Mobile Game Development & Engines

Mobile games have exploded in popularity. There are currently over 3 billion people worldwide who are playing games on their smartphones and tablets. With latest Mobile game development & Engines now people can play some of the high end games on their smart phone.

From simple casual games like Candy Crush and unblocked Mario game to graphically intensive multiplayer titles, like call of duty and asphalt, mobile game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine have been key in enabling studios to bring their creative visions to life.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of mobile game development and the game engines powering some of today’s most popular mobile titles.

What Are The Best Mobile Game Engines?

Here are some of the best Mobile game engines that are widely used in the industry:-

Unity

Unity is one of the most versatile and popular engines for mobile game development. It provides robust 2D and 3D capabilities, a built-in physics engine, particle systems, and supports deployment to both iOS and Android. The Unity editor has a user-friendly interface and there are tons of learning resources available.

Here Is A Pros And Cons Of The Unity Game Engine:

Pros	Cons
User-friendly interface	Can be resource intensive for mobile
Large asset store	Learning curve for advanced features
Great multiplatform support	Source code not provided in free version
C# programming language	Relies on monobehaviour architecture
Mature with lots of resources	Less focused on 2D than other engines
Integrated physics and graphics
Wide device support including mobile
Scaleable for simple to complex games
Large developer community

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is known for its high-end 3D graphics rendering capabilities that can be optimized for mobile. It uses a visual scripting system called Blueprints that makes game logic and behaviors accessible for designers and artists without needing to code. Unreal also handles networking and multiplayer functionality.

Here Is A Pros And Cons Of The Unreal Engine:

Pros	Cons
High-end 3D graphics	Steep learning curve
Blueprints visual scripting	C++ programming required for advanced features
Excellent lighting and post-processing	Not as lightweight as some other options
AAA pipeline and tools	Source code access only with subscription
Multiplatform support	Less 2D focused
Online marketplace for assets
Networking capabilities

Cocos2d

Cocos2d is an open-source, lightweight 2D game engine designed specifically for mobile games. It has great performance optimized for 2D graphics, physics engines, particle systems, and other features tailored to 2D games. Cocos2d uses C++, Lua, and JavaScript for programming. You can use cocos2d to create simple games like Chrome dinosaur games to high graphic games like COD.

Here Is A Pros And Cons Of The Cocos2d Engine:

Pros	Cons
Lightweight for mobile	Limited 3D support
Optimized 2D performance	Smaller community than some engines
Open source	No visual editor
Cross-platform exports	Limited built-in tools
Easy to learn
Chipmunk and Box2d physics engines
Scene editor for rapid prototyping

GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio is another popular mobile game engine. It 2 uses a drag and drop interface for quick game development, allowing non-coders to build games. It also supports more advanced GameMaker Language for experienced developers. It can export to Android, iOS, desktop, and HTML5.

Here Is A Pros And Cons Of The Gamemaker studio 2:

Pros	Cons
Intuitive drag and drop interface	Proprietary engine limits source code access
Simple for beginners but also supports advanced coding	Exports require licensing
Fast iteration and testing	Less optimized than native engines
Visual shader editor	Limited 3D support
Large resource of tutorials
Scripts to extend functionality

Construct 3

Construct 3 is an HTML5 focused 2D game engine for beginners that uses a visual editor. It allows for instant testing on devices, making it great for rapid prototyping. The logic uses a behaviors system rather than coding.

Here Is A Pros And Cons For The Construct 3:

Pros	Cons
Visual drag and drop interface	Limited to 2D games
Rapid prototyping and iteration	No support for 3D
Behaviors system instead of coding	HTML5 focused, lack of native app exports
Easy to use for beginners	Smaller user community than some engines
Instant preview on devices	Limited plugin system compared to engines like Unity
Free while in development	Must publish to Construct arcade
Open source export plugins	No access to source code
Good documentation and tutorials	Not designed for complex games

How To Choose A Mobile Game Engine?

Choosing a best mobile game development & engine is very integral as it can decide how game will look and work. Here are some tips on how to choose the right mobile game engine:

• Consider the type of game you want to build. 2D, 3D, 2.5D? This can help narrow down the options.
• Evaluate the features and tools each engine provides specific to your game needs – physics, animations, AI, graphics rendering, etc.
• Look at platform and device support. If you need cross-platform iOS, Android, etc, make sure the engine supports it.
• Compare the programming language and coding requirements. Some engines use visual scripting which is great for beginners. Others require more coding knowledge.
• Consider the learning resources and community support available. Tutorials, documentation, forums, etc. Can save you time if stuck.
• Review the monetization options and licensing fees. Make sure they fit your business model.
• Evaluate ease of use and workflows for your team’s experience level. Lower barriers to entry can speed up development.
• Prototype small tests in the engine to get a hands-on feel. Test performance on target devices.
• Optimize for your target platform – mobile games may benefit from lightweight engines.
• Check out other games made with the engine to see if quality meets your standards.
• Consider opportunities for code access and customization needed down the road.

Weigh all the pros and cons for your specific game before committing to an engine. But balance power with productivity to launch your game sooner!

What Are The Steps Involved In Mobile Game Development?

Here are some typical steps involved in developing a mobile game:

Plan and Prototype the Game Design 

Create a game design document outlining the core gameplay, story, art style, features, monetization strategy etc. Build a prototype to test basic mechanics.

Choose the Game Engine

Evaluate game engines like Unity, Unreal, Cocos2d etc. based on the type of game, platform targets, team skills etc.

Import Assets

Obtain or create 2D/3D art assets, sound effects, music etc. that align with the game design. Asset stores are a common option.

Implement Game Logic Program the game mechanics, user controls, AI behaviors, scoring systems etc. in the engine’s development environment.

Develop User Interface

Design and implement menus, HUDs, controls, buttons that create the game’s look and feel.

Integrate Ads/Monetization

Add monetization features like ad networks, in-app purchases, etc. based on your revenue model.

Testing and Debugging

Thoroughly test on target devices to find and fix bugs, optimize performance, improve gameplay balance.

Publish the Game

Release on app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Handle publishing requirements and marketing.

Monitor and Update

Track player feedback, reviews, metrics to improve with new content and updates.

How To Make Money From Mobile Games?

The most lucrative ways to monetize mobile games are through in-app purchases of virtual goods and currency, integrated advertisement networks, paid premium game versions and downloadable content, and subscription models that offer fresh content and progression. 

Maximizing revenue while preserving gameplay and user experience requires strategic implementation of these monetization methods and a balanced in-game economy. Expanding the game’s intellectual property into merchandise and collaborations also provides additional revenue streams.