Introduction
Have you ever wondered how the globally popular game Subway Surfers came into existence? Do you know how the endless runner game works on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, and Windows? Have you ever come up with an original game concept for your Android or iOS device but don’t know how to go about creating the game? The Mobile Games market is expected to reach a projected market volume of $118.90 billion by 2027. Naturally, as a developer or a programmer, it makes sense to take a step in the direction of understanding how mobile games are created. In this blog, let’s go through the essentials of creating an Android game in 8 easy steps.
The Rise of Mobile Gaming Globally
Easy Access
Compared to owning and playing games on a console or a PC, mobile gaming is more accessible. Moreover, as of early 2024, Android has a 70.69% market share worldwide, compared to the 28.58% market share of the iPhone. This makes Android games more popular around the world.
Simple and Cheap
You can take mobile games anywhere with you. Whether you are in the office parking lot or on your couch at home, you can play mobiles games anywhere, anytime. Also, many mobile games can be played offline too. Moreover, most of the popular mobile games can be downloaded for free on the supported device.
Relieves Stress
With gaming consoles or PC games comes the stress of maintaining the devices and bearing the extra costs of being a gamer. On the other hand, if you have an Android or an iOS phone, all you have to do is have enough memory so that you can enjoy the thousands of games available on the market. Secondly, there are quite a few hyper-casual mobile games that are easy to understand and play. These factors help in relieving stress as you play mobile games on the go.
Progression and Rewards
Think about your favorite mobile game and how it allows you to customize your character. Also, imagine the instant gratification you feel with the reward mechanisms and progression systems. Mobile games tend to motivate players to continue playing and strive for advancement through these simple inputs.
Innovation and Creativity
Google Play searches generated $37.3 billion in gaming app revenues worldwide in 2021. The growing number of mobile gamers in the world drives mobile game developers to continually innovate. New game concepts are introduced every month. Innovative mechanics and technologies are employed to captivate players with fresh and engaging gaming experiences.
What is an Android Game?
In simple words, Android games are those that run on Android phones. However, you must understand that an Android game is also specifically designed and developed to run on any device powered by the Android operating system. This includes smartphones, tablets, and even Android-based gaming consoles. Digital distribution platforms like the Google Play Store distributes the games. Android games offer a wide range of genres, visual styles, mechanics, and gameplay to cater to diverse preferences and audiences. These games leverage the touchscreen controls, accelerometers, and gyroscopes of devices to deliver immersive and interactive gaming experiences on portable devices.
Top Games in the Google Play Store
With 12.8 million downloads, Subway Surfer was the most popular game in the Google Play Store in June 2023. The second-most popular gaming app was the mobile version of Roblox, with approximately 10.68 million downloads from global users. Here are the top five downloads after the top two contenders in the Google Play Store in June 2023:
Source: Statista
Also read: HOW TO BECOME A GAME DEVELOPER?
Most Popular Types of Mobile Games
Here are the most popular types of mobile games based on the State of Mobile 2022 report and the most impressive android games for each type:
| Game Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Arcade games | Mobile arcade games are inspired by original game machines in traditional arcades. | -Subway -Surfers -Horizon Chase -Sonic CD Classic -Pac-Man |
| Battle Royale games | In these games, players fight in a virtual world until only one person or team survives. | -Fortnite -PUBG Mobile -Call of Duty Mobile -Stumble Guys |
| Casino games | These games are mobile versions of the games seen in casinos. | -Blackjack -Poker -Roulette -Craps |
| Hyper casual games | These are lightweight games that need the player to pay attention to one core game mechanic. | -Candy Crush Saga -Tetris -Bottle Flip -Helix Jump |
| Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) | These PC games are now also available for mobile phone players. Each player controls one hero and works with other teams to win a battle. | -League of Legends: Wild Rift Super War |
| Role-playing games (RPG) | These games let players advance through a story with side quests for the characters. | -Genshin Impact -Tower of Fantasy -Diablo Immortal -Pokemon |
| Puzzle games | These include games that have brain teasers and tasks of putting together pieces to create a complete picture in the end. | -Monument Valley -Patience -Mahjong -Mini Metro |
| Racing games | Players race through a course and compete with each other. | -Asphalt 9: Legends -Real Racing 3 -Need for Speed No Limits -CarX Street |
| Word games | These games have innovative gameplay where players search for words in different formats. | -Wordle -Garden of Words -Wordscapes -Scrabble Go |
| Simulation games | These games imitate real-life activities and let players experience everyday life in the gaming world. | -Family Island -Sim City -Car Company Tycoon -Egg Inc. |
How to Make an Android Game?
The competition in the mobile gaming market is huge. More than 100,000 new mobile games were released in 2023 and most of these games have incredible gameplay. As the market for Android games looks more lucrative, let’s get into the details of how to develop Android games.
The Beginner's Guide to Android Game Development
How to Create an Android Game? A Beginner's Guide 2024
Learn how to create Android games with our comprehensive beginner's guide for 2024. Get step-by-step instructions and expert tips today!
PublishedMarch 21, 2024
Categoryandriod
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