Everyone knows that creating a good game is a difficult process involving many specialists. We emphasize the word “good” because a mediocre product can be created by even one person during the day. Modern technologies allow it quite well. But is this what you need?
Mobile games are the most promising and dynamic trend in the entertainment industry as some online services like rocketbrush.com provides 2D and 3D concept art and also provides high-quality motion comics that creates special visual effects which increase the curiosity among users to play such games at large extent. Already, they have captured more than half of the market, overtaking PC and console products. And the further, the more people are interested in the opportunity to get a smartphone out of their pocket and instantly plunge into the addictive game play.
How to develop mobile games? What are the main stages? We are ready to show our cards.
Guide to the Main Stages of Mobile Game Development
There are a lot of mobile games. Hundreds of new options appear in app stores every day. But it is obvious that not every one of them is destined to repeat the success of the giants who have been in the top for many months and are not going to leave it. Of course, all developers want to create applications that will explode the market as quickly as possible. But nothing good will come out quickly.
Each of the entertainment products that are now regarded as a benchmark is the result of the tremendous work of a large team. This is a good idea and high-quality implementation. Perhaps this was not a fundamentally new concept, but its presentation was so successful that the players appreciated it at its true worth.
Companies providing mobile game services know how this whole system works. It is impossible to create a cool product without knowing the target audience, its needs and expectations. We have collected the basic steps for working on a mobile entertainment application so that you realize how large-scale and responsible this process is. Even if the result is just a ball jumping over obstacles. And you wonder why such a simple game turned out to be so addictive.
Step 1. The Main Idea and Concept
It all starts with an idea. It is the foundation of the game and largely determines its future success. Knowing the genre, be sure to do some preliminary market research to highlight the key features of the products that players especially like.
Nowadays it is quite difficult to come up with something completely new. But it doesn’t matter. The very basis and basic mechanics may be familiar to everyone, but the important thing is how you implement it. Here, original graphic ideas, interesting interactions and much more will come to your aid.
Step 2. Platform and Game Engine
Today, the best choice is to create a game for both Android and iOS. Thus, you cover the maximum pool of players. Of course, this development will be more expensive. But keep in mind that by choosing only one platform, you lose about half of the market for users who prefer another platform.
As for the engine, it all depends on what kind of game you are going to create. A very popular option is Unity, which is great for 2D and 3D projects of any complexity. Unreal Engine has a simple interface and allows you to create games without programming using a special visual editor. The Corona SDK is ideal for 2D projects like platformers and isometric games.
Step 3. Game Design Document
This is a special document that contains all the information about the game in every detail. It is created by game designers. They register there data on the chosen engine, platform and technologies, as well as all gameplay and plot details.
Step 4. Mobile Game Development
Before starting development, a prototype is most often created, which allows you to evaluate the play ability of the product and check the attractiveness of the mechanics. If everything is in order, then the team starts coding.
This is a very painstaking and meticulous process, where the developers take into account all the nuances of the game design document to give exactly the result that the client expects. In fact, this is the stage at which the game becomes playable.
Step 5. Quality Assurance
Development is followed by testing. If you skip this stage, you run the risk of launching a product full of errors and bugs on the market. The players will not forgive you for this, be sure.
Usually, every experienced mobile game development company has a team of testers on its staff. They examine the project for bugs and report them to the developers. It is also important to ensure good optimization.
Step 6. Monetization
Monetization is especially important if the game is free-to-play. The bulk of mobile products are just like that. By choosing the right strategy, you can recoup the costs of creating a game and make a profit. The most famous options are different types of video ads, banners, in-app purchases and premium versions of the game with special conditions for players.
Step 7. Launch and Post-Release Maintenance
The game is launched on the Play Store, App Store, or both of them if cross-platform development was chosen. But this is not the end. The team that worked on the game provides the so-called post-release support. It consists of regular updates, adding new levels and functions, listening to players’ feedback and so on. This helps the game stay heard for a long time and increases both player engagement and retention.
Final Thoughts
So, are you ready to dive headlong into the complex and fun process of creating a mobile game? If you are confident in your idea and are ready to fight for it, then there is no need to delay. It’s time to implement your project with the mobile game development agency Kevuru Games. This company is a guru in the creation of mobile projects: it implemented many projects of varying complexity and genres. Together with this team, you will create and polish a project of stunning beauty and fun. The gaming world needs new ideas, and it is in your power to provide it with something fresh and amazing.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.