Difference Between Mobile and PC Game Development

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The video game industry is booming, irrespective of the game genre and platform. Among the variety of games, mobile games are becoming the most popular with almost 50% of the global population indulging in mobile gaming.

Both mobile gaming and PC gaming have their benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to understand the difference between PC games and mobile game development before deciding which would be a feasible investment.

They are primarily intended to serve different sets of audiences. Mobile games are designed to be played in leisure and for a shorter period. They are also designed to be compatible with moderately powerful mobile devices, without hampering their usual functionality. On the other hand, PC games are usually more complex and have longer game sessions and intense graphics.

With that being said, here’s a look at some of the key differences between mobile game development and PC game development.

WHAT IS MOBILE GAME DEVELOPMENT?

Mobile game development is the process of creating games for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. These games can be either downloaded or played online.

One of the benefits of mobile game development is the simplicity of the process which enables an accelerated development timeline. You don’t need expensive equipment or software to get started, and you can even develop games for free using some of the many different tools available. In addition, the global market for mobile games is growing rapidly, which means there’s a good chance that your game will find an audience if it’s well-made. With approximately 2,045 billion players worldwide, mobile games are adopted by casual gamers as well as serious gamers.

However, one of the challenges of mobile game development is simplifying the game specification without compromising the graphics and gameplay. This is because players expect simpler gameplay rules while it is aesthetically pleasing. In addition, mobile devices have limited storage space and processing power compared to gaming computers, so you’ll need to be mindful of these limitations when designing your game.

Mobile game development can be a great option if you’re interested in creating games that can reach a wide audience and if you’re comfortable working within the constraints of smaller screens and less powerful hardware.

But if you’re more interested in developing complex games with cutting-edge graphics and gameplay, then PC game development might be a better fit for you. Let’s take a look at what that entails.

WHAT IS PC GAME DEVELOPMENT?

PC game development is the process of creating video games for personal computers. These games can be either downloaded or played online, and they are usually more complex than mobile games. The argument of PC gaming vs. mobile gaming still needs to be completed with an understanding of the complexities of PC game development. PC game developers must have a strong understanding of how to create games that take advantage of the latest PC hardware.

One of the benefits of developing PC games is that you’re not limited by hardware constraints like you are with mobile devices. This means that you can create more complex and visually stunning games than what’s possible on phones or tablets. In addition, most gamers still play the majority of their games on PCs, so there’s a large potential audience for your game if it’s well-made.

However, one of the challenges of PC game development is that it can be a more expensive and time-consuming process than mobile game development. This is because you’ll need powerful computers and specialized software to create your game, and you’ll also need to put in more hours to make a complex game. In addition, the market for PC games has been declining in recent years, so you’ll need to be mindful of this when deciding whether or not to develop this platform.

PC game development can be a great option if you’re interested in creating cutting-edge games with amazing graphics and gameplay. But if your priority is reaching a wide audience or want to get started quickly and cheaply, then mobile game development wins in the argument of mobile games vs. PC games.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOBILE GAME AND PC GAME DEVELOPMENT

There are several prominent differences between mobile games and PC games in terms of the development process, cost, technology, and so on. The following table gives the differences between the games in a nutshell:

FEATURES

MOBILE GAME DEVELOPMENT

PC GAME DEVELOPMENT

Development cost

Generally cheaper to produce Cost is infinitely scalable
Market Value Forecast (2028) $125.40 billion by 2028 $389.70 billion by 2028

Hardware 

Only smartphone to play Requires powerful PC, keyboard/gamepad, speakers

Software 

Unity particularly, Swift, Godot Unlimited choices, Unity, Unreal, Twine, Gamemaker

Art style 

Stylized art, 2D and 3D but 4K, ray tracing is not suitable More flexibility with art style, and hyperrealism is possible

Development time

Comparatively less though there are exceptions like Pokemon GO and Genshin Impact Generally at least 2-3 years and even more depending on the complexity of the project

Deployment 

iStore, Google Play, Nokia Store, Opera Store, Windows Store Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, official websites of developers 
Monetization  In-game purchases, in-game ads, P2E model, sponsorship

Subscription plans, banner and rewarded ads, exclusives

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FACTORS INFLUENCING MOBILE AND PC GAME DEVELOPMENT

From team size to the complexity of the project, several factors influence the overall development process for mobile and PC games. The requirements vary for both types of game concerning the following factors:

TEAM SIZE

The team size required for the project depends on its complexity, irrespective of the platform. A moderately complex PC game can need anywhere between 15-20 team members including game developers, animators, 3D and 2D artists, project managers, and so on.

However, a mobile game of similar stature can be developed with a team of 5-7 people. This is because, usually mobile games are less expansive with simpler core loops, fewer game levels, and a less-detailed animation style.

BUDGET

The budget of the game project is another crucial factor to consider when discussing mobile games vs. PC games.

Generally, PC game projects are significantly complex and feature hyperrealistic graphics, complex gameplay, and storyline. They are designed to be compatible with larger screen sizes without compromising the image resolution. Hence, often latest technologies like ray tracing and 4K resolution are used to make these games. As a result, the budget is significantly high for PC games.

On the other hand, generally, mobile game development is comparatively more affordable. This is because the requirement for developing these games is significantly less in every aspect when compared to PC games. The limited screen size and functional restrictions because of the mobile hardware make it rather tricky to have an exorbitant budget for mobile game development.

PORTABILITY

This is perhaps the most important feature of mobile games that contributes to their immense popularity. Users can play mobile games from anywhere as long as they have a smartphone. If it is an online game, a stable internet connection is the only additional requirement.

This is where PC games fall behind. The PC game cannot be played on the go as the entire setup is not portable. Hence, irrespective of whether the user has leisure time throughout the day, one can only play their favorite PC games when they are sitting at the system

GAME SETUP

Another factor that sets apart PC games and mobile games is the installation process. To play PC games seamlessly, users have to install software like Flash Player, DirectX, and more. They must have a powerful graphics card installed for gaming. For certain games, hardware and software upgrade is also needed so that the game is compatible. After all these criteria are met, the game has to be installed which can take significant time.

However, to set up a mobile game one needs to download and install the app from any of the app stores. The only criteria necessary for mobile games is sufficient storage space to complete the app download and installation.

GAME CONTROLS AND ACCESSORIES

PC games feature complex narratives and gameplay because there is the flexibility of controlling through mouse, keyboard, gamepads, and more. Players can perform complex combat actions using a combination of several clicks and point-and-click precision.

In mobile gaming, they have to depend heavily on the touchscreen and motion controls of the device which limits the actions. Additional accessories are not a necessity though. Hence popular games on mobile generally have simpler game controls or endless-loop style gameplay.

MEMORY SPECIFICATIONS

Mobile games can run on any smart device, irrespective of the hardware specification as long as it has enough in-device storage to install the game. However, PC games have specific and minimum hardware as well as software requirements that must be met for them to run smoothly. It is nearly impossible to run high-end PC games without a powerful PC that has better capability than the minimum hardware requirement of the game.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Mobile games vs. PC games is a growing debate among developers as they look for profitable genres. But in reality, both have unique and indispensable traits that make these games equally popular. The ease of access works in favor of mobile games and hence there are a significant number of casual non-gamers who also indulge in them. But the graphics, challenges, and immersive nature of PC games are unparalleled by any compact device. In short, both types of games cater to different audience sets who have different preferences.

Juego Studios is one of the top game development companies with professionals who are skilled in both mobile game and PC game development. Get in touch with our team irrespective of the game type you wish to invest in.

Frequently Asked Questions

PC games typically offer higher-quality graphics, more complex gameplay, and require more powerful hardware, whereas mobile games prioritize accessibility, casual gaming, and are optimized for touch-screen controls and lower-end devices.

PC game development generally costs more due to the complexity, high-end graphics, and larger development teams. Mobile game development, while often cheaper, requires optimization across various devices and can involve microtransaction-focused designs.

PC game development involves creating high-performance games with detailed graphics, multiplayer functionalities, and extensive storylines, while mobile game development focuses on lighter, faster experiences suited for shorter gaming sessions and varying device specifications.

Yes, mobile games can be played on a PC using emulators or by downloading specific cross-platform versions of the games that support PC play.

Mobile gaming is expected to grow rapidly with advancements in hardware and cloud gaming, while PC gaming will continue to thrive in competitive and high-performance gaming arenas.

For PC game development, tools like Unreal Engine and Unity are commonly used. Mobile game developers also use Unity but may additionally use platforms like Cocos2d and Godot due to their mobile optimization features.

Mobile game design focuses on touch-screen interfaces, short play sessions, and microtransactions, while PC game design emphasizes detailed graphics, keyboard/mouse controls, and immersive gameplay experiences.

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