Mobile Game Development: How Much Will Mobile Games Cost?

• By Ankit Abhiwan
• 09-06-2025
• Mobile App Development

Mobile game development is one of the most beneficial aspects of the gaming industry, exceeding the sales and allegiance of its users. Mobile gaming is the biggest name in the gaming industry. Most people use smartphones for games. Mobile games can be puzzles and complex games such as PUBG and Candy Crush. The world of gaming is growing fast. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a game studio, or an indie developer of mobile games, it's one of the first and most important questions about what cost that game development takes. The answer is many factors such as the type of games, stages of development and so on depend on it. Experts predict that the gaming market will reach $9.2 billion in 2029 which is $3.8 billion in the past year.

Rise of Mobile Games

Mobile game development gives profit to the gaming industry. In the last decades, the use of mobile phones has grown. Mobile games are the biggest industry all over the world. Data shows that the use of mobile games will reach $125 million by 2028. Mobile game development services are:

1. Free-to-play model
2. In-App Purchase
3. In-Game Ads
4. Subscription Models
5. Premium Games
6. Game Licensing and Franchising
7. Game Asset Store
8. Sponsorship and Brand Collaboration
9. Game Events and Limited-Time Offers

Types of Mobile Games and Their Cost

Every game type has a different cost. The main types of mobile games and their development cost are mentioned below:

a. Simple 2D Games

Simple 2D games are basic games such as puzzles, memory games, or flappy bird-style games. Flappy Bird, 2048 are some simpler 2D games. These games are simpler in graphics, basic sound and no complex logic. The cost range of simple 2D games is $5,000 – $20,000 and development takes time around 1 to 3 months.

b. Casual Games

Casual games are easy to play. These games are popular among mobile users. Candy Crush and Temple Run are some of the casual games. These games have used mid graphics, animations, levels and sound effects. The cost range of casual games is $20,000 – $50,000 and development takes time around 3 to 6 months.

c. Mid-Level Games

Mid-level games have more levels, characters, or multiplayer modes. Clash of Clans, and Angry Birds are examples of these games. These games have better design, real-time chat and in-game purchases. The cost of mid-level games is $50,000 – $120,000 and the time is 6 to 9 months for development.

d. High-End Games / 3D Games

High-end games are complex games with advanced graphics, logic, multiplayer modes, and storylines. PUBG and Call of Duty are popular 3D games. Games have 3D graphics, physics, AR/VR and real-time multiplayer. mobile game development company cost for High-end games around $150,000 – $500,000 or more and it will take 9 to 18 months for development.

e. AR/VR-Based Mobile Games

These games use augmented reality or virtual reality technology. Pokémon GO is an AR/VR-based mobile game. These mobile games cost $100,000 – $300,000+ and take 6 to 12 months for development.

Factors that affect Costs for Mobile Games Development

Mobile game development cost depends on game complexity, types of games, platforms, designs and features. This guide helps to understand which factors affect the cost of developing mobile games and developing valuable budget areas.

1. Game Complexity and Type

Complexity is a main aspect of the higher cost of mobile game development. The complex game will cost more. A mobile game development company will take less cost if the game becomes simpler. For example:

• Simple 2D games, such as puzzle games like Candy Crush, and card games cost $10,000 to $30,000.
• Moderate complex games that have multiplayer and medium-level graphics and strategy games will cost $40,000 to $100,000.
• High-end games and AAA mobile games, such as Battle Royale, and open-world games will cost $150,000 to $500,000 and beyond.
• Simple games are cheaper. While Complex 3D, multiplayer, or AR games cost more.

2. Platform Selections

Single platforms are lower than cross-platform development. Cross-platform development is expensive on both Android and iOS.

• A single platform has a basic cost.
• Basic cost is increased by 20% to 40% and more on cross-platform development. But they have better market reach.

3. Design and Art Assets

Design and art play a major role in deciding the cost of mobile game development. 2D designs are low-cost, easier and faster. The 3D design is expensive for its graphics, modelling, textures, and animations. Casual flat designs are cheaper and character-rich games cost high. The high cost is because of high-end artists and developers.

• 2D art will cost $5000 to $20,000, which is the basic cost.
• 3D art and animation will cost $20,000 to $100,000 and can be higher than this cost.

4. Game Engines and Development Tools

Unity is ideal for 2D and 3D, which has a medium cost. Unreal Engine are expensive. It is popular for high-end graphics. Custom engines require special development, which requires higher costs.

5. Features and functionality

The mobile game development cost depends on the features and functionality of the game. The high-featured game costs a lot. Here are the estimated costs:

• Multiplayer Support costs +$ 10,000
• Social Media Integration costs +$2,000 - $5000
• In-app purchases and Advertising costs +$ 3,000
• AR/VR Features costs +$20,000 - $50,000
• Leaderboard and Achievement cost $1,000.

6. Testing and quality assurance

Game testing is one of the most important aspects of fixing bugs and providing smooth gameplay experiences. Tests include functional tests, compatibility tests, and user experience tests. The testing will cost $5000 to $15,000 depending on the game's complexity.

7. Maintenance and updates

Launching also has expenses. Regular updates, bug fixing, adding content and server maintenance are also costly.

Cost Breakdown for the Complex Games

The complex games cost according to the multiple stages such as pre-development, design & graphics, game development, and backend development. The pre-development stage will cost $5,000 to $7,000, while game development will cost $30,000 to $70,000 and the launching will cost $5,000 to $20,000. Here is the table of cost breakdowns of complex games.

The mobile game development cost will depend on complexity. It will start from $150,000 to more than $ 500,000. Costs will depend on the features and functionality of the game. The mobile game development company will cost based on game design, coding, testing, and marketing. Mobile game development outsourcing will help in providing better quality. The process details and experience are also the major aspects of investing in a game development company.

Mobile Game Development Process

The game development process is an important procedure for successful video game creation. The entire game development software includes multiple stages. Each stage has a major role in game development. The concept and ideation are a big hurdle to the development process of games. Without any strategy, your development process faces issues, game development services give a well-structured process of game development that works with smooth execution.

Pre-Production

• Game concept
• Storyline and characters
• Game design document (GDD)

Game Art and Design

• UI/UX design
• Character and environment design
• Animations
• Audio and music

Development and Programming

• Coding game mechanics
• Database and back-end (for multiplayer or user profiles)
• Integrating payments and social sharing

Testing and QA

• Bug fixing
• Device testing (phones, tablets)
• Gameplay balancing

Launch and Support

• App store submission
• Marketing support
• Post-launch updates
• Maintenance

Marketing and Promotion

• Influencer marketing
• App Store Optimization (ASO)
• Social media ads

Server and Hosting

• Needed for multiplayer or cloud-save games
• You may pay monthly fees to cloud services like AWS or Firebase

Licensing and Tools

• Paid tools, engines, asset packs, or SDKs
• Music, sound effects, or fonts may need licenses

Updates and Maintenance

• Fixing bugs after launch
• Adding new features or levels

How to Reduce Mobile Game Development Costs

The mobile game development reduces cost through Minimum Viable Products, readymade assets, and cross-platform game engines. Mobile game development outsourcing provides basic tips for reducing the cost:

Start with an MVP

Build only the core features first. Add more features after launch.

Use Ready-Made Assets

Instead of creating everything from scratch, use pre-built character models, backgrounds, and music.

Use Cross-Platform Game Engines

Develop and launch it on both Android and iOS platforms.

Outsource to Affordable Regions

A skilled team in India or Eastern Europe can cut down costs without reducing quality.

Hire Freelancers or Small Studios

Big studios charge more. Small but talented teams may deliver great results at lower prices.

Is Mobile Game Dev Profitable?

Yes, Mobile phone game development is beneficial, but it depends on factors. The mobile game development company excels at $ 90 billion per year, so there is great potential for Successful games. They attain income from in-app purchases, ads, and premium versions. Casual and hyper-casual games often reach a wide audience, while mid-core and hardcore games offer a higher service life per user. Mobile game development assists immersive experiences, intellectual marketing, and user connectivity. Mobile game development outsourcing will help in reducing costs and access. They ensure high-quality design, smooth performance, and effective legalisation strategies.

• Achieve revenues from in-app purchases.
• Wider audiences.
• Provide an immersive experience.
• Reduce cost and access.
• Offer high-quality designs and smooth performances.

Which Platform is Best for Mobile Game Development?

Popular game engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine are widely favoured for cross-platform, high-quality graphics, and strong community support. Unity game engine is popular among the many game development services. This is perfect for both 2D and 3D games. Mobile game development outsourcing integrates performance and cost-effectiveness. Unreal Engine is ideal for high-quality graphic games. The development of mobile games saves access to capable global talent and often reduces the costs and rapidity of production time planning. The outsourcing team of mobile game development has experience dealing with cross-platform regulations, ensuring that the game achieves both Android and iOS users efficiently.

• Unity offers cost-effectiveness.
• Unreal gives high-quality graphics.
• Global talent.
• Cross platforms provisions.
• Efficient gameplay.

Conclusion

Mobile game development will depend on the type of games, stages of development and so on. The complex mobile game development will cost $150,000 to $500,000. These costs rely on the features of the game. Mobile Game Development Services offer a cost $10,000, while feature-rich mobile games can easily excel at $250,000. Marketing, updates, customer support, and continuous maintenance are also important to ensure that the game is getting through and highly competitive mobile market. The cost relies on game concepts, features and ideas. If you want to raise the budget of the game you have to define your core feature, game type, platforms and mobile game development company that you want to engage. If you are new in game development understand the process, feedback and then expand your game. Game development is not only coding but also an experience where players enjoy and engage with the game.