If you are a gaming company, the first thing that comes to your mind is building a mobile app. However, before starting development for an app, it is important to know what factors contribute to pricing. You should also have a check on how long it will take to develop an app.
There are different mobile applications such as social networking apps, business applications, games, and entertainment apps. The game app development cost is charged according to the game’s features. It can be 3D or 2D graphics, multiplayer support, number of levels, etc.
It is also important to know that there are two types of games. The first one is the user downloads on their devices. The second one is where they play through a browser (web-based). Depending on the type of game, its features, and target audience, game development costs vary. These factors ultimately contribute to determining the final price tag. This article will discuss what difference a mobile app makes, the charges, and the factors to consider before developing a mobile app.
Does Mobile App Platform Make a Difference?
One of the main decisions when it comes to app development is which mobile platform to choose. Android and iOS are the two most popular mobile platforms out there. If you are targeting a global audience, then developing an app for both Android and iOS can be a good decision. However, if your app is only for a specific country or region, then you might want to focus on just one platform.
Mobile Game Developer Rates:
Mobile game developers charge according to their experience, project type, and the number of hours spent on your project. Developing an app for a simple game like solitaire can be as low as $10/hr. However, developing more advanced games with multiplayer support and 3D graphics will cost above $50/hr or even go up to $100/hr.
The cost for developing a mobile game app ranges from $2,000 to $200,000. The final price tag largely depends on the features and complexity of the game. So, it is important that you plan your budget wisely and discuss all the requirements with your developer in detail before starting development.
Factors To consider before Mobile Game Development:
It is also important to consider the following factors while deciding on mobile game development costs.
Platform:
Mobile games are available on both Android & iOS. So you need to decide which platform will be the best for your mobile game app. For example, an adventure game will work well on both platforms, but a car racing game can be more suitable for iOS as it is more advanced than Android.
Compatibility:
It is important to know if your game will be compatible on all phones and tablets or not? Your developer can tell you the list of devices that your app will work on. If you want your game to be available for a specific set of devices, then plan accordingly.
Number of Levels:
A number of levels in gameplay plays an important role in determining the cost for developing a mobile game app. The more the number of levels, the more time it will take to build an entire game. hence higher will be its overall cost. Does it also depend on what type of game you are developing, like arcade, puzzles, etc.? If you want to develop games with fewer levels, there will be no problem, but if you want lots, it can greatly affect your budget.
Game Genre:
Different types of games have different target audiences and age groups. There are action-adventure & RPG (role-playing games), puzzle & adventure, etc. So, while choosing a genre for your mobile app, keep in mind your game’s targeted audience and price range.
Graphics:
The graphics and gameplay of a mobile game app directly affect its performance and popularity. But, good quality 3D graphics cost more than 2D graphics. So it is important to have realistic expectations from your developer regarding the graphics of your mobile app based on which you can plan the price for development of the same.
Number of Players:
More number of players means more requirements in terms of memory space, server usage, etc.; for developing an app with multiplayer support, you need to discuss with your developer about different aspects related to hosting servers, the processing power required, etc., depending on the kind of game you are planning to so that budget estimation becomes easier.
Add-ons & Extra Features:
There are different add-ons, and features in a game like in-app purchases, in-game currency, social media integration, etc. These all affect the overall cost for developing your mobile game app. So it is important to discuss these options with your developer before finalizing the time frame for development.
Support & Updates:
Once you’ve developed your mobile game app, you will need to take care of its updates and fix issues if any arise after it goes live. Developers can do this job, but companies usually have separate teams who take care of releasing new features and version updates, which means more cost for your company. So decide beforehand whether you want support for free or not and accordingly budget for the same.
These are some of the main factors which need to be considered while planning the budget for mobile game development. Once you have a comprehensive understanding of all these, it becomes easier to estimate the cost for the entire project. But, in any case, if you still have any doubts or queries, then feel free to discuss with your developer and get clarity on the same.
Are There Any Pre-Development Costs?
When you hire a mobile app development company, keep in mind that they may charge you for pre-development work. Pre-development is when the company takes some time to investigate and learn about your business and the mobile app idea before starting the game’s actual development.
What About Mobile Game Testing?
Testing is an important phase of mobile app development. You need to test your game on different devices and platforms to ensure it works flawlessly before releasing it to the public. This process can be expensive, so make sure you factor in the cost of testing when budgeting for your mobile game app.
When budgeting for a mobile game app, there are several factors you need to keep in mind. The cost of development can vary greatly depending on the genre of the game, the graphics and animations involved, the number of levels, and whether or not multiplayer support is required. In addition, you will need to budget for post-development support and updates and test the game on different devices and platforms. By considering all of these factors, you can get a better estimate of how much your mobile game app will cost to develop.
Wrapping Up:
Developing a mobile game app can be expensive, but it can also be very profitable. By understanding the various factors that affect development costs, you can budget accordingly and ensure that your game is developed to the highest standards. Good luck with your next mobile game app!
