According to recent reports, there are approximately 2.7 billion mobile gamers all over the Earth – that’s a staggering one out of every three people! The prevalence of mobile gaming is certainly no surprise given how smartphones have proliferated into the pockets of everyone (thanks, Steve Jobs!) and how convenient it is to have quick gaming sessions right in our hands.
After all, our devices are always within reach, allowing us to get some entertainment during any short break, those boring commutes, and so on.
But have you ever thought about how much to become an Android game developer? Well, in this article, you’ll learn about the two main paths to achieving this goal: the independent “do-it-yourself” approach and working as the head of a game studio. We aim to provide insight into the potential costs associated with each route and the process, so let’s get right into it.
Read as well: Top 7 Android game development engines
How much to become an Android game developer: the DIY route
One of the biggest advantages of the solo path is the wealth of free online resources available. The internet, vast as it is, contains a variety of tutorials, detailed documentation, bustling forums, and large communities dedicated to learning (and teaching) game development. This lets anyone begin their Android game development journey without any upfront financial investment.
However, it’s essential to consider the significant time commitment it takes. Mastering the necessary skills through self-study, practice projects, and trial-and-error demands immense dedication, discipline, and perseverance.
Those seeking to accelerate their learning curve or prefer to study following a structured approach should opt for paid online courses (like those you’d find on Udemy, which can be snagged for less than 10 bucks on sale), bootcamps, or even pursuing a college degree – options that come with their own price tags.
Beyond acquiring coding and technical skills, creating a visually appealing and engaging game is critical for success. Aspiring solo developers have three main choices: teaching themselves artistic disciplines like 2D art or 3D modeling and sound design, using free asset libraries, or partnering with freelance artists and outsourcing companies (which introduces additional costs.)
In essence, while the independent path can technically be free from a monetary standpoint, it requires an extraordinary investment of personal time and effort. Optional paid resources may help expedite skill development, and outsourcing game assets is often a wise consideration!
The other route: breaking down Android game development costs
For those interested in managing or building a professional game development team, there are several key areas where costs come into play:
- Game engine: at the core of any game is the engine powering it. Some engines like Godot are free and open-source, while others like Unity and Unreal Engine let you get started for free, but will require you to pay either a subscription or a portion of your revenue once past a certain threshold. This can get expensive once dealing with larger teams and productions;
- Art and audio assets: as we mentioned before, modern video games live or die by their graphics, animation, music, interface, and sound effects. While free asset libraries exist, most developers opt to invest in purchasing professional-grade assets. This could mean one-time purchases of individual asset packs or subscribing to services that offer unlimited downloads;
- Development tools: depending on the scope and complexity of a project, various auxiliary tools may be needed for code editing, project management, analytics, testing, optimization, and more, and their subscriptions can quickly add up. Furthermore, the tools available on the internet won’t do the trick, so hiring a specialized programmer is a must;
- Talent and staffing: typically the biggest expense for any mobile game studio, a well-rounded team requires a variety of skilled professionals like game designers, project managers, game artists, UI/UX experts, audio engineers, QA testers, marketers, programmers, and more. Employment costs like salaries, benefits, equipment, software licenses, and office space (if applicable) can get out of hand fast if not managed properly;
- External services: in some cases, particularly with larger projects, one may require outsourcing certain tasks, like animation, localization, server hosting (for online games), legal counsel, and so on. Your budget should account for potential freelancer and contractor expenses too;
- Project scope: remember, time is money! The overall scope of your Android game – features, complexity, level design, art style – heavily influences development cost. For example, a sprawling RPG with dynamic storylines and tons of voice lines will demand a longer development cycle and more resources compared to a simple puzzle game with limited levels.
Under the hood: an overview of the game development process
Before we proceed, let’s quickly go over the typical phases involved in creating an Android game.
First things first: market research. Think of it as intel gathering: what kind of mobile games are popular right now? Who is your target audience, and what are they looking for in a game? Knowing the competitive landscape will help you refine your ideas and make sure they resonate with players.
Once done, it’s time for planning and design. This is where your game concept gets fleshed out in detail. What are the core mechanics that will make your game fun and engaging? Is there a story to tell? How will the levels be designed to keep players hooked? What will the progression system be like? Assuming it ends, will there be post-game content? The more detailed your plan is at this early stage the smoother the development process will be down the line.
Now comes the exciting part, development! Here, programmers will bring your Android game logic to life through code wizardry, while artists create stunning visuals and lovely sounds that will immerse players in your world.
Don’t forget prototyping, though! This involves creating a barebones version of your game to test core mechanics and get early feedback. It’s like doing a first draft, a chance to see how your ideas translate into an actual game experience.
Similarly, we have testing, which happens in tandem with development, but it focuses on finding those pesky bugs, balancing the game, and ensuring the user experience feels just right.
Finally, after all the hard work and countless development hours, the game is polished and ready for launch, so all that remains is making it available on the Google Play Store, marketing it, and providing ongoing support for further issues with your game.
You can read more about the game development pipeline by clicking here!
So… how much does Android game development cost?
Now that we’ve covered various cost components, let’s talk about concrete values.
If you’re going to create relatively simple and short games with basic mechanics and graphics, development here could potentially be a solo or tiny team endeavor using free game engines and sourcing free or low-cost assets. In this case, total budgets may range from $25 (to create a Google developer account) to around $5,000.
Stepping up, we have games with moderate complexity – decent gameplay depth complemented by solid audiovisual quality. Teams of 3-8 professionals are commonplace, potentially blending free resources with original/paid assets and tools. It’s hard to estimate expenses, but on average they will hover around $20,000 to $150,000.
For the biggest Android productions, titles with innovative features, refined gameplay, and AAA-caliber graphics and audio, game studios often require a large development team. Budgets can soar from $200,000 to many millions!
Of course, these are just rough estimates to illustrate the cost spectrum. Many exceptions and edge cases exist depending on a game’s unique scope, design priorities, and production requirements.
Conclusion
As you read, becoming an Android game developer offers many possibilities with varying costs and commitments.
The independent, self-taught route provides unlimited freedom at no/low cost but demands extraordinary personal investment. For those seeking to join or create a professional game studio, budgets can span a massive range based on project scope, team size, asset quality, marketing efforts, and more.
Regardless, prospective developers should carefully evaluate their goals, resources, and timelines. With solid planning, smart spending, and a sprinkle of innovation, your dream game can become a reality – and who knows, maybe the next mobile gaming phenomenon!
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Here’s the best part: we specialize in creating awesome, custom-tailored solutions that fit your budget and will resonate with your target audience. Contact Main Leaf today and let’s make your upcoming Android game a masterpiece; we’ll answer you within 24 hours at most!
