1. Game world.
It may sound obviously, but the most popular mobile games possess catchy, unique game worlds (think e.g. of “World of Goo”). An involving, colourful atmosphere created by proficient mobile software developers and designers will impress the user and give him a matchless game experience he’ll be likely to repeat again and again. I should admit, however, that generating an original idea is maybe the most difficult part of the whole game creating process. It requires a lot of fantasy, imagination and inspiration – and money for implementation of this idea. But originality is also a certain step to game success. Single-type games are easier to develop but they quickly get displaced by other clones and then forgotten at all.
2. Story and characters.
Give users a possibility to do something in your mobile game what they can’t do in their real lives – to save a princess, to drive a space ship, to kill pigs with eggs J In that way, you can create a game for everyone or concentrate on a certain target auditorium (for example, city dwellers would like to hold a small mobile farm). As for game characters, they shouldn’t be repulsive or ugly. Make them funny and sweet, even bad characters (a wonderful example is Angry Birds).
3. Game progress and awards.
Show the user his current tasks, goals and achievements clearly. He should know what he has to do to get to the next level and be able to do it, too. So, mobile app development pros don’t give tasks like “Collect 10 000 eggs” :) Don’t forget that people play mobile games in 2-5 minute turns, somewhere in a bus or subway. So, it would be great if you fill your mobile game with many short various levels. And award a user always for his success! Stars, medals and other items of this kind are pleasant to the eye and not difficult to design. However, these awards shouldn’t come easily – or they’ll lose their value. If a user gets showered with stars every time he finishes a level, he won’t soon notice them at all. Making awards useful for further game process is also a good idea. Give users items that increase the game’s quality (e.g. advanced weapons) or bring additional possibilities.
So, you see that there are many essential points mobile software developers have to consider when creating their games. Next time, I’ll tell you why you should sometimes punish users for neglecting your game and how unexpectedness feature may affect users’ behavior.
