Over the next few years, there will be an increase in demand for mobile game development. More than 2.4 billion people play mobile games globally, and that figure is steadily increasing. The most realistic video games include PUBG and Call of Duty. Costs associated with developing mobile game apps will be calculated in this article.

It is important to note that the difficulty of developing payment structures and admin panels makes mobile app game creation for iOS devices substantially more expensive than that for Android devices. As an alternative, creating a hybrid app will cost more than creating a native app. Also, it will serve a wider market.

Do you want to create a mobile game that will generate money over the long run but lack the necessary experience? You should take into account the elements that affect game development costs for mobile devices. As an alternative, you might employ a mobile game developer off the market or get in touch with an Indian mobile game development firm. It's important to choose the right companion. Costs associated with developing mobile game apps will be calculated in this article.

Mobile Gaming Industry Market Overview

With a CAGR of 17.1%, the size of the global mobile gaming industry increased from $118.3 billion in 2022 to $138.63 billion in 2023. During the forecast period (2022–2027), it is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 17.9% and reach a market size of $267.46 billion by 2027.

The adoption of cutting-edge technologies for game production is one of the key drivers of the rise of mobile gaming, along with the increasing use of smartphones and technological breakthroughs.

In the worldwide gaming industry, mobile gaming is becoming more and more significant.

The hardware capabilities of smartphones have significantly improved during the past few years. According to Unity Technologies, the more recent mobile chipsets provide better performance while using less battery life, leading to screens that are now averaging 6 inches in size.

A significant revenue-generating channel for the mobile gaming industry is in-game purchases, which refer to the ability to purchase additional privileges within the game. Globally, mobile gaming revenues are also growing due to the flexibility of in-game payment methods.

Despite geopolitical unrest and the growing popularity of smartphones, mobile gaming is becoming more and more popular in many regions of the world.

Why Invest in the Mobile Gaming Industry?

Mobile gaming has been popular for years, and the pandemic undoubtedly hastened that growth. Over 100,000 and 385,00 games, respectively, are available in the Apple and Android Play Stores.

Is it still required to create and edit video games at all stages of production when the market is expanding already? In terms of quality assurance, the response is unambiguously affirmative. A mobile video game's success is mainly reliant on quality control. Before delving into why it matters, let's take a cursory look at what mobile gaming is all about.

Mobile Game Development Process: Step-by-Step Guide

With our specialised framework, we streamline the creation of mobile games. Check out the 8 simple processes we use to create a game that is successful.

Develop Your Idea

The brainstorming process is the trickiest and most important step in making a good mobile game. A mobile game must have a unique concept in order to be successful. Unfortunately, it is impossible to generate new ideas by using a linear method.

Simple but Addictive

By giving players a slight sense of addiction, you can keep them playing your game. There are a few surefire strategies for retaining customers. It should have a realistic art style, be quick to play, and be enjoyable while gradually getting harder. Longer games lose its players' interest. To keep people interested, make short levels with unlockable stuff. You can keep users over the long term by providing regular upgrades and freebies around holidays and other special occasions.

Identify the Platforms

You must select a platform for any mobile application you create. Selecting between Android, iOS, Blackberry, and Windows is a really difficult option. Blackberry and Windows are largely neglected, leaving Android or iOS as the primary options. If you believe your market is spread out across several platforms, only then should you choose more than one mobile OS.

Aesthetic and Appealing Designs

A game's design is a lot more intricate than an app's design. The plot, the characters, and the ultimate aesthetic are all important considerations in game creation. By concentrating on the design, you may set your game apart from those of your rivals. A game's design might be as straightforward and flat as a flat design or as complicated as a 3D comic style.

Mobile Game Development

The game development process begins after the designing phase is over. Employing the best mobile game developers with expertise using the best mobile game development tools is crucial. Also, it's critical to choose your platform in advance because different platforms call for different tech stacks and even different engineers.

Testing & Quality Assurance

It's time to begin the testing process of your mobile game once it is operational. You should thoroughly test the mobile game before releasing it because you don't want it to contain bugs and problems. Spend enough time testing the game and tying up any game development loose ends.

Launch & Deployment

After thorough testing, the next stage is to introduce your improved product to the market. Ensure that you offer post-deployment customer assistance to address and resolve users' concerns. Likewise, make an effort to release updates on a regular basis so that your mobile game can incorporate the hottest features and functionalities on the market.

Employ Monetization Strategies

Many video games are not profitable. You should design a revenue plan for your game before you begin development. Regardless of the platform, game creation is time-consuming and expensive. Lucky for you, developing mobile apps for games allows you to use a variety of revenue techniques. These include some of the following:

In-app advertisements
In-app Purchases
Premium Version
Freemium Model

Different Types of Mobile Games: Cost Breakdown

There are several variables that affect how much it costs to create a mobile game app. The type of game you are creating, though, is the most important element. It should go without saying that creating a AAA game will cost a lot more money than creating a Hyper-casual game.

Mini Game Development Cost: $10,000 to $20,000

A single platform will cost anything between $3,000 and $10,000 to create something as simple as Pac-Man or Sudoku. A multi-platform system with advanced features can cost up to $20,000. Popular video games include

Flappy Bird
Tappy Fit
Flappy Doge

2D Game Development Cost: $15,000 to $25,000

A single platform game's 2D development can cost anything from $15,000 to $25,000. A 2D Android game will cost about $20,000 to build, but an iPhone game would cost about $30,000. Popular video games include

Alto’s Adventure
Hitman Sniper
Hearthstone

3D Game Development Cost: $30,000 to $60,000

A single platform can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000 for games with high-quality visuals like Tennis Clash and 3D shooting. The cost can reach $80,000 for complex features and multi-platform games. Several well-liked 3D games include

Asphalt 9
Sniper 3D
Fun Race 3D

Mid-Level Game Development Cost: $60,000 to $100,000

A single platform game like Angry Birds or Cut the Rope might cost anywhere between $60,000 and $100,000. Price might go up to $120,000 for sophisticated features and multiplatform compatibility. Popular video games include

SimCity
Angry Birds
Candy Crush

High-End Game Development Cost: $150,000 to $400,000

Games like PUBG and Call of Duty: Mobile can cost between $150,000 and $200,000 for a single Android or iOS platform. The cost may increase to $400,000 depending on the platforms and features. Typical premium games include

Clash of Clans
PUBG
Call of Duty

Real Money Game Development Cost: $10,000 to $100,000

Other real money games like Carrom, Rummy, 8 Ball Pool, and Ludo can run you anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 per platform. The price might reach $100,000 for sophisticated features and numerous platforms. Popular video games include

Bet365
LudoKing
MPL

Android Game Development vs. iOS Game Development

The platforms used for mobile game development have a big impact on how much it costs to create an app for a mobile game. Yet it seems sense that the price to build an iPhone game is more than one for an Android device.

Let's examine the key distinctions between the Android and iOS operating systems and how they affect the price of developing games for each platform.

Development Time: Apple iOS

Because the iOS software is created exclusively for Apple devices, the development time is significantly quicker. Comparatively speaking to Android game creation software, this significantly accelerates the testing process. The Android OS is used by a huge number of businesses, and the mobile game needs to be tested across a range of screens and gadgets.

Development Cost: Android

When compared to Android, the cost of developing an iOS app is substantially more. However, a number of things need to be considered, including the hardware specifications and the creators' location. Following thorough research, the following stand out as some of the most important variables that affect the cost of developing iOS games:

Hardware Requirements: iOS mobile game development software requires Macbook
Developer Cost: iOS Developer salaries are higher than Android Developers
Development Time: Android requires more time to build an app
Testing: The testing phase is longer in Android.

Game Publishing: Android

When considering game publishing, Android certainly outperforms iOS by a wide amount. The developer account required for releasing games on the Google Play Store only costs one time and is valid for life. You can deploy your game in the PlayStore on the same day after a rather easy process.

With iOS, things are, however, quite advanced. The first step is for customers to pay a $99/year subscription fee in order to create a developer account. Second, the procedure is very busy and drawn out. Your application verification may take two or more business days. Additionally, if you break even the slightest of the store's laws and regulations, your application could be rejected.

Platform Revenue: Apple iOS

Contrary to popular assumption, a higher user base does not always translate into higher revenue. The AppStore has long outperformed the Play Store in terms of revenue. The AppStore brought in a staggering $88 billion in sales in 2022, while the Play Store's app market brought in $53 billion. Also, from 2021 to 2022, consumer spending on the AppStore rose from $41 billion to $43 billion. Consumer spending fell from $23 billion to $21 billion, according to the PlayStpre.

Android vs iOS: Game Development Cost

The higher developer salary for iOS and the AppStore's publication restrictions make it evident that iOS is more expensive than Android when all the factors that affect the cost of developing mobile game apps have been taken into account. Let's examine the price of developing a mobile game for both platforms.

Android

A single-platform app with basic features costs between $30,000 and $40,000 to develop for Android. But, you would need to spend $50,000 if you want to create an Android app with advanced functionality.

iOS

A single-platform iOS game app with basic functionality costs between $40,000 and $60,000. The cost of developing an iOS app, though, might reach as high as $80,000 if you want to include complex functionality.

Final Words

It should go without saying that creating games for iOS costs a lot more money than creating games for Android. Nonetheless, the AppStore's revenue splits are also higher than the Play Store. While both platforms have advantages and disadvantages, it's crucial to select the one that's best for your mobile game. Each has their advantages and disadvantages.

How Much Does Mobile Game App Development Cost