Mobile game development is a complex process.
It can usually be divided into 6 main stages:
- Planning
Before development, you need to decide on the idea of the game and write a concept document. It contains general information about the game, its mechanics, and business model. Also at this stage, the market is analyzed, the target audience and platform are determined. - Pre-production
A game design document is created that contains a detailed description of the game and its mechanics. It will be used as a guide for development. The artistic style of the game is determined, and a narrative is written. The first game prototype is created. - Production.
Full-fledged development begins. Technical documents are created with the most detailed description of the mechanics. Art and animations are created. The game balance is prescribed. Each finished part is tested separately and implemented into the game. - Soft launch.
Soft launch. The stage when the first viable version of the game is released to a limited group of users. The goal is to identify critical bugs, test player behavior and project metrics, test advertising creatives, adjust the balance, and improve monetization. - Global launch
If the results of the soft launch meet expectations, the product enters the global market. The game becomes available in all regions, and marketing campaigns are launched to attract new players. - Post-production
After a successful launch and player acquisition, the game moves to the operation stage. Technical quality is maintained and bugs are fixed. New content is also created to help retain players longer.