AAA game development is one of the best trends in the entire industry. Mobile games are also now part of high-quality game design and development, but this has not always been the case.
AAA game is a project developed by a big studio, financed from a huge budget. An easy way to lay down the concept of AAA is to compare them to Marvel films, but as you know, not all top titles are successful.
Understanding the Mobile Gaming Landscape
These days, games can be divided into AAA projects and indies. Indie projects are distinguished because large publishers do not publish them. Usually, small studios that do not have large budgets are not engaged in AAA mobile game development, although there are quite a few exceptions.
AAA games are not necessarily good because the label does not guarantee quality. And often, an indie game that has been outsourced is much more successful than a huge AAA mobile project. By the way, outsourcing is one of the tools that both large studios and indie developers actively use.
Similarly, some independent developers create high-budget indie games (triple-i projects) that are not bound by the rules of any major publisher.
Modern trends actively support all categories of games, but AAA projects are released much more often. According to statistics, AAA mobile games release about 100+ games per year. But despite this number, such projects as Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, and League of Legends: Wild Rift remain at the top.
Key Elements of AAA Mobile Game Business Strategy
Do not forget that AAA mobile games are created to make a profit and an opportunity for studios to promote their business. Triple A game companies invest a lot of money in business strategy and its key elements so that the game does not become a failure and a waste of resources.
A.Developing a high-quality mobile game concept.
Mobile game marketing is much harder to achieve without good visual game design. AAA projects imply a high level of detail, graphics, and game design. The first steps to implement the visual aspect start with concept art, and outsourcing services, in this case, are key. Outsourcing art for games and the work of independent teams speeds up the development process and sets the pace for the whole process, significantly reducing the waste of time and budget.
B.Mobile game monetization models and strategies.
It is worth planning the monetization of a game product at the very beginning of development. Also, the developer can combine several models, for example, by adding in-game purchases to the Free-to-Play mobile game, which do not affect the gameplay and general game mechanics. Buying a game is a popular monetization model: users buy and enjoy it without restrictions. The developer’s main task in using the paid model of mobile game monetization is to interest the players so much that they buy the product.
C.Effective marketing tactics for AAA mobile games.
Marketing tactics and strategic management for AAA mobile games should be the same as for other projects, whether PC games or console exclusives. First, studios need to consider advertising promotion, but this often requires at least 40-50% of the finished game to use the gameplay or general aspects for promotional videos. Various pre-registration promotions, giveaways, and beta test announcements are also well suited for a permanent presence among the gaming community.
D.Targeting and acquiring mobile game users.
The target audience depends on the genre of the game, the features of the game, and the markets in which it is available, so in this case, you need to aim right on target. Knowing the age, gender, and location of your audience is just the starting point of the whole marketing strategy. Gamers have their archetype and may be interested in the game differently: graphics, easy/hard gameplay, monetization, etc.
E.Retaining players and increasing engagement.
Keeping players is one of the main parts of the marketing plan, especially if it’s a free-to-play mobile game. In this case, the analytics department of the game studio should work as efficiently as possible and monitor the situation inside and outside the game. It is not so difficult to attract players, advertising helps in this, but it can be tough to keep them.
F.Analyzing and optimizing performance metrics.
Based on the information in the previous aspect, statistics and metrics indicate all the mobile game’s strengths and weaknesses. Without this information, it is impossible to successfully and effectively manage the AAA project and monitor its position in the market. We are talking about big money, so metrics and analytics are essential here.
G.The role of updates and expansions in sustaining success.
The mobile gaming industry is quite fragile in terms of any changes. Even if the game has attracted, retained, and continues to retain gamers, this is not yet an indicator of stability, especially in the first days/month after launch. The more often the game provides new content and updates, the more satisfied the community will be, and, as a result, the project brings more profit.
Implementing Successful AAA Mobile Game Strategies
When a project is built on a huge budget, the company cannot afford to fail. Implementing business strategy for successful AAA mobile gaming is not just part of the overall game. Most often, the future of the studio and the chances of continuing to work, rather than bankruptcy and collapse, depend on the choice of strategies.
Best Practices From Top-Performing Mobile Game Developers
One of the best practices is proper resource management. You can use mobile game outsourcing if there is not enough time for some aspects of the game. If the developers do not know what to focus on in the direction of the game or gameplay, use analytics and metrics. But still, to avoid unexpected situations, first of all, the studio must build a mechanism for strategic development. This will help to avoid spontaneous and unnecessary actions and keep the general mood inside the studio.
Tips for Leveraging User Feedback and Community Engagement
The game is created primarily for those who will play it, and everything inside it should be an incentive for gamers. But even AAA Android games may not like users in some way, or they will be dissatisfied with new updates, monetization, content, etc.
To always be on the same level as gamers, developers must responsibly approach all reviews, comments, or feedback. One example of developers not focusing on gamers is Diablo Immortal. Blizzard literally ignored all the feedback and requests for optimization and improvement of the game. As a result, this AAA project has replenished the collection of the worst studio titles.
Conclusion
A large company publishes AAA games, and most likely, a lot of money was spent on the development and advertising campaign, which does not guarantee their quality. AAA projects can impress you with their splendor, horrify you, and delete the game. It doesn’t happen that often, as few studios risk huge budgets. But those who once took the risk and used the right marketing plan and strategy now occupy the top niche of mobile game development.