Pokémon GO mobile game became insanely popular in no time, in 24 hours after launch it was on the top app list on App Store and Google Play. Here we will reveal about the main features of this game and how much does it cost to make a game this.

What is Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO is an operation bridging in-game objects with the real-world objects in a way that the former is only available in certain physical locations, for e.g. in the park or near the river. Apart from it, newest Pokémon game processes an image grab by the smartphone camera and overlays it with additional elements to create a so-called augmented reality.

On the less capable devices augmented reality mode is not available and users simply see a 3D game universe which is however connected with locations from the real world:

 

 

Pokémon GO rules are elementary as follows:

1. Firstly, install an app, register and can use it when your device’s screen is on.
2. The main form of communication is collecting Pokémon by throwing Poke Balls at them (usually can’t catch them on the first try).
3. Since they aren’t staying in one place and create in various locations, users have to passionately move around the area or even the whole city to catch Pokémon.
4. Players also require to renew their Poké Ball supplies on Poké Stops and can fight other Pokémon trainers in locations called gyms.
5. The distance you have walked and the number of Pokémon caught effect your level in the game.

 

And now let’s figure out how to make a Pokémon game.

Pokémon GO like app development

The essentials we need to create a Pokémon game are:

• Game design,
• Game engine,
• App prototype,
• Map service and geolocation tools,
• Concept for assorting objects on the map and game balance,
• Means to merge with device sensors,
• Server for executing interaction between users and storing their game data,
• Event alerts,
• In-game purchases,
• Game graphics and sounds

 

You should also consider the following factors that strengthen to Pokémon GO success:

• Eminent Pokémon brand that already had a number of fans with Pokémon apps being only one origin of its popularity.
• Encounter with augmented reality games development (Ingress). To make a game like Pokémon require a lot of resources since data gathered by Ingress belongs to Niantic.
• Precise timing for launch — summer in Northern Hemisphere when most people spend a fair amount of time outside.
• The game needs a lot of united attention which makes it a habit-forming product. You need to take it into consideration if you want to create Pokémon GO like app.
• A great ability for viral growth: if you see a Pokémon, you’ve got to grab it right there and since people see others playing, they want to try it themselves.

 

And now let’s examine what require to build Android or iPhone games like Pokémon GO

1. Game design

Prior start working on Pokémon like apps for Android or iOS, we need a concept and a design document (specifications). Game designer is generally the one who prepares them and further promote all development stages and gives the right tasks to developers, designers, illustrators, sound people, etc. Impressive game design is essential for your project, so it costs accordingly.

2. Game engine

Game engine is a major software for bringing together all the assets used in the game (code, graphics, sounds) and executing them. Only very simple games do not require game engine but games similar to Pokémon GO don’t belong to this category. Infact game engine makes game creation for Android and iOS or any other mobile platforms much smooth. For Pokémon GO developers used Unity game engine.

3. App prototype

App prototype of the Pokémon GO alternative shows how app will look like and includes all of the screens used in it. Yet it’s not an app, it only shows about operation, menus and other elements that will be available to users when the app similar to Pokémon GO is completed. InVision, Proto.io, Pixate or Flinto are the special tools that helps in prototyping.

4. Map service and geolocation tools

Since before becoming an independent company Niantic was an inner Google startup, it is possibly using Google Maps and location data under some exclusive terms and conditions which are not feasible to anyone else. That’s why designing a Pokémon clone is not a smooth task. In general, to create apps like Pokémon GO we will need to do the following:

1. Attach Google API to the project, pay for a license (price depends on the data volume and number of requests per day). We can also consider Open Street Maps which are free but they do not provide location photos.
2. Note down functions for working with GPS on devices (geolocation). We require them for recognizing device location and displaying the right objects to users.

5. Logic for allocating objects on the map and game balance

We have to aim for a natural feel to create popular app like Pokémon GO. And to accomplish it we need the objects to be distributed on the map in an organic and naturally looking way. We have to identify:

• How frequent new Pokémon will appear on the map.
• Locations which are more pleasant for a certain Pokémon type and how their number switch in various hours of the day.
• how the fame of a certain location affects the type and number of Pokémon one can expect to meet there.

Game balance is vital for a successful Pokémon GO alternative. If the game is well-balanced, beginner don’t feel it too complicated to play while professional players get enough challenges for it to stay fun and playable. After game balance is executed, it is tested and adjusted accordingly.

 

6. Means to interact with device sensors

In order to resolve device position in space and the speed at which the person is moving (to know whether person is using a car or going on foot while using Pokémon like app) we require data from the sensors built into the smartphone:

• Gyroscope figure out device orientation in space.
• Accelerometer analyze acceleration speed of a smartphone.
• GPS determine user’s position according to the global positioning network.

we have firmly worked with data captured by these sensors and can use our experience in Pokémon like apps development.

7. Server for enabling interaction between users and storing their game data

Since players refer to same game world, are using the alike map and have to follow the alike basic rules, this world needs to be generated somewhere, constantly progress and interact with them. All this occur on the server which all the copies of the app identical to Pokémon GO installed on players’ devices use to interface with each other.

The server is also necessary for users to be able to transfer their game data to a new device in case they have purchased a new one. Without a server for storing game data we won’t be able to create a strong and stable game backend for iOS and Android game like Pokémon, so it’s a vital part of the overall game development.

We should also consider that servers and databases should be ready for high loads so that players won’t be forced to wait:

 

 

8. Event notifications

Realtime occurrence allow users to be instantly notified about what is happening within the game. Since Pokémon GO is played with a screen turned on, players see message and tips like these at once:

 

Realtime act are implemented with Socket connection that allows to interchange data with the player directly and in a duplex mode when he or she is online. When the user is offline, server can send push-messages via third-party services which players get with a small delay.

9. In-game purchases

There’re certain monetization models for mobile startups out there and Pokémon GO is using a model with in-app purchases. Users can buy objects like Poké Balls, Lure Modules, Egg Incubators, etc. Both cheaper (20 Poké Balls for 100 coins) and more expensive listings (6 lures for 680 coins) are there. It is an eminent aspect since it helps newcomers to easily make their first in-app purchase and inspire experienced players to purchase items in amount to save coins.

It is better to execute purchases for each platform via its native service since those services look more reliable to users. For eg., if we are developing an Android app, the obvious choice would be Google Play In-app invoice. By using this service, you will be able to freely fill the app with purchasable items from the developer console without updating the app too often.

10. Game graphics and sounds

Players want latest games to look seamlessly in terms of graphics. Since Pokémon GO uses 3D design of Pokémon, a compelling part of game’s cost will be spent on their creation. It would also be better if 3D modelling is done by the side of the Pokémon GO progress process so that all parts of the app will be import together in a timely manner. Indeed, there’s Unity Asset Store where we can buy pre-made models but they won’t help to create something exclusive like Pokémon GO.

 

If we have budget, we can offer some options as for sounds, Audio Jungle, Music Loops or The Music Case.

Pokémon GO like app development costs

Now as you are aware with the game development process, let’s take a look at Pokémon GO like video game pricing:

• Client application and game design — $15-25K
• UI/UX — $2-3K
• Back End — $5K (MERN stack)
• Server expenses — (VPS,AWS or any cloud service which could be scaled as user base grows)
• QA and testing — (included in our development service )
• Game models with animation — $5K (2 base character & upto 10 creatures or 3D game objects)
• Sounds — (varies based on selection of effects and theme)

So total Pokémon GO like app development cost is about $25-45K. Indeed, it’s an approximate cost and actual mobile app development costs will differ based on the prescribed features.