How to Make a Game App in 9 Steps (2023)
Updated: Jan 3
Now is the right time to build a game application you have been thinking about for a while. Regardless of the level of your programming expertise, advanced technology exists to make it a reality. However, many considerations go into how to create a game app. Should you use 2D graphics or 3D? Which game engine should you use? Will it be a multiplayer or single-player game? How will you design its levels using the no-code platform?
No matter how small or big a game is planned to be, it turns out that successful creators follow the same proven lifecycle of development to produce the best possible game. This lifecycle consists of an iterative development phase, a pre-development phase focused on design, and post-development activities that make sure your game reaches its target audience.
Necessary Elements For A Game Application
Developing a game can’t be simply done by using conventional practice. However, if you are a skilled game developer who specializes in iOS and Android development, then you are just around the corner for success.
So, are you ready to be mesmerized in the world of “Mobile Games”? We are here for the rescue! Let’s plan, build, and design an engaging mobile game app powered by brand-new technologies that are backed up with appealing features and layouts.
So, before you begin with the development, follow the mentioned pre-application no-code development tools to create an app with perfect functionalities.
A Personalized Computer
Having a personalized computer is the first thing to do all the development work. The game engine requires hardware of large specifications to sustain and get the app built. Whether you move with a MacBook Pro or a personal computer depends on the portability and working criteria of the game engine. The only reason behind it is that game engines have compatibility problems, like some work on Mac OS, while others work on Windows.
An iOS And Android Smartphone
If we look into the app development lifecycle, every developer is generally known for testing. However, creating a game app as well as testing it on various phones is critical! Many developers anticipate that only one smartphone is quite enough to test their application.
So, it is beneficial and impressive for them to have a set of smartphones in order to test the built application. Whether Android or iOS, you need a testing mechanism to make sure everything is up to the mark! The ideal approach is to have at least two or three spare iOS and Android phones for testing from different generations. Stress testing, usability testing, and compatibility testing are crucial in-game app testing.
Game Developers Seasoned With iOS And Android
The third important actor in the whole process of creating a game app for smartphones is an experienced mobile game creator. Many developers have an account to deploy the gaming app. Unlike others, they must have experience in deploying as well as launching that app on Apple Store and Google Play. This way, anyone can download and enjoy playing the games. Here, let me inform you for your knowledge that both the stores have distinct payment and subscription plans. Google Play comes with $30, whereas Apple Store has an annual subscription plan of $95.
Creative Mind To Design Screens And Know Animation Tools
Last but not the least, the utilization and animation of graphic designing are the backbones of any mobile game application. Whether it is an arcade game or a jigsaw puzzle, in both cases, you will need animation skills to bring out optimal results.
Steps To Follow In Creating Your Game Application
As we are all done with the necessary elements for a game application, but still we are missing a very important point. Having a guide about necessary elements is good, but having no knowledge of the development process is oblivious!
We have compiled all the seven intuitive steps essential to building a game application.
Design The Core Mechanics Of Your Game
The pre-development phase of every good game begins with a good concept. In the gaming world, the basic elements of design are known as the core mechanic as well. It is the basic building block upon which users experience the game. For instance, players in Tetris slide rotate a falling block with the aim of filling in as several rows as possible at the bottom of the puzzle.
What distinguishes the game and makes it an exciting, unique experience is the core concept. A great core mechanic will catch the attention of players and cause your game to stand out from others.
Next, select the type of game and the platform it will run on. Graphics are an essential contributor to such decisions. Use 2D graphics inside scrollers and platformer games. Alternatively, 3D graphics offer a far more realistic experience, like those used in first-person shooters. This will, however, add more complication to the overall project.
Nevertheless, the graphics will affect the game design and basic technology decisions. Also, you must determine whether your game runs on PCs, tablets, mobile devices, or video game consoles.
Research The Idea And Validate It With Potential Users
As there is a core concept and game mechanic in your mind, the next step is to research and validate the idea. Below are some of the ways that you can do this:
Do some research and find what similar games are out there in the marketplace.
Play a few existing games in the genre.
Search for games with similar mechanics in order to determine what you like and don’t about them.
Survey the completion and get insights into how large the potential game market is.
Getting early feedback on your game design from friends and interested parties is another method. Provide them with an elevator pitch for your concept and assess the level of interest. Ask them what they find interesting about your idea or what will make them want to play.
These methods give you important feedback that you can use to refine your ideas.
Build A Game Design Document
While skipping this step may be tempting, there is no alternative for writing down your design. It makes you think through all of the core elements of how to build a game app the way you envision it.
The document captures the idea research and validation you executed that led to this direction and provides helpful context for later when fine-tuning. Add a brief overview of the project in your design element and key game details. Also, don’t forget to add a description for your target audience.
Pick Your Development Platform
No-code development platforms offer most of the features and capabilities that you need to create an out-of-the-box game. Between in-game objects, animations and collision detection are a couple of examples of standard game functions.
At Bubble.io, you can make simple web applications like an online-level maker or Wordle. It is the best no-code development company, especially suitable for web apps. However, games that require 3D graphics and high performance may use a game engine, such as Unreal Engine or Unity. A third option is to create the game from scratch by using a programming language such as C# or C++. While this offers you the most flexibility, a lot of games leverage building blocks and existing patterns that are already available on one of the platforms.
Build An MVP Or Prototype Version To Start
This step starts the development phase, which has an agile approach to creating your game. Building the smallest viable working version is the goal of the first iteration. This smart version lets you and others begin playing and engaging with the early core constructs. Use feedback from the subsequent iterations and prototype to evolve the game app over time, leading up to the final product.
At Bubble.io, you can easily build a working prototype by using its efficient, no-code editor. It has multiple capabilities that make your work easy. Connect your application to a database, create visually responsive user interfaces and define event-based workflows.
Test Extensively Before Launching
Keep testing your game app from both the useability and quality perspective. Your players will thank you for this. Also, verify the game is fun to play. Especially, for user-testing no-code apps, you don’t need to be a software developer. For instance, automated testing on Bubble applications is made smooth with Pre-flight’s no-code platform of testing.
Testing is a crucial task that will help make players keep coming back.
Deploy Your Game App
This step starts the post-development phase, where you refine your concept and launch your game. You have created and tested it. And it is ready to be released into the world and go out into the hands of players. For each target platform, you need to follow the steps to deploy your game app and publish it on your selected platform.
Start Marketing On Suitable Platforms
Marketing is important to get the word out to your target audience. Make a trailer and then post it on your target platforms. Doing this will help you to have a playable demo before the general availability. Make sure you optimize the game app before promoting it on social media platforms and app store deployment.
At a minimum, this requires keyword research, performing A/B testing and conversion rate optimization (CRO), and tracking the data so you can further make improvements if needed. This is what brings us to the other step.
Seek User Feedback And Iteratively Make Improvements
Collect player feedback through a frequently used method called playtesting. You can post polls on social media platforms and create feedback forms, in-app questionnaires, and surveys. Also, don’t forget to respond to gamer feedback. It will help generate interest in the game, notably when gamers see the improvements being made based on the discussion.
Keep iterating and improving your game app – You will be glad that you did!
By following these key steps on how to create a game, you can let your creativity run and start developing that game app you have been envisioning.
Mobile Game Applications You Can Build For Audience
You can build any kind of mobile game app on a no-code development platform. However, if you are asking about the type and genre, then it has numerous factors that are involved. Time, efforts, resources, and pricing are some of the most key factors that one should consider before creating a mobile game.
Let’s take a look at some types of mobile game applications that you can build and publish on the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Thrill
Mystery
Arcade
Action
Adventure
Card
Casino
Lifestyle
Puzzle
Music
Racing
Storytelling
Simulation
Informative
Strategic
Episodic
Wordy
Platform Games
However, it doesn’t matter what type or genre you select to create a mobile game, application efforts are important! You will most likely find these types of posts because users are always curious to know what categories are most accessible.
Synergist Technology – The Best No-Code Development Company
After Bubble, Synergist Technology is considered a leader in the no-code movement. It provides an efficient cloud hosting platform and point-and-click website editor. They allow users to create fully-functional and customizable web apps, workflows, ranging from complex marketplaces to simple prototypes, SaaS products, and much more.
Millions of users are creating and launching their businesses on Synergist Technology. It is more than just a platform. We are a robust community of entrepreneurs and developers who believe that every individual should be able to build technology.