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.
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.
Optimizing Android Game Ports
Android game porting projects should receive significant resources dedicated to testing and optimization. Typically, Android game ports originate from PC and console platforms. These platforms, characteristically, can run games with higher frame rates and visual fidelity than mobile devices, meaning that Android game ports will require tweaking to provide the best player experience possible.
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.
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.
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 allow them to ‘feel’ what they’re doing, and Android game ports should be no different by using mobile systems to achieve the same immediacy achieved through vibration. Feedback can also be communicated through audio as with games on any platform, and by using virtual button overlays on Android device touchscreens.
Contact Magic Media today to learn more about our extensive gaming project services for mobile and all other platforms, such as full-cycle game development and game porting, in addition to services for entertainment and tech industry projects. Reach out today, and let’s create magic!
