The App Store and Google Play are full of mobile games, and gamers are spoilt for choice. Almost every tech company is venturing into game app development which has everyone wondering what it takes to launch a successful mobile game. The answer is not easy because each game has a specific audience, genre, and scope. The size and scale of the game determine the number of developers required for it. On average, apps take 18 weeks to complete, but time and resources are not needed to complete the project.
In terms of entry requirements, there are no specific pre-requisites for releasing a mobile game. Anyone with an idea can get started and try out their luck on the app market. Many developers have created viral mobile apps without previous experience, formal training, or big budgets. If you think you have a game idea that has the potential to be a big hit, then you should go through the following mobile game app development checklist to make sure you have everything you need to guarantee success.
Finalize Your Idea
The first step to game app development is coming up with an idea. This is the most critical phase because it is the concept that is supposed to attract audiences. The best way to start brainstorming is by identifying popular games that you enjoy and narrowing down the common themes they follow. The key is not to copy them but use that as a starting point to develop a fresh and unique idea. They are meant to serve as the inspiration for something bigger and better.
Many tools are available that help with the development process, and you do not need expert programming skills to use them. The biggest mistake you could make at this stage is being overambitious or aiming too high with your idea. Despite the many excellent resources available, it would be simpler to start with a small idea and build an audience in the mobile game arena.
Get the Right Tools
The platform you choose to host your mobile game on will determine the programming language required. For instance, iOS usually works best with Objective C, while Android is much more suited for Java and similar development languages. However, there are many software options for game app development for those lacking programming expertise.
Those new to the field can choose between GameSalad, GameSalad Pro, and GameMaker Studio, depending on the complexity of their idea. They can also select Unity if they are developing a 3D game. Although the game cannot be wholly designed without any code, these platforms make it easier for those more inclined towards design to pull it off.
Develop a Prototype
Like testing, prototyping is one area of development that a game app development company tends to overlook and regret later on. Creating the prototype provides companies with the opportunity to test out the idea and see which components work and which do not before committing to them. It saves a lot of time and effort by directing attention towards any existing flaws in the design. Users can even improve their idea by getting a neutral party’s opinion.
Depending on the game’s style, genre, and story, only physical prototyping will not be enough. Mapping out the game story and sequence on paper will not provide the information needed to validate the idea. A digital prototype is necessary because it helps lay down all the lines and shapes to provide stakeholders with a complete picture of the solution.
Begin the Development Process
Once you have validated the idea with a prototype and are sure that it can be a popular mobile game, the next step is beginning development. Game app development usually starts with figuring out the gameplay mechanics and going from there. If the game uses a 2D platform, the developers should figure out the physics and movement before spending time on bonus points, power-ups, and locked characters.
The game app development company usually uses a placeholder for the art. At the same time, they begin with the coding, but they will have to eventually focus on the graphics, music, and animation when bringing the game into shape. Creating impressive visuals is very easy now, and there are many tutorials online that can help even amateurs come up with eye-catching visuals. However, it does not hurt to have someone with the experience and skills to work on the game art.
Test and Launch
A game cannot succeed if launched only to meet criticism, complaints, and endless bug reports. The game app development team must be prepared to deal with feedback and work on updates that fix existing errors or glitches. The best course of action is to get members from the audience to beta-test the game. They can pinpoint any issues that the quality assurance department might have missed during the early stages.
Once the game has gone through the necessary testing stages, it is ready to be released to the world. The development process does not end once the game has been launched. There are a lot of efforts that need to go into the marketing campaigns to help the target audience discover your app. The competition is fierce in all markets, and it is easy for new apps to get lost in them. Strategically using social media, email marketing, developer communities, and other platforms can help.
Conclusion
This is a condensed checklist of all the steps any development team should take when working on an idea. Developers usually describe the process as one of the most challenging projects they have ever undertaken. However, knowing your game brings joy and satisfaction to many players is worth it. This and the success a viral mobile app brings to any company keep people going and trying their luck in the digital game world.
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