The Idea
Every game starts as an idea but unfortunately having an idea is not enough anymore. A great idea needs to be worked on and improved along the way, so there shouldn’t be a reluctance to perhaps alter an idea is some way, shape or form. Once an idea is in place, it is important to investigate the market and see what’s out there, whether something similar has been done before, and whether the idea will be well received by the masses.
The Market
One of the reasons why games are so successful is because there are so many ways to enjoy them. Desktop, tablet, console, and mobile are just a few platforms games can be played on, then there’s handheld consoles, in-browser, and social games to consider too. Therefore, it is vital to know which market, or markets, your game is going to call home. It can be great focusing on just one, such as the mobile market, but at the same time, it can be beneficial for games to be in multiple markets.
The Gameplay
Fantastic games these days are successful in many ways because they are simple and uncomplicated. This especially applies to games developed for mobile devices, tablets and handheld consoles. What often happens is that a simple game quickly becomes very compelling, and this is exactly what players are looking for. This doesn’t mean that the game should be made far too simple, it should be easy to pick up but difficult to master, with everything flowing nicely along the way.
The Design
The design of a game and how it looks has fast become the be all and end all for many gamers around the world. This is by and large down to the devices on which games are played now being able to produce stunning visuals every time. So, if a game doesn’t live up to the hype where graphics and animations are concerned, people will quickly be put off and are likely going to look for a different game to play.
The Marketing
You may have a fantastic game on your hands as a developer, one which ticks all the relevant boxes, but if people don’t know about it then it just won’t have any chance of being successful. Marketing and promoting a game are key these days, especially when there are multiple ways to do it. From social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to streaming sites such as Twitch, getting the word out is vital.