Do you ever wonder what goes behind the scenes of those interactive games on your iPhone? These gaming apps are powered by robust backends and the latest features that drive gameplay and retention. But how do you actually make an iPhone game?
iOS game development is the process of developing top-notch and legally compliant games specifically for Apple devices like iPhones and iPads. As the mobile gaming industry grows, the demand for iPhone games is surging and many businesses are actively investing in this profitable venture.
In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about making an iPhone game, how you can monetize it, and the total cost of the process.
Let’s get started.
How to Create an iPhone Game? Step-by-Step Guide
Every game development process starts with a unique idea. But not many know how to transform their game idea into a gaming app that attracts users and ensures high retention. Let’s break down the steps to develop an iPhone game from scratch.
Step 1: Game Conceptualization
To make a game for Apple devices, you need a solid game idea that can be transformed into a fully functioning game. But not just any idea will work. Your game should be unique and compelling enough to attract players and make them say “This game is something else.”
Your game idea will cover your game’s gameplay mechanics, art style, game narrative, and characters. Moreover, you also have to keep in mind that iOS gamers have different preferences than Android gamers. Your game idea should align with the preferences of your target audience. In this process, you must finalize things like:
- Game Idea
- Genre of the Game (Puzzle, Strategy, AAA, Battle Royale, FPS, etc.)
- Game Complexity
- Game Features
- USP of the game
Step 2: Market Research and Analysis
After you have finalized a solid game idea, you must research the market and get the lay of the land. This includes checking out the competition by analyzing similar games and what features they provide.
Besides that, you should also identify your target audience and check what they actually prefer in iPhone games. After thorough market research, you should be able to answer these questions:
- Who are your competitors?
- What is their gameplay like?
- What are the features they are including?
- How are they monetizing their games?
- Who is your target audience?
- What are their preferences?
Step 3: Choose the Development Tools and Tech Stack
After market research, you can dive into the technicalities and finalize the tech stack to make your iPhone game. This includes selecting the game engine you will use to develop high-quality iOS games.
The choice of the game engine is quite important as it provides the development tools and frameworks for the entire process. Some common game engines for iOS game development include:
1. Unity3D
Created by Unity Technologies, Unity is the top mobile game engine to build iPhone games from scratch. It is widely used to create iPhone games due to its versatility and flexibility. It supports both 2D and 3D game development, photorealistic graphics, and complex game mechanics.
Not to mention, the rich asset store and user-intuitive interface make Unity a preferred choice for both beginner and advanced developers. Whether you want to make a simple 2D game or a complex 3D title, Unity can handle it.
2. Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is renowned for its robust graphic capabilities. It is a commonly used game engine to create complex AAA mobile games like Fortnite. Its Blueprint visual scripting system allows developers to create high-end graphics and complex game mechanics without coding, making it a preferred choice for beginners.
3. Cocos2D
Cocos2D is an open-source game engine that is commonly used to develop 2D iPhone games. It is a lightweight engine that offers a simple user interface and essential tools to create simple platformer games.
4. Cry Engine
Cry Engine is another popular option to create robust high-end games for Apple devices. It offers multiple features like Flowgraphs, allowing developers to create ultra-realistic game environments and high-end visuals. Moreover, it is a cross-platform game engine so developers can scale their games outside the iOS platform.
Step 4: Hire iPhone Game Developers
Next, you have to hire dedicated iOS game developers who specialize in making different types of iOS games. However, there are a few things to consider before you can sign a contract.
Check their experience, portfolio, and success of their previous projects. You need developers who have mastery over iOS game development tools and can work on your unique mobile game idea.
The success of your project is largely dependent on the skillset of your developers so it is essential to make an informed decision.
Step 5: Develop a Prototype
Start the development process by creating a functional prototype that features the basic gameplay and mechanics. This will help you refine the mechanics and see where players might have a problem.
Step 6: iOS Game Development
After you have a functional prototype with the basic mechanics and design, you can start the coding and programming to build your game.
iOS games are generally programmed on Swift, Apple’s proprietary programming language. It is tailored for iOS apps and offers useful features to integrate your game’s mechanics, graphics, and audio effects.
The development phase is the heart and soul of the entire process. You can also hire an iOS game development company that specializes in developing iPhone games.
These agencies have experienced developers and essential tools to create a gaming app that aligns with your unique vision while also delivering seamless performance.
Step 7: Testing and Quality Analysis
You are done with the development process but you still cannot launch your game without proper testing and iteration. The primary objective of the testing process is to refine the game and ensure seamless gameplay.
This includes identifying bugs, fixing them, and optimizing the game for various iOS devices to ensure lag-free gameplay. There are various types of testing for iOS games, including:
- Functional Testing: This ensures that the game’s core features and mechanics are operating as intended.
- Compatibility Testing: This verifies that the game works on various Apple devices and iOS versions.
- Performance Testing: This focuses on checking for lags, slow loading speeds, and other bottlenecks that hamper the game’s performance.
- AI Testing: This checks whether the AI within the game is functioning correctly.
Step 8: Launch and Marketing
Congratulations, you have successfully created a functional iOS game. Now, you can deploy it into the AppStore and wait for players to discover it. But, you will need an Apple Developer Account for that.
Register for an Apple Developer Account by visiting Apple’s website and using your Apple ID. Basic registration is free but you will have to pay an annual fee of $99 to access features like app distribution.
With a Developer Account, you can deploy your game and start working on marketing strategies. Create an App Store page with clear descriptions, gameplay screenshots, and keywords that players will use to find your game.
Besides that, use various marketing strategies like social media ads, influencer marketing, and posting on game forums to boost your game’s visibility.
How to Monetize an iPhone Game App?
Let’s be honest! You want to generate revenue and make a profit by making an iPhone game. However, monetizing an iPhone game requires a strategic approach that balances profitability and gaming experience.
The monetization strategies you can use depend on whether you are planning a paid app or going with the freemium model. Players are unlikely to spend extra money on microtransactions if your gaming app is paid from the start.
However, if you are adopting the freemium model, you can take advantage of the following monetization models:
Microtransactions (In-app Purchases)
Microtransactions also known as in-app purchases allow players to purchase various in-game objects like virtual currency, power-ups, subscription plans, skins, cosmetics, etc. The items you provide will largely depend on the type of game you are developing. However, in-app purchases work best when they provide some type of value to the player.
For example, battle passes, which are monthly subscription plans, are quite popular in Battle Royale games as these give players access to exclusive skins, in-game currency, and various other collectibles with just one simple purchase.
Advertisements
Integrating ads is a commonly used monetization strategy in mobile games. However, it is only viable in the freemium model as players do not like to watch ads in a paid app.
If you are adopting the freemium model, you can integrate various types of ads including banners, interstitial ads, rewarded ads, and playable ads, depending on your game’s genre and design.
Rewarded video ads are especially beneficial as they give players an incentive to watch the ads, making them feel a lot less intrusive.
How Much Does It Cost to Develop an iPhone Game?
The cost of making an iPhone game ranges from $30,000 to $50,000, depending on various factors like the complexity of the game, the location of the development team, graphics quality, and more.
Developers from different regions have different hourly rates. For example, USA-based developers are significantly more expensive than India-based developers. Here is a quick cost breakdown:
- USA-based Developers: $100-$150 per hour
- UK-based Developers: $80-$100 per hour
- Australia-based Developers: $50-$80 per hour
- India-based Developers: $30-$60 per hour
Besides that, various factors and development phases determine the overall cost of developing an iPhone game. Here is a cost breakdown table based on the various stages of the development process to give you a general idea:
| Cost Component | Description | Estimated Cost Range (USD) |
| 1. Game Design | Game concept, mechanics, level design, UI/UX wireframes | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| 2. iOS Game Development | Core coding using Swift/Unity, gameplay logic, platform optimization | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| 3. Art & Graphics | 2D/3D assets, animations, character/environment design | $6,000 – $20,000 |
| 4. Sound & Music | Soundtrack, FX, voice-overs (if needed) | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| 5. Backend Development | Multiplayer, login systems, databases, leaderboards | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| 6. Testing & QA | Functional testing, crash reporting, usability checks | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| 7. App Store Compliance | Device compatibility, App Store guidelines, submission | $500 – $2,000 |
| 8. Project Management | Sprint planning, team coordination, progress tracking | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| 9. Post-launch Support | Minor bug fixes, analytics setup, updates | $2,000 – $7,000 |
| 10. Marketing & Launch Assets | App icon, promo video, screenshots, app listing SEO | $4,000 – $8,000 |
Cost Breakdown Based on Complexity
The total cost of developing an iPhone-based game is largely dependent on the complexity of the game. It goes without saying that a simple 2D game will be considerably cheaper than a complex 3D game with advanced features.
| Category | Description | Estimated Cost (USD) |
| Basic 2D Game | Simple gameplay, few screens, limited animations, no backend | $30,000 – $50,000 |
| Standard 2D Game | Multiple levels, better UI/UX, animations, sound, leaderboard | $50,000 – $70,000 |
| Feature-Rich 2D Game | Advanced mechanics, multiplayer, social login, server backend | $70,000 – $90,000 |
| Lightweight 3D Game | Basic 3D environment, simplified models, minimal AI, Unity-based | $90,000 – $100,000 |
However, keep in mind that this is just an estimated cost and the actual cost will depend on your own requirements.
If you want an exact cost estimate, you can contact BR Softech.
Advantages of iOS Game Development
Besides profitability and monetization strategies, there are many advantages of iOS game development. Let’s discuss them in detail:
High Monetization
iOS apps are significantly better at generating revenue than Android apps. This is because gamers are more likely to pay for a paid game on iOS platforms instead of Android, where everything can be acquired for free. Not to mention, you can leverage various monetization strategies like in-app purchases, advertisements, and subscription models.
Developer Tools
Apple offers a robust integrated development environment, XCode. It offers various development tools and extensive technical documentation, which are crucial for developing iOS games.
Security
iOS games offer better security than their Android counterparts. This is because any app or game deployed on the Apple App Store has to pass stringent security tests and adhere to the policies of the App Store.
Faster Development
Developing an iOS game is 28% faster than making Android games. This is because iOS games only have to be optimized for a single device whereas Android devices come in all shapes and sizes. It takes time to optimize and test the game for every screen. iOS game development is significantly faster than Android.
Global Reach
Players all across the globe use iPhones. In fact, it is the preferred device for hardcore mobile gamers. This allows developers to target international markets and expand their overall reach.
High Scalability
The brand value of iPhones and Apple can be used as an effective marketing strategy to promote the iPhone game and ensure high scalability in the market.
Top iPhone Games That are Dominating the Market
Here is the list of top iPhone games that are dominating the market. You can use these as references for your own game idea:
| Game Title | Genre | App Store Rating | Total Downloads |
| Genshin Impact | Action RPG | 4.7 | 500 Million+ |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | First-person Shooter(FPS) | 4.7 | 650 Million+ |
| Roblox | Sandbox/Creative | 4.6 | 1 Billion+ |
| Royal Match | Puzzle | 4.6 | 350 Million+ |
| PUBG Mobile | Battle Royale | 4.4 | 900 Million+ |
| Candy Crush Saga | Puzzle | 4.6 | 3 Billion + |
| Honor of Kings | MOBA | 4.6 | 500 Million+ |
| Among Us | Social Deduction | 4.4 | 400 Million+ |
| Clash Royale | Strategy | 4.5 | 400 Million+ |
| Pokemon GO | Augmented Reality (AR) | 3.9 | 1 Billion+ |
Final Words
Developing an iPhone game is more than just coding, it’s about transforming a creative idea into an engaging, profitable, and scalable product. With the right game engine, skilled developers, and a solid monetization strategy, you can build a successful iOS game that not only entertains users but also generates substantial revenue.
Whether you are an Indie developer or a business exploring the iOS gaming space, now is the perfect time to invest in iPhone game development.
If you are ready to bring your unique game idea to life, do not hesitate to reach out to a trusted game development company. With expert guidance and technical support, your next iPhone game could be the next big hit on the Apple Store.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Ans. It takes around 1 to 2 months to complete the development process of an iOS game from scratch. The overall duration depends on the type of game you are developing. To know the exact time, share your game idea with a reputed mobile game development company.
Ans. Yes, we offer completely personalized iPhone game development software solutions that are bespoke and tailored to the client’s requirements.
Ans. Here is the list of iOS games that have made a big hype around the world and attracted players from every corner of the world. Monopoly Go!, Minecraft, Royal Match, Among Us, Alto’s Odyssey, Call of Duty: Mobile.
Ans. Here is a list of the prominent game engines that are used to build iPhone games.
1. Unity
2. AppGameKit
3. CryEngine
4. Unreal Engine
5. Amazon Lumberyard
6. Titanium
7. Cocos2D
