Introduction:
As a game player, it may be good to know how to create a mobile gaming app on your own which includes game design, programming, and graphic design. This is not going to be an easy journey so make sure you are ready to pay the price if you are determined.
Do you remember how much time you spent playing games when you were young? Hours, even days if we are not talking about your social life, right? So it was no myth to say that millions of people out there have been dreaming to create a mobile gaming app that spreads all over the world. We totally understand the delirious thrill of making your game idea a reality which in turn calls out for branches of questions like:
- What game engine to use?
- Where to publish the game?
- How much programming do you need to learn for mobile gaming app development?
- How to code for a game?
- How to finally design a game?
Mobile game app development can be absolutely fun, thrilling, depressing, and rewarding. Programmers from all walks of life love to create and develop mobile games, applications based on existing games, new game concepts, and game mechanics.
Creating a mobile gaming app seems like a daunting task with the sheer amount of resources available to do so. Hence, we are here to guide you!
Also, read – How to make a game from scratch?
How big is Mobile Gaming?
Mobile device users worldwide spent 178.1 billion on mobile app downloads in 2017; the Apple App Store accounted for a 64 percent share of worldwide consumer spending on app stores, whereas app users downloaded 21.3 billion apps from the Google Play store in the same year.
Undoubtedly, it seems that people are spending more time on their mobile devices — from gaming and watching videos to checking emails and social media.
Why is designing so crucial in Mobile Game App Development?
We can’t really tell you what your app design should be like, because what works for one app might not work for another. We can tell you from experience, however, that the most important thing when it comes to mobile games is – having a soul. If a game has a soul, the players can feel it – even if the gameplay is different or the graphics have been done by a third-party firm.
Also, read – The timeless evolution of Game Design
Are you already trying to design a game app for android?
Understandably, you may be having a hard time judging if the graphics, plot, characters, and background for the game should be sought! All you need to do is focus on elements that will create a great app. Few tips can be gathered from experts and experienced designers to create a mobile gaming app.
Which are the popular Mobile Game Engines?
Below is the list of some popular game engines that you may consider:
1. UNITY
Unity is one of the most well-known game engines out there for creating games for almost any platform as either a 3D or 2D game. Unity is one of the simplest development environments where it lets you build things from scratch. Unity works with specifically C.
2. GODOT
Godot is a powerful open-source game engine that is one of the best tools for creating 2D and 3D games. Godot provides support for both scripting and visual-scripting, making it easy for anyone to create their own games.
3. PHASER
Developers who write code can use Phaser alternatively to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) or JavaScript. The best aspect of Phaser is that it will not require the use of Flash or WebGL APIs because it uses HTML5, which indicates that one may develop games on any browser which supports the usage of JavaScript.
How to start the development of a Gaming App?
Let’s start by developing an app from scratch.
#1. Understand yourself
The first step is to understand yourself (your organization) and one of the crucial factors of mobile gaming app development. What is your brand all about? Are you a brand that is utilitarian or fashionable? Are you a luxury brand or a contemporary one?
SWOT Analysis is the right choice for making informed decisions to create a mobile gaming app. Decisions are only as good as the actions taken based on that analysis. Action gives a business the ability to adapt, and in today’s hyper-competitive global market—adaptation is survival.
#2. Market Research
When you create a mobile gaming app, you will need to know what the public wants and what its preferences are. You cannot make a game that nobody likes or is not successful in its own way. For example, if you make a game based on cars that your target audience has no interest in, then you are wasting your time.
You should gather some information about the market first then initiate the game development process. If you make your product with user feedback, it will help to improve the product and increase profits.
#3. Develop an idea
A good idea dominates from the heart of a game app. Ideation is an essential step of successful mobile game development. Moreover, you can brainstorm or ideate with your development team that will keep your users engaged—and enticed for hours at a stretch.
#4. Create a story
Your game app should have a story behind it – a world of characters, victory parameters, surprises, fun elements, and rewards. If you can dream the story, you can write the story. Design your own adventures or open your game up to the community by giving them the opportunity to create their own levels and campaigns.
#5. Winning Design
Game design is arguably one of the most important parts of the mobile gaming app development process. To create a winning app, you need to pay attention to detail and breathe in life to the characters, art, and overall look and feel of the game. Appealing graphics are just one component of a great game and will only serve their purpose if they are backed by solid gameplay design.
#6. Identify key platforms
Before you make a mobile game for either Android or iOS, you would need to decide if one of them would work better for you – or whether you should be creating a hybrid app.
#7. Build a monetization story
Some game developers earn money for their apps by asking for a one-time fee, which is similar to paying for a TV program and all of its seasons. This model is called the premium.
Other game makers earn revenue by selling in-game purchases, so each time you complete a level and move on to the next one, you can purchase new energy instead of waiting for it to replenish. This model is called freemium.
You will have many choices when deciding which model works best for your game.
#8. Decide Technology
With the wide range of options available for developing mobile games, deciding on the development process can be a bit tricky. Native devices use languages specific to a platform.
For example, you can develop Android devices in Java and iOS games in Swift. However, given the other advantages of cross-platform devices, it is recommended to develop games for these platforms as well.
Technologies like Xamarin, cocos2d-x, or Unity3D make porting easier. No matter what technology you choose, consider performance and usability over gimmicks or novelties.
#9. Search for a reliable development partner
You need to figure out a reliable mobile game development company. The first and foremost thing is the platform, be it iOS or Android, that you want your app developed for. Saving money at the development stage is tantamount to losing money in the long run.
Experts of Mobcoder have a vast amount of experience in game app development and hence can help you with picking out the best platform for your idea if you are thinking of how to make a game app.
#10. Testing is the key
In the mobile gaming world, it’s crucial to test your apps at every stage. This includes beta testing and user acceptance testing. Every step helps to ensure a smooth gameplay experience for users. From the beginning of a new app, through its development, beta testing, and release, testers are there to help make sure you’ve created the best product possible.
#11. Support and Maintainance
While reality shows are regularly followed by fans, game development is always followed by fans anxious for new releases. The key to keeping fans happy, or maintaining the public interest in your project, is to keep them intrigued about what’s next for your game.
What kind of games can you build?
Game apps or game apps are a representation of games for different platforms upon the evolution of phones, tablets, and other mobile devices. Learning how to make a mobile game is today’s trend.
- Puzzles and Word Games
- Strategic Games
- Arcade Games
- Board and Card Games
- Educational Games
- Racing Games
- Music Games
- Adventure Games
Final Words:
Mobile gaming is exploding in popularity, leaving a whole lot of money on the table for the taking (by savvy app developers). If you want to create a mobile gaming app and capitalize on this trend, you’re going to need a comprehensive plan for your app development—and we can help you with that.
From building original game apps from scratch to helping established organizations develop their own mobile apps and more, Mobcoder is your one-stop-shop for all things gaming. Contact us today!
