So you have an amazing idea for a new mobile game and want to find a game development company to build it. Where do you even start? There are tons of game dev companies out there, but not all of them are created equal. You need to find a team that will truly understand your vision and has the skills to bring it to life.
Before you dive in and start scrolling through lists of companies, take a step back and think about what’s most important for your game. Do you need a company that specializes in a particular genre like casino games or puzzle games? Are stunning visuals a must-have or is innovative gameplay more crucial? What about your budget and timeline – do you need a team that can work within tight constraints?
Defining these key factors upfront will help guide you to game development companies that are the best fit for your needs. Don’t get dazzled by flashy websites or long client lists. Look for a company with relevant experience, expertise, and a proven track record of delivering high-quality games on time and budget. The perfect partner for your dream game is out there, you just have to find them. Let the search begin!
Assessing the Company’s Experience Developing Your Game Genre
When looking for a game development company, experience matters. You want a team that has successfully built games similar to yours. Ask about their experience with your genre – whether it’s casino, puzzle, action or RPG games. See examples of games they’ve developed that are comparable to your concept. Check reviews and ratings to determine quality and user experience.
An experienced company will have a proven process for building games from start to finish. They’ll be able to provide a timeline for development, testing, and launching your game. They’ll also have a track record of launching on schedule and within budget. Delays and cost overruns are common in game dev, so you want a partner able to properly estimate the resources required.
Also consider the platforms they have experience with. If you want to release on iOS, Android, PC and consoles, make sure they have expertise building and optimizing for those platforms. Cross-platform development is complex, so they’ll need to demonstrate strong capabilities.
Don’t underestimate the value of experience. An established game development company has learned from past mistakes and successes. They have the knowledge and skills to navigate challenges that often derail newcomers. They also have a better understanding of what works and doesn’t in the current gaming market. All of this experience will benefit your game and increase the odds of success.
When you find candidates with experience developing games like yours, dig into their process and past work. Make sure their values and vision align with your own. Experience matters, but chemistry and fit are also key to a successful partnership. With the right experienced team at your side, you’ll be on the path to releasing a high-quality game your players will love.
Evaluating Their Technical Capabilities and Expertise
When evaluating game development companies, you’ll want to consider their technical skills and experience. Do they have expertise in the platforms, languages, and frameworks needed to build your game?
Check their portfolio and see examples of other games they’ve built, ideally in the same genre or style as yours. See if the quality and complexity of their work matches what you need. Do the games have polished graphics, smooth gameplay, and an intuitive user experience?
Inquire about their development process. An experienced company will have a proven process for designing, building, testing, and launching games. They should do things like create technical specifications, wireframes, and prototypes; perform quality assurance testing; and have a plan to handle live operations.
Ask about their team and capabilities. Look for companies with specialized roles like game designers, developers, artists, and testers. The more complex your game, the more important it is that they have expertise in areas like multiplayer functionality, 3D modeling, physics simulation, or virtual reality.
Discuss platforms and programming languages. If you want to build a mobile game, make sure they have experience developing for iOS and Android. For console games, look for expertise in PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. They should be highly proficient in languages like C++, C#, or Java.
A game development company with a proven track record, experienced team, solid process, and relevant technical skills will be much more likely to deliver a high-quality game on time and on budget. Do your due diligence to find a partner you can trust for the long development journey ahead!
Reviewing Their Portfolio and Case Studies
When evaluating potential game development companies, reviewing their portfolio and case studies is key. See what types of games they’ve built before and for whom. Look for examples similar to your vision to determine if they have the necessary experience and skills.
Check out their website and social media profiles for photos, videos, and descriptions of past projects. See if anything catches your eye or seems closely related to what you want to build. Then, schedule calls with some of the top candidates to discuss two or three of their most relevant case studies in more detail.
Some questions to ask:
- What was the objective and timeline of the project? Were there any major obstacles or setbacks, and how did they overcome them?
- Who was involved from their team and what roles did they play? Did they work with any third-party vendors or contractors?
- How did they approach UX/UI design, software engineering, QA testing, and project management? What tools and methodologies did they use?
- Was the final product delivered on time and within budget? How did it perform once launched? Did they continue to support or update it after delivery?
- Can I see the end result or get access to a demo? There’s no better way to understand their capabilities than viewing the actual games they’ve developed.
Digging into case studies gives you insight into their real-world experience, expertise, communication style, work ethic, and problem-solving skills. Look for a development company with a proven track record of success building games comparable to your own. Their portfolio and case studies speak volumes about the kind of partnership you can expect if you choose to work together. Finding a team you trust and connect with will make the entire game development process that much smoother.
Considering the Development Process and Communication
When selecting a game development company, considering their development process and communication standards is key. You’ll want a team that keeps you in the loop and meets deadlines.
Look for a company that uses an agile development methodology like Scrum or Kanban. This means they develop in short sprints, releasing incremental updates, and welcome client feedback. They should have daily standups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives. Ask about their typical sprint length and release schedule. The more frequent the updates, the more visibility you’ll have into the progress.
Strong communication is essential. Ask how they provide updates and share work in progress.
Discuss their testing and quality assurance process. Ask about their typical bug fix times and support options if issues arise post-launch. You want a team focused on releasing a polished, high-quality product.
A reputable gaming company will have experience developing the type of game you want, whether it’s a casino, strategy or action game. Review their portfolio to ensure they can build key features. Ask for references from other clients who have launched similar games.
With the right questions, you can find a development team to build your dream game. Focus on their process, communication, QA, design skills and relevant experience. The more transparent and collaborative they are, the better equipped you’ll be to create an engaging user experience. With frequent updates and a commitment to quality, you’ll be launching in no time.
Discussing Budget, Timelines, and Intellectual Property Ownership
When looking for a game development company, discussing the budget, timelines, and who owns the intellectual property (IP) are key factors to keep in mind.
Budget
How much can you afford to invest in developing your game? Game development can cost anywhere from $10,000 to over $100,000 depending on the complexity and platform. Be upfront about your budget so the company can determine if it’s feasible and suggest ways to keep costs down, e.g. limiting graphics or platform options. Get quotes from different companies to compare.
Timelines
Discuss how quickly you want to complete different development milestones and the overall project. Simple mobile games can take 3 to 6 months, while complex multi-platform games usually need 6-18 months. Provide realistic timelines – rushing the process often results in a poor end product. Be open to feedback from the developers on feasible timeframes.
Intellectual Property Ownership
Who will own the rights to the game and its elements like artwork, code, music, etc.? Typically, the game development company will retain certain rights unless you pay extra for a full IP buyout. Make sure you understand what IP you will own before signing a contract. If possible, negotiate terms where you retain as many rights as feasible, especially if you want to create a game franchise or sequels.
Other things to consider in your discussions include:
- Maintenance and support after launch
- Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
- Revenue share or royalty agreements
- Platforms (mobile, PC, console) and technologies
- Project milestones and payment schedules
- Testing and quality assurance processes
Vetting game developers thoroughly and having in-depth discussions about these key factors will help ensure you find a company that can bring your vision to life on time and within budget. Take your time to find the right partner – it will be worth it in the end!
Conclusion
You’ve learned the major factors to consider when hiring a game development company: experience, expertise, communication, and cost. Finding the right partner is crucial to bringing your vision to life and launching a successful game. Do your research, check references, and make sure you connect with the team. Look for a company with a proven track record of high-quality work that matches your needs. Clear communication and transparency are key. While cost is important, don’t choose a company based only on price – you get what you pay for in this industry. With the right game development partner by your side, you’ll be on your way to releasing a game that exceeds your expectations and finds an enthusiastic audience. The possibilities are endless!