How to Build a Successful Mobile Game
In recent years, the mobile gaming sector has experienced remarkable expansion, boasting millions of users worldwide.
Developing a successful mobile game has evolved into a challenging yet fulfilling pursuit.
Whether you’re an independent developer or an owner of a game development studio, employing effective strategies is important to distinguishing yourself from others.
This article will delve into some top tips for mobile game development, offering insights to assist you in crafting a prosperous and captivating game.
Factors That Impede Mobile Game Success
There is a wide range of factors that hinder mobile game success. They can appear at the project launch and proceed to the mobile game development stage. We’ve performed detailed research of these factors and divided them into the main categories: pre-development and development phase. Let’s look at them in more detail.
Pre-Development Issues
Game developers need to pay much attention to the pre-development stage. It usually includes the most basic issues like project requrements analysis, choice of the right game platform, and others. Referring to these aspects at the initial stage of the game development project helps to avoid various issues in the long run and diminish the project risks.
Detailed project requirements analysis is crucial for effective mobile game creation and release. Today, app stores are replete with a plethora of games to all tastes. And it’s highly likely that game developers can find a similar game to the one they are planning to build in the stores. Therefore, game developers have to perform in-depth analysis and find out how to make their game original. For example, by adding some appealing elements, offering more convenient navigation, or just creating a more gripping storyline.
Undefined Game Platform
Another point to consider before the actual mobile game development stage is the game platform. There is a wide variety of platforms and each has its own advantages and drawbacks, though the choice depends on several factors:
- the target audience of the game;
- graphics and tech requirements;
- speed for game processing and available resources.
Although building for the most popular Android and iOS platforms will bring the greatest number of users, game developers should start with one to make sure that their game idea is stable and successful among gamers.
Development Issues
Development issues are related to the mobile game development process. Here are the things game developers need to keep in mind and try to avoid when building their mobile games.
Long Iterations
Building a mobile game with a user in mind is the key to successful mobile development. To get frequent user feedback, game developers break their mobile game development projects into small iterations.
Game developers ask users their opinions on the newly released features and can better adjust their product to their demands and enhance their game experience. Moreover, often updates and newly added features signify that the game developers are interested in their product, resulting in better user retention.
Development in short iterations usually starts with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). By building MVPs, game developers can quickly introduce their games to the app market. As the users show some interest, developers can add new features, characters, and levels, or layer various extra elements to make the game even more attractive.
Premature UX/UI Design
Gamers value intuitive and compelling UX/UI design. Visual, audio presentation, and user-friendliness are the factors that determine the users’ game assessment.
Game developers should carefully consider and design game controls and navigation. They shouldn’t be too overwhelming or complicated. The golden rule of game design is the less is more. This way, before adding new functionality or a button, game developers should consider if it’s really necessary and which features they could remove to simplify the gameplay.
Poor Graphics
Graphics is the first thing users experience when they download a mobile game. If it looks bad or blurry, gamers are highly likely to abandon the game. When building their game apps game developers should give much attention to graphics quality, color palette, and screen resolutions. It means that the developed game will run on any mobile gadget with different screen sizes, won’t have poor quality, or have unattractive colors.
When working on a game development project, it’s important to invest much time and money into the game’s graphics so that it’ll be an exciting feature in the game. For this, game developers can use color palette generators and tools or use 3D game art resource sites.
Insufficient Game Testing
Games are mobile apps that require much testing and prototyping. They ensure a bugless user experience, making it enjoyable and hassle-free. For this, before a mobile game release, game developers and QA need to prepare serious testing formats and not limit themselves to team testing only. Instead, they can hire game testers or release beta game versions for public testing.
One more feature that helps to reduce the number of possible bugs is prototyping. Game developers should prototype often. It means that they need to create a playable prototype to test it for new features and ideas. If the idea seems successful, the developers can add it to the main product, test it, and make a fresh release of the game.
Steps to Creating a Successful Mobile Game
Creating a successful mobile game requires more than just a unique concept. It demands a combination of creativity, technical skill, and a deep understanding of the market.
Here is a quick checklist from our experienced team on how to create a mobile game:
- do an in-depth mobile game market research, choose your game genre and platform;
- build your mobile game MVP;
- use short development iterations;
- often take polls on improvements among your game players;
- elaborate on your market strategy and start it early;
- use various sources to advertise your mobile game;
- collect feedback from professionals;
- plan your game monetization;
- take care of your UX/UI, graphics, music, and sound effects;
- test your game thoroughly.
While following these tips you are likely to create a mobile game that will have success and bring maximum ROI to its owner.
Mobile Game Development Process
Requirements Analysis
Before starting the development process, conduct a thorough requirements analysis. Define the objectives of your game, identify key features, and outline technical specifications. This step lays the foundation for the entire development process and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
UI/UX Design
Design plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining players. Collaborate with skilled graphic designers to create a visually appealing user interface (UI) and captivating graphics. A well-designed UI improves the overall user experience, making your game more enjoyable and user-friendly.
Development
Choose an OS for your game. It can be Android, iOS, or both. Leverage platform-specific features and guidelines to optimize the performance and user experience on each platform.
QA Testing
Quality assurance (QA) testing is a critical phase in the development process. Thoroughly test your game to find and get rid of bugs, glitches, and performance issues. Pay attention to the user interface, gameplay mechanics, and compatibility across different devices.
Release and Submission
Once your game has undergone thorough testing, it’s time to release and submit it to app stores. Follow the submission guidelines for platforms such as the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Be prepared to provide necessary assets, descriptions, and any other required information for a smooth submission process.
Support and Maintenance
The launch of your game is not the end of the development journey. It marks the beginning of ongoing support and maintenance. Monitor player feedback, address issues, and release updates to enhance the gaming experience.
Summary
In the world of mobile game development, success requires a combination of innovation, understanding your audience, and effective execution.
By following the tips in this article, you can increase your chances of creating a successful mobile game that captivates players and stands out in an overcrowded market.
Remember, the key to success lies not only in the development process but also in ongoing support, updates, and a wise approach to marketing and monetization.
Ready to transform your mobile game idea into a thriving reality? Contact SCAND today for cutting-edge mobile app development services. Let our expert team bring innovation and technical excellence to your project.
