A Complete Guide To Unity Mobile Game Development

Unity mobile game development is setting a new trend worldwide. Unity has proven itself as a powerhouse in the world of mobile game development, with over half of all mobile games being built using this platform. Its dominance extends even further, with Unity claiming a hefty 65% share in creating the top 1000 most sought-after apps. The online gaming market is currently buzzing with all new technology trends and integrations like AI. If you are planning to own a gaming application, this is the time – don’t miss it! 

So, are you ready to dive into the exciting world of mobile game development using Unity? In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating your very own mobile game with Unity. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer looking to expand your skills, this guide will help you enhance your game app. 

Let’s get started!

Unity For Mobile Games Development, Good or Bad? 

With its widespread adoption by over a million developers, the question of Unity’s effectiveness in game development might appear obvious. However, the story of Unity’s role in game development is far from simple. While Unity offers a robust set of tools that greatly facilitate game creation, it’s important to acknowledge that other engines like Unreal, Game Maker, and Cocos also have their advantages.

To fully grasp why developers frequently choose Unity for game development or decide against it, let’s take a look at some key factors. These considerations play a significant role in decision-making when starting a new project, with each developer striking a balance based on their specific needs and preferences.

Unity Strengths	Unity Drawbacks
Cross-Platform Development: Unity allows developers to create games that can be deployed across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and web browsers. This cross-platform capability saves time and effort, as developers can write code once and deploy it across different devices without significant modifications.	Learning Curve: Unity’s extensive feature set and flexibility come with a steep learning curve, especially for beginners in game development. The complexity of the engine may require developers to invest significant time and effort into learning how to use it effectively.
Rich Feature Set: Unity offers a comprehensive set of tools and features specifically designed for game development. From physics simulations to animation systems, Unity provides developers with everything they need to create high-quality, immersive mobile games.	Performance Overhead: While Unity is optimized for performance on mobile devices, it still introduces some performance overhead compared to developing games natively for a specific platform. This overhead can impact the performance of resource-intensive games or games targeting older devices with limited hardware capabilities.
Large Community and Resources: Unity boasts a vast and active community of developers, providing plenty of resources for beginners and experienced developers alike. From online tutorials to forums and asset stores, Unity users can easily find help and support when they need it.	Platform Limitations: Unity’s cross-platform capabilities are a significant strength, but they can also introduce challenges when targeting specific mobile platforms. Developers may encounter platform-specific issues or limitations that require additional workarounds or optimizations to overcome.
Optimized Performance: Unity is optimized for performance on mobile devices, allowing developers to create games that run smoothly and efficiently on a variety of hardware configurations. This optimization ensures that mobile games built with Unity deliver a satisfying gaming experience without sacrificing performance.	Asset Size: Unity games tend to have larger file sizes compared to games developed using other frameworks or engines. This can be a concern for mobile game developers, as larger file sizes can lead to longer download times and potentially discourage users from downloading or installing the game.

This overview still doesn’t clarify us to the deep. But now we are at least clear what are the key strengths and weaknesses of Unity. Now, let’s move on to our core topic, how to build a mobile game in Unity?

How to Build a Mobile Game in Unity?

Beginning the intriguing journey of game development, particularly with Unity, involves thorough exploration and continuous learning. It often takes months to grasp the fundamental elements and years to master the whole process. While it’s impossible to cover every detail and aspect of the process in this brief discussion, we can certainly offer a glimpse of what lies ahead.

We’ve outlined three common approaches to mobile game development to help navigate the maze of creating games with Unity. These strategies are designed to accommodate different skill levels and serve as a guide for your Unity game development journey. Whether you’re a novice venturing into Unity for the first time or a seasoned developer seeking new challenges, there’s a suitable path waiting for you.

While creating a game app, you need to define what type of game app it is going to be. Like, if you are looking for a full-cycle game development with the best features and functionalities, it will pose a different challenge than going for a mid-level game or simple game app. So, define your development type clearly. Here’s how they differ from each other. 

1. Full-cycle Development

Opting for in-house game development in Unity demands dedication, patience, and a commitment to the long haul without cutting corners. This approach entails assembling a team of skilled specialists, each contributing their unique expertise to bring the game to fruition. While some team members dive into the complexities of coding and scripting, others focus on various aspects that breathe life into a game — such as art, user interface, performance, and compatibility.

For game studios experienced in Unity game development, this process is often seen as an exciting challenge rather than an intimidating endeavor. However, for businesses outside of the software and game development realm, building a game in Unity can be a daunting task.

The preparation phase alone can span several weeks when initiating such a project. This critical period involves carefully selecting qualified specialists and meticulously planning the game development roadmap. Furthermore, the timeline for creating mobile games can potentially stretch over a year or even longer.

2. Visual Scripting

For those seeking a more accessible route in their game programming journey, they can use Unity’s visual scripting system, Bolt, which presents a viable option. By integrating Bolt into your workflow, the process of creating a game in Unity becomes more streamlined. No longer do you need to build all your code from scratch, as Bolt offers an intuitive approach to crafting gameplay logic and mechanics.

Bolt is included with the primary Unity Editor, providing the ability to shape gameplay using visual elements such as graphs and tables. These elements can be easily manipulated by dragging and linking them together. With only a few options per unit, each piece of functionality is straightforward to understand.

However, it’s important to remember that while this method simplifies the game creation process in Unity, it doesn’t entirely replace manual coding. While Bolt excels in constructing basic gameplay mechanics, it may struggle with implementing more complex sequences and functionalities.

As a result, Bolt is often used for initial prototyping or as a tool for designers and artists to test their 2D and 3D creations within Unity. Creating a game in Unity using Bolt provides an excellent starting point for your project, particularly for those new to game development or looking to quickly conceptualize their game ideas.

3. Freelancing 

Freelancing is another option that can be chosen to build a game app. This is one of the simplest ways to create mobile games but for small games only. With freelancing every developer working on the project will charge a significant development fee so if the project is large, freelancing is not an option to go with. 

In freelancing, developers also lack a full team of designers, testers, and database engineers who come in handy in game development. For smaller gaming projects there is no need for vast data so these things can be avoided and a team of 2-3 freelance developers can do the job. 

For an overall cost reduction and quality-driven game app, selecting a game development company is always a good decision over selecting freelancers. A company features a complete in-house team that collaborates well in the project. The app developed by a game development company has a high chance of featuring in the top rankings compared to a game app developed by freelancers. 

The Process of Creating Mobile Games with Unity

To create a game, first, you need a blueprint or replica to check how the real game app will perform, isn’t it? With the blueprint, you can adjust, remove, or add new elements/features/functionality to the game app. Let’s understand this in detail. 

1. Pre-production Phase

This stage acts as the hub for brainstorming and confirmation. It’s all about setting the stage and constructing a sturdy base for your Unity game. The first step involves crafting a captivating game concept and then meticulously expanding it with intricate specifics. 

These concepts evolve into visually captivating concept art and early prototypes. The overarching blueprint of the project is then meticulously outlined in a game design document (GDD), offering a detailed roadmap for all parties engaged in the project.

2. Production Phase

This phase often proves to be the most time-intensive, as it heralds the onset of creative frenzy. Picture a team of developers diligently crafting thousands of lines of code to bring the Unity game to life. Meanwhile, the art team delves into the creation of game models, animations, various artwork, and UI assets, all while exploring VFX.

Within this phase lies the crucial tasks of level design and modeling the Unity mobile game environment. Overseeing this whirlwind of activity is a project manager, ensuring that everything progresses smoothly. Additionally, a QA engineer diligently tests various iterations and features to identify and address potential issues early on.

A Complete Guide To Unity Mobile Game Development

3. Post-production Phase

As the project nears completion, the focus shifts to refining the game to perfection. This phase involves adding VFX and conducting thorough game testing to address any lingering issues in the software. It’s rare for the initial build to be flawless, so anticipate navigating through multiple rounds of bug fixes and potential reworking of certain sections of the application.

At this juncture, some companies choose to offer beta access to players, eager to gauge their reaction to the nearly finished game. This often coincides with a marketing push to generate anticipation for the game. The next step is the official release, but the developers’ work doesn’t end there. Post-launch, they often need to maintain the game, continuously updating and enhancing it based on online user feedback and new ideas.

Now that we have covered the essentials i.e. type of game development and process of game development, we will move to the step-by-step Unity game development tutorial. 

Mobile Game Development with Unity: Step-by-Step Tutorial

The first step in your game development journey is to download and install Unity. We will guide you through the process of setting up your development environment and creating a new project specifically tailored for mobile game development.

Step 1: Installation and Set-up

Head to the official Unity website and download the software onto your computer. Upon installation, you’ll receive Unity Hub, where you can designate the location for installing the Unity Editor. If you’re new to Unity, the initial setup might seem a bit overwhelming, but don’t fret—this is where your journey into game development begins to unfold.

Step 2: Create a New Project

• Launch Unity Hub and hit the ‘New’ button.
• Pick either ‘2D’ or ‘3D’ based on your game type.
• Give your project a name and select where to save it.
• Click ‘Create project’ to proceed.

Step 3: Learn The Basics of Unity Interface

In Unity, the interface is where you’ll devote the majority of your game development efforts. Take some time to acquaint yourself with these essential sections:

• Hierarchy: Lists all the game objects in your scene.
• Scene: Where you organize your game objects.
• Game: Offers a preview of your game during playtesting.
• Project: Houses your files, assets, scripts, and more.
• Inspector: Provides details about a selected game object.

Step 4: Import Game Assets

Now that we’ve learned how to create a game in Unity, let’s focus on enhancing its visual appeal. To achieve that, we’ll need to bring in assets:

• Go to Assets > Import New Asset.
• Find your files, choose them, and ENTER Import.

Continue this process until you’ve imported all the assets your game requires.

Step 5: Create The Game Scene

Your game scene serves as the stage for all the action. Here’s how to set up a scene in your game:

• Select File > New Scene.
• Give your scene a suitable name.
• In the Hierarchy panel, navigate to your project, click the three dots, then go to GameObject > 3D Object > Plane to establish the basic ground (for 2D, the steps are similar). 
• Make any necessary adjustments to the size and position.

With this now you have accomplished the task of creating the basic framework for your Unity Game. 

Step 6: Designing Game Elements

Now, let’s incorporate fundamental elements into our game, utilizing 3D low-poly assets. Beforehand, head to the Unity Asset Store, where you can filter assets to display only free ones. Find a pack that aligns with your objectives for mobile game development.

Afterward, you can:

• Establish an Objects folder within your Project panel.
• Import your assets into this designated folder (this process is user-friendly in the latest Unity version).
• Simply drag and drop them onto the Hierarchy panel to integrate them into your scene.

Don’t forget to include Collider components for interactivity with your assets. To do so, select a specific asset you’ve added to your scene from the Objects folder, click on the ‘Add Component’ button at the bottom right corner of the screen and type in ‘Box Collider.’

Step 7: Scripting

Unity employs C# for scripting, enabling game developers to construct complex games within Unity:

• Begin by right-clicking in the Project panel, selecting Create > Folder, and giving it the name Scripts.
• To generate a script, right-click within the Scripts folder, and opt for Create > C# Script.
• Name your script (using PascalCase, as depicted in the screenshot below — for example, ‘PlayerController’) and double-click it to launch your code editor.

Scripting is a fundamental aspect of game development in Unity.

Step 8: Setting Up the UI

Effective UI design is vital in all games, particularly mobile ones:

• Select GameObject > UI to generate UI elements.
• Arrange these elements as needed.

Remember, the UI serves as the bridge between the player and the game, so prioritize intuitiveness!

Step 9: Testing and QA

Testing is a repetitive aspect of game development:

• Press the ‘Play’ button to initiate a playtest.
• Observe the game’s functionality, take note of any problems, stop the game, address them, and test once more.
• Check the game’s compatibility with different devices and operating systems to ensure a seamless gameplay experience across different platforms. 

Step 10: Building The Game

Once the game is tested with no bugs, lags, or errors, it’s time to take the game to the build stage. 

• Select File > Build Settings.
• Using Unity Hub, install the necessary packages, choose your desired platform (iOS or Android), and click ‘Switch Platform.’
• Finally, press ‘Build’ to generate your game build.

The build of your game is now complete and you can opt for publishing the game. 

Step 11: Publish Your Game

Once development and testing are finished, it’s time to release your game:

• Navigate to File > Build Settings > Player Settings.
• Complete the required fields in the Publishing Settings.
• Press ‘Build’ to convert your game into an application.

That’s it! You’ve successfully launched your first mobile game using Unity!

Conclusion

Mastering Unity for mobile game development opens up a world of creative possibilities and opportunities. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating successful mobile games that resonate with players worldwide. So, what are you waiting for? Start your Unity mobile game development journey today!

If you are planning to develop a mobile game, look no further! Artoon Solutions is here to take your gaming innovation to new heights. 

FAQs

1. How long does it take to develop a mobile game with Unity?

The time it takes to develop a mobile game with Unity can vary significantly based on various factors such as the complexity of the game, the experience of the developer, customizations asked by the client, the Scope of Work (SoW), and the resources available. 

2. Can I create 3D games for mobile platforms using Unity?

Yes, Unity is a type of game engine that supports the development of both 2D and 3D games for mobile platforms. With Unity’s powerful 3D rendering capabilities and extensive library of assets and resources, you can create stunning 3D games that run smoothly on mobile devices.

3. What are the key differences between developing for iOS and Android with Unity?

iOS has a more controlled environment with a limited range of devices which makes it easier to optimize performance. On the other hand, Android has a wider device fragmentation which requires more testing and optimization for different screen sizes and hardware configurations.

4. Is Unity a free platform for indie developers?

Yes, Unity offers a free version of its platform, known as Unity Personal, which is suitable for indie developers and small studios. Unity Personal provides access to most of Unity’s core features and tools and allows developers to create and publish games without any upfront costs. 

5. How can I market my mobile game effectively to reach a wider audience?

Effective marketing is essential to reach a wider audience and ensure the success of your mobile game. Some key strategies for marketing your game include creating a strong online presence through social media and game forums, optimizing your game’s app store listing with relevant keywords and visuals, engaging with influencers and game reviewers for promotion, and running targeted advertising campaigns to reach your target audience.