The Hottest Mobile Game Development Trends in 2019
To say that the mobile gaming market is booming is an understatement. In 2018, mobile games brought in $61.3 billion in revenue!
If you’ve ever considered publishing a mobile game, now is a perfect time.
But before you do, make sure you’re following the latest mobile game development trends so you can give audiences what they want. Keep reading to learn more!
Cross-Platform Play
It’s fascinating to watch technology evolve, especially as it relates to the world of gaming. It wasn’t that long ago that audiences were mesmerized by Super Mario Bros.
But times and audience expectations have changed quite a bit, especially as it relates to social experiences. People want to play their favorite games with their friends, whether they’re on a PC, console, tablet, or a smartphone.
Games like Minecraft or the wildly-popular battle royale juggernaut Fortnite allow gamers to carry their experience across a variety of devices.
As you begin to develop your game, think about ways in which you can incorporate multiple platforms.
Transparent Monetization
Making money with apps is difficult. That goes double for mobile games.
Audiences either want the game to be free or they don’t want the inclusion of microtransactions. It’s a sticky situation, to be sure, especially with legislators cracking down on loot boxes.
However, that doesn’t mean that all hope of monetization is lost. Instead, remember that honesty is the best policy.
Gamers may be skeptical of games with microtransactions, but by outlining the odds and advantages of each purchase, you can begin to build a bridge between your consumers and your purchasing strategy.
Frequent Updates
The trickiest thing about mobile games is that they’re never finished. Even after you spend months crafting a fun, engaging game, you’ll need to have an idea of how you want to keep the ball rolling.
On that note, it’s important to remember how people use mobile apps. Repeat opens are pretty rare.
However, frequent updates tend can increase overall engagement. For better results, include push notifications that tell players when an update is live and what they can expect from it.
Full 3D Experiences
A smaller screen doesn’t mean that mobile gamers want a smaller experience. While developing a game with 2D graphics might mean faster and less complicated development time, gamers expect more from their mobile games these days.
Many of the top mobile games are ports of console or PC games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, the latter of which is currently the world’s highest-grossing mobile game.
While developing a 3D game can be a challenge, programs and engines like Unity and Unreal Engine 4 help expedite the process. They’re easy to learn, affordable, and can help you give gamers the type of experience they’re looking for.
Look out for These Mobile Game Development Trends
Mobile games can be a great way to explore your company’s creative side while bringing in a ton of revenue. By following these mobile game development trends, you can stay ahead of the curve.
Need help developing your mobile game or app? We’d love to lend a hand. Get in touch today to see how we can partner with you to create a great mobile experience for your audience.
