Foundations of Mobile Game Development
This program focuses on building functional games from day one. You'll learn how to design mechanics, handle user input, optimize for different devices, and publish a working game by the end of the course. Each session includes hands-on assignments with real-time feedback.
What you'll work through
The program consists of four distinct phases, each building on what came before. You'll start with core concepts and move progressively toward more complex systems. By week sixteen, you'll have a complete game published on a platform of your choice.
Game architecture and player input
You'll set up your first mobile project, configure the development environment, and understand how touch input differs from traditional controls. This phase includes building simple interactive scenes where players tap, swipe, and drag objects across the screen.
- Environment setup and project initialization
- Touch input handling and gesture recognition
- Scene structure and object positioning
- Basic collision detection between game elements
Mechanics, physics, and user feedback
During this phase, you'll add physics simulation to your game, implement scoring systems, and learn how to respond to player actions with visual and audio feedback. The assignments focus on building a prototype that feels responsive and satisfying to play.
- Physics engine integration and gravity systems
- Score tracking and progress indicators
- Sound effects triggered by player actions
- UI elements for health, time, and inventory
Performance and platform optimization
You'll learn to identify performance bottlenecks, reduce memory usage, and ensure your game runs smoothly on both high-end and budget devices. This phase covers frame rate optimization, asset compression, and battery-efficient rendering techniques.
- Frame rate monitoring and profiling tools
- Texture compression and asset size reduction
- Memory management for mobile constraints
- Testing across different screen resolutions
Publishing and post-launch iteration
The final phase walks you through the submission process for app stores, including preparing metadata, screenshots, and compliance requirements. You'll also learn how to gather user feedback, prioritize updates, and fix critical issues after launch.
- App store account setup and guidelines review
- Preparing promotional materials and descriptions
- Handling version updates and bug fixes
- Analyzing player behavior through analytics
