Where to start creating a game on Android: a complete guide for beginners

4. Basics of gameplay programming

Even if you use visual tools (for example, Blueprints v Unreal Engine), basic programming knowledge is necessary. Let's look at the key concepts with an example. C# v Unity.

1. Scripts and objects

Each object on the stage (character, platform, enemy) can have a script attached. The script defines the behavior of the object. For example, a script for a character might look like this: Unity Each object on the stage (character, platform, enemy) can have a script attached. The script defines the behavior of the object. For example, a character script might look like this:

using UnityEngine;

public class PlayerController : MonoBehaviour
{
public float moveSpeed = 5f;
private Rigidbody2D rb;

void Start()
{
rb = GetComponent<Rigidbody2D>();
}

void Update()
{
float moveInput = Input.GetAxis("Horizontal");
rb.velocity = new Vector2(moveInput * moveSpeed, rb.velocity.y);
}
}

This code allows the character to move left and right using keys or touch controls.

2. Collision handling

For interaction between objects (for example, collecting coins or colliding with an enemy), the Colliders method is used OnCollisionEnter2D:

void OnCollisionEnter2D(Collision2D collision)
{
if (collision.gameObject.tag == "Enemy")
{
Destroy(gameObject); // Destroy the player upon collision with an enemy
}
}

3. Camera control

To make the camera follow the character, create a script CameraFollow:

public class CameraFollow : MonoBehaviour
{
public Transform target;
public float smoothSpeed = 0.125f;

void LateUpdate()
{
Vector3 desiredPosition = new Vector3(target.position.x, target.position.y, transform.position.z);
transform.position = Vector3.Lerp(transform.position, desiredPosition, smoothSpeed);
}
}

Attach this script to the camera object and indicate in the field target your character.

For Godot the logic is similar, but the syntax is different. For example, the character's movement is GDScript:

extends KinematicBody2D

var speed = 300

func _physics_process(delta):
var velocity = Vector2.ZERO
velocity.x = Input.get_action_strength("move_right") - Input.get_action_strength("move_left")
velocity = velocity.normalized() * speed
move_and_slide(velocity)

5. Graphics and sound: where to get assets for the game

High-quality graphics and sound are 50% of the success of the game. If you are not an artist, there are several ways to get assets:

• 🎨 Free resources:
  • Kenney.nl —thousands of free sprites, sounds and 3D models.
  • OpenGameArt.org —assets from the community (check the license!).
  • Freesound.org —sound effects.
• 💰 Paid marketplaces:
  • Unity Asset Store — ready-made packages for games (characters, environments, UI).
  • Itch.io —independent artists sell their works.
• 🖌️ Creating your own assets:
  • Aseprite —a app for pixel graphics.
  • Blender —free 3D editor.
  • Audacity —sound editor.

When using other people's assets always check the license. Some resources require attribution of the author (attribution), others prohibit commercial use. For example, on Kenney.nl most assets are free even for commercial projects, but you need to indicate the author in the game credits.

For UI (interface) games use:

• 📱 Buttons: create in Unity via GameObject → UI → Button.
• 📊 Text: use TextMeshPro (install via Window → Package Manager).
• 🎯 Animations: for smooth transitions between screens, use Animator.

⚠️ Attention: Avoid an overloaded interface. On small smartphone screens, too many buttons or text will make the game awkward.

6. Testing and optimizing the game

Testing is an integral part of development. Even if the game works on your device, this does not mean that it will work stably on all smartphones.

1. data-i="208">Use:

Use:

• 📱 Real devices: ask friends or use services like BrowserStack.
• 🖥️ Emulators: Android Studio Emulator or Genymotion.

2. performance

Mobile devices have limited resources. Keep an eye on:

• 🔋 FPS (frames per second): aim for 60 FPS. Use Application.targetFrameRate = 60; FPS (frames per second): Unity.
• 🗑️ Memory: avoid too large textures (optimal). — 1024x1024 or less).
• 🔄 Number of objects: use Object Pooling instead of constantly creating/destructing objects.

3. Fixing bugs

To track errors:

• 🐞 In Unity look at the logs in the console (Window → General → Console).
• 📝 Keep a list of bugs in Trello or Notion.
• 🤝 Ask testers to describe the bugs in as much detail as possible (what actions led to the error, device model, Android version).

7. Publish the game on Google. Play

When the game is ready, you need to publish it. To do this: