Are you a developer with an excellent mobile game concept but uncertain about your next steps? You’ve landed in the perfect spot! This article is designed for independent mobile developers, free-to-play fans, and anyone wanting to turn their passion into a profitable venture.

Welcome to Pre-Production

Before diving into development, it’s crucial to understand that every studio operates differently. Pre-production can involve creating game design documents, pitches, and prototypes. For this post, we’ll concentrate on how to develop a compelling game concept.

Step 1: Conduct Market Research

The first step in crafting your game concept is to conduct thorough market research. Understand what games are currently popular and identify trends in genres and themes. Ask yourself:

• What are people playing?
• What genres are resonating at the moment?
• What unique elements can I bring to the table?

Utilizing industry reports can provide valuable insights. For instance, Unity’s 2021 gaming report highlighted significant ad revenue growth across various mobile gaming categories, with board, casual, puzzle, trivia, and card games seeing exceptional increases. Conversely, sports games experienced a decline, likely due to the impact of real-life sports interruptions.

Knowing this information can guide your game idea in a direction that aligns with market demand. Additionally, researching subcategories will help you better understand the competitive landscape.

Step 2: Develop a Strong Game Concept

Once you grasp the market, it’s time to brainstorm your game concept. Consider the following:

• Player Engagement: Your game should be addictive enough to encourage long play sessions and entice players to return. Think about how your game will keep players engaged over time. Incorporating a proactive engagement strategy during development will yield better results than trying to add it later.
• Monetization Strategy: Plan how you will monetize your game from the start. Will you use ads, in-app purchases, or a combination of both? Understanding your monetization strategy early on is crucial for creating a self-sustaining business.

Remember, player engagement and monetization should be core elements of your concept, not afterthoughts. A balanced approach to in-app purchases and ads will lead to stronger long-term success.

Step 3: Qualify Your Game Concept

With your game concept in place, it’s time to validate it. Ask yourself:

• What is the core mechanic of your game?
• What actions will players routinely perform?
• How does your theme fit with your core mechanic?

Evaluate whether your theme is underserved or oversaturated in the market. Then, consider the most critical question: Why should anyone play your game? Identify what makes your game unique compared to existing titles. Is it superior art, music, gameplay, or an innovative twist on a genre?

Test your game concept with real players to ensure you’re on the right track. Conduct user research studies and avoid leading questions to gather honest feedback.

Step 4: Validate Your Concept

There are several ways to validate your game concept:

• Marketability Tests: Create videos of your concept and run ads to gauge interest. Monitor click-through rates and sign-ups on a landing page.
• Prototyping: Develop a prototype with a working core loop and gather player feedback. Platforms like Kongregate or itch.io can be great for testing your concept with a community.
• A/B Testing: Use A/B testing to compare game concepts or ad placements to see what resonates best with potential players.
• Cost Per Install (CPI) Testing: This more involved method provides concrete validation by acquiring real users. A low CPI indicates potential for scaling, while a high CPI may require reevaluation of your concept.

Following these steps can turn your mobile game idea into a viable product. Remember, thorough research and validation are key to ensuring your game resonates with players and stands out in a crowded market. Thanks for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to seeing your game concepts come to life. Happy developing!

It’s crucial to approach development in a structured and informed manner to translate your mobile game idea into a viable product. Given the complexity and competitive nature of the market, breaking down the process into manageable steps is essential.

Step 1: Conduct Market Research Market research is the cornerstone of developing a successful game concept. It involves understanding current industry trends and identifying gaps or opportunities within popular genres. Key considerations include:

• Identifying Popular Genres: Use industry reports to pinpoint which game types are gaining traction. For example, genres like board games, casual games, and puzzles have seen revenue growth.
• Understanding User Preferences: Investigate what features players value in existing games. Such insights could influence your design and marketing strategy.
• Competitive Landscape: Analyze competing titles to understand what they offer and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Step 2: Develop a Strong Game Concept. Now equipped with market insights, brainstorm your game concept by focusing on:

• Player Engagement: Consider mechanics that retain players and encourage frequent interaction, such as social elements, rewarding systems, and progressive challenges.
• Monetization Strategies: Decide whether your game will feature ads, in-app purchases, or subscriptions early. Early planning ensures monetization fits seamlessly into gameplay rather than feeling like an afterthought.

Step 3: Qualify Your Game Concept Qualifying your concept involves a deep evaluation of your game’s core mechanics and themes:

• Core Mechanics: Define the basic actions that players will perform. These should be engaging and aligned with your overall theme.
• Theme Fit: Ensure the theme and mechanics complement each other, creating a cohesive experience.
• Uniqueness: Determine what sets your game apart. A standout feature is crucial, whether it’s an innovative mechanic, stunning graphics, or a unique narrative.

Step 4: Validate Your Concept Validation is critical to ascertain your game’s potential success before full-scale development:

• Marketability Tests: Use promotional videos to test market interest—track engagement metrics to measure potential appeal.
• Prototyping: Building a prototype allows you to test gameplay mechanics and gather player feedback. Platforms like itch.io provide a community to receive constructive criticism.
• A/B Testing: Implement testing to compare different versions of your concept or ads. This helps identify the most compelling elements.
• CPI Testing: This method evaluates how much you’d need to spend to acquire users. A low cost per install suggests strong market interest and scalability.

By adhering to these steps, indie developers can systematically transform their mobile game ideas into market-ready products. Rigorous research and validation reduce risk and increase the likelihood of creating a game that resonates with players and succeeds commercially.