How to Make an Android Game in 2025 – Full Guide for Beginners TechTricks365

Mobile games are the go-to source of entertainment for millions of people. The market is growing at an exponential rate and over the years Android games have established themselves as a dominant force in the market. Games like Genshin Impact and PUBG: Mobile have broken platform barriers and provide the same level of immersion on the mobile platform. 

If you are a mobile game developer or enthusiast, you might be wondering how to make an Android game that can captivate millions of players. Well, you have landed at just the right spot. In this blog, we will provide a beginner’s guide to creating an Android game from initial conceptualization to post-launch maintenance. 

Let’s dive in. 

What are Android Games?

Android games are video games that are specifically designed and developed for the Android OS. These games support any Android operating system device including, smartphones, tablets, PCs, Android TVs, etc. 

Over the years, Android game apps have evolved from simple 2D platformers like Temple Run to complex AAA titles like Call of Duty and Genshin Impact. Moreover, these games come in various types of genres including adventure, strategy, board, card, simulation, puzzle, RPG, Battle Royale, and more. 

Since many investors and gaming entrepreneurs are actively investing in Android game development, Android has maintained its position as the leading mobile operating system with a 71.88% market share, far surpassing the iOS platform which has a market share of approximately 27.65%. (Source)

How to Create an Android Game? Step-by-Step Guide

Here is a step-by-step beginner’s guide to making an Android game from scratch and capitalizing on the lucrative market. 

Step 1: Game Conceptualization

Before you can dive into the Android game development process, you need to come up with a unique idea that will serve as the foundation of your game. You can start by analyzing the various popular games in the market and filtering out the ideas one at a time. 

Your idea should be engaging, unique, and gripping enough that players keep coming back to your game. Here are some tips to get you started: 

• Target Audience: Different demographics like different types of games. Finalize your target audience to determine the game genre, mechanics, and narratives that will appeal to them. You need to understand whether you are targeting casual gamers, children, hardcore gamers, or another specific demographic. 
• Game Mechanics: The game mechanics define the core gameplay. What actions will the main character take? Different game genres have different types of mechanics. A unique gameplay mechanic will appeal to gamers and will set your game apart from the rest. 
• Storyline and Characters: Determine what type of story or narrative your game will have. Will it be an open-world adventure or a linear cinematic experience? What kind of characters will you include and how do they tie with the storyline? 
• Game Design: The visuals of the game are largely responsible for player engagement. Finalize what will your game look like and what kind of art style will you use. Will it be in 2D or 3D? Will it have themed levels or will they change according to story progression? 
• Monetization Strategy: The primary purpose of any entrepreneur is to generate revenue. Luckily for you, making an Android game can be highly profitable. Some common monetization models include paid downloads, in-app purchases, advertisements, subscription plans, and loyalty programs. 

Also Read:- 99 Unique Mobile Game Ideas for Android and iOS in 2025

Step 2: Choose the Right Game Engine or Android Development Tools

After you have taken care of game conceptualization, you must choose a game engine that will help you create your Android game. Gone are the days when developers had to write entire lines of code manually. 

Game engines are platforms that provide tools and resources to simplify the game development process. While there are many game engines for mobile game development, some of the most popular ones include Unity, Unreal, Godot, GameMakerStudio, and Cry Engine. 

Every game engine comes with its own features and perks so it is essential to choose the right one. Consider these factors when choosing one: 

• Game Requirements: This includes the complexity of your game. If you are creating a simple 2D game, any game engine will do but a complex AAA title like Wuthering Waves will require robust graphics rendering and performance capabilities. If you want to develop a complex Android game, you can go with Unity or Unreal. 
• Ease of Use: If you are not an experienced developer, it is best to choose a user-friendly game engine that does not require extensive coding. However, if you want to develop a complex, high-end mobile game, you will have to hire dedicated Android developers to streamline the development process. 
• Cross-platform Compatibility: If you plan to release your game on other platforms(which is usually a good idea), you should go for a cross-platform game engine like Unity. 
• Licensing Fee: Different engines have different licensing fees and subscription charges. You can also go for open-source engines but they generally come with limited features. Choose a game engine that fits well with your budget. 

Besides the game engine, you also need to choose the right programming language that is compatible with your game engine. For creating Android games, developers usually prefer the Unity game engine with the C# programming language as it is highly compatible with Unity. 

Step 3: Game Visual Design

Once you have finalized the technicalities, you can get started with the process of making an Android game. The first step is to create the visuals and artwork for the game. This includes elements like characters, user interface, backgrounds, environments, levels, objects, and props. 

Depending on your game type and requirements, you can design the visuals in 2D or 3D. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Art Style: Make sure to keep a consistent art style throughout the game. Whatever anime style you choose, consistency is important for a streamlined gaming experience. 
• Vibrant Colors: Use colors effectively to guide players throughout the game world. For instance, open-world games can use a vibrant colored pathfinding light to help players traverse to the next mission or points of interest. Also, color theory triggers psychological effects on the player (Red=Danger, Green=Safe, etc.).
• Simple UI: Since mobile screens are small, you have to work in a limited space. Make sure the UI is simple and clean enough that users can easily navigate it. Avoid clutter and too many multimedia elements as it makes the game look laggy and unresponsive. 
• Performance Optimization: Mobile devices are limited by hardware, meaning you will have to properly optimize your game to ensure proper performance across various devices. Use texture compression, asset optimization, improve code efficiency, and other optimization techniques to ensure proper performance. 
• Avoid Large Files: Most mobile gamers have limited data plans. Avoid making your game too large and try to keep file sizes as small as possible. However, if your game is extremely complex with vast open worlds and different game elements, try to optimize it and do not worry about game files. 

Step 4: Game Development

The next step is to develop the Android game. This includes coding the game’s logic and defining the game mechanics. The backend of the game is also built during this process. 

Since programming the game takes the longest time, you can hire an Android game development company to handle the entire process while you can focus on things like creatives and marketing. If you want to make the game yourself, you can follow these actionable tips to streamline the workflow: 

• Break Down Game Elements: Mobile games can be incredibly complex depending on the genre and type. To streamline coding and management, you can break down the game into smaller chunks, making it easier to manage and test. 
• Organize the Code: Make sure your code is organized and easy to read. This will help you make future adjustments and maintain it over time. 
• Test Your Code: Testing is a crucial phase in any game development process. Test your game code extensively to ensure that it works properly across various devices and platforms. 
• Gather Feedback and Improve: Be open to feedback from playtesters and stakeholders and refine your code and game elements accordingly. This will help you achieve the desired result and create an Android game that stands out in the competitive market. 

Step 5: Testing and Quality Analysis

After the development phase, the next step is to conduct extensive testing to ensure that the game works perfectly without any bugs or glitches. Gather feedback from testers and iterate the game before launching it. There are various types of testing phases, including: 

• Unit Testing: Test each component of the game individually
• Compatibility Testing: Test the game on different devices and platforms to ensure compatibility with different screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware. 
• Stress Testing: If you are creating a multiplayer game, test the game under extreme conditions to ensure that it can handle a large number of concurrent users without compromising performance. 
• User Experience Testing: Test the overall responsiveness and user interface to ensure the game offers an engaging and smooth gaming experience. 
• Optimization Testing: Test for performance across various hardware and optimize frame rate, loading times, and memory usage to ensure seamless performance. 

Step 6: Game Launch

After testing and iteration, you can launch your game. Most Android games are featured on the Google Play Store. However, you can also deploy your game on third-party app stores like the Amazon AppStore, Aptoide, or Softonic. 

However, that’s not all. You will have to promote your game app on AppStores using App Store Optimization (ASO) techniques to ensure your game reaches the intended target audience. 

Also Read:- 10 Best Mobile Multiplayer Games for Android & iOS in 2025

How Much Does It Cost to Make an Android Game?

On average, the cost of creating an Android game can range anywhere from $20,000 to $500,000+. This is because the actual cost depends on several factors: 

• The complexity of the game
• Platform compatibility
• Location of the Developers
• Design and Features of the Game
• Technology Stack
• Marketing Budget
• Customization
• Game Design

Here is a cost breakdown table to give you a rough idea: 

Stage	Component	Estimated Cost (USD)	Details
Pre-Production:	Game Design Document (GDD)	$500 – $2,000	Core concept, mechanics, and design planning
	Market Research & Prototyping	$1,000 – $3,000	Competitor analysis, MVP, basic prototype
Game Development:	Game Engine Licensing	Free – $1,500+	Unity (free/premium), Unreal (royalty-based)
	Developer Salaries (1–3 devs)	$5,000 – $50,000+	Varies by duration and team location
	UI/UX Design	$1,000 – $5,000	Layout, menus, game navigation
	Game Logic Programming	$5,000 – $30,000+	Core functionality, physics, mechanics
Art & Animation:	2D/3D Art Assets	$2,000 – $25,000+	Characters, environment, items
	Character Animation	$1,500 – $10,000+	Walk cycles, actions, VFX
	Sound Design & Music	$500 – $5,000+	Background music, sound effects
Testing & QA:	QA Team or Tools	$1,000 – $5,000	Bug testing, performance, and compatibility checks
Backend & Features:	Server Setup (if multiplayer)	$3,000 – $20,000+	Firebase, PlayFab, or custom backend
	In-App Purchase Integration	$500 – $3,000	Payment gateways, virtual currency setup
	Ads Integration	$300 – $2,000	AdMob, Unity Ads, etc.
Publishing & Marketing:	Google Play Store Account	$25 (one-time)	Required for publishing on the Play Store
	App Store Optimization (ASO)	$500 – $3,000	Keywords, store listing, screenshots
	Marketing & Promotion	$2,000 – $30,000+	Influencer marketing, paid ads, PR campaigns
Post-Launch:	Maintenance & Updates	$500 – $5,000/month	Bug fixes, content updates, feature patches

Total Estimated Budget Range: 

• Simple 2D Casual Game: $5,000 to $20,000
• Mid-range 2D/3D Game: $20,000 to $100,000
• High-end 3D Game: $100,000 to $500,000+

Top Game Engines for Creating an Android Game

Developing an Android game can be a rewarding experience if you know which game engines and development tools to use. 

Game Engine	Best For	Pricing	Pros	Cons
Unity	All-round 2D & 3D mobile games	Free (up to $100K); Paid tiers	Massive asset store, cross-platform, AR/VR ready, strong community	Resource-heavy, optimization is needed for complex projects
Unreal Engine	High-end 3D & visually rich games	Free (5% royalty after $1M)	AAA graphics, Blueprints (no-code logic), full access to engine tools	Large app size, overkill for simple mobile games
Godot	Indie, minimalist 2D games	Free (open-source, MIT license)	Lightweight, customizable, fast iteration	3D features still maturing, and smaller community
GameMaker Studio	2D casual, puzzle, and arcade games	Paid (starts at $9.99/mo)	Drag-and-drop UI, beginner-friendly, quick prototyping	No 3D support, Android export behind a paywall
CryEngine	AAA-quality 3D games	Free + royalties	High-fidelity graphics, powerful rendering engine	Complex to learn, not mobile-optimized out-of-the-box
Cocos2d	Lightweight 2D mobile games	Free (open-source)	Great performance on low-end Android, small footprint	Limited tools/UI, small global dev community

• Cross-platform mobile games (2D/3D): Unity
• Ultra-realistic visuals, 3D RPGs: Unreal or Cry Engine
• Lightweight 2D Games: Godot or Cocos2D
• Fast 2D game prototyping: GameMakerStudio

Benefits of Developing an Android Game

Every entrepreneur cares about profits, and as a developer, you can generate significant ROI by making an Android game. Here are some reasons you should definitely invest in game development. 

Global Reach

Android is the dominant operating system that commands a market share of over 71%. Moreover, most smartphones and mobile devices in the world support the Android OS, making it a preferred choice for mobile game developers. Android mobile games have the potential to reach a global audience and become a sensation worldwide. 

Immersive User Experience

Since Android games are built using advanced game engines and development tools, they are optimized for a large number of screens and devices. These games are generally bug-free and deliver an engaging experience that players love. High-end AAA Android games like Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves, Call of Duty, and PUBG take this immersion to the next level. 

High ROI

Developing an Android game can be a very profitable business venture if you properly market your game. While it may take significant investment, the best Android games break even within weeks of launch. They have a large user base and multiple monetization models that can be converted into a high ROI. 

Popular Types of Android Games in 2025

As the mobile gaming industry grows, more and more players are interested in playing Android games. This is because various types of genres are dominating the mobile gaming industry. Here are some types of Android games that you can develop: 

Action

Fast-paced games focused on combat, reflexes, and precise gameplay. It is one of the most-played mobile game genres in the market. 

Examples: PUBG: Mobile, Shadow Fight 4, Call of Duty: Mobile. 

Adventure

Story-driven games that focus on exploration and puzzle solving. These games involve a strong narrative. 

Examples: Life is Strange, Children of Light, The Walking Dead

Arcade

Simple addictive games that focus on reflexes and skills. These games do not have any existent storyline and are purely driven by gameplay.  

Examples: Subway Surfers, Jetpack Joyride, Crossy Road

Role-playing Games

Complex games where you control a character through a detailed story or world. 

Examples: Genshin Impact, Summoners War, Eternium

Simulation

These types of Android games mimic real-world activities or scenarios

Examples: SimCity Buildit, The Sims Mobile, Plague Inc. 

Strategy

Skill-driven games that involve planning, resource management, and tactical decisions. 

Examples: Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, State of Survival

Puzzle

Simple games focused on logical thinking or problem-solving. 

Examples: Candy Crush Saga, Monument Valley, Brain Out

Casual

Light, easy-to-play games ideal for quick sessions. Suitable for both casual and hardcore players. 

Examples: Angry Birds, Helix Jump, Among Us

Sports and Racing

Competitive games that simulate a real-life sport like Cricket, Basketball, or Hockey. 

Examples: Real Cricket, FIFA Mobile, Asphalt 9: Legends

Card and Board

Digital versions of classic card or board games like Ludo, Chess, and Poker. 

Examples: Solitaire, Hearthstone, UNO!, Ludo King

Idle/Clicker

Games that progress over time and require players to perform simple actions like tapping or swiping. 

Examples: Tap Titans 2, Idle Miner Tycoon, AFK Arena

Battle Royale

Multiplayer survival games where the last man standing on the map wins. 

Examples: PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Fortnite

MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)

Team-based real-time battles with defined roles and strategy

Examples: Arena of Valor, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

Final Words

Creating a mobile game may seem like a daunting task especially if you are not from a technical background. It requires creativity, dedication, technical know-how, and a strategic approach. However, if you follow this step-by-step guide, you can streamline the entire process and create an Android game that stands out among the competition. 

By choosing the right development tools, experienced developers, and game genre, you can create a standout Android game that captivates players and also generates significant ROI. 

Or, you can hire an Android game development company like BR Softech that will take care of the entire development process, from ideation to post-launch maintenance. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)