How to Be Mobile game Developer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 19, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Mobile game development has been growing rapidly in recent years, with the increasing demand for interactive, immersive gaming experiences. As a result, the number of mobile game developers has also increased significantly. This has been beneficial for the gaming industry, as more developers have allowed for more creativity, innovation, and competition in the market.

Furthermore, the development of mobile games has been beneficial to players as well, as they can now access more diverse, unique, and engaging gaming experiences from the comfort of their own homes. Mobile games also provide an excellent opportunity for developers to make money, as the market continues to grow and evolve.

Steps How to Become

Get Educated. Begin by getting a degree in computer science, game design, or a related field. You may also want to take courses in coding, animation, and graphic design.
Develop Your Skills. Become proficient in various game development software and platforms. This could include Unity, Unreal Engine, Cocos2D, HTML5, and more.
Get Experience. Gain experience by working on projects. This could include developing mobile games for personal use or joining an online game development community to gain access to projects.
Explore the Latest Trends. Research the latest trends in mobile game development. This includes learning about new technologies, new platforms, and popular genres.
Join a Mobile Game Development Team. Join a team of developers working on a mobile game. This will help you gain experience in the development process and learn from other experienced developers.
Network. Attend industry events and conferences to network with other mobile game developers and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
Launch Your Game. Once your game is complete, launch it on the app store and other platforms to get it out to the public. Market your game and monitor feedback and reviews to improve it over time.

In order to stay ahead and competent as a mobile game developer, it is important to keep up with industry trends, invest in professional training, build a network of contacts, and stay active in online communities. Keeping up with industry trends helps developers to understand the current state of the mobile gaming industry, and make informed decisions about what games to develop. Investing in professional training provides developers with the skills they need to create high-quality games that stand out from the competition.

Building a network of contacts can be invaluable for staying up-to-date on news and job opportunities. Finally, staying active in online communities allows developers to learn from other professionals, exchange ideas and gain valuable feedback. By making use of these resources, mobile game developers can stay ahead and remain competitive in an ever-evolving industry.

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Job Description

Mobile Game Designer: Responsible for the overall concept and design of the game, including the game mechanics, storyline, characters, visual elements, audio elements, and user interface.
Mobile Game Developer: Responsible for developing the game code and integrating the design elements into a complete game.
Mobile Game Artist: Responsible for creating the visual assets such as characters, backgrounds, and UI elements.
Mobile Game Animator: Responsible for creating animations for characters and other game elements.
Mobile Game Tester: Responsible for testing the game for bugs and other issues.
Mobile Game Producer: Responsible for managing the development process, coordinating with team members, and ensuring the game meets its objectives.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Expertise in mobile game development platforms, such as Unity, Unreal, Cocos2D-X, and Corona.
Knowledge of programming languages such as C#, C++, Objective-C, Java, and HTML5.
Ability to design interactive game play mechanics, game levels, and user interfaces.
Strong understanding of game architecture, optimization and debugging.
Familiarity with mobile platforms, such as iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
Proficiency in using appropriate graphic design and animation software, such as Adobe Photoshop and 3D Studio Max.
Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaborate with a team of developers.
Ability to work under tight deadlines to meet development goals.
Knowledge of best practices for mobile game development and the ability to create innovative solutions to complex problems.

Mobile game developers must possess a variety of skills in order to be successful. One of the most important skills for a mobile game developer is the ability to write code. This skill involves being able to write code for applications that are optimized for mobile devices and the various operating systems they run on.

it requires knowledge of programming languages such as Java, C++, and HTML5. Furthermore, it is essential for mobile game developers to have a good understanding of game design principles and the development process. They must also have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of graphics and animation.

they need to have excellent problem solving and communication skills in order to collaborate with designers and other stakeholders. Finally, they must stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the gaming industry in order to create innovative, engaging, and successful games.

Puzzle game Developer, Social game Designer, and Game Writer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have developing mobile games?
What challenges have you faced during the development of a mobile game?
What strategies did you use to optimize a mobile game for different platforms?
How do you test a mobile game for defects and performance?
How do you ensure that a mobile game runs on a variety of devices?
How do you stay up to date with the latest technology trends in mobile game development?
What tools do you use to develop mobile games?
How do you design levels and puzzles in a mobile game?
What techniques do you use to increase user engagement with a mobile game?
How do you balance monetization and user experience when developing a mobile game?

Common Tools in Industry

Unity. A cross-platform game engine used for developing high-quality mobile games. (eg: Pokemon Go)
Cocos2d-x. An open-source 2D game engine for building mobile games. (eg: Hill Climb Racing)
Unreal Engine. A powerful and user-friendly 3D game engine for developing mobile games. (eg: Fortnite)
Corona SDK. A cross-platform tool for creating 2D mobile games with Lua. (eg: Angry Birds)
GameMaker Studio. A drag-and-drop game development platform for quickly creating mobile games. (eg: Hotline Miami)
AppGameKit. A game development engine that combines C++ and GML to create 2D and 3D mobile games. (eg: Bloons TD 6)
Marmalade. A comprehensive cross-platform game development suite for creating 3D mobile games. (eg: Asphalt 8)
Stencyl. A user-friendly game development platform for creating high-quality 2D mobile games. (eg: Jetpack Joyride)
Construct 2. A powerful HTML5 game development engine for creating 2D mobile games. (eg: Crossy Road)
Moai. An open-source Lua-based platform for building and deploying cross-platform mobile games. (eg: Papa Pear Saga)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
Games Developers Conference (GDC)
Mobile Game Developers Association (MGDA)
Casual Games Association (CGA)
International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA)
Women in Games International (WIGI)
Unity Technologies
Game Developers Research Association (GDRA)
International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA)
Game Developers Network (GDN)

We also have Game Administration Manager, Simulation game Developer, and Educational game Designer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Game Engine. A software development environment used to create and develop video games.
User Interface (UI). The interactive elements of a game that allow players to interact with the game, such as menus, buttons, and controls.
Level Design. The process of creating levels in a game, including the layout and layout of the environment, the placement of objectives, enemies, items, and other objects.
Animation. The process of creating movement in a game, such as character movement, object movement, and special effects.
Artificial Intelligence (AI). The process of creating computer-controlled characters that behave like humans or animals within a game.
Audio Design. The process of creating sound effects and music for a game.
Programming. The process of writing code to create a game's logic and behavior.
Quality Assurance (QA). The process of testing a game to ensure it works correctly and is free from bugs and glitches.
Asset Creation. The process of creating graphics and art assets for a game, such as characters, environments, and objects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary of a Mobile Game Developer?

According to PayScale, the average salary of a Mobile Game Developer is $68,819 per year.

How many years of experience does a Mobile Game Developer typically have?

The typical Mobile Game Developer has 3-5 years of experience in the field.

What programming languages are commonly used to develop Mobile Games?

Common programming languages used to develop Mobile Games include C#, Java, Objective-C and Swift.

What platforms are used to publish Mobile Games?

Popular platforms to publish Mobile Games include Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon App Store and Microsoft Store.

Are there any certifications available for Mobile Game Developers?

Yes, the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) offers a Certified Professional Game Developer (CPGD) certification for Mobile Game Developers.