How Much Does Mobile Game Development Cost?

According to a study on game development, the average mobile game development costs around $5 million. This study summarized the mobile game app development cost after evaluating the budget of more than 432 mobile games. However, many businesses are able to capitalize on this industry and are making millions in profits. In fact, mobile gaming is the highest revenue generator of any digital purchases made on the mobile platform. In this blog, we are going to discuss mobile game development and its costs. 

Let’s examine the factors that might determine the mobile game app development cost; 

Factors that Affect the Mobile Game Development Cost

1. The Complexity of the Game 

The complexity of the game depends on the number of features, the size, and the graphical intensity. For example, someone might develop a less complex game like Flappy Birds, while someone might be building a full AAA title like Grand Theft Auto V. Above all, developing a complex game will require more resources, development time, and technical expertise. Moreover, it also greatly depends on the features, supported platforms, and a number of levels. 

2. Design & Graphics 

The design and graphics can also have a significant impact on the game development cost. Thus, businesses expecting to develop cutting-edge AAA titles will need to spend a significant amount of investment. Everything from the graphics, physics engine, renderer, and user interface will need time, effort, and investment. Having the right Android app developers or iOS app developers on your side can help you develop a mobile game with cutting-edge graphics. 

3. Testing & QA 

You cannot possibly complete game app development without rigorously testing the game with different test cases. In fact, you certainly don’t want unexpected bugs and glitches in your mobile game. This will only mess up your reputation and make a joke of your idea. Thus, a testing process is necessary to ensure smooth and effective mobile gaming. The cost can have a significant impact depending on your testing methods and the number of test cases. Moreover, it is advisable to hire highly qualified QA professionals from a leading mobile app development company. 

4. Number of Platforms 

Developing a mobile game for a single platform might be a very cost-effective solution for game app development. However, it could significantly limit your market reach and capabilities. Thus, you can either start native app development or cross-platform app development. 

Native games can provide a better user experience by utilizing every functionality of a platform. However, it could be expensive to develop a game with this approach. Whereas, cross-platform app development is more reliable and cost-effective. You can capture a wider market, but you might have to sacrifice a bit on the game’s quality. 

5. Multiple Languages 

It is quite common for gaming businesses to target multiple countries with their mobile games. However, language might become a big barrier in the game app development process. Thus, they often need to spend more to launch their game in multiple languages to support more regions. This factor is very important to consider especially when you are targeting a global audience. 

6. In-App Purchases 

Although these elements are solely made to make extra revenue from the customers. However, you’ll need to give a considerable amount of time and effort to provide a good value to the customers. These in-app purchases could be anything such as new levels, unlockable characters, artifacts, collectables, skins, etc. 

7. The Size of Team and Development Pace 

This one is quite obvious, once you hire a team, you have to pay for their services and expertise spent on mobile game development. Moreover, if you are in a hurry to develop and launch the game, you will need to spend more on the development process. Hiring top mobile app developers with years of experience might become an expensive affair if you don’t hire from a leading mobile app development company.

How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Mobile Game App?

As we have mentioned before mobile game app development cost depends on a variety of factors. It would be advisable to consult a prominent mobile app development company to get a fair estimate of the development cost. Anyway, these are the usual costs of developing a mobile game;

Mini-Game Development Cost: $5000 – $7000 

Mini-games are essentially tiny-indie games that can be played through either mobile apps or web browsers. These lightweight games are simple and don’t have any advanced features. 

Good Examples: Crossy Road, Flappy Bird 

Small Game Development Cost: $15,000 – $30,000

Small games have progression levels and are a bit more complex than simple mini-games. They might have complex graphical elements and in-app purchases as a monetization measure. 

Good Examples: Temple Run, Subway Surfers, Cut the Rope 

Medium Game Development Cost: $60,000 – $120,000 

These games might have multiple storylines and a long progression system. In fact, the users are able to save their progress and continue anytime. There are multiple in-app transactions and unlockables in these games. 

Good Examples: Angry Birds, Sim City, Candy Crush  

Large Game Development Cost: $150,000+ 

These games are the top examples of cutting-edge mobile gaming. In fact, they consist of high-quality textures and realistic sound effects. It takes months to develop large games for mobile. 

Good Examples: PUBG, COD Mobile, Free Fire 

AAA Titles Development Cost: $1 – $3 Million 

These games are high-end games meant for PCs and gaming consoles like PS4 and Xbox. They take full advantage of the best available GPU technology and computer graphics. It takes a lot of time and investment to develop successful AAA titles. 

Good Examples: Grand Theft Auto V, Fifa, NBA, Need for Speed 

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

These games are meant usually meant for play-to-win games like Pool, Rummy, Ludo, Casino, etc. Thus, these games depend heavily on multiplayer elements to ensure smooth gameplay. 

Good Examples: Rummy, 8Ball Pool 

Pricing Models for Mobile Game Development 

Along with other factors, the pricing models of the development process can also have a severe impact on the development process. Thus, it is also important to consider the pricing models so you don’t run out of your budget while developing your mobile game. These are some prominent pricing methods for mobile game development; 

• Time and Material 

This pricing model is very suitable because it lets a mobile app development company estimate the mobile app development cost by analyzing the scope of work. Furthermore, this gives you the option to switch teams, alter the number of developers, and make changes to the features or product. 

We can say that this pricing model is most suitable for small or mid-sized mobile games. It allows the perfect scope of changes and upgrades. Moreover, you are able to control the budget and make the development process more cost-effective. 

• Fixed Price Model 

A fixed price model is most suitable when you have a limited budget and a limited time to develop a mobile game. Thus, you are free to discuss your own project cost with your chosen mobile app development company to get the job done with ease. Ultimately, you can manage your budget right from the beginning without overspending on the development process. 

• Dedicated In-House Team 

This is an effective price model if you want to gain complete control of the development process without any time constraints. However, it is often an expensive affair to hire an in-house team to develop your mobile game. Plus, you have will need to have the infrastructure and other liabilities to run an in-house team.  

How to Make the Mobile Game Development Process Cost-Effective? 

If you are looking for cost-effective solutions to build your own mobile game, then it would be advisable to outsource your game development project. Choosing a mobile game app development company from a developing country like India could significantly reduce the development cost.