Developing a mobile game requires compromises in more than just icons and windows. The limit to your imagination is the screen area of your smartphone.
In this article, KOLORO takes a look at the must-have elements of a mobile gamenecessary for interface development.
Read the blog: Developing a simple and profitable mobile game
Mobile game interface: features
The game interface consists of a set of aspects:
- UX/ UI
- statistics
- structure
- ergonomics
- logic
- other
Even simple mobile games Even simple mobile games require clear action and detail, otherwise the return on investment may be delayed or not realized at all.
What challenges do you face when developing games?
Creating an f2p game for cell phones is a process that requires attention to detail and a willingness to face challenges, all because:
- Ignorance of the chips of the project. The game cannot stand still and requires constant development, adding new elements. So you need to be ready for scaling up.
- Since the smartphone screen is small, you have to limit yourself to the existing features. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the screens of all manufacturers, so that each user of the game application feels comfortable.
How much does it cost to develop a game for mobile? The price depends on:
- genre
- feature count
- technical features
- player interaction
- deadline
KOLORO has been developing turnkey mobile games for years, and can make your target audience fall in love with yours at first sight. Get expert advice right now.
Strategies for working with small screens
Intelligent use of space
Before you create a mobile game, remember the principle: one screen – one solution . There must be logic in the arrangement of elements. Zoning – the combination of fragments in the space – will help with this.
Determining and following the orientation of the device
The game elements of the game are arranged on the screen according to the selected orientation of the gadget – portrait or landscape. You can choose to arrange objects vertically or horizontally. The designer’s work on a global level depends on it.
Utilizing the space behind the smartphone screen
When designing mobile games, don’t forget about the space outside the smartphone. Slide panels hide information, helping to solve the player’s query without leaving the game. The main thing is that additional panels should not conflict with existing ones in the operating system.
Using only the right elements
Mobile games 2020 still include unnecessary elements. Make it a rule to only use what you need in the game to accomplish your goal.
Design elements only overload the space, take up space, increase information processing time and do not carry any meaningful load. Remove everything that can be removed, including distances between elements.
Pay attention to the space, because from the presence of “air”, the perception of the elements is formed. It is not necessary to reduce the element itself, because the main thing is that the user can play with comfort.
Revise content, take repetitive information “out of brackets”. Reduce text blocks by turning them into graphics. When overlaying objects on top of each other (assuming standalone use), separate them with colors or highlighting.
Arrange the elements, allowing the user to finish the elements on their own.
A game element, which is often found in the same size, for someone specific window can be cut with a mask from all sides, as for the user it will be the same picture.
If you shrink it down, the picture loses clickable area and gets knocked out.
Strategies for dealing with the game’s chips
The game needs to evolve, and generate interest. For this purpose, fiches are introduced into the project.
In working with chips, four proven actionable strategies for UI projects stand out:
- A glimpse into the future
- Use of standards and templates
- Hyde
- Navigation without limits
A glimpse into the future
Game development starts with research. Once you think of a game, familiarize yourself with its top representatives. Then you will know the set of features for the project.
Once you have an understanding of what the game will be about, make a UI-aware project roadmap – the shorter the better. Be prepared that some will not be realized or will be realized with a deviation from the scenario.
Use of standards and templates
Templates make it easier to develop a project. The intuitive interface helps users get up to speed faster and be loyal to new things. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Make the mechanics clear to the player, but think more tightly about the details. The goal here is not to remain “one of a kind” but to find a style and stand out from the competition.
Hyde
Hyde – instructions for the project, including rules for scaling it. Everything a designer needs is collected here, and this information is regularly updated as the project grows.
Navigation without limits
As the game scales, there is a need to create an “extended corridor” to accommodate new chips.
How to solve the small screen problem?
- Swipe. For example, in “Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes” menu items are located in the center of the screen, making it easy for the user to get where they need to go.
- Cross-cutting passages. The concept of interaction of complementary and similar functions…
In conclusion
Playing mobile games is easier than making them. UI development requires a high attention to detail that must fit the parameters and conditions. As you develop your game, remember to ask for feedback at every stage to stop “improvements” and “removing anything unnecessary” in time.
To order development of a game for mobile from KOLORO, you can by leaving a request on the website or by calling during business hours.
