It pays to know what you’re getting into – this advice applies when you want to build a game. One wrong misconception, and you stand to lose thousands of dollars. Your business is already doomed to fail even before you started.
But how do you know which claims about game development are true? Check out the list below:
1. You Can Make a Game without Learning How to Code
The answer is yes, but there’s a caveat. If you’ve been reading about game development, then the term “code” won’t be far behind. Codes are sets of instructions that define how the platform should work.
These days, you can now build games, even for operating systems like Android, without an extensive background in coding. There are already gaming engines and tools available like Unity. When you want a more professional finish, you can consider outsourcing your game development.
An outsourcing team will have 2D and 3D animators, user experience (UX designers), programmers, and graphic artists, to name a few. They invest in the latest platforms to help you come up with a professional, sleek, and high-quality game.
However, not knowing how to code is not an excuse not to try learning it or even understanding the process of game development. Your comprehension can help you set expectations right with the team and the output.
2. Creating a Game Is Expensive
In reality, it depends on the game you’re trying to make. If it’s simple (think of Pac-Man), it can cost you around $3,000. The more graphics and animations your game has, the costlier it gets. The spending can also skyrocket to as much as $20,000 or more if the structure is complicated. For example, it has many characters and settings.
Meanwhile, video or console games are some of the priciest products. Rumors have it that Halo, one of the most popular games in the world, costs at least $500 million. Note, though, that a good part of the expenses goes toward marketing.
3. Games Are Lucrative Business
Yes, they are, especially if you look at the mobile game sector. The data revealed that in 2019 games earned a whopping $120 billion. That’s the biggest so far in history. Mobile game apps took the lead after generating at least $64 billion. Console games pocketed $15 billion.
Let’s put this into perspective, though. On average, a mobile game app could earn about $22,000 daily. That’s way more than other types of mobile platforms make.
However, the revenue of the most successful PC and console games could be a hundredfold higher than that of a mobile game. For instance, Fortnite earned an impressive $1.8 billion in 2019. Further, to earn excellent money from your mobile game, your app should be about the top 100 or 200.
4. Many Apps Fail
This is another valid claim. Statistics showed that only a percent would eventually succeed. However, the most common reasons for failure have nothing to do with the actual design.
According to the Business of Apps, over 42% failed to launch because they didn’t address market needs. About 14% had an unclear marketing strategy, while 13% was because of the wrong timing of the release.
Building a game is a profitable endeavor, but it also comes with challenges and risks. By knowing what they are, you are more equipped to decide the best action plan to succeed.
