Blockchain Game Development Cost Estimation
When estimating the cost of blockchain game development, several key factors come into play. Here is a breakdown of the primary components and their associated costs:
Games have always been the talk of the town among the users. Its popularity has existed since its inception. There is a massive obsession among individuals related to playing online games. With the advancement in technology, the gaming industry has also evolved. A great boom is expected in the upcoming years as it has made the playing experience phenomenal.
Moving forward, the next big thing that has engaged the attention of game lovers is blockchain games. They utilize hi-tech cryptographic solutions to have a larger-than-life experience.
It is not just limited to attaining pleasure but has become a great source of revenue. Various big companies are looking forward to investing in these blockchain-based games.
When estimating the cost of blockchain game development, several key factors come into play. Here is a breakdown of the primary components and their associated costs:
1. Game Design and Concept
- Cost Range: $5,000 to $20,000
- Details: This includes brainstorming ideas, creating the game story, designing characters, and defining gameplay mechanics.
2. Development Team
- Cost Range: $50,000 to $200,000
- Details: The team typically includes game developers, blockchain developers, UI/UX designers, and project managers. Costs depend on their experience and location.
3. Blockchain Integration
- Cost Range: $30,000 to $100,000
- Details: Integrating blockchain technology, smart contracts, and NFTs into the game. This can vary based on the complexity and chosen blockchain platform.
4. Art and Graphics
- Cost Range: $10,000 to $50,000
- Details: High-quality graphics, animations, and character designs are essential for a compelling game experience.
5. Testing and Quality Assurance
- Cost Range: $5,000 to $15,000
- Details: Ensuring the game is bug-free and runs smoothly on various devices and platforms.
6. Marketing and Launch
- Cost Range: $10,000 to $50,000
- Details: Promoting the game, community building, and initial token offering if applicable.
7. Ongoing Maintenance and Updates
- Cost Range: $5,000 to $20,000 per month
- Details: Regular updates, new features, and ongoing support to keep the game relevant and engaging.
Total Estimated Cost
- Overall Range: $115,000 to $455,000
These figures provide a general idea of the investment required for blockchain game development. The actual cost may vary based on the project’s specific needs and scale.
Just stay glued!
Gaming Industry Statistics
- The gaming market is predicted to grow by $125.65 billion globally.
- The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is expected to shoot up by 12.40% up until 2025
- The APAC (Asia-pacific) region has a giant ownership rate of about 22.6 million gamers holding onto the cryptocurrency.
- After that, the other regions are Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America
- The crypto revenue of APAC is about US$157.3 million, i.e., 49%, and for North Americans, it is about US$80.3 million, i.e., 25%.
- The highest revenue is about 40%, i.e., US$128.4 million in the case of mobile games, followed by console games.
- The primary revenue generators are the Mobile games with US$128.4 million, succeeded by Console games with US$89.9 million. The next in line are PC games, tablets, and browser games.
The above numbers are enough to state that the blockchain-enabled gaming industry has turned the tide.
The blockchain game development cost calculator depends upon multiple factors. Some swaying factors are the complexities, design, features, platform, etc.
Blockchain Game Development Procedure
The blockchain game development involves various steps that are illustrated as under;
Understanding the Blockchain Infrastructure
To have a better start in developing a blockchain framework, it is necessary to have a better understanding of the blockchain and its security-related attributes. After that, one needs to examine the implementation of blockchain, the advantages related to it, and the blockchain incorporation. More than the perks associated with the blockchain infrastructure, it is equally important to go through the flaws and challenges.
Another fundamental thing is the hash functions, blockchain consensus, and distributed ledger technologies. The crucial details are mentioned in the white paper with information corresponding to the infrastructure and the technique used in the blockchain. Moreover, it is beneficial to thoroughly understand various blockchains like Ethereum, Cardano, Solana, Hyperledger, etc.
Analyzing Data structures, Databases, and Smart Contract Development
The blockchain network involves complete structuring according to the user’s demand. Whatever changes are made, the developers should know the multiple types of databases and data structures. These should be the best in nature. They should be able to analyze the core types of smart contracts. Besides this, they should know the tiny detailing of the perks offered by these crypto contracts and the techniques to develop them.
Recognizing Decentralization and Its Application in Blockchain
All the gaming applications are developed on the decentralized platform; that’s why dApps. These apps use multiple procedures and protocols. For the blockchain game developer, it’s vital to recognize and comprehend decentralization.
Better Understanding of Cryptography,
The basics of any operation associated with the blockchain are the digital ledger and cryptography. There should be a clear understanding of cryptography, cryptanalysis, and cryptanalytics. All the algorithms should be known by the developer that works wonders for all sorts of blockchain networks. In short, the programmers must be fully aware of what goes behind the development process of building a blockchain-based application.
Attaining information about Cryptonomics
Crypronomics is a broad concept, with many layers attached to it. To be a sure-shot winner of the blockchain gaming development process, it’s pivotal to have entire knowledge about the cryptocurrencies along with their execution on the blockchain network. There are various ideas that contribute to the progression of building an app. Some of them are frameworks for cryptonomics, gaming theory, certain discords encompassing framing, and so on. However, the factors influencing the financial policies and Cryptonomics should be well-known.
Computer Programming
The crux of any advanced and intuitive dApp, is its programming. The more updated or modern coding is applied in the development of the decentralized application, the more influential the outcome. Coding anyways is a must for blockchain development, and it should be noted that all the particulars should be kept in mind while developing the one.
Phases of Blockchain Game Creation
It is quite non-viable to give an exact value of the gaming cost. The below-discussed phases will give a peek into what all goes behind developing a quality game.
- Game Design Document (GDD)
The designers and the writers prepare this document. It is a highly illustrative design document crafted for the blockchain game. While proceeding further, many changes take place in the middle of the development phase. There are a lot of changes that are expected upto the culminating stages.
The application of this document is to adopt an organized way to build blockchain-based gaming app. the important aspects consist of UI/UX design, prime features, genre, target audience, story, characters, and so on. Technically, every area is touched upon by this document. It acts as an instruction for the developers to work systematically.
- Creating Technical Specifications:
Choosing the desired platform to run your application is essential. The games are created taking into account what is your target audience. So, it’s all right if you want to build an app for either iOS or Android. Sometimes, it’s entirely alright to frame the app for both platforms. Now, the cost will be different in both cases. Additionally, the varied platforms charge different prices as the documentation will contrast with the development part.
- Prototyping and Designing
The first time the development team executes the ideas from paper to something concrete is known as prototyping. Prototypes are responsible for describing the gaming details like audio, video visuals, etc. these prototypes are utilized by the designers as it allows them to stay close to the style irrespective of the part in the gaming project
Well-planned prototyping creates an elevated form of concern among the team members. Designing offers all sorts of gaming attributes to the app, such as assets, characters, visuals, interface, etc.
- Programming, Testing, and Releasing
Whatever impressions are linked with the characters or the images describing hypothetical player characters; all are worthless if they are brought to life. As long as they are on paper, no fruitful purpose is served. Therefore, programming is applied to create a digital version of this. It can be done by writing a code, setting up the server, and applying API in coding. Also, all the necessary logic is applied in this stage.
Before launching an app, it should be tested for bugs to firstly find the defects, errors, or bugs and then remove them to avoid any game crash. It includes the optimization of the dApp, testing, and having a trial of overcritical stages, thereby testing the product.
On proper evaluation, it’s time to release the game on the desirable play store.
Let’s refer to the blockchain game development cost calculator in the table given below;
Development Stages
Cost Calculation
Designing cost
$5k to 10k
Development cost
$35 to 65k
Integration cost
$10k
Maintenance cost
$1500 to 4k
Project Managers
$25/ Hour
Quality Assurance Team and Testers
$5000
Simplifying Blockchain Game Development Cost Estimation
The blockchain game development cost estimation is the trickiest part of the gaming app. The scope of work needs to be understood to assess the cost better. Besides this, the specialists involved in the project design also determine the budget. Developing a gaming dApp is not a simple process. There are a lot of complexities attached to it.
The experts also demand a hefty amount depending upon the geographical locations. A lot goes in at the back of the game design, from the documentation to the project visualization. Every step has a predefined cost that gives a hint about the prices.
Many genres are tapped into while developing a blockchain-based gaming app, be it Unity 3d Games, P2E Games, and Web 3 Games.
Mini Games:
They are based on straightforward characteristics integrated into the game. Also known as the microgame, it’s a tiny game accommodated by another video game. The game playing components are shorter and simpler. These games are either distinct or have built-in features that captivate the players’ attention.
For example, Satoshi’s Games, PlayBlankos
Casual 2D games
These games are designed for a much larger audience of players. They have conveniently much-uncomplicated rules and brief sessions and possess a low barrier to entry, i.e., not a high investment and moderate competition. Various monetization strategies and sub-divisions are included in these games via in-game ads and in-app purchases.
These games are known as complex because of the higher quality animations, graphics, VFX, sounds, etc. such top-class characteristics are utilized to entice the audience so that they can spend most of their time playing.
For example Card games, Trivia
Social Games
Social games have the potential to develop a solid interaction among the players. Building an interconnection between the players is the most challenging attribute of such games. These have multiple stages, such as complicated storylines,3D graphics, and advanced animations.
Social games have many levels, complex storylines, development of the account, various mechanics, animation, and 2D and 3D graphics. The game development process is very stimulating. The challenges involve the development of the frontend and backend. The architecture is mostly kept flexible. It is done to have an additional scaling element so that if any change is required, it is done without any obstruction.
For example, Clash of Clans, Call of Duty
Business Games:
Such games are meant to provide “Edutainment Services”.These are built to provide entertainment and education to the users. They are capable of polishing up their management skills with no real-time experience. These games are likely to give the best real-time business encounter. In case of any issue being developed in the game will not have any impact whatsoever on the actual scenario. Whatever mistakes are going to take place will just remain there.
For example, Airline Tycoon, Virtonomics
High-level Games:
One of the most complex forms is high-level games. Their development process is very intricate. Everything involved in the creation of such games requires more time and money. Many things need to be considered before developing an app like this. Such games mostly encompass optimization, suitable architecture, 3D games, accurate VFX(visual effects), etc.
For example, Snowhaven, Archons of Niku
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the Blockchain game development cost estimation; just check out below!!
Game Type
Cost Estimation
Mini Games
>$5,000
Casual 2D games
$5000 -$20,000
Social Games
$70,000 to $170,000
Business Games
$15,000 to $50,000
Mid-Level Games
< $10,000
High Level games
$200,000
Bottom Line !!
Blockchain is undoubtedly one of the magnificent things that have happened to the gaming world. Blockchain-based games have been out in the market for a while now. The game lovers are immensely enjoying huge popularity in the current scenario. Not only from the users’ perspective but the business owners are also very keen on developing blockchain-based games for gaming enthusiasts.
