Mobile gaming is a massive market with enormous potential revenue. There are numerous success stories, such as Angry Birds, Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, Flappy Bird, etc. They have inspired millions of people to get involved in mobile game app development. Studies say that 62 percent of smartphone users install a game within the first week of purchasing their device. It represents a massive market opportunity. Even so, only a few mobile games can recoup their development costs. Creating a successful mobile game is no easy task. To create a profitable game, you must first research your target markets, design engaging gameplay, and strategically monetize it. We’ve broken down the mobile game development process into ten basic steps to make things easier for you. Simply following them will allow you to make your mark in the mobile gaming industry.
How to create a mobile gaming app?
Finally, you’ve decided to create a mobile game app! Why not take the most straightforward route to ensure its smooth development? I am not exaggerating when I say that I have taken these mobile game app development steps directly from an expert’s diary. To make your Mobile game app idea a reality, you will need to follow them one by one. So, why put it off? Let’s take a look at all the steps:
- Choose a game idea.
- Create an appealing game concept.
- Choose a platform for mobile apps and a game engine.
- Create a design document for your game.
- Create the game’s structure.
- Plan for wireframing.
- Write code.
- Put your game to the test.
- Choose the best monetization strategy.
- Launch the mobile game app.
Now, let’s go over each of these steps in detail so you can begin creating your mobile game app:
Step 1: Choose A Game Idea
The game idea is like the game’s foundation; it should be strong to increase the chances of your app’s success after launch. Conduct extensive market research and look into other mobile game apps dominating the App Stores and Play Stores.
If you can’t develop an original idea, take an existing mobile game app idea and build a new app with unique and valuable features that your target audiences want.
Step 2: Create an Appealing Game Concept
A game’s story gives its players a reason to play. Furthermore, it aids in keeping them engaged and hooked for hours. Consider such a game concept and then work hard to figure out how to keep the players entertained.
Step 3: Choose A Platform for Mobile Apps and A Game Engine
Following selecting a unique game concept and preparing an appropriate story, the next step is to choose the platform on which your app will get launched. Given the trends in the game industry and the entire mobile app developers world, it is safe to say that you should develop your mobile game app for multiple platforms. It is because people nowadays use various devices and thus prefer to play games that are available on all of them.
Step 4: Create A Design Document for Your Game
This document will include a detailed description of each game element. It will also contain information about the game mechanics, tools, and technologies you will use for development, game characters, and how the screen space will get used. Prepare it with care.
Step 5: Create The Game’s Structure
The game structure has a significant impact on its sales, so it requires a lot of attention to preparing it. It would help if you considered the graphics, environment, texture, and other game objects when designing the structure. Determine whether you will use 2D or 3D designating.
Step 6: Plan For Wireframing
Wireframing provides you with a clear picture of how your mobile application will work, feel, and look. Consider it a prototype or visual guide for your app. It will assist you in learning a great deal about mobile game development.
Step 7: Write Code
Now comes the coding part. Choose an appropriate programming language and write perfect code to ensure that the game is developed according to your specifications.
Step 8: Put Your Game to The Test
Testing each module as soon as it is completed can save a significant amount of money. As a result, avoid skipping this step at all costs.
Step 9: Choose The Best Monetization Strategy
Choosing the best monetization strategy ahead of time will help you maximize your ROI. As a result, choose wisely. Here are some popular methods for monetizing mobile games:
In-app purchases: The freemium model is the most common method of monetizing mobile games. Though these purchases only account for about 2% of all purchases in Android (a little more in iOS), they are an effective way to generate revenue from players.
In-app advertising: Many games combine advertisements with in-app purchases. It is an excellent strategy because neither of these strategies can generate significant revenue on their own. Remember to pay close attention to the ad content because if it’s irrelevant or annoying, the results will be counterproductive.
Premium versions: Premium versions either provide a free trial or demo or require players to pay for further use. You can also request payment immediately, but this will significantly reduce the number of purchases.
Step 10: Launch The App
Now, go over the entire set of guidelines for the platform to launch your app. When your mobile game app has met all of them, press the launch button.
How to market your app?
In addition to following through on your marketing strategy, here are some high-impact app marketing strategies you can employ:
Get your app featured in the App Store by Apple: You’ll win big if you can pull this off. Although there is no sure way to do this, there are things you can do to improve your chances!
Implement a paid-to-free campaign: If your app is paid, making it free for a limited time and spreading the word during that time can result in a flood of downloads.
Improve your app store optimization (ASO) game: ASO does not end when your app is released! You can still influence your app’s discovery in the App Store by modifying its Metadata.
Influencer marketing: Surprisingly, this is an excellent strategy for apps! Find influencers with audiences similar to your app’s target demographic and ask them for a shutout or mention of your app.
Conclusion
It’s rare these days to be able to release an app and then be done with it. When it is released to a larger audience, you will likely discover new bugs, criticisms, and security vulnerabilities that you were unaware of. To fix any bugs in your game, you will most likely need to keep working on it and release new patches.
Examine the user reviews and comments. Respond to them and consider constructive criticism. It demonstrates that you are concerned with producing a high-quality product. If you cannot create an app yourself, you can also take advantage of mobile app development services.
Above, we have explained the game app development process in detail. You can follow these ten steps to creating a feature-rich, engaging, and entertaining mobile gaming app. Also, you can follow the marketing strategies to ensure the success of your app.