Difference Between Mobile and PC Game Development

PC game development is the process of creating video games for personal computers. These games can be either downloaded or played online, and they are usually more complex than mobile games. The argument of PC gaming vs. mobile gaming still needs to be completed with an understanding of the complexities of PC game development. PC game developers must have a strong understanding of how to create games that take advantage of the latest PC hardware.

One of the benefits of developing PC games is that you’re not limited by hardware constraints like you are with mobile devices. This means that you can create more complex and visually stunning games than what’s possible on phones or tablets. In addition, most gamers still play the majority of their games on PCs, so there’s a large potential audience for your game if it’s well-made.

However, one of the challenges of PC game development is that it can be a more expensive and time-consuming process than mobile game development. This is because you’ll need powerful computers and specialized software to create your game, and you’ll also need to put in more hours to make a complex game. In addition, the market for PC games has been declining in recent years, so you’ll need to be mindful of this when deciding whether or not to develop this platform.

PC game development can be a great option if you’re interested in creating cutting-edge games with amazing graphics and gameplay. But if your priority is reaching a wide audience or want to get started quickly and cheaply, then mobile game development wins in the argument of mobile games vs. PC games.

There are several prominent differences between mobile games and PC games in terms of the development process, cost, technology, and so on. The following table gives the differences between the games in a nutshell:

From team size to the complexity of the project, several factors influence the overall development process for mobile and PC games. The requirements vary for both types of game concerning the following factors:

TEAM SIZE

The team size required for the project depends on its complexity, irrespective of the platform. A moderately complex PC game can need anywhere between 15-20 team members including game developers, animators, 3D and 2D artists, project managers, and so on.

However, a mobile game of similar stature can be developed with a team of 5-7 people. This is because, usually mobile games are less expansive with simpler core loops, fewer game levels, and a less-detailed animation style.

BUDGET

The budget of the game project is another crucial factor to consider when discussing mobile games vs. PC games.

Generally, PC game projects are significantly complex and feature hyperrealistic graphics, complex gameplay, and storyline. They are designed to be compatible with larger screen sizes without compromising the image resolution. Hence, often latest technologies like ray tracing and 4K resolution are used to make these games. As a result, the budget is significantly high for PC games.

On the other hand, generally, mobile game development is comparatively more affordable. This is because the requirement for developing these games is significantly less in every aspect when compared to PC games. The limited screen size and functional restrictions because of the mobile hardware make it rather tricky to have an exorbitant budget for mobile game development.

PORTABILITY

This is perhaps the most important feature of mobile games that contributes to their immense popularity. Users can play mobile games from anywhere as long as they have a smartphone. If it is an online game, a stable internet connection is the only additional requirement.

This is where PC games fall behind. The PC game cannot be played on the go as the entire setup is not portable. Hence, irrespective of whether the user has leisure time throughout the day, one can only play their favorite PC games when they are sitting at the system

GAME SETUP

Another factor that sets apart PC games and mobile games is the installation process. To play PC games seamlessly, users have to install software like Flash Player, DirectX, and more. They must have a powerful graphics card installed for gaming. For certain games, hardware and software upgrade is also needed so that the game is compatible. After all these criteria are met, the game has to be installed which can take significant time.

However, to set up a mobile game one needs to download and install the app from any of the app stores. The only criteria necessary for mobile games is sufficient storage space to complete the app download and installation.

GAME CONTROLS AND ACCESSORIES

PC games feature complex narratives and gameplay because there is the flexibility of controlling through mouse, keyboard, gamepads, and more. Players can perform complex combat actions using a combination of several clicks and point-and-click precision.

In mobile gaming, they have to depend heavily on the touchscreen and motion controls of the device which limits the actions. Additional accessories are not a necessity though. Hence popular games on mobile generally have simpler game controls or endless-loop style gameplay.

MEMORY SPECIFICATIONS

Mobile games can run on any smart device, irrespective of the hardware specification as long as it has enough in-device storage to install the game. However, PC games have specific and minimum hardware as well as software requirements that must be met for them to run smoothly. It is nearly impossible to run high-end PC games without a powerful PC that has better capability than the minimum hardware requirement of the game.