Have you ever come across an immersive mobile game idea and want to implement the same? However, there are different things that affect the development of a mobile game application. Amongst all, the mobile game development cost is the foremost element that decides the whole foundation of your gaming platform. With the advent of the latest technologies like Augmented reality, virtual reality, and blockchain technology, mobile game development has become modernized and transformed.
Mobile games are categorized into multiple segments based on their formats, types, genres, and complexities. For instance, the cost of a 2D game is comparatively less than the cost of a 3D game. From simple games and Android games to complex video games and iOS games; the overall cost will depend on the type of project you want to launch and on which platform.
In this blog, we will highly consider the average mobile game app development cost, and all the considerable factors affecting the same.
Table of Contents
Factors Affecting The Mobile Game Development Cost
If you are fascinated by the concept of multiplayer game development, the first thing you need to consider is the cost. Here is a complete list of factors affecting the cost of a mobile game:
1. Game Size and Complexity
When it comes to the size, type, and complexity, the games are broadly classified into three categories:
Small Games
Small games require a lot of effort and energy from game app developers. They can be developed within a few days and weeks. The cost will be very less as developers don’t need to integrate advanced or complex features within the gaming structure of small games. With the integration of a 2D or 3D interface and minimal features, the hyper-casual small mobile game app development cost ranges from $15k to $30k.
Medium Games
As the game’s complexity grows, the platform offers several in-game levels to players which come with their own share of challenges, characters, visual effects, and interface. On average, the medium game app development cost ranges from $40k to $70k.
Large Games
These games are developed using a unique storyline, features, and rich content. They can be accessed for free, however, additional features can be availed by paying some amount of money. Large video game development costs range from $100,000 to $150,000.
2. 2D/ 3D Mobile Games
Apart from the size and complexity, another factor that impacts the overall cost of a mobile game application is whether it is 2D or 3D. 2D mobile game development cost ranges from $10k to $20k with basic features and functionalities. However, the cost may shoot up depending on the type and complexity of the project. The cost of a 3D game ranges from $30k to $50k.
3. Single And Multiplayer Game
Single-player games are much more cost-effective than multiplayer games. Unlike single-player games, multiplayer games allow players to invite others to participate in the game and compete against each other. So if you don’t have budget issues, go for multiplayer mobile game development.
4. The Type of Gaming Platform
There are plenty of platforms available out there on which you can launch your own mobile game application. Windows, iOS and Android are the three most popular gaming platforms having different costs. If you want to launch your game on either of the platforms, the development cost will range from $15k to $20k. While, if you want to integrate cross-platform compatibility, the mobile games development cost ranges from $30k to $40k.
5. The Complexity of Features
Another factor that impacts the overall game development cost is the complexity of the features. If you want to integrate basic features, it will cost you less. However, if you want to integrate complex and advanced features into your mobile game application, it will cost you more.
6. UI/UX Design
UI/UX design includes everything from graphics, and environment, to characters, quality, game levels, etc. If you want to integrate an advanced, aesthetically pleasing, and easily navigable interface, it will cost you more as compared to the basic and simple one. Moreover, designers charge on an hourly basis according to the type and complexity of the design you want.
7. Mobile Game Engine
Unity and Unreal are the two most common game engines. Basically, these two game engines don’t impact the overall mobile game development costs. However, if you want to integrate more resources, tools, or mobile game engines into your gaming platform, the cost automatically will shoot up.
8. Testing & QA
Testing boosts the confidence of your developers and promises you the smooth functioning of the mobile game. The approximate cost you need to spend on testing your game can be between $45,000 to $55,000. It is an important step, and you need to follow it to make sure you have a great game.
9. The Location of The Developers
Different regions feature different mobile game development studios having different prices for mobile game development services. For instance, Indian Game developers charge less as compared to USA and UK-based developers. If you have a budget issue and don’t want to cross a prior set limit, it is advisable to choose an Indian Gaming Studio for cheap and cost-effective solutions.
Here is the cost guide for different regions:
- Mobile game app developers in India charge $30 to $40 per hour
- UK Game development studio charges around $50 to $80 per hour
- Mobile game app developers in the USA charge around $100 to $120 per hour
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How to Reduce Mobile Game App Development Cost?
Earlier, we discussed the features impacting the overall mobile game app development cost. In this section, we will talk about such steps, following which you can reduce the video game development costs:
- Decide the app specifications: The first step in the cost-saving process is deciding the app specifications and proper research. If you decide precisely about the app’s overview, it becomes easy to calculate the costs of mobile game development. By simplifying the complex features or complicated design elements.
- Consider cross-platform mobile game app development: It is a hybrid mobile app development platform that lets developers create apps for Android, Windows, and iOS systems.
- Start with functional MVP: The complete form of MVP is Minimum Viable Product, which means developers build that product with only the minimum but essential set of features. It will help you validate the most critical purpose of the app, which ultimately saves a lot of costs incurred in actual real-money game development.
How Much Does Mobile Game Development Cost: Overview
It is extremely difficult to define the exact cost of a 3D game or 2D game, until and unless we don’t know the complete specifications, details, or features of the project. As we saw earlier, there are plentiful factors affecting the same, so it is advisable to create a gist of all the resources, prerequisites, and tools needed for game app development. On average, the mobile game development cost ranges from $20k to $25k for a single platform and basic features and functionalities. However, the cost may shoot up to $40k and even more, as it completely depends on the type and complexity of your game.
Here is the table showcasing the average cost of mobile game app development:
| Game Development Phase | Estimated Cost |
| UI/UX Design | $3,000 to $6,000 |
| Back-end Development | $5,000 to $8,000 |
| Server Cost | $3,000 to $6,000 |
| Testing Support | $5,000 to $7,000 |
| Animation | $5,000 to $7,000 |
| Management Cost | $4,000 to $6,000 |
| Total Development Cost | $25,000 to $40,000 |
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Final Words
The mobile game app development cost changes depending on the quality and quantity of your game’s features. To reduce the mobile game development cost, you need to make intelligent decisions and dedicated steps. It all depends on what type of game you want to build and on which platform. If you are concerned about how to get started with game development, we have got you all covered at BR Softech! Hire our mobile game app developers to take your business to the next level.
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Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q.1 How Much Does It Cost To Develop A Mobile Game App?
Mobile game app development is a lengthy and expensive process. Various factors affect the development cost of a mobile game like the location of the development team, complexity of the features, cross-platform compatibility, etc. On average, a single platform app with basic functionalities can cost around $20,000 to $25,000.
Q.2 Is Mobile Game Development Profitable?
Yes, the mobile game market is flourishing and has high revenue potential. Mobile game development is a very profitable venture in the current market scenario.
Q.3 What Do You Need For Mobile Game Development?
These are some of the most important things needed for mobile game development-
1. An Original Idea
2. Development Team
3. Technology Stack
4. Efficient Marketing Strategies
Q.4 How To Make A Mobile Game App For Android?
The process to make a mobile game app for Android starts with coming up with an original idea. Next, you should conduct thorough market research and hire a game development team to start creating your Android game. Deploy proper marketing strategies to promote your app.
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FAQs
How much does the average mobile game development cost? ›
Mobile games development costs usually vary from $3000 up to $150000 according to the game type, some special options you want to integrate, etc. It is obvious that a simple mini-game is cheaper than a complex one. Additionally, certain features are about 20% more expensive for iOS in comparison with Android.
How much does it cost to make a game like Candy Crush? ›The Candy Crush game development cost cost mainly depends on your app requirements. Whatever you want to add to your app will lead its cost accordingly. But the estimated price of an app like Candy Crush is $10K to $40k.
How much does a game development cost? ›An average indie game will cost between $50,000 and $700,000 to make, from start to finish. A single developer usually makes titles that cost around $50,000 and take up to a year to finish. Naturally, as the project complexity increases, the team size and costs will increase as well.
How many hours does it take to code a game app? ›A gaming app usually takes 280 hours to build. However, a gaming app can be built in as few as 67 hours, or in as many as 667 hours. The exact timeline mostly depends on how complicated your app is.
How much does it cost to make a AAA mobile game? ›According to the report, AAA games that are greenlit now with potential releases in 2024 or 2025 typically receive development budgets of $200 million or higher — Call of Duty has already surpassed $300 million in development costs alone, and the next Grand Theft Auto title will likely require a development budget of ...
How much is a mobile app developer fee? ›Simple apps with basic functionality, such as a calculator or flashlight app, can cost from $10,000 to $40,000 and more to develop. More complex apps, such as social media or e-commerce apps, can cost between $30,000 to $500,000 and more.
Is Candy Crush the most profitable game? ›IAP revenue of Candy Crush titles in the U.S. 2022
Despite being in its tenth year on the market, the original Candy Crush Saga is still the leading game in the series, generating revenue of almost 607 million U.S. dollars in the United States in 2022.
One more figure: Candy Crush Saga is free to download and play, but makes its money from in-app purchases of extra moves, lives and power-ups. In the last three months of 2013 alone, players spent $493m (£298m) on those virtual items, according to King's IPO filing.
How much does Candy Crush earn per day? ›King's flagship Candy Crush series saw its player spending grow by approximately 6.5 percent year-over-year in 2018, surpassing a worldwide total of $1.5 billion for the year—averaging nearly $4.2 million per day—across the App Store and Google Play, Sensor Tower Store Intelligence estimates show.
Why is game dev so expensive? ›Because of the complexity and power requirements, development gear is often rather expensive. The scale and number of players in the game will also boost this. More people are needed to play an ambitious game, and more people demand more tools.
Do game developers make a lot of money? ›
The national average salary for a game developer sits at US$101,644 per year. However, it's worth noting that years of experience determine your job rank and game programmer salary. Beginner game developers who recently developed a strong interest in game development work in an entry-level or junior job position.
Can you make a game without spending money? ›Absolutely you can. In fact, with GameMaker, you can have your first game made for free in under 30 minutes. GameMaker is also free to download and keep forever, so once you're feeling confident, you can start making your own games from scratch without paying a penny.
What game took the longest to code? ›"Duke Nukem Forever went 5156 days from its announcement in 1997 to its release in 2011," Sinclair wrote on Twitter over the weekend.
How long does it take to make a mobile game by yourself? ›The more complex the game, the more time is needed to develop it. On average, creating a mobile game from idea to release, takes 5 to 18 months of hard work. If you plan to create and develop a relatively small functional mobile game, you can count on 3 to 5 months.
How hard is it to code a mobile app? ›How hard is it to code an app? Coding an app is somewhat difficult. However, there is a multitude of tools and resources out there to help beginners learn how to code an app. From online tutorials to app-building software, anyone can learn how to program applications today.
How much does it cost to make a game by yourself? ›The average cost to make an indie game is about $250,000, but some small projects can cost as low as nothing + time you spend on development. The lower numbers assume you're working alone and don't have any other developers on board yet; however, the costs stack up quickly once multiple people are involved.
How much does it cost to outsource game development? ›On average, the cost of outsourcing game development can range from $10,000 to $500,000 per project. The cost of outsourcing game development also depends on the hourly rate of the development team. It depends on the skills and experience of the team.
How many copies does a AAA game need to sell? ›What is an AAA game in terms of the creator? Typically, triple-A games are developed by large game publishers, such as Nintendo, Sony, or Electronic Arts. They set aside huge budgets for both development and marketing to promote a million copies around the world.
Is mobile game dev worth it? ›Overall, mobile game development can be a very rewarding experience. It can be a great way to make some extra money or even a full-time income. If you are willing to put in the work, then mobile game development could be a great opportunity for you.
Is mobile game dev profitable? ›Mobile Game Development is extremely profitable and you can earn thousands and thousands of dollars in profit.
How much does it cost to put a mobile game on app Store? ›
| Name of App Store | Google Play Store | Apple App Store |
|---|---|---|
| Publishing Cost | $25 – One-time fee | $99 – Annual Basis |
Q. How Much Does it Cost to Put an App on the Play Store? There is only a one-time fee of $25 which you pay when you publish your first application. After this, all the apps you publish on google app store for android are cost-free.
Who is the #1 mobile game developer? ›| Rank | Company | Country of Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tencent | China |
| 2. | Netease | China |
| 3. | Garena | Singapore |
| 4. | Activision Blizzard | United States |
The learning curve of mobile app development is difficult compared to web development. Also, mobile app development is platform specific, therefore, you require different skill sets and expertise to develop mobile apps for Android and iOS.
Is game dev stressful? ›Because game development is a project-based profession, the amount of work and stress experienced will vary. This depends on the stage of the project and how well it's progressing. This might mean calls for game developers, game designers, and other team members to work overtime or on weekends to meet deadlines.
Can a solo game dev make money? ›According to VG Insights, only 15% of all solo game developers take home more than $100,000 annually. VG Insights also reported that only the top 5% of indie games released each year make over half a million dollars each, and the average game only makes $13,000.
How much can a successful mobile game make? ›Apps in the top 200 apps available today are earning an average of $82,500 in revenues daily. Yes, daily. Those that are in the top 800 apps earn around $3,500 in revenue daily, which is not bad as well. There is so much money in mobile app gaming, and the income will just keep increasing.
Can you make a living from game dev? ›Game developers have several avenues through which they can earn money while developing their games, by working with other developers, getting crowdsourcing, working as a developer for other companies, or selling tools they created while making their game.
How many people does it take to make a mobile game? ›This means that you will need a team of five to six people for mobile game development. If you plan to build native game apps for iOS and Android in parallel, you will need to hire two developers. If you are developing a hybrid web app but want to make the process faster, you can hire more than one game developer.
How much does Apple charge app developers? ›On the iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS App Store, Apple charges a 30% fee for apps and in-app purchases. However, the fee doesn't apply to free apps. Subscriptions are charged at 30% for the first year, which then drops to 15% for subsequent years. Developers can also apply for the App Store Small Business Program.
How much does App Store pay per download? ›
How much money do apps make per download? The average revenue per app download varies significantly but the average is $0.60 to $1.20. How much money do dating apps make?