Honest 2026 price ranges from a studio that has actually shipped 500+ games. Costs broken down by genre, scope, and platform — plus the hidden expenses most guides skip.
Every game is different, but here's where most 2026 mobile projects land. Use this as a starting point, then get an exact quote for your scope.
| Game type | Typical 2026 cost | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyper-casual / simple 2D | $5,000 – $30,000 | 4–8 weeks | Idea validation, ad-driven games |
| Mid-scale 2D / casual 3D | $30,000 – $80,000 | 2–4 months | Puzzle, simulation, casual hits |
| Full 3D with monetization | $80,000 – $150,000 | 3–6 months | Action, RPG, mid-core titles |
| Multiplayer / live-service | $150,000 – $500,000+ | 6–12 months | Competitive & social games |
| VR / AR experiences | $60,000 – $400,000+ | 3–9 months | Immersive & branded experiences |
Ranges reflect typical 2026 market pricing for outsourced development. Your quote depends on art volume, feature scope, and platforms.
Understanding these levers helps you scope smart and spend where it actually matters.
Custom 3D models, animation, and VFX are often the single biggest line item. Stylized art costs less than photoreal; reused asset packs cost least.
Physics, AI, procedural systems, and deep progression loops add engineering time. A one-mechanic game is far cheaper than a systems-driven one.
iOS, Android, web, console, VR. Cross-platform Unity shares one codebase, but each store still needs testing, certification, and store assets.
Real-time networking, accounts, leaderboards, and cloud saves require backend infrastructure that adds both build cost and ongoing hosting.
Ads, in-app purchases, battle passes, and live events need analytics, A/B testing, and post-launch content — they pay off but add to scope.
QA across devices, accessibility, and translations turn a good game into a top-rated one. Budget for it instead of bolting it on later.
The build is only part of the story. Games that succeed budget for what happens after launch — and that's usually where the real spending begins.
Every A Plus Games Studio project includes 100% source-code ownership, an NDA, and a dedicated project manager — no surprises.
🔥 Limited-time launch offer — 70% OFF for the first 10 projects!
A focused MVP or hyper-casual prototype to validate your idea fast.
A full-featured mobile game with custom art and monetization.
Large-scale, multiplayer, VR/AR, and co-development projects.
Not sure which fits? Tell us about your game and we'll send a tailored timeline and quote within 48 hours.
A simple 2D or hyper-casual game typically costs $5,000–$30,000. A mid-scale 3D game with custom art and monetization runs $30,000–$150,000. Large multiplayer or VR/AR titles start at $150,000 and can exceed $1,000,000. The final cost depends on genre, art complexity, number of platforms, and feature scope.
iOS is usually 10–20% more expensive due to stricter App Store review, device-specific testing, and Apple's certification process. We build cross-platform with Unity to share one codebase and shrink that gap.
Plan for marketing/user acquisition of roughly 50–200% of development cost in the first six months, about 20% of the build cost annually for maintenance, plus server hosting from $500/month to $20,000+/month at scale.
A focused MVP or hyper-casual game takes 4–8 weeks. A full-featured game with custom art, monetization, and LiveOps usually takes 3–6 months. Large multiplayer or VR/AR projects can take a year or more.
Yes. Our Spark package starts at $999 for a focused MVP or hyper-casual prototype, so you can validate an idea before investing in full production.
Tell us your idea and we'll send a detailed timeline and cost estimate within 48 hours — free, no obligation.