First and foremost, mobile game development has been worth investing in forever. The more you invest, the better your return will be. There is a large market for mobile game development, including kids, teens, adults, and even seniors. So, who would not be interested in investing in this solid market where the demand is going up?
If you are an investor or entrepreneur still intrigued about investment in mobile game development, this blog is for you. We break down the whole mobile game application development cost that navigates all significant aspects of game development that help you make an informed decision.
However, building a mobile gaming app requires a strategic approach that acquires the perfect storyline, striking visuals, competitive programming, and audio-appealing sound design. In order to achieve an efficient end product, you must hire a professional mobile game development company that helps you achieve the desired goal of your investment.
Why Should You Need To Invest In Mobile Game Development?
Investing in mobile game development can be a lucrative venture for several reasons:
Lucrative Market: The mobile gaming industry is booming, with millions of users worldwide. People of all ages and backgrounds play mobile games, creating a vast market with significant revenue potential.
High Engagement: Mobile games often have high engagement levels, with users playing their favorite titles for hours. This prolonged engagement can translate into increased opportunities for in-game purchases, advertisements, as well as other revenue streams.
Global Reach: Mobile games have a global reach, allowing developers to tap into diverse markets worldwide. With the right marketing strategies and localization efforts, your game can appeal to players from different cultures and regions.
Low Barrier to Entry: Compared to other forms of entertainment, such as console or PC games, the barrier to entry for mobile game development is relatively low. Tools and platforms like Unity, Unreal Engine, and App Store/Google Play make it easier for developers to create and distribute their games.
Monetization Opportunities: Mobile games offer various monetization opportunities, including in-app purchases, ads, subscriptions, and sponsorships. However, developers can choose the most suitable monetization model based on their target audience and game genre.
Continuous Growth: The mobile gaming industry continuously evolves, with new technologies and trends shaping the landscape. By investing in mobile game development, you can stay ahead of the curve and adapt to changing consumer preferences.
Creative Expression: Game development is a creative endeavor that allows developers to express their ideas and storytelling skills. Moreover, mobile platforms offer various genres and gameplay mechanics, providing developers ample opportunities for innovation and experimentation.
Mobile Game Development Cost In US
The cost of mobile game app development in the US can vary widely depending on several factors, including the complexity of the game, the features and functionalities it includes, the platform(s) it’s developed for (iOS, Android, or both), the mobile game developers’ experience and location, and any additional services required (such as graphic design, sound engineering, or marketing).
Generally, simple mobile games with basic features can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 to develop. However, more complex games with advanced graphics, multiplayer capabilities, and extensive content can cost upwards of $100,000 or several million dollars.
Here’s a rough breakdown of typical costs for different types of mobile games:
Simple 2D Games: These games usually have basic graphics and gameplay mechanics. Development costs can range from $5,000 to $50,000.
Mid-Range Games: These games may have more polished graphics, additional features like in-app purchases or social integration, and a higher level of complexity. Development costs typically range from $50,000 to $200,000.
High-End Games: Large-scale games with advanced graphics, complex gameplay mechanics, multiplayer support, and extensive content. However, development costs can exceed $200,000 and even reach the millions for AAA titles.
Budgeting for not only the initial development costs but also ongoing maintenance, updates, and marketing expenses is essential. Additionally, hiring a reputable mobile application development company (specializing in game development) with a track record of delivering quality games can help ensure a successful and profitable mobile game application.
How To Start Mobile Game Development
There are eight phases to building a robust and intuitive mobile game app under the supervision of trusted game developers.
Conceptualization and Planning
The first step in mobile game development is conceptualizing the game idea and planning its execution. This involves brainstorming concepts, defining the target audience, researching market trends, and creating a detailed game design document (GDD). The GDD outlines the game’s mechanics, storyline, characters, levels, monetization strategy, and other essential aspects.
Prototyping and Design
Once the game concept is finalized, the game developers create a prototype or mockup to visualize the gameplay mechanics and user interface (UI). Prototyping helps validate ideas and identify potential issues early in the development process. Concurrently, the design team for the game industry works on creating visual assets, including characters, environments, animations, and UI elements, adhering to the art style defined in the GDD.
Development
With the prototype and design assets in place, the development phase begins. Programmers use game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine to write code and implement game features based on the GDD. It includes coding gameplay mechanics and integrating audio and visual elements. However, implementing user input controls, and optimizing performance for various mobile devices. QA and testing team conduct regular testing and debugging throughout the development process to ensure the game functions as intended.
Testing and Quality Assurance (QA)
Testing is a crucial phase in mobile game development. Its purpose is to identify and fix bugs, glitches, and usability issues. QA testers play the game on different devices and operating systems to assess its functionality, performance, and user experience. They provide feedback to the mobile game developers, who then make necessary adjustments and refinements to improve the game’s overall quality.
Optimization and Performance Tuning
Once the game is stable and bug-free, optimization, and performance tuning are essential to ensure smooth gameplay and efficient resource usage. This involves optimizing code, reducing load times, minimizing memory usage, and optimizing graphics and audio assets for mobile devices. Performance testing is conducted on various devices to ensure the game runs smoothly across different hardware configurations.
Localization and Accessibility
If the game is intended for a global audience, localization may be necessary to translate text, audio, and other content into different languages. Accessibility features such as adjustable difficulty levels, colorblind modes, and assistive controls should also be implemented. As a result, it ensures inclusivity and enhances the gaming experience for all players.
Launch and Distribution
Once the game is ready for release, it’s time to launch and distribute it to the intended audience. Depending on the platform(s) targeted (iOS, Android, or both), the game may be released on app stores like the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or alternative platforms. Effective marketing strategies, including app store optimization (ASO), social media promotion, influencer partnerships, and press releases, can generate buzz and attract players to download the game.
Post-Launch Support and Updates
After the game is launched, a good game development software company continues providing support and updates to address user feedback, fix bugs, add new features, and enhance the gaming experience. Regular updates help keep players engaged and ensure the game remains competitive in the ever-evolving mobile gaming market.
Get More Info: Essential Steps to Launching Your Game Development Company
Ready To Invest in Mobile Application For Gaming?
Building a gaming application takes time but once it is done, it will be worth waiting and investing. The gaming industry is highly lucrative. It’s essential to budget for not only the initial development costs but also ongoing maintenance, updates, and marketing expenses. Additionally, hiring a reputable development team with a track record of delivering quality games can help ensure a successful and profitable mobile game app. At MMC Global, we have offered high-performing mobile game development services for decades. Explore our portfolio and then set up a meeting to initiate your project.