Since the inception of the smartphone, mobile game development has become a lucrative market. Companies EA, King, Gameloft, Rovio have developed some of the most successful games on the market. However, for every Angry Bird or Candy Crush, there are thousands of games that have failed. Everyone knows who Rovio is, creators of the massively successful Angry Birds franchise. However, did anyone know that Angry Birds was their 52nd game? The previous 51 games were failures that nobody knows or played.
There could be a number of reasons why games fail. It is unable to make money, poor marketing, poor graphics and so on, so forth. However, this does not mean that you can’t make a successful game with your idea. Here are a few tips to help you avoid having 51 failures and get that one Angry Bird or Candy Crush game.
Make it free
People love the word “free”. Nobody likes paying for things. As such, if you are developing a game that you know is going to be the next big thing but you’re charging $5.99, then it better be as good, if not better than Limbo or Monument Valley. By making your game free, you appeal to a wide variety of users, those who are able to buy games and those who aren’t. Furthermore, the simplicity of downloading a free game will be another attraction to the users. This is because it does not involve the tedious process of entering your credit/debit details.
Prioritize UI design
A game with stunning graphics, awesome controls, and compelling story are great. However, if the player doesn’t know that how much health or mana he/she has, or the damage his/her character is taking, then this could be a major problem. This will break the engagement loop that game designers create to keep players playing their game. A good UI will provide the relevant information quickly and clearly and then disappear until needed again. As such, UI design should be the utmost importance. A good UI could make or break your game.
Incorporate compelling stories
Everyone loves a good story. Be it a hero rescuing a damsel in distress, a forbidden love story or even a simple tale of friendship, people love stories. If your game does not have a story, you should consider making one. Stories help you grab the user’s attention. It gives them a purpose to play your game. A good storyline can drive a user back to your game even if they haven’t played it in some time. The more curious you make the user, the higher engagement you can expect.
Don’t underestimate the power of social media
Social media has become a powerful tool. It is one of the best ways to create hype for your game. Furthermore, the best thing about social media is that it’s free. You can create buzz for your game by targeting social influencers and communities. If possible, you should include social media elements in your mobile game development plan.
Sound is important
Sound is an important element in a game. It sets the mood of a scene/environment and gives the player feedback. There are countless websites with opens source sounds that you can incorporate into your game without having to pay. However, while those websites are available, it is best to make your own. This allows you to create your own unique brand and differentiates your game from others.
Always test your game
Users hate bugs, crashes, and frozen screens.The last thing you want is a user uninstalling your game because it keeps crashing. Test your game regularly. Put it through the ringer. Leave nothing to chance, test everything. Every feature should be tested thoroughly, right down to the minor feature. Players notice everything. You can test out your games among family and friends, yourself included. However, if you feel that they might not give unbiased feedback, hire freelance testers, though they might cost quite a bit.
Marketing
Developing a game is half the battle. Getting it out to users is another thing. That’s where marketing comes in. Just because you integrated social media into your game, doesn’t mean it’ll take off. If you think marketing is only needed once you’ve finished your game, you’re mistaken. Marketing begins when you start sketching your ideas. Utilize social media to post the development journey and process. Post a picture or video, write a blog updating your followers, show them what your dog is doing. Interaction is key. This way users are aware of your game from early on and will be interested once your final product is out. Furthermore, approach influencers within the gaming community to help gain traction and promote your game.
Do you have a game idea that you think is going to be big? Gameka has the right people with the right skills to make your dream a reality. Feel free to contact us to discuss your idea.
About The Author: Luke@gameka.my
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