How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Mobile Game?

Determine the cost of a mobile app is quite difficult and, definitely not an exact science. Mobile games, for example, can be really complex and the price will depend on a variety of factors such as the number of features that you want in your game and the time that that work will take until you get the final solution.

If you’re curious about what costs should be considered when developing a mobile game, check Exaud’s insights shared during an interview promoted by AppFutura, which focused on some successful mobile games:

Torment: Tides of Numenera

Description: Tides of Numenera is a mobile game app that follows the story of an awaken man that does not remember anything from his past. The Nameless One, as the man is called, is covered with tattoos that are now haunting him for his past actions. During the adventure, The Nameless One will have to take the risks of adventures to remember his previous life.

Basic Features: Multi-language; 4K High Quality visuals; 
In-game Music; 64-bit app; Notifications

How much would a mobile game like this cost?

Planescape:Torment is actually an AAA game title from 1999. This version is a visual redesign only. In our opinion, a redesign and porting to mobile platforms would cost around €65.000.

How much time would it take to develop this mobile game?

Around 9 man-months.


What improvements (other features) can this mobile game include?

We would try to improve the game sprites and animations further to improve the visual quality of the game, the current ones seem to fall somewhat short from the 4k quality standards based on the promo video.

Monument Valley 2

Description: Monument Valley 2 is the sequel to one of the most famous mobile game apps on the App Store itself. Monument Valley was a revolution on puzzle integration on smartphones and the new version, Monument Valley 2, fights to become the new best mobile game. The game consists on teaching Ro and her child the path and what living on a Valley means.

Basic Features: Multi-language; In-app music;

How much would a mobile game like this cost?

Around €45,000.

How much time would it take to develop this mobile game?

Around 6 man-months.


What improvements (other features) can this mobile game include?

A version for Android. The game is currently available for iOS only thus missing a considerable number of potential users.

Silly Walks

Description: Silly Walks will allow you to race with everyday-household objects like cheese, oranges or even burgers. The idea is to reach the end of the race without dying during the trip. This mobile app game also has the benefit of having a battle between characters.

Basic Features: iCloud Backups; Different Modes and Levels; Multiplayer;


How much would a mobile game like this cost?

Around €85.000.

How much time would it take to develop this mobile game?

Around 12 man-months.



What improvements (other features) can this mobile game include?

Adding in-app purchases to upgrade the game characters and unlock premium ones could be an interesting option.

Arkanoid vs Space Invaders

Description: Unifying two of the most popular games during the arcade era is the objective of this mobile game app. Arkanoid vs Space Invaders integrates the retro arcade gameplay and doesn’t have in-app purchases.

Basic Features: Sounds and Music; 150 Stages; 3D; Different Modes and Characters; Ranking of the Users;

How much would a mobile game like this cost?

Around €85,000.

How much time would it take to develop this mobile game?

Around 12 man-months.



What improvements (other features) can this mobile game include?

A multiplayer option would be great so users could engage each in battles over internet.

Layton’s Mystery Journey

Description:Help Katrielle Layton on finding out who is the person in charge of the Millionaires’ Conspiracy. The user has to resolve the puzzles and find out the clue to resolve the cases and help the detective to also find her father.

Basic Features: High Quality Images; Offline Gaming; Multi-Language;

How much would a mobile game like this cost?

Around €100,000.

How much time would it take to develop this mobile game?

Around 14 man-months.


What improvements (other features) can this mobile game include?

A longer storyline would be a good improvement, the current one feels a bit short based on our experience with the game.

Pigeon Wings

Description: Play with a pigeon to end the world’s apocalypse. The mobile game app is quite easy to use as you just need to move your phone and swift it up and down depending on what you want the bird to do. It reminds of Flappy Bird with those minimalistic images and colourful scenarios, and because it is a bird.
Basic Features: Multi-language; High Quality Images; Music; Apple TV and iPhone X Support.

How much would a mobile game like this cost?

Around €30,000.

How much time would it take to develop this mobile game?

Around 4 man-months.


What improvements (other features) can this mobile game include?

In our opinion, the game would benefit from more advanced and detailed graphics.

Age of Rivals

Description: Age of Rivals is a card game developed and designed to be a mini game of up to 10 minutes each session. Users can play alone or against someone else with the same device. The idea is to build the best and more powerful city and to conquer your enemy’s city.
Basic Features: Offline Playing; Competing Against Friends or Other Players or Smart AI; No in-app Purchases;Different Characters, Missions and Cards; Ranking of Users; Social Media Integration.

How much would a mobile game like this cost?

Around €45,000.

How much time would it take to develop this mobile game?

Around 6 man-months.


What improvements (other features) can this mobile game include?

We would enhance the number of cards, perhaps some part of the audience would like to dedicate more than 10 minutes to a session and that would be of interest to them.

Alto’s Adventure

Description: Alto’s Adventure will transport the user to the mountain and snow as a snowboarder. The idea is to gain the maximum points without falling and touching any of the different elements around that can stop the snowboarder from reaching the objectives.

Basic Features: Music and Handcrafted Audio; Multi-Language;180 Goals;Different Characters;Ranking of Users; Fluid and Minimalist Visual Design.

How much would a mobile game like this cost?

Around €55,000.

How much time would it take to develop this mobile game?

Around 8 man-months.

What improvements (other features) can this mobile game include?

We think that adding natural controls, e.g. tilting the device from side to side to control the character would be a nice feature for this game.

Lara Croft Go

Description: This mobile game won the award for Apple’s iPhone Game of the Year back in 2015. Lara Croft Go is a puzzle based adventure that allows users to discover new places and face challenges. Enemies and obstacles will be always present on the game.

Basic Features: Music and Soundtrack; Different Puzzles and Chapters; Easy and Fluent UX.

How much would a mobile game like this cost?

That’s a top mobile game in our opinion, an approximate cost would be circa €250,000.

How much time would it take to develop this mobile game?

A project of such complexity is rather hard toe estimate but at least 30 man-months.

What improvements (other features) can this mobile game include?

The new mobile devices allow to push the level of game graphics further than it was possible in 2015 so we would definitely suggest that. Another idea is to add a few bonus chapters that could be unlocked once the user finishes the original 7 ones.

Minecraft

Description: Who hasn’t heard about Minecraft yet? A new update hit the app stores in 2017. Users will explore different worlds and play in a creative mode surviving dangers that may come and crafting their own armor and weapons.

Basic Features: Multiplayer Option; Windows 10 Support.

How much would a mobile game like this cost?

Around €170,000.

How much time would it take to develop this mobile game?

Around 24 man-months.

What improvements (other features) can this mobile game include?

Perhaps adding some kind of a PvP mode, so players would be able to combat each other using the armor and weapons they craft and defend their castles.

Are you thinking about developing an app? Let us help you! Visit our new profile on DesignRush.com to get inspired.