Mobile games development has exploded. With some 50% of mobile users opening at least one gaming app during the week, the market will only continue to skyrocket.
Teams are looking to build mobile games, prototype, and release them fast. So, what is the best mobile game development software to get started? Let’s review.
Read along or jump to the section that most interests you.
➡️ Accelerate Mobile Games Development
Back to topWhat's Mobile Games Development Software?
If you are not a seasoned game creator, mobile game development tools can be a vital tool to get started. They make your life significantly easier! You can create a prototype or even a full game, no coding experience required.
Game making software — also referred to as game making apps, frameworks, or game editors — include a collection of code in a library. Often, these also include scripts, tools, and workflows to make designing your mobile game a breeze.
Let’s review some mobile game development software options.
Beginner-Level Mobile Games Development Tools
No coding, no problem. Most game making apps and software use a drag and drop framework making it easier for non-code contributors to get up and running. It is important to note that while these apps make mobile games development easier, there are limitations. They are primarily used for smaller 2D games. Enhanced features and framework customizations require a more powerful toolset…
Construct 3
If you are building a 2D game, you can start with Construct 3. This game making app is for ultra-beginners and is supported on most mobile platforms. It is fast and easy to place objects and create a system of events and actions. You can also add built-in plugins or create your own to extend functionality.
GameMaker Studio 2
GameMaker Studio helps you build games from start to finish using drag and drop features. If you are more advanced, it also offers its own language. You can use it to to customize as you go. Like Construct 3, GameMaker Studio is for 2D mobile game development.
Clickteam Fusion
Clickteam Fusion focuses on features that help you build quickly. It does not require any programming knowledge and offers a lot of tutorials to get you started. You can browse library graphics to choose premade options for your game. It can help you prototype any 2D game super-fast.
Pro Level: Advanced Tools for Mobile Games Development
Visuals make the game. To master gameplay, storyline, and more, teams use powerful 3D game engines. These tools scale to manage big files and stunning graphics. They are used from indie to AAA studios to create objects and characters that move around in a realistic virtual world. Learn how to leverage your game engine >>
There are a lot of game engines available. Here are some of the most popular for mobile game development.
CryEngine
CryEngine has received recognition because of the amazing graphics and superior visuals available to mobile game creators. Teams use it because can help create realistic game environments with artist-level programming. Plus, it offers a powerful audio tool, Fmod.
Amazon Game Engines
Amazon Lumberyard and Open3D — the open source game engine from Amazon — both supports mobile game development and cross-platform development (although most game engines have this functionality). They both offer an easy-to-use Twitch integration that can help developers create engaging stories to entertain users. One of the advantages over other game engines is that Amazon game engines are actually free with no royalties or licensing fees. But, you do need to pay for AWS cloud.
📘Related Resource: Learn more about AWS
Unity
Unity has been the go-to-platform for mobile game development. It includes an IDE that allows teams to drag and drop with minimal coding skills. It’s simple to get started and can be used to make 2D and 3D mobile games. Plus, teams can get additional support for console and AR/VR platforms.
Almost 50% of mobile games are created using Unity. Why? The Unity app allows everyone to collaborate. It also offers Play Mode that can help developers find bugs faster by running and pausing a game as it plays. Unity offers teams a huge store to plug and play with templates for almost any environment.
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine has been used by AAA game development companies and has recently expanded into virtual production and digital twins development. As a mobile game development tool, it is very robust. The 3D game engine is powerful enough to create hyper-realistic visuals and unique features for any mobile game.
If you are creating a stealth game, first-person shooter, or fighting experience that requires physics-based rendering, Unreal is your solution. Its graphic capabilities surpass other mobile game development tools on the market.
When looking for a mobile game development tool, look for one that includes collision and real-world physics. It should also have documentation and be actively developed. Search for community user groups that can help you troubleshoot as you build. Pick tools that match your skill level.
Back to topComplete Guide to Game Engines
Learn more about game engines and get started fast.
➡️ gAME ENGINE OVERVIEW
What Is the Best Software for Mobile Games Development?
Advanced game development requires game engines. But you need powerful mobile game development software and even testing software that can match. Version control is an essential to manage the large files and numerous iterations associated with any game development. It also can help you deliver the extremely large files to remote team members around the globe.
Helix Core — version control from Perforce — is trusted by 19 of the top 20 AAA game dev studios. Why? It’s because studios can streamline builds and manage all their assets, not just code. If you are embarking on mobile game development, Helix Core can organize the wide range of assets needed for specific platforms.
Why Teams Choose Helix Core for Mobile Game Development
Why should you choose Helix Core as a mobile game development tool? It scales to manage everything. Your team and idea might be small now, but they are only going to grow!
Easily Manages Large Binary Files
Unlike other version control systems, Helix Core can manage all the large digital assets associated with advanced mobile game development. This gives your team a single source of truth for your entire project.
Binary files, audio files, video files, code, and more can all be stored and securely versioned inside a Helix Core depot. Then these assets can be combined and released using any game engine for a variety of platforms.
Delivers Superior Performance
Helix Core delivers lightning-fast performance, which can accelerate development for your teams. With Perforce Federated Architecture, you can set up servers where you need them. For example, you could set up build servers near your teams, on-premises or in the cloud, to handle large game engine files. Or install an edge server near a group of remote team members to give them instant access to the files they need.
Integrates with Everything
Helix Core integrates with the tools digital creators are already using — 3ds Max, Maya, Photoshop, and more. And it works with most popular game engines including:
Great for Non-Coders
Code is not the only thing in a game. Artists and designers are what build a better experience! Helix Core is used by developers and recently has added another tool Helix Sync — the free desktop client created just for creatives.
No more unsecure email or DropBox. Now you can create and use digital assets with the performance required to manage ever-increasing file size.
How Does Helix Sync Work
Helix Sync is a one stop shop, no need to use any other tools. Team members can simply drag and drop assets. It’s easy to get started.
- Connect to a Helix Visual Client (P4V) workspace.
- Create using the tools you love — Maya, 3ds Max, Photoshop, and more.
- Drag and drop assets into a local folder to version. Learn more >>
Because all your digital assets and code are stored in the same place, you get more accurate builds, without needing to hunt them down.
However, Helix Sync is not the only tool for artists and designers. Helix DAM, a digital asset management tool that provides a visual web-based UI that enables teams to bring their artists and designers into the fold. In addition, it streamlines creative workflows by making it easy for teams to find, store, use, review, share, and repurpose creative assets.
Back to topBest Mobile Game Development Software
Ready to start maximizing your mobile game? You can get leading mobile game development tools free! Click on the link below to get Perforce Helix Core (plus project management tools), install, and go.
But if you are looking for a cloud option, try the Perforce Enhanced Studio Pack — available on AWS or Azure. It contains all the tools you need to do world-class development in a single, pre-configured environment.
In a few clicks, you can deploy everything you need with the infrastructure required to support large projects, big files, and all your team members. No expertise required.