Video games captivate millions, but the magic behind them—game development—sparks just as much wonder for players and creators.
From dreaming up video game genres to launching a finished title, the journey fascinates anyone eager to make a video game. For game developers of all levels, Gamespublisher.com offers a treasure trove of insights and tools to navigate this process.
How long does it take to make a video game? Knowing the answer to this question is crucial for planning, budgeting, and keeping expectations real, whether you’re an indie game developer or part of a big studio.
Timelines swing based on factors like team size, project scope, and game development software. This article will cover those variables and why how to develop a video game is such a unique adventure.
How Long Does It Take to Make a Video Game: An Overview
A video game can be anything from a basic mobile app to a large AAA title. Each kind belongs to different video game genres and requires its own level of work.
Small games, such as a puzzle app made with game-building software, might take a few months to finish. Indie games, often created using the best game engines for indie developers, usually need 6 months to 2 years to complete. AAA titles, supported by video game publishers and big teams, take 2 to 5 years or longer because of their huge size.
These timelines depend on several factors.
A single game developer using the best game engine for beginners can finish a small project quickly. Larger teams with video game development tools work on detailed gaming projects, which take more time.
The size of the game matters too! A simple arcade game takes less time than a large RPG. Experience, team size, and tools like gaming engines all affect the process.
Game publishing deadlines and game funding can also change the speed, making each project’s timeline unique.
How Long Does It Take to Make a Video Game Based on Game Type
Different video game genres take different amounts of time to create.
Mobile games, like simple apps, often finish in 2 to 6 months. Indie platformers or puzzle games, built with gaming engines, need 6 to 18 months to complete.
Online multiplayer or co-op games, which connect players, take 1.5 to 3 years because of their complexity.
AAA open-world or story-focused games, backed by video game publishers, require 3 to 5 years or more due to their large size and detail.
Some models change these timelines. Early access lets game developers release unfinished games and update them over time, stretching development.
On the other hand, live-service games, built for ongoing updates, can take longer to maintain after launch. These approaches adjust how game publishing and time work together.
How Long Does It Take to Make a Video Game for Indie Developers
Indie game developers face unique challenges with limited resources and small teams, usually 1 to 10 people.
This affects game development time, as a single developer might take years for a simple project (like a text-based game), while a small group can finish faster with shared tasks.
Stardew Valley is a notable example to show that one person developed it over 4 years using basic video game development tools.
Indie timelines often range from 6 months to several years, depending on the game’s size. Limited indie game funding slows things down, as developers balance time and money.
In addition, common tools like Unity, Godot, and Unreal Engine help speed up the process.
Unity is easy for beginners, Godot is free and light, and Unreal offers power but has a steeper learning curve. Mastering these best game engines for indie developers takes time but simplifies how to make a video game.
How Long Does It Take to Make a Video Game with a Large Studio
Large studios follow a clear game development pipeline for AAA titles. This process is split into three main parts.
Pre-production lasts 6 months to 1 year. This is the part where game developers plan the story, design, and tech using the best game development software.
Next is the production phase, which takes 2 to 3 years, where teams build the game with video game development tools.
The final phase is testing and polishing, fixing bugs, and adding final touches, which take 6 months to 1 year.
Big budgets and teams help and complicate timelines. Lots of money from video game publishers buys best game engines and skilled staff, speeding up work.
However, managing hundreds of people and huge game genres like open-world titles can slow things down. Coordination and game funding keep the process on track but add layers to how to develop a video game.
Factors That Influence How Long It Takes to Make a Video Game
Many things decide how long game development takes. These factors shape the timeline for game developers.
Scope and Complexity
The game’s size and details matter a lot.
Simple game mechanics, like in a mobile title, take less time than big ones in AAA video game genres. A small world finishes faster than a huge open-world map.
Adding deep stories or replay options, like extra levels, makes how to make a video game longer and more complex.
Team Size and Experience
The number of people and their skills change the pace.
A solo game developer using game building software might need years for a small game. An experienced team, familiar with best game development software, can finish faster because they split tasks and know the process well.
Budget and Funding
Money affects speed. And tight budgets, common in indie game funding, slow things down as developers juggle time and costs.
Big game funding from video game publishers speeds up work by hiring more staff and buying better video game development tools. Therefore, financial limits or support shape the timeline.
Tools and Technology Used
The tools chosen make a difference. Using the best game engines like Unity or Unreal, known as gaming engines, saves time with ready-made features.
Building everything from scratch takes much longer, as game developers create their own systems. Picking the right game development software can cut months off the process.
Testing and Quality Assurance
Testing ensures gaming works smoothly, but it can add months or even a year.
Finding and fixing problems with game mechanics or performance is a big part of how to develop a video game. Quality steps stretch the schedule but make the game better.
Real-World Examples of Game Development Timelines
Real games show how long game development can take. These examples highlight timelines for indie and AAA projects.
Famous Indie Projects
Hollow Knight took about 2.5 years to complete. Developed by a small team of game developers in Australia, this indie gem used best game engines for indie developers like Unity to craft its detailed 2D world full of exploration and combat.
Because the team was tiny, they handled everything from art to coding, which kept the timeline modest yet impressive for its depth.
Similarly, Undertale required nearly 3 years of effort. Created solo by Toby Fox using game building software like GameMaker, this RPG blended humor and heartfelt storytelling.
Since Fox worked alone, balancing design, music, and programming extended the process, showing how limited manpower shapes game genres in indie gaming.
AAA Titles
In contrast to the above titles, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild needed around 5 years to finish. Produced by Nintendo, a major video game publisher, this open-world adventure relied on a large team of game developers and best game development software to build its vast Hyrule landscape.
With hundreds of staff working on intricate game mechanics like physics and weather systems, the timeline grew to ensure quality, reflecting the scale of AAA game publishing.
Likewise, Red Dead Redemption 2 took about 8 years to develop. Backed by Rockstar Games and significant game funding, this title involved over a thousand game developers across multiple studios.
From detailed animations to a huge Wild West map, the long process paid off with a polished experience, demonstrating how video game publishers invest time and money in blockbuster video game genres.
How Long Does It Take to Make a Video Game with Current Development Tools
Today’s tools can shorten game development time significantly.
For game developers, gaming engines and asset marketplaces offer ready-made solutions to speed up the process. These video game development tools help both indie creators and big studios finish projects faster.
Several popular options stand out. Unity, one of the best game engines, powers many indie and mobile titles with its easy-to-use interface and vast library of assets.
Similarly, Unreal Engine, favored by game developers for AAA video game genres, cuts time with its powerful visuals and blueprint system—no heavy coding needed.
Construct suits smaller 2D games, while Godot, an open-source best game engine for beginners, provides flexibility for free.
Because these game development software options come with built-in features, they reduce the need to start from nothing.
Beyond engines, other tools save effort. AI-based animation tools, like those in Unreal’s MetaHuman, create lifelike characters quickly.
Modular asset kits from marketplaces, such as Unity’s Asset Store, let game developers plug in pre-made art or sounds.
Blueprint systems in Unreal simplify game mechanics setup. Together, these best game making software tools trim months off how to develop a video game, making timelines more manageable.
Tips for Estimating Your Game Development Timeline
Planning a realistic timeline keeps game development on track. While every project varies, these tips help game developers estimate how to make a video game accurately.
First, start with a minimum viable product (MVP). This is a basic version of your game with core game mechanics, built using game building software.
For example, a simple platformer might focus on movement and one level before adding extras. This approach shows progress early and avoids overcomplicating the start.
Next, plan for unexpected delays by adding buffer time. Bugs, learning new gaming engines, or game funding hiccups can slow things down.
Adding a few extra weeks or months ensures surprises don’t derail your schedule. Experienced game developers often pad timelines by 20-30% for safety.
Additionally, use project management tools to stay organized. Trello tracks tasks simply, Notion blends notes and plans, and Jira suits bigger teams managing complex video game genres.
These tools keep everyone aligned, whether you’re solo or with video game publishers.
Finally, prioritize iterative development and testing.
Build small pieces, test them with best game engines, and improve step-by-step. This method catches issues early, saving time later.
Conclusion
In summary, the time it takes to create a video game depends on many factors. Indie game developers might finish in months, while vodeo game publishers spend years on complex video game genres. Because these elements vary, how to develop a video game has no single answer.
With this in mind, developers should aim for manageable goals and practical schedules. Starting with a simple version and using game building software keeps projects doable. Adding buffer time and testing often ensures how to make a game stays on track.
For more support, Gamespublisher.com is a top resource. It offers game development tips, game publishing advice, and a community for game developers to connect.