Navigating the Challenges of Android Game Ports

Android boasts the largest share of the mobile gaming market and with this in mind, many game studios engage in game porting projects to bring their existing games to Android. Though this might sound like a simple process on the surface, Android game ports present unique challenges.

Through Magic Media’s extensive experience working on several game porting projects and Android game ports specifically, we have learned how to overcome the challenges presented by porting games to Android. You can explore more insights in our News and Insights section.

Android Game Ports, Hardware, and Fragmentation

Android is supported on a wide range of devices from numerous manufacturers. Because of this wide availability, there is a huge variety of devices on the market with different GPU, CPU, and RAM specifications. This variation means that Android game ports aren’t exactly simple to pull off to a high quality. Android game ports require extensive testing and optimization to ensure they run smoothly across a range of devices.

Furthermore, Android comes in many different OS versions across devices and manufacturers, also known as fragmentation. The challenge for Android game ports is that different OS versions support different API versions. Developers working on game porting projects to Android devices will commonly combat this by using APIs with the widest range of support possible while leveraging the newest possible API features. For more on handling technical hurdles, check out our co-development services.

Optimizing Android Game Ports

Android ports need more attention than most teams expect, especially when adapting higher fidelity games to mobile hardware. Before digging into the specifics, here’s an example of how these projects usually start.

Android game porting projects need focused testing and careful optimization to perform well on mobile hardware. Most Android ports start as PC or console titles, platforms that handle higher frame rates, larger assets, and more complex visual effects. Because of this, Android versions often require performance tuning, asset adjustments, and gameplay refinements to deliver a smooth and consistent experience for mobile players.

Android game ports also tend to require adjustments to in-game models and textures to improve performance. Adjusting the quality of in-game assets can drastically reduce memory usage and improve performance. Development studios can experiment with dynamic scaling methods that adjust in-game asset quality based on the device specifications, which can improve performance across the board. Similarly, resolution can be handled dynamically, allowing for smooth frame rates across a broad range of Android devices. For teams looking for full production support, our art production services can also help streamline the asset optimization process.

A distinct concern for Android game ports, as well as Nintendo Switch games and iOS titles, is battery life. Background processes like location services and sensors can hamper battery life, so developers should look to reduce the impact of these as much as possible to conserve it. High frame rates are also responsible for draining battery life, so capping this should also be considered.

Player Experience with Android Game Ports

As with any game porting project or game development project in general, development studios should seek to prioritize the player experience. As previously mentioned, optimization is essential to preserve the experience, but diligent work is required to adapt games for Android and general mobile game intricacies.

Android game ports rely primarily on touchscreen controls, instead of keyboard and controller setups used on PC and consoles. This key difference necessitates redesigning UI elements to suit touchscreens of various sizes across different Android mobile devices. Because of the variety of Android devices and the challenges associated with redesigning PC and console game UI, this should be considered a top priority. For support with UX and UI projects, our UI UX design services offer full production coverage.

Gameplay feedback is essential for any gameplay experience, including Android game ports. Game console controllers use vibration and haptic feedback to provide players with information about their gameplay, and Android game ports should do the same using mobile systems. Feedback can also be delivered through virtual button overlays on Android device touchscreens. You can learn more about our offerings in our Game Porting services section.