Introduction
As the world becomes increasingly mobile-dependent, the demand for high-quality mobile games continues to grow. While many aspiring game developers dream of creating the next big hit, few realize just how much time and effort it takes to bring a game to market. In this article, we’ll explore the reality of time required to create a mobile game, drawing on case studies and personal experiences to provide an in-depth look at the process.
The Phases of Mobile Game Development
The process of creating a mobile game can be broken down into several phases: ideation, prototyping, design, development, testing, and launch. Each phase requires a significant amount of time and effort to ensure that the final product is of high quality.
Ideation
During the ideation phase, developers brainstorm ideas for their game, considering everything from the target audience to the mechanics and art style. This phase typically takes several weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the project.
Prototyping
In the prototyping phase, developers create a basic version of their game to test out ideas and get feedback from potential players. This can involve anything from simple 2D sketches to fully functional 3D demos. The prototyping phase typically takes several weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the project.
Design
The design phase involves refining the game’s mechanics, art style, and user interface based on feedback from the prototyping phase. This phase can take several months to a year or more, as developers work to create a polished and engaging experience for players.
Development
During the development phase, developers write code, create assets, and integrate all of the game’s various components. This phase typically takes several months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the project.
Testing
The testing phase involves thoroughly testing the game for bugs and other issues, as well as gathering feedback from beta testers. This phase can take several weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the project.
Launch
Finally, in the launch phase, developers submit their game to app stores and begin marketing it to potential players. This phase can be a time-consuming process, as developers work to generate buzz and build an audience for their game.
The Impact of Team Size and Complexity on Development Time
The amount of time required to create a mobile game is heavily influenced by the size of the development team and the complexity of the project. Larger teams with more specialized skill sets can complete projects faster, but they also require more resources and may not always be feasible for smaller studios. Similarly, more complex games that require advanced graphics, physics engines, or other sophisticated features will take longer to develop than simpler games.
Team Size and Complexity
According to a survey conducted by the game development company Unity Technologies, the average mobile game development project takes around six months to complete. However, this can vary widely depending on the size of the team and the complexity of the project. For example, smaller teams with fewer specialized skill sets may take longer to complete projects than larger teams with more expertise in specific areas.
Complexity
The complexity of the game is another key factor in development time. Games that require advanced graphics, physics engines, or other sophisticated features will take longer to develop than simpler games. This can be especially true for indie developers who may not have access to the same resources and expertise as larger studios.
Real-Life Examples of Development Time
“Angry Birds”
One of the most successful mobile games of all time, “Angry Birds” was developed by Rovio Mobile in Finland. The game took just over a year to develop, with a team of around 50 people working on the project.