10 Easy Steps for Designing and Developing your Mobile Games

Who knew that one day we would see people playing games on their round-the-clock pocket devices? We are talking about smartphones and how people gush over their compact devices. If we talk about how much time a person spends on average on their phones while playing games, it’s 23-25 minutes. People might assume these are only a few minutes, but it’s not. If we deduct the millennials from the list, Gen-Z and their precursors, Gen Alpha, spend up to two hours playing games.

Certainly, gaming apps are one of the best entertainment formats for your handy gadgets. It also helps boost your natural reflexes, improves concentration, and empowers decision-making skills. Some people assume that playing games for good long hours is a waste of time. But it’s the other way around. Spending some time chunks daily for games negates bad moods and diminishes your hot-headed temperament.

Why do people love to play mobile phones games so much?

The demographic estimates are in favor of mobile games. A staggering 62% of mobile users download a game on their newly purchased devices. Hence, it proves that games for handy gadgets are gaining popularity over time.

The likes of the ancient Nokia Snake game, mobile Tetris, and Bounce (another Nokia sensation) were the torchbearers of modern mobile games. Today, Candy Crush, Garena FreeFire, PUBG, Temple Run, and Subway Surfer are making waves in the mobile game domain. Each day passes, and no less than 100 games are making headlines in Google Play Store or Apple’s iOS App Store. It shows the potential of games built for your handheld devices. They’re causing ripples of joy and laughter among players.

Another great indicator of why people love smartphone games is their tremendous portability factor. They easily rest in your compact devices as you move on with life. Unlike gaming consoles like PS4s, Xbox(s), Nintendo, and other fancy chromatic game slabs, they’re free or available at dirt-cheap cost.

Moreover, playing games can also strengthen your overall demeanor, adding sparks and cavalry charms to your personality. The inescapable frisky trendsetter is also making headways in the post-Bitcoin phenomenon. Who could’ve imagined that games and non-fungible could merge one day to become the next marvel? Indeed, NFT game development is a thing not many know until now. We’ll leave this to discuss on some other day. Right now, let’s talk about the practical steps required for mobile game creation. Below are some crucial steps to developing a mobile gaming app:

1. Fantastic game concept

The spark in a mobile designer’s and developer’s brains is the key to designing a trendsetting game. If your idea is unique and doesn’t ring bells of old-school, conformist game genres and other up-to-the-minute movables, awesome! It means you’ve got the perfect recipe to design a game that will become a potential blockbuster. Famous examples include Candy Crush, a brick-breaking game with a twist – of flavorful beans and fruits. The FPS game PUBG is another excellent example that inspired FreeFire and many others.

2. Create a Storyline

Though games help you to pass your leisure time with something at hand but with a cost – and that’s “nothing!” It is the primary reason when and why storytelling and game objectives come into play.

Playing games for long hours is pointless if they’re endless hit-and-run games like Subway Surfer, Temple Run, etc. It’s crazy to see a billion+ downloads on such games, clearly indicating people have no goal in life. Therefore, take inspiration from games like Mario, Final Fantasy, The Elder Scrolls, IGI, The Witcher Series, Silent Hill 2, and as such.

3. Conceptualize your Game

Once your idea is set in the game module’s framework and a great plot is at your disposal, it’s time to manifest. Now it’s time to introduce game mechanics, i.e., game rules and ways to achieve the game’s objectives.

Next, devise smooth in-game settings for players. It has two central themes (parts): story and aesthetics. The narrative defines the plot of the game, environment, major characters, etc. Aesthetics, on the other hand, discloses gameplay effects like ambiance, sounds, appearances, etc. The conceptualization process also contains game technology platforms and how players interact with the game.

4. Elect a mobile platform

Now it’s time to choose your game platform. Please don’t jump and exclaim desktop PC and laptops as they’re about to tip off the “contemporary” edges. By this, we mean they’re either getting old for some or reaching above-and-beyond potentials in gaming. Mobile users today account for more than 50% of gamers. So, you better choose iOS, Android, or cross-platform orientation.

5. Pick a Mobile Game Engine

Select the game engine on which you will build your game. There are tons of options out there. But in the end, it depends on your preference and the game’s intrinsic nature. We recommend you talk to an expert before picking one. Unity 3D, CryEngine, Solar2D, Corona SDK, BuildBox, and Marmalade are the most popular.

6. Create a Video Game development Document

Now you require a file document that contains all the cues, elements, and descriptions of your game. We recommend you create it and get feedback with every turnaround. Ensure your final document contains all the necessary game information.

7. Design Game Structure

Your graphics, environment texture, and character looks/actions/gestures matter the most. Therefore, hire a specialist to draw artwork for your game. Follow the process with an animator adding final touches.

8. Create a Game Framework

Now devise the outline of your blockchain development. Check how the game will perform on a particular layout. This is the game’s prototype to check your game looks, performance, features, and gameplay functionality.

9. Run Mobile game Trials

Before launching the game, try A/B testing between two prototypes you developed as the perfect game mockups. Do not forget to run different gaming tests before releasing the product. Pre-production, production, testing and deployment, and beta gaming are some prevalent gameplay trials.  

10. Select your Paid Subscription Plan

Now comes the game’s monetization plan. You can earn decent returns from the game through in-app purchases, advertisements, paid games, and premium game versions/updates.

Conclusion

Mobile games require one’s intuition and intelligence, followed by steps in the pecking order. The above captions are sound ways to develop excellent gaming apps for smartphones. Please do not forget support services, game maintenance, and regular updates at all costs. Whether you provide a game or pursue a mobile game yourself, ensure it’s fascinating and flexible correspondingly.