How to Start a Mobile Gaming Business?

The mobile gaming industry has witnessed explosive growth in the past few years. Millions of users worldwide resort to smartphones and tablets for entertainment. Around 96% of games on the Google Play Store and AppStore are free. These games generate enough revenue through multiple revenue streams. When it comes to mobile games, there is something for every age group. 

Starting a mobile game business is one of the most profitable ventures in the gaming industry. You can earn a substantial amount of revenue by starting a mobile game development company and penetrating the mobile game market. Moreover, mobile game apps can leverage multiple revenue streams to generate additional revenue. 

If you are a budding entrepreneur and want to start a mobile gaming business in 2023, here is a quick guide for you.

How to Start a Mobile Game Business? Step-by-Step Guide 

A mobile gaming business is a profitable and lucrative business venture for budding entrepreneurs. Here is a quick step-by-step guide for you- 

Come Up With a Unique Idea

First and foremost, it is important to come up with a unique mobile game idea to start the game development process. There are over 15 game genres on the Google Play Store alone. You can choose from a wide range of options like Action, Strategy, Adventure, RPG, Puzzle, Racing, etc. 

Decide if you wish to include different characters. Work on an engaging narrative and storyline to grasp the user’s attention. 

Develop a Business Plan

Your business plan and development idea will ultimately affect the whole process. Not to mention, you have to hire dedicated personnel according to your business plan. Here are some points to consider while creating your business plan- 

• The Platform of your game (Android or iOS)
• Monetization Strategies(IAP, free/paid, premium, subscription) 
• Estimated Revenue for Q1 and Year 1
• Estimated Downloads
• Game Development Budget (Testing, Launch, Maintenance) 
• Marketing Budget
• Development Timeline
• Payment Structures

Hire a Mobile Game Development Company

Your hiring strategy will ultimately depend on your business plan. Make sure to create a development budget and strategy with all the necessary aspects of your business including a targeted platform, marketing budget, target revenue, monetization strategies, and development timeline. 

If you are new to the mobile game development business, we suggest you go for Android or Cross-platform game development. Hire a reliable Game App Development Company by keeping the above-mentioned factors in mind. Also, make sure to consider factors like portfolio, experience, technical expertise, and budget before entering into a partnership. 

Testing & Quality Analysis

After you have hired the developers and developed your game app, it is time to test the game and fix any potential bugs and glitches. Make sure to test for essential aspects like loading time, performance, and user experience. Developers can also conduct a soft launch and gather user feedback to identify and resolve any errors and bugs in the game. 

Launch & Marketing

After the successful completion of the testing phase, it is time to launch your game into the dedicated marketplace. Android games are published on Google Play Store, while iOS games are released on the App Store. Moreover, store approval can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. During this time, you can promote your game app and spread the word among the target audience. Here are some useful marketing strategies to promote your game app- 

• Promote the game of Niche Gaming Websites
• Ask Game developers to publish the case study on your website. You can share that on your social media platforms. 
• Publish relevant promotional content related to your game.
• Complete ASO techniques and target relevant keywords in your App Description
• Create social media handles for your game app
• Build a community and interact with your users on websites like Quora, Reddit, and Linkedin.

Monetization Strategies for an Online Mobile Gaming Business

The primary objective of any business is to generate revenue. Luckily for you, a mobile game development project can leverage various monetization strategies to generate revenue- 

In-app Purchases(IAP)

This is probably one of the most popularly used monetization strategies for mobile games. Around 79% of mobile games use in-app purchases as their primary revenue model. Microtransactions can be in the form of consumable items or collectables like game skins and characters. Some IAPs are always available in the store while some can be introduced during separate time-limited events, leading to increased conversion rates. 

In-app Advertisements

In-app advertisements are widely used in mobile games. Users understand that in-app ads are the cost of playing a free game and have already made their peace with it. This strategy is used in over 94% of mobile games and developers have even come up with innovative new ways to place ads in their gaming apps. Hyper-casual games can typically benefit from In-app advertisements as these games don’t really support the in-app purchases model. There are several types of in-app ads(IAAs)- 

• Interstitial Ads
• Banner Ads
• Header & Footer Ads
• Rewarded Ads

Premium Model

While the premium model is now widely used today, it still brings considerable revenue upfront. The only drawback is that it relies on the user’s willingness to pay. For this reason, the premium model works best for hardcore games and those with an already established following, like the Call of Duty franchise or Minecraft. Most mobile game developers don’t utilise this model, but for games with a large active community, it can be highly profitable. 

Subscription Model

The subscription model is usually used in free games and complements the game’s primary monetization model. They are typically a form of In-app purchases that offer extra features and content to users. Battle Pass/ Royale Pass is the most popular example of the subscription model. Games like PUBG and Fortnite use this model as it offers rewards based on player engagement, meaning the more user play, the more rewards they get. 

Final Words

Starting a mobile gaming business is an exciting journey that requires dedication, creativity, and a deep understanding of the gaming market. By conducting thorough research, assembling a talented team, and creating a captivating game, you can set the foundation for a successful venture. With a robust marketing strategy, continuous post-launch support, and a commitment to improvement, your mobile gaming business can thrive and bring joy to millions of players worldwide.

If you are unsure about the game development process, you can hire a Game App Development Company to develop your mobile game app.