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

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Mobile game development has reached unprecedented heights in recent years. And with emerging technologies such as metaverse, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), its popularity will only increase. There are thousands of games downloaded every day from the app stores. While the app stores have mushroomed with countless gaming applications, developing a game app is still a profitable venture.

According to Grand View Research, the global gaming market was valued at $202.64 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% from 2022 to 2030. Technology advancements and innovation in software and hardware are considered to be the driving force that fuels this market growth.

This tremendous growth in the gaming market leaves entrepreneurs wondering how much it costs to develop a gaming app. Well, the game app development cost significantly varies depending on various factors, including the type, design, features, locations of the game app development company, and so on. We will discuss these factors later down in the line. First, have a quick view at some stats of the mobile gaming market.

  • There are 200+ million mobile gamers in the US.
  • Gaming applications dominate over 50% of the revenue from the gaming industry worldwide.
  • The number of mobile gamers is expected to reach 2.32bn by 2027.
  • Approximately 49% of mobile users spend money on gaming applications.

Factors Affecting the Gaming App Development Cost

In this segment, we will highlight various factors affecting the gaming app development cost. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

App Platform

There are typically two platforms you can choose to develop your mobile application – iOS and Android. The choice of platforms depends on your target market. So, before you select an app platform, identify your target audience and figure out their preferred platform. If you find mixed preferences, you can also go for cross-platform. Even if the cost of developing a gaming app for cross-platform is relatively higher, it is still cheaper than developing different applications for different platforms.

Game Design

The game design consists of the graphics (2D or 3D), characters, game levels, environment, assets, and other essential elements. All these components bring the vivid imagination to life and accordingly, add to the development cost. The more attractive your design layout is, the more number of designers it will need and, accordingly, the higher it will cost.

Game Complexity

Attractive graphics, advanced technology, more features, multiplayer gaming, etc., enhance the game quality and also its development cost. The more complex your game is, the heavier it will be on your pocket. For instance, if your gaming application is a simple arcade with some basic features, it will cost you less. And if it is a complex game like PUBG with multiple features, it will cost you more.

Development Time

Time is one of the most significant factors when looking for how to make a game app. The more time your game app development takes, the higher it will cost. The animators, designers, developers, content creators, and other professionals, whosoever works on your gaming project, add to the overall mobile game cost.

Game Type and Size

The type and size of a gaming application are another crucial factor contributing to the overall cost of development. For instance, if you want to develop a puzzle game, its size will be small, and it can be built in a short duration. Accordingly, it will cost less compared to the other game type. On the other hand, if it is a role-playing action game with an open-world framework, its size will be huge, which will increase both – development time and cost.

Depending on the features and complexity, game apps can be categorized as:

  • Mini-Games
  • Casual 2D Games
  • Social Games
  • Mid-level Games
  • High-level Games

Location of Game App Development Company

The location of a game app development company can significantly impact the overall development cost. Companies located in regions with higher costs of living and higher wages, such as the US or Western Europe, typically cost more. And companies based in regions with lower labor costs, such as Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, or India, tend to cost less for any software/app development type. However, you must consider other factors also, such as the company’s expertise, experience, portfolio, certification and quality of work, before choosing a game app development company.

Conclusion

These are some of the most significant factors contributing to the success and cost of your gaming app development. On average, it costs around $50,000 to $200,000 or more to develop a gaming application based on the above mentioned factors. Partner with a right gaming app development company to ensure the successful and cost effective development of your mobile gaming application.