The mobile gaming industry is relatively new but has already developed into a huge business with an annual income of hundreds of billions of dollars. It is very easy to understand such a sudden increase in popularity: all this is due to the wide distribution of computer technologies, including the appearance of the Internet.
Unlike other forms of entertainment, mobile games are more accessible to the user. You just need to have the right device to play. No special skills are needed, while most other entertainments require understanding basic concepts.
Mobile games also serve as educational material and are used for research purposes. They contribute to developing the skills of independent assessment and selection of information received (that is, mental operations and flexibility of thinking). At the same time, television provides just a passive perception of information.
Considering the above, it becomes evident that quality mobile game development services are very relevant today. Many companies work in the field of game development and create original products for users of all ages. If you want to learn more about the game development services process, this article is for you. Read the material below carefully and find the answers to your questions.
9 Key Stages of Mobile Games Development
A team of experts in marketing, information technology, mobile content, and designers usually work on creating mobile games. Development begins with the collection and analysis of information. A marketer analyzes the market of similar mobile games, studies user needs, and determines the target audience. As a result, he provides a detailed report, which includes all data about the market, competitors, and users.
In general, there are 9 basic mobile game development stages:
- Discussion of the idea of the future product;
- Project assessment;
- Prototype creation;
- Product design concept development;
- Development of technical specifications and client-server architecture;
- Visual part layout;
- Programming and testing;
- Mobile game publication;
- Maintenance of the game.
Read briefly about each step in the following paragraphs.
Discussion of the Idea of the Future Product
The dialogue between the customer and the business analyst is important at this stage. The ideological component of the project is being finalized based on the customer’s wishes.
Project Assessment
After evaluating the project by the team of developers, the customer considers a preliminary offer for the game’s development.
Prototype Creation
The prototyping process is the basis of design, where every detail of the future software product is depicted. A properly constructed interface guarantees that the user will be able to quickly find out how the software product can solve his task. At this stage, the customer can explore the full functionality of the mobile game without its software part.
Product Design Concept Development
Creating an original design that will distinguish the game from competitors’ developments is essential. However, graphic solutions should be convenient and understandable for the user.
Development of Technical Specifications and Client-Server Architecture
To ensure the successful development and testing of the game, it is important to create all the necessary documentation based on the interactive prototype and design. All scenarios and transitions between screens must be foreseen in the technical task. At the same stage, specialists should develop a high-level project architecture and data storage model.
Visual Part Layout
The approved design is transferred to the front-end developers, who assemble individual parts into a complete picture. The result is code, available for viewing in a web browser.
Programming and Testing
The programming and testing processes are closely related. They represent one complex process. Step-by-step programming is carried out first. After a certain software part is implemented, the mobile game is sent for testing, which includes checking for errors and their elimination.
Mobile Game Publication
The finished software product must be properly prepared for publication. It is necessary to provide a detailed description of the mobile game and graphics that meet the AppStore and Google Play requirements. Otherwise, the developed product will not pass the moderation stage.
Maintenance of the Game
After the launch, the mobile game is in the technical support stage.
General Principles of Mobile Game Development
The development of a mobile game must be justified. A customer-centric approach should be at the heart of design and implementation, i.e., the product must be clear, useful, simple, and fit for purpose. Here are the main characteristics to follow:
- Functionality (compliance with the declared functionality, the possibility of a trial, the possibility of playing without authorization, cache clearing, support for services and platform extensions, etc.);
- Ease of use (simplicity and quality of navigation, welcome instructions, user support, privacy policy, notifications, etc.);
- Performance and reliability (game start time, power consumption, resistance to external interruptions, stability, correct display of interface elements);
- Security (the ability to set a password and log in using biometric data, the ability to delete an account, the presence of vulnerabilities, data transfer security, payment processing security, and storage of personal data);
- Maintainability (regularity of updates, response to critical software errors, response to user comments and questions);
- Portability (data synchronization, availability on multiple mobile platforms);
- Informativeness (information about the mobile game, product name in the store, informative description, availability of reviews, link to the developer’s website, and privacy policy).
Conclusion
It is difficult to imagine the modern world without mobile games. The active development of technologies allows to offer consumers an increasingly attractive design, realistic graphics, and captivating plots. Thus, it is not surprising that the number of mobile game consumers constantly increases yearly.
However, the mobile games development process is not as simple as it may seem at first glance. This is the painstaking work of a team of specialists, carried out in stages. Only an integrated approach to development allows the creation of mobile products that really deserve attention.
