Making an iOS game has advantages over creating one for Android users because the Apple app store accounts for about 64% of all mobile application users globally. The Unity game engine platform was used in the development of some well-known iOS games, including Forgotten Anne, Alto’s Adventures, Hitman Sniper, and others. Read this article and you can learn how to make an iOS game.
Required Skills For Developing An Ios Game
Coding And Programming Skills
C++, Swift, or Objective-C proficiency is essential for those who create applications using Xcode. Due to its streamlined capacity to produce useful apps without utilizing C++ or Objective-C, Swift is frequently chosen by users.
Python and Swift are similar to each other in that they both offer incredibly robust flexibility and are also both relatively simple to understand, even for beginning programmers.
Computer Science Concepts
An enormous advantage for a developer when creating an iPhone game is having a basic understanding of computer science. The flocking algorithm’s model enables you to design intricate movement patterns that feel realistic but would take a lot of time to accomplish in a different way.
These are just a few examples of computer science ideas that can be used to create an iOS game. For example, understanding the idea of Dijkstra’s algorithm, which finds the shortest path between two points, can help with AI implementation in your title.
Photoshop And Blender/Maya Knowledge
It has nothing to do with programming, but rather with the assets and visuals, which is a skill set that is frequently ignored when thinking about how to develop a game for iOS.
This is a skill set that worries most developers, especially solo developers because most people who are proficient at coding tend to be less creative and visually inclined.
Audio Production Skills (Voice-overs, Fx, And Music)
Being familiar with sound design is a necessity when thinking about how to create an iOS game. An intriguing aspect of video games is sound; you only realize how important it is when it’s missing.
Punchy sound effects and expansive soundtracks can completely change the feel of some video games. With games like No Man’s Sky, just by looking at the screenshots, you almost feel as though you can hear the soundtrack. It almost works as a title identifier.
Market And Business Knowledge
Understanding your market enables you to make game design decisions that will resonate with your target audience, making your title more enjoyable and ultimately more popular. This step is frequently skipped or neglected in most iOS game development tutorial videos or articles you’ll read.
You can learn about the most popular genre, casual games, by engaging in basic market research. They are accessible because of their small file sizes and straightforward yet addictive game loops. Your good idea can become great with just a few small pieces of market research information.
Steps For Ios Game Development In The Unity Platform
For Best Results
The developer needs to create an Apple Developer Account. This is done to make the most of the Unity game engine platform’s capabilities. Many tasks are accomplished through Apple’s Developer Website, including creating your provisional profiles and adding devices.
The developer must design the game and use Xcode to build it when the project is actually finished.
Make These Changes
- Choose the Installs option under the Unity Hub and the appropriate Unity game engine version.
- Add components can be selected by clicking the three small dots that are available to the right.
- If the game will be developed for the iOS operating system, select iOS build support.
- It contains the SDK and NDK tools required to create a complete game for the iOS platform, so click Next.
- Wait for the installation to complete before clicking Done.
New Project
- The Projects, Learn, and Installs window is where you should be when you return.
- To start a fresh Unity project, select New on the right side. The name of the project, Unity version, and template should be entered.
- To enter the Editor, select “Create Project.”
Working With Unity Editor
- Convert it to iOS after entering the Unity Editor platform.
- Select Files from the menu that appears in the top left corner of the screen.
- Select Build Settings, then scroll down to select the iOS platform from that window.
- Following selection, click Switch Platform.
Preparing Unity Editor
- This involves actions like creating folders, experimenting with different aspect ratios, importing some assets, and setting up a scene to go over the touch inputs and gestures needed for the new game project.
- Right-click on the Assets section of the Unity Editor and select three new Folders. Materials, Scripts, and Prefabs should be the folder’s namesake.
- The Prefabs folder can later be expanded to include particle effects.
- Drag a variety of 3D model components to experiment with later.
Creating 3D Objects
- In the Scene section of the Unity Editor, create a simple scene.
- After that, right-click to select 3D objects and a shape.
- When a shape, like a Cube, is selected, its parameters will show up on the right under the Inspector tab.
- Choose from the options under Transform, Mesh Render, and Box Collider to alter the object according to your needs.
- Once the shape has been selected, click on Add component.
Changing Lighting
- The lighting Tab is located next to Inspector Tab.
- This will aid in enhancing the color of the component produced by altering the environment, light mapping setting, mixed lighting, and real-time lighting.
- Alternatively, you can select Generate Lighting by first clicking Auto-generate at the bottom.
Material Creation
- By selecting it from the Materials folder under Assets, you can create a new material.
- For instance, you can alter the composition based on color and other settings if you want to create a material called Ground.
- To ascertain whether or not your expectations have been met, try to cross-check the created assets and materials in the Game view.
- Depending on adjustments made to the Camera component of the Inspector tab to the right, select the view.
Aspect Ratio Modification
- The resolution and aspect ratio of the game can be altered.
- This is done to guarantee that all Apple device platforms, including the iPad and iPhone, can see the game assets, materials, and other content that have been created.
- When using the Unity Editor, select the Game tab and then Free Aspect to make the necessary adjustments.
Addition Of Touch Inputs
- the Scripts folder, please. Right-click and select Shades from the menu that appears. Based on the demands of the game, write a fresh C# script.
- Choose the name: For instance, if you want the colors of the objects to change when they are touched. Color changer.
- the main camera to the freshly written script. Launch Visual Studio and select the new script.
- Incorporate the necessary function.
Inside Visual Studio, you can create codes for more intricate color and touch schemes. Based on a similar process, zoom gestures, drag gestures, etc. can also be added to the game.
Creating Orientations
This will make it possible to create mobile apps for iOS devices inside Unity.
- Select Edit from the Unity Editor.
- Using the dropdown, select Project setting. The Player option can be found in the Project Settings window.
- Type in the brand and product names. Scroll down to Resolution and Presentation.
- Select the -Allowed Orientations for Auto Rotation option from this.
Using this information, we can choose the game’s app’s orientation: Landscape or portrait.
The Unique Bundle Identifier
- Head over to Other Settings.
- In the Identification section, select Bundle identifier.
- All of the apps have this distinctive identifier. Here’s how to format that: com.<company name>.product name.
It is not required to be a real company name.
- the File menu, then select Build Settings. Click on Add Open Scenes in the build settings window to add sample scenes under Scenes In Build.
- Choose iOS as your platform from the list below. After completing these steps, always select the Build option.
- If you want to Save As, Where, or Tag something, a pop-up will ask you for that information.
- After entering the data, select Save.
The app will start to be built after this action.
Working With Xcode
Downloading the Xcode app from the app store is the next step. Making games for the iOS platform is a requirement.
- Open the folder where you saved the new game after downloading.
- Select the following from the folder: Double-click Unity-iPhone.xcodeproj to open it in a new window.
- A perfect match between the Bundle Identifier and the one in Unity must be maintained.
- Also, select a game’s display name.
- Select Preferences from the menu in Xcode.
- The plus sign can be accessed from the bottom left corner of the screen to add a new account.
- Choose the Apple ID from the pop-up menu and then press the continue button.
Managing Sign-In Options
- Access the Xcode app window. From the General Tab, select the Signing drop-down.
- Select the option to Manage Signing Automatically. When the resulting pop-up appears, select Enable Automatic.
- All of the information will be filled in for all of the options below using this.
Building And Launching The Game
- Then in the Xcode app window, click the Play button in the top left corner of the screen.
- Once that is complete, Xcode will install the game on your device, i.e. the iPhone. A plug must be present for the device.
- The game will be launched on the device by Xcode after the building process is finished.
Testing Of The App
In Xcode, your app can be tested and built. Send the game for evaluation to the Apple certification group. If your game app passes all the requirements, it will be available in the App Store in 24 hours.