Mobile Game Development: A Trend That’s Here to Stay

• By silvi willemson
• 02-06-2023
• Mobile Apps

At one point or another, we've all been addicted to smartphone gaming. Most of us now can't even fathom a time before video games like Mario, Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, Subway Surfers, and countless others. To say that these games helped usher in the digital age would be an understatement. The mobile gaming trend, which began more than two decades ago, has only evolved. Some of today's most popular mobile games have been downloaded a staggering number of times, and their creators have become instant multimillionaires.

With over 6 billion people around the globe using smartphones, creating games for these devices has become a lucrative industry. Developers can instantly gain a massive user base and a substantial cash stream by providing a fun and engaging mobile game.

The Changing Nature of the Mobile Game Industry

Since its start, the mobile gaming business has undergone several changes, the most significant of which have been brought about by technological advancements. A long way has come from the days of using four buttons to mark the maximum score while controlling a snake; nowadays, we play games in which our avatars drive automobiles, shoot people, and change into different outfits as they explore an entirely new universe. The gaming business did the same thing with mobile games. Now, you can work with a mobile app development company in Dubai and build a game in any genre, such as arcade, adventure, puzzle, racing, combat, and more to appeal to different players.

Mobile Games of Various Genres

The mobile gaming industry has introduced many different kinds of games, as we've seen; players are drawn to diverse genres of games based on their individual preferences. Wrestling may be a favorite pastime for one person, while intricate puzzles pique the interest of another. The user needs help in the many mobile gaming genres. The most downloaded and well-liked kinds of mobile games are currently—

1. Recreational Play

As the most popular type of Android game, casual games dominate the industry. Players of various ages like these games are a major factor in the genre's success. These games are easy to pick up and play because the obstacles players face are relatively easy. One of the most popular and widely downloaded mobile games in the world is Candy Crush, an example of such an app.

2. Video Game Arcades

In addition to the dominance of casual games, arcade games have been at the forefront of the industry for decades. In these games, players are presented with a series of timed mini-games. User feedback consistently ranks arcade games as their favorite way to kill time. Angry Birds, Doodle Jump, and Fruit Ninja are all examples of games in this genre.

3. FPS and TPS Gamers

Mobile games that emphasize the player's shooting skills are typically classified as shooting games. Games like Halo and Doom are common examples.

4. To solve puzzles

As their moniker implies, these games require players to solve various forms of digital puzzles. As players advance through the game, the challenge level grows with them. Numerous puzzle games, such as those based on numbers, letters, or scenes, are available to consumers. Two Dots and Monument Valley are well-known titles in the puzzle mobile game category.

5. Animated Play

Action games are a popular subgenre of mobile games because of the physical challenge they present and the emphasis on good hand-eye coordination and fast reflexes. Shooting, combat, and survival are commonplace in action games. Games like Call of Duty, Dragon Ball Legends, etc., are perfect examples of this genre.

6. Casino Games

Mobile casino games are like a virtual counterpart of traditional casino games.
Money-making gamers have purchased these indoor games on their smartphones. Because of its accessibility, online money transfer options, recreation of the casino feel, and social component, the genre has garnered a strong response from users. Mobile versions of casino staples like poker, blackjack, slots, and more are all the rage.

7. Sandbox

Sandbox games are defined by their non-linearity, player agency, and open-world design. Sandbox is unique in combining elements typically seen in board games, shooters, and action games. The player can run, drive, shoot, swim, and conduct many more tasks. The best representative of this genre of mobile games is Grand Theft Auto.

8. Role-Playing Games

Most games of this genre are based on well-known tales in which the player assumes the role of a heroic protagonist. Time is needed to finish these games. This makes action-adventure games one of the most actively played categories of mobile games worldwide. Games like Star Wars, Genshin Impact, etc., are all examples of role-playing games.

9. Mobile Simulation Gaming

Problem-solving abilities are the primary focus of mobile simulation games. Its primary goal is to provide contextualized education to the user. These games mimic real-world scenarios and test the player's problem-solving skills. Popular mobile simulation games include The Sims Mobile and Stardew Valley.

10. Real-Time Strategy

Games in this style typically feature a strategic plot in which the player must devise a plan to defeat an adversary and take control of a kingdom. Warcraft and Age of Empires are two of the most well-known titles in this subgenre.

Technology Employment in Mobile Game App Development

You've spent the majority of your time playing mobile games. But have you ever pondered the underlying architecture of the technology to provide you with a faultless gaming experience? In reality, a mobile gaming app incorporates much technology for the game's various functions. Let's discuss the many tools a mobile game developer uses.

1. Game Engines

A game engine is a software development environment known as a "game architecture" or "game framework." Mobile games may be developed more quickly and in more languages with the help of game engines. The various parts of a game's engine work together to give the game its unique powers. It has a graphics rendering engine that can handle 2D and 3D graphics and read various file types. It also has a physics engine to make it feel like the real world. There's also an AI system to react automatically to player input, a sound machine to manage the game's soundtrack, and an animation engine to host additional features.

2. Programming languages

Languages for programming are the backbone of any coding project, game or not. Different types of orders and actions in the mobile game result from developers writing code optimized for specific platforms (iOS or Android). Java, Objective-C, C++, and Swift are the most often utilized programming languages in mobile gaming app development.

3. Platform-Independent Coding Instruments

You can avoid duplicating your code between the Android and iOS platforms using cross-platform development. When using cross-platform development tools, code can be used on multiple platforms simultaneously. Popular cross-platform development frameworks include Xamarin, Flutter, and React Native.

4. 2D and 3D images

In recent years, visual quality has been the most important aspect of a game's commercial success. Users tend to favor games with more advanced visuals on mobile devices. The sharper the visuals, the easier it will be to see. The need for high-quality 2D and 3D graphics in mobile games has led to the widespread adoption of many programs for their creation, including Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Blender.

5. Augmented and Virtual Realities

Users have come to demand a more humane online experience due to constant innovation in the realm of digital technologies. The leader in any field, from social networking to mobile gaming, is the one who offers the most immersive, in-the-moment experience. The desire for consumers to immerse themselves in the world of a game has made AR/VR integration a necessity in recent years. Putting on VR goggles and diving headfirst into a game has become increasingly popular recently.

6. Machine learning and AI

By creating non-player characters with responsive, adaptable, and intelligent behavior akin to people's, artificial intelligence and machine learning technology have significantly improved the mobile gaming experience. Similarly, machine learning's predictive abilities and event programming flexibility are both enhanced when used in mobile gaming.

How Much It Costs To Make A Mobile Game?

In order to create a successful mobile gaming app, numerous things must be taken into account.

1. Game Story, Plot, and Characters

Every successful mobile gaming app starts with a compelling story. You need a compelling story and memorable protagonist to keep players invested until the credits roll. The process includes crafting the characters' backstories, dialogue, and overall vibe with the player.

There is a great deal of back-and-forth between game designers and professional strategists at this phase. For this reason, using a local or near-shore developer is recommended. The hourly rate of a professional game planner ranges from $100 to $150.

2. Design

The creation of a mobile game involves several stages. During this stage, decisions are made about the game's levels, audience, gameplay, and setting. This step is essential, so take your time with it. Your video game app is prone to crashing and freezing if you don't take the time to carefully think out its design.

Game designers, architects, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designers, etc. are only few of the many specialists who contribute to the entire design and development process. These experts can charge anywhere from $150 to $250 an hour, depending on their level of expertise and experience.

3. Game Categories and Genres

Assuming you've made it this far, you can move on to the next phase, which is creating the actual game app. This stage is crucial and costly.

Whether you're making a casual game, a social game, or a simulation app will determine how much money you have to put into making a mobile game app.

Different types of game apps exist based on their level of complexity.

• Mini-Games

Mini-games, often known as casual games, are short, easy-to-learn games that can be played by oneself.

The price of even inexpensive entertainment like Ping-Pong can reach $20,000. However, if you want to add some extra features like graphics, or if you have higher expectations from your gaming app, then you may need to set your budget to somewhere around $50,000.

• Easy-Going 2D Games

These games have a minimal budget and use simple 2D graphics and music. Even though these are simple 2D games, they offer a great user engagement rate and opportunity for scale-up.

Red Ball and Stack are two examples of games that fit this description. The price tag for making a game like this may range from $50k to $100k.

• Party Games

These games are played by multiple users on social media sites like Facebook. The social gaming apps are similar to browser games and access limited user data.

These games are usually built with SDKs that are provided by social media platforms. A social media game like Farmville can cost between $100,000 to $250,000.

• Mid-level Games

Some very well-known games Angry Birds fall under this category. These mobile games involve different levels, characters, story, and good graphics.

The variety and depth in the content improve the replayability and engage players for longer durations. It may cost you anywhere from $250,000 to $700,000 to develop such games.

• Business Game Applications

Modern-day businesses are taking advantage of mobile games to improve their team-building efforts. Companies are using mobile games as an internal tool to enhance communication, encourage creativity, and make the overall work environment more fun and engaging.

The business game applications are thoughtfully developed to engage a large group of people. These are multiplayer games that have an exciting storyline, graphics, animation, game levels, soundtrack, and cross-platform compatibility.

In addition, mobile games created for enterprise companies and small to medium-sized businesses can be purposely built to brand the company in a unique way, become a lead generator, and even close more sales.

You need an expert mobile app development company to get these types of games developed. The business game apps generally cost anywhere from $250,000 to $550,000.

You can get in touch with us if you’re looking for a custom mobile game app for your business.

• High-level Games

These games require a huge budget, but if you can hit the right audience, you can earn great rewards. These games require careful design, strategy, and a comprehensive plan. It sometimes may take more than a year to completely develop and release these types of games.

As the cost involved in developing these games is quite high, you should hire experienced developers. You may have to spend anywhere from $400,000 to $1,000,000 to develop a high-end mobile game.

4. Game App Testing

When it comes to mobile game apps, the testing process is as important as development. Gamers have little to no tolerance to bugs in the game.

Nobody likes a buggy, slow game. That’s why it is important to make sure that the game runs smoothly, without any issues, and offers a rich user experience.

Generally, the game app development company would offer testing services as part of the entire project lifecycle. You just need to keep some budget aside for testing.

5. Marketing of Your Game App

Ok, so just because you’ve developed an awesome game app, it doesn’t mean it’s going to hit the market on its own. You have to put in some marketing efforts to make your game app viral.

You’ll also need to budget accordingly to properly market your mobile game app in order to increase the visibility and rankings in the Apple and Google Play stores, which is also known as App Store Optimization (APO).