With all this chatter about the gaming industry, it’s impossible to exclude the discussion of mobile games! The prevalence of smartphones has made convenience a key aspect in the popularity of games, and what’s more convenient than a mobile game? It can be easily obtained on the App Store or Play Store, it doesn’t take up much storage, and it can be accessed wherever you go. Now in 2020, mobile games make up more than 40% of the market, so learning how to develop a mobile game could be an invaluable skill as the rapid growth makes it a lucrative venture.
However, it’s understandable to hesitate to invest in expensive software since a majority of beginners will just be testing the waters. Well, we’re in luck! There are a number of free highly-rated mobile game development software available for all budding developers right now!
- Unity
Unity is a cross-platform tool by Unity Technologies that helps you to create your own game using 2D and 3D development features. Unity allows you to utilise assets from 3D applications like Maya or Blender. In addition, there are additional assets that can be purchased from the Unity store. It’s perfect for beginners as Unity provides helpful materials such as tutorials and guides. It is one of the most used and recognised game development software among both novice and experienced game developers. There is also free publishing support for iOS, and the free download comes with the Unity Pro free trial.
- GameMaker: Studio 2
GameMaker is easily one of the most popular game development tools in the industry. It’s especially useful for users who have never written a line of code as it runs on a drag-and-drop system, allowing creators to make games many times faster than if they were coding it. Game logic and variables can be implemented using the design features provided by the software. There is also the option of upgrading to the Professional or Master Collection versions for access to more tools. The free version can be used indefinitely but has limitations on how complex your games can be.
- Construct 3
Like GameMaker, Construct 3 uses a drag-and-drop interface for variables and game logic. There are hundreds of tutorials that can help beginners with basic to advanced concepts. They also have an active forum community that can provide assistance. Construct 3 has a Scirra Store where those without any animation or art skills can purchase ready-made assets for just a few dollars. Games can be exported to HTML5, Android, iOS, Microsoft store, and more.