Mobile games are no longer just entertainment — they’re a booming business opportunity. A mobile game like Candy Crush grabs millions of users and billions of dollars. Why shouldn’t your business take a slice of that pie?
Whether you’re aiming to engage customers, promote your brand, or build a steady revenue stream, creating a mobile game could be your game-changing strategy, and we’re here to show you the way.
Let’s press start.
Table of Contents
Types of Mobile Games
Before diving into app development, you need to understand the kinds of mobile games that dominate app stores to help you determine where your concept fits and what audience you’ll capture.
- Puzzle games: Think again of Candy Crush — these games hook users with quick challenges and endless levels. Puzzle games are simple to create and addictive enough to keep players coming back.
- Casual games: Easy to learn, hard to master. Titles like Flappy Bird and Subway Surfers rely on short bursts of gameplay, perfect for commuters or anyone needing a quick escape.
- Mid-core games: These involve deeper gameplay and strategies, such as Clash of Clans. They attract a more dedicated audience and often monetize through in-app purchases.
- Idle games: Minimal input, maximum satisfaction. Players progress with little effort, making these games great for user retention. Think Adventure Capitalists, where your audience can live their billionaire dreams.
- AR games: The Pokémon Go revolution showed how augmented reality (AR) can blend virtual fun with real-world exploration. These games offer unique brand engagement opportunities.
- Simulation and strategy games: From The Sims to Plague Inc., simulation games are about control and creativity, while strategy games focus on decision-making. Both are ideal for businesses targeting users with higher engagement times.
How To Make a Mobile Game: Step by Step Guide
Ready to transform your big game idea into reality? Here’s how to take your concept from brainstorm to launch pad.
- Develop a concept
- Choose a design and experience
- Select your tech stack
- Choose a monetization strategy
- Keep the momentum post-launch
1. Develop a Concept
You don’t need a revolutionary idea — just one that resonates with your target audience. Start with a clear one: Who is this game for? What’s the gameplay? How does it connect to your brand?
Define your target audience early. Are you appealing to teens, young professionals, or parents looking for distractions for their kids? Narrowing your audience helps you tailor your design, mechanics, and marketing later on.
And at this stage, nail down your user retention strategy. Features like daily login bonuses, social sharing options, and unlockable content can turn first-time users into loyal players.
A final piece of advice in this step: Run your concept by non-gamers. If they are intrigued, you’re onto something.
2. Choose a Design and Experience
Your game’s design sets the stage for its appeal. The choice between 2D, 3D, or AR depends on the type of game you’re creating and your budget.
- 2D games: Great for puzzles, platformers, and hyper-casual games. They’re cost effective and faster to produce.
- 3D games: Ideal for immersive gameplay like racking or role-playing games (RPGs). They require more resources but create visually stunning results.
- AR games: Use augmented reality to blend the digital world with the physical one. For example, if you’re in retail, an AR dress up game could do wonders.
Don’t forget about the user journey, as it is as important as the visuals. Smooth onboarding, intuitive controls, and rewarding feedback loops (think coins, stars, or fireworks) elevate your game from meh to memorable.
And last but not least in this step — audio. Sound effects and music enhance the experience and help build emotional connections.
3. Select Your Tech Stack
The tech stack determines the programming languages, tools, platforms you’ll use to build your game. Choosing the right ones can save time, improve efficiency, and set the stage for long-term success.
Popular choices include Unity, known for its versatility in creating 2D and 3D on both Android and iOS operating systems; Unreal Engine, a favorite for visually stunning, high-performance 3D experiences; and BuildBox, a no-code solution ideal for simpler projects.
Whatever you choose, start small by building a minimum viable product (MVP) that focuses on the core mechanics. As Gabriel Shaoolian, CEO of Digital Silk, emphasizes, testing your MVP in the market is key to success. By gauging audience reactions early, you can identify what works, refine your features, and scale your game with confidence.
This “first sell it, then scale it” approach not only saves resources, but also ensures your game resonates with its audience, paving the way for success.
4. Choose a Monetization Strategy
Creating a mobile game isn’t just about delivering fun — it’s also about crafting a revenue stream. Apart from brand awareness and promotion, a well-thought-out monetization strategy can turn your game from a creative project into a thriving business asset.
Here are the most effective monetization models to consider:
- Freemium: One of the most popular strategies for mobile games. The game itself is free to download, enticing a wide audience, but revenue comes from optional upgrades, power-ups, or unlocking premium content.
- Ads: Integrate non-intrusive ads related to your business like rewarded videos. For example, players might watch a short ad to earn extra lives or in-game currency.
- Subscription services: Offer exclusive content to playing members. That can even include some special discounts for your products and services.
- In-app purchases: This model lets players buy specific items, boosts, or lives directly within the game. It’s particularly effective in games with a progression system, as players are more likely to spend to overcome challenges or unlock desirable features.
- Hybrid models: Many successful games combine these methods. The diversification helps maximize revenue streams and appeals to a broader audience.
But be careful. Your monetization strategy must enhance, not disrupt, the player's experience. Bombarding users with ads or paywalls can lead to frustration and high churn rates, even for your primary business focus.
With a carefully planned approach, your game can not only captivate players but also become a sustainable, profitable asset for your business.
5. Keep the Momentum Post-Launch
Launching your mobile game isn’t the finish line — it’s the start of an ongoing journey. A successful game requires continuous optimization, promotion, and engagement to keep players coming back for more.
- App store optimization: Your game needs to stand out in a sea of apps, and that starts with app store optimization (ASO). Use keywords relevant to your game and ensure the description highlights unique features and benefits.
- Encourage positive reviews: The more 5-star ratings you have, the higher your game ranks. Encourage players to leave reviews after a satisfying milestone or reward them for feedback.
- Promote your game: Share gameplay teasers, behind-the-scenes content, and updates on social media platforms to spark interest and engagement among your existing customer base.
- Keep players engaged: Surprise players with new content like levels, characters, or challenges to keep the experience dynamic and increase conversions. Bonus points if the content is associated with your brand.
How Branded Games Can Benefit Your Business: 3 Examples of Success
Branded games are a powerful tool to elevate your business and brand marketing strategy. With the global number of mobile game users projected to reach 1.9 billion by 2027, branded games offer an unparalleled opportunity to tap into a growing audience.
Think of branded games as an interactive billboard, but with a lot more engagement. It allows you to immerse your audience in your product or service in a unique and entertaining way. By aligning your game with your brand, you create an experience that not only engages but also strengthens brand recall and loyalty.
Let’s see how branded games can benefit your business through three successful examples.
1. Chipotle’s The Scarecrow
In 2013, the Mexican food chain Chipotle released The Scarecrow, an arcade-style game for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The game was designed to promote the company’s commitment to sustainable farming. It depicts a scarecrow’s journey to bring wholesome food back to the people by providing an alternative to the processed food that dominates his world.
As an incentive for players to complete the game, Chipotle provided food rewards redeemable at any of its locations. Within days of release the game was downloaded more than 300.000 times and disrupted the App Store charts.
2. Kinder Joy’s Applaydu
In 2020, Kinder launched Applaydu, a mobile game that brings Kinder Joy toys to life through AR. The game was designed for children 4-9 and combines interactive storytelling, educational games, and safe parental controls. By scanning the toys, users unlock animated characters and embark on creative adventures.
The result is increased brand loyalty, stronger parental approval due to the app’s educational value, and a standout position in the market as an innovator blending product and technology.
3. Alibaba’s Three Kingdoms: Fantasy Land
Alibaba started leveraging its robust cloud computing infrastructure in 2014, making a significant push into the gaming sector. Between 2014 and 2020, Alibaba launched several games, with Three Kingdoms: Fantasy Land being one of the most successful and achieving over $1 billion in lifetime revenue. This result showcased the immense potential of gaming content in the global market.
The strategy title draws from the iconic Chinese historical period, resonating deeply with players across East Asia. Its mix of rich storytelling, engaging gameplay, and strategic depth has made it a standout hit. The initiative highlights Alibaba’s strategy to diversify its revenue streams while expanding its influence beyond eCommerce and traditional cloud services.
How To Make a Mobile Game: The Bottom Line
Creating a mobile game is an exciting way to enhance your brand’s visibility and revenue. Whether you’re making a hyper-casual game to go viral or a branded experience to build customer loyalty, success hinges on thoughtful brand storytelling, planning, and execution.
Partnering with a mobile game development agency can streamline the process, ensuring your concept is brought to life with expert precision and market-savvy strategies.
So, are you ready to level up your business with a mobile game? The joystick is in your hands.
How To Make a Mobile Game FAQs
1. How long does it take to build a mobile game?
The timeline for building a mobile game can vary. A basic game can take 3-6 months, while advanced games may need over a year.
2. Can mobile games really help my business?
Absolutely! They boost engagement, build brand loyalty, and can even serve as a revenue channel.
