reading

• Hoeft, M. E. (2012). Why University Students Don't Read: What Professors Can Do To Increase Compliance. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning, 6(2), Article 12.
• Freeman, S. et al. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(23), 8410-8415.

Discuss your simulation project

Want to compare self-service authoring with Studio Services for your course or training program? Book a conversation with LiveCase to discuss your needs and next steps.