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How to Make a Video Game App

Video game apps have become an increasingly popular form of entertainment. From console titles to mobile games, there is a wide range of experiences to be had. The facts and statistics also prove the popularity of video games. In 2022, the revenue of the global video game market has reached 208.6bn USD. With the rise of mobile gaming, there are now more opportunities than ever to create your own video game app. Currently, there are 1,7bn of mobile players in the world. 

From indie developers to major game companies, anyone can make a video game app and reach an audience of millions. With the right strategy and a strong idea, making a video game app could be a great way to make money and expand your creative reach.

So, today we’re going to talk about how to create a video game app. From assembling your dream team to setting up your development environment, we’ll cover it all and help you create the perfect video game app. So, if you’re ready to take the plunge into video game app development, let’s get started!

Video game development is a multi-step process that requires the work of an entire team. Each team member has a responsibility to create a video game app. In total, everyone’s work results in a full-fledged video game. If you’re interested in how to make your own video game app, let’s first get to know what professionals are needed to make it happen.

Project Manager

The project manager provides well-coordinated teamwork, monitors compliance with deadlines and the implementation of development in general, and conducts communication with the customer and investors.   

Game Designer

The game’s engaging nature is the game designer’s job. They devise the game idea and work out the game rules and gameplay.

Developers

Developers are responsible for the technical aspects of game development. They compile code that will transform an idea into a playable game.

Level Designers

Level designers work in close collaboration with game designers. They target a mutual goal of making a video game engaging. The level designer designers elaborate leveling system of a game that includes rewards, challenges, level plots, etc.

Artists

The artists are responsible for the graphics in the game. They draw the characters, the environment, and the user interface. As a rule, the game’s visuals are handled by 2D artists, 3D artists, UI/UX designers, and FX artists.

Also, to make the visuals movable, a development team will need an Animation Designer.

Sound Designers

It goes without saying that sound designers fit the game with sound effects and musical accompaniment to make the game experience even more engaging and allow players to become more immersed in the game’s atmosphere.

QA Testers

QAs stand guard over the functioning of the game and make sure that bugs do not intrude and interfere with the game experience.

Steps Needed to Make Your Own Video Game App

Making a video game is a huge undertaking, but it can be a very rewarding experience. There’s a lot that goes into making a successful video game, including careful planning, programming, marketing, and more. However, if you’re up for the challenge, then you might be wondering how to make a video game app of your own. Further, we’ll talk about the steps required to create your own video game app.

Research and Planning

The first step to make your own video game app is the foundation of your game. At this stage, you have to think of an Idea and come up with a storyline. 

Storyline. The story should be interesting and engaging. The game may be technically perfect, but the story is what attracts players in the first place. Thinking through the story also means developing and conceptualizing the gameplay, the graphics, the sound, and other important aspects of the game as well as features that will make your game unique.

Research. it’s a good practice to do some research that will help you create not just another game but a game that players will love. Researching the market and competitors will help you draw a portrait of your target audience. The analysis of competitors, in turn, will tell their strengths and weaknesses. Not allowing the same weaknesses of the competitors and taking into account the strengths will give your game a competitive advantage because it can satisfy the players to a greater extent.

GDD. The steps should be finalized with a design document composition that outlines the game’s concept, story, characters, and mechanics. A comprehensive game design document give the team a clear picture of how to design a video game app is imperative for the successful creation of a video game. It serves as a roadmap to guide the game’s development, providing insight into its concept and mechanics. Additionally, GDDs play an important role in keeping track of ideas throughout the development process – ensuring that no planning details slip through or become forgotten. This document is also used to pitch the game to publishers or investors.

Prototyping. At this stage, a prototype is also built. The purpose of the prototype is to evaluate the gameplay mechanics; it’s an early version of the game and not necessarily representative of the final product. Once both concept and prototype have been completed, production on the game can commence.

Planning. Eventually, when pre-production works are completed and you have a detailed understanding of what the game will look like, it’s time to plan the development cycle. Divide the entire cycle into sprints and set the goals for each of them. It’s important because without a good plan, it will be very difficult to create a successful game.

Production

Then it is time to move directly to the development itself. Each team member has his own tasks, which together will result in a functioning game.

UI/UX design and Art Assets. Designers and artists work on the graphical part of the game and create the user experience. Unique graphics are one of the elements that attract players. The task of artists is to draw high-quality graphics, breathe life into the characters, and draw the environment. 

UI/UX design should be user-friendly, visually appealing, and intuitive for the user. How do you check the quality of your design? Put yourself in the player’s shoes and try to go through the user’s journey in the app. Coding. It’s a good practice for video game app developers to compile the code in a simple and straightforward way. By doing so, it will easier to spot an error if something goes wrong.

Testing

Testing helps to make sure that the game is working properly. Testing can be done by an in-house team as well as an external one. Even better is when two teams test the game for a more efficient and useful result. Testers usually do two types of testing: manual and automated.

In addition, although in this article, testing is highlighted as the next step after sales, it is performed throughout the development cycle. The earlier bugs are detected, the cheaper and easier it is to fix them.

Release and Post-Release

It’s possible to divide the last step into three stages: pre-release, release, and post-release. 

Pre-release is the time to get the marketing and PR done. They are as important as the development itself. You may develop a video game that is a real hit, but how would people know about it? This is the job of marketers and PR – to make your game known and attract players.

The release is a desired destination but not a finish line. Once your video game is developed, tested, and confirmed to be ready for launch, it’s time to deploy it onto the stores and let players enjoy it. Maintenance and Support take place next. After release, developers keep up their work by working on updates, fixing bugs, if any, and making improvements based on players’ feedback.

How to Make a Video Game App

Making a video game app isn’t an easy task, but with a bit of dedication and hard work, it’s definitely achievable. It is important to have the right team in place to ensure a smooth development cycle. 

Are you looking to get into the world of video game app development? If so, you are in luck! Celadon Wolves is a team of professional game developers who will turn your vision into reality. From concept and design to coding and marketing, we cover all aspects of game development.

With the right people in the driver’s seat, a powerful video game app can be created. 

Are you looking to get into the world of video game app development? If so, you are in luck! Fill out the form, and our team will reach out to you in no time.

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