Games outpace every other type of app on the Apple App Store, constituting more than 20% of the nearly 2 million apps available. Yet, standing out in a sea of competitors is enormously difficult. How can you set your game apart? Start with these tips.
Be User-Focused
Develop a clear idea of who your target user is.
- Perform market research into the wants, likes, and needs of your target audience, so you can build a product that responds to these interests and improves the user experience (UX).
Create a Plan
Use a generic project management platform or one specifically designed for game development oversight
Research Trends and Competition
Consider the conditions of the market itself, including what ideas are in vogue and what types of games have stood the test of time.
- Learn about the types of products that tend to succeed and those that were doomed to failure to ensure yours won’t be.
Have Different Elements of the Experience in Mind
The experience isn’t static – it’s highly interactive.
Differentiate Your Game
Identify ways to set your game apart from well-established products and newcomers alike.
Assemble a Stellar Team
The backbone of any dynamic, engaging product is the team behind it.
- Gaming development requires skills beyond those of a standard software developer, and requires the talents of a product manager, a project manager, and a marketing manager.
- The UX designer adds engaging elements to bring your game to life.
Test It
Even the smallest, seemingly insignificant bug could derail your entire game.
- To minimize the prevalence of defects, you should thoroughly and rigorously test the game throughout the development cycle and prior to deployment
- Not only will quality assurance (QA) testers with a high level of expertise be able to identify bugs in your game, but they’ll also find ways to improve other aspects of the product
Have a Hook
Dynamic characters, a special sound, an appealing storyline, a piece of animation – these are all examples of hooks.
- What’s your hook?
- Once you’ve identified it, you must capitalize on it, using it to bring newcomers to the app and keep long-standing consumers engaged.
Keep It Simple at First
The point is to attract users and keep them there.
- Adding too much clutter or complex elements will confuse and overwhelm your users
- Once you’ve established yourself as the producer of a great product, you can experiment with more intricate concepts such as UX design.
