7-Step Mobile Game Prototyping Framework

7-Step Mobile Game Prototyping Framework

𝟭. 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 🎯
• Research genres successful for newcomers.
• Focus on those with steady year-over-year growth.
• Target markets where a few big players don’t dominate.

𝟮. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 💡
• Define your core gameplay mechanics.
• Establish a Unique Selling Proposition (USP).
• Learn from top-performing games and adapt their best practices.

𝟯. 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 🤝
• Start small: 3–5 skilled individuals (or outsource).
• Prioritize multidisciplinary skills (design, programming, marketing).
• Ensure the team’s passion aligns with your game’s vision.

𝟰. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗞𝗣𝗜𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 🛣️
• Plan a short development cycle (2–3 months for a prototype).
• Define measurable KPIs like CPI, retention, and tutorial completion.
• Use milestones to track progress and adjust as needed.

𝟱. 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 🎮
• Focus on the core gameplay loop, tutorial, and game feel.
• Keep progression systems and meta layers simple.
• Optimize for rapid iteration and playtesting.

𝟲. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 📣
• Create 3–5 ad creatives that showcase real gameplay.
• Test visuals like icons and screenshots for better app store conversion.
• Ensure marketing assets reflect the in-game experience—just more polished.

𝟳. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 🔍
• Get at least 500 installs in Tier-1 countries.
• Use platforms like Facebook Ads or TikTok for traffic and CPI testing.
• Measure key metrics: CPI, retention, playtime, and tutorial completion.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 📊
• Compare metrics against benchmarks.
• Identify strengths, weaknesses, and surprises.
• Refine your approach based on feedback.

This 7-step process is your guide to prototyping smarter and faster.