Games of every kind have always attracted the masses, and they have been successful in aiding people in numerous ways, from being a source of entertainment to providing escapism to even assisting with cognitive and motor skills. Mobile game development cost is an important consideration for those looking to create and release games that cater to this vast audience.
And the introduction of mobile video games has taken the benefits up the notch! The accessibility of games via mobile devices has made the industry more profitable than ever. The rise in demand and usability of mobile games in recent decades has made the mobile gaming industry one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world and is £224588000000 in worth by the end of 2023.
Since the industry is highly lucrative in today’s world, thinking to launch a new mobile game in the market would be a wise move. However, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration before executing a game concept which as knowing the average mobile game development cost.
Read more about: How to Outsource Game Development Like a Pro!
However, the cost of developing a mobile game can vary widely, depending on several factors. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key factors that influence the cost of mobile game development.
It is difficult to give a round figure as to how much mobile game development costs due to the changing market trends, inflation, and many others. Regardless, there are a few things you need to be mindful of that will assist in getting a rough game development cost estimation which will allow you to plan and strategize things accordingly.
Before we jump to the game development cost breakdown, here are a few interesting facts you should know that will make you motivated to launch your mobile game in the market.
- The mobile game industry is expected to be a market size of is £224588000000 by the end of 2023, according to Gaming Industry Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 – 2028)
- The number of user penetration is expected to be around 39.0% by 2027, according to Statista.
- The mobile gaming niche earns more than any other niche in the gaming industry.
- Mobile games are reported to have almost 33% app downloads with 74% of consumer spending on various app stores.
- Mobile games have become the most popular type of entertainment outlet.
- Females mobile gamer outrage male mobile gamers by the ratio of 60: 40.
- Role-playing games and action games are one of the most popular mobile game genres.
Game Development Cost Breakdown
Game development cost estimation is dependent on a few factors that heavily influence the game development budget.
The complexity of the chosen game genre impacts the cost. Basic games with a few animations cost around £2750 – £4580, while more elaborate 3D games or strategy games with intricate level could increase cost significantly up to ten times. The development of a multiplayer RPG with interactive elements and locations can exceed the cost of game development to £137400.
The type of animation that is used affects how much the game development will cost, 3D animations are way pricier compared to 2D animation due to the amount of intricacy involved.
As the game’s scale is increased, so does the need of testing. Testing involves identifying bugs, ensuring smooth gameplay and enhancing the user experience while it is costly it is equally important to deliver a polished glitch free game to users.
If strategized and plan accordingly the cost can be curtailed without comprising the overall quality of the mobile game.
In 2023 a game development cost is estimated to be around £13,750 to £27,500 for small-scale games and £137,560 for large-scale projects. However, since inflation has taken over the world, the cost varies widely now.
Therefore considering the following factors will help in budgeting game development costs immensely and will provide a clearer picture of how much capital needs to be accumulated.
Functionality and Complexity
Mobile game development cost primarily depends on how complex and intricate your mobile game will be. From game design (UI & UX) to game physics to overall functioning lays the basic crux of your mobile game development, which determines the time that will be taken and the skillset that will be employed.
In addition to that, if your mobile game has specific requirements and mechanics such as a multiplayer concept. The structure of your game design will require you to spend more on the game development budget as you will have to invest in server infrastructure. The multi-player game infrastructure will also require an experienced game developer who will make your complex game user-friendly, hence increasing the cost significantly.
In short, the more complex your game is, the more complicated its design and functionality will be. Followed by multiple tests and optimization runs, resulting in higher mobile game development costs.
Graphics and Auditory Design
Average game development cost is depended on graphic and sound design language too. It goes hand in hand with the above point, the more complex the game concept will be the more intricate the graphic and sound design will be. And right fully so, the two factors enhance the gaming and user experience, therefore, compromising on them will impact the game negatively.
Following are a few aspects of graphic and sound design that impact the mobile game development cost:
- Type of design model, the 3D design will cost more than the 2D design.
- Background and character design can be costly depending on their number and detail
- Choice of Mono and Stereo sound design impact cost greatly.
- The use of original music and sound effects will rise the cost as sound engineers and musicians will be hired.
Development Team
How much does it cost to make a game, depends significantly on this factor. The game concept explains the complexity of the products from their functionality to design and the developers bring the idea to life. So if the game is complex in nature, it will require an experienced and skilled developing team, which can increase the game development budget.
Along with the duration of the project and equipment /software costs, the location of the development team also influences the cost, an in-house team might be more budget-friendly than an outsourced team. However, if the team is in another country with low prices, the exchange rate help to curtail the mobile game development cost.
Here’s an estimated game development cost breakdown according to Whimsy games:
- Game Designer: £49,000 – £115,000 per year
- Game Programmer: £69000 – £78200 per year
- Game Artist: £61900 – £82200 per year
- Game Producer: £105300 – £147100 per year
- Quality Assurance Tester: £49980 – £53542 per year
Note: Using third-party tools and plugins whether for design or coding can reduce mobile game development cost significantly.
Game Model
Don’t overlook this factor if you want game development cost estimation. Developing games is a business venture and there are multiple models, which determine the cost of its development. Following is the basic breakdown of the game model:
- Free-to-play games or in-app purchases games are often costly when comes to development as the process is on-going especially when the player spends money to unlock various stages, characters, abilities, or other features.
- The mobile game development cost of one-time purchase games is relatively low.
Choice of Platform
One of the most pivotal factors that determine average game development cost, is the choice of the platform where the mobile game will be made available. Choosing between iOS, Android, others, or all is very important as they all require different coding, development tools, and test runs.
iOS is generally more costly than the rest but games are often optimized for all platforms making the game development budget go up. However, it is advisable to optimize the game for all platforms as it helps to earn more revenue and visibility, which is evidently the ultimate goal.
However, if your game development budget is very tight, it is better to optimize the game for Android phones as they are used more globally.
Contingency amount
Often ignored, but it’s important to set a contingency budget when determining game development cost estimation. This is done so that any mishap or unexpected cost that occurs can be quickly taken care of without compromising the mobile game development timeline or game quality.
With that, the article comes to an end. The mentioned factors are crucial to mobile game development cost and the overall development of the game. There are a few factors that may be out of your control but proper planning can curtail a few of the costs without compromising the quality.
We have provided you with the information, now the ball is in your court, let’s see how you balance the quality of your game and mobile game development cost.
Good luck and All the best!
See your mobile game in the market.
