How much does it cost to build a video game app for the entertainment sector?

Standard price for a video game app for the entertainment sector: $100,000

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What is a video game app for the entertainment sector?

Video game apps are simple games that can be downloaded to mobile devices. They are typically designed for short play sessions, so they don't support long-term gameplay or multi-user interaction. Instead, these apps appeal to users who enjoy playing basic games on their smartphones or tablets, including solitaire and puzzle games.

Video game apps are similar to other entertainment software, such as music production apps and photo editing apps. Some of the most popular video game apps today are Clash of Clans, Super Mario Run, Minecraft, and Candy Crush Saga.

Here are some recent video game app for the entertainment sector examples built with Xperts:

  • Multiple mobile and web games built and launched in parallel.

What is the typical cost to build a video game app for the entertainment sector?

A video game app for the entertainment sector usually costs $100,000 to build. However, the total cost can be as low as $50,000 or as high as $150,000. A video game app for the entertainment sector with a low number of features (also known as a "minimum viable product", or MVP) will be more affordable than an app that includes all intended functionality.

For example, here are some recent price quotes for a video game app for the entertainment sector from Xperts:

  • $100,000

How long does it take to build a video game app for the entertainment sector?

A video game app for the entertainment sector usually takes 1,333 hours to build. However, a video game app for the entertainment sector can be built in as few as 667 hours, or in as many as 2,000 hours. The exact timeline mostly depends on how complicated your app is. As a general rule, it will take longer if you require highly custom designs, niche features, or non-standard release platforms.

For example, Xperts produced the following recent hourly estimates for a video game app for the entertainment sector:

  • 1,333

How to successfully grow your video game app for the entertainment sector

Video games need to engage users in a way that compels them to share the app with their friends. For a video game to become a hit, it needs to develop a strong community of gamers that play together in the same virtual space. The app also needs to make it easy for gamers to find other players with similar skill levels and interests.

Risks and challenges of building a video game app for the entertainment sector

Video game apps for the entertainment sector face copyright risks, as well as legal and reputational risks related to digital piracy, harassment within the game community, and cyberbullying. To prevent copyright infringement, video game apps should have robust mechanisms for reporting copyright infringement to the relevant platforms.

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