Which games are better? Everyone makes their own decisions. However, there is nothing more convenient than playing your beloved title on any device. Porting is a useful practice for individuals with an enormous budget. For example, Raid Shadow Legends, Solo Leveling, and Honkai: Star Rail performed well on PC and smartphones, resulting in elevated sales and popularity. In today's guide, we'll show you how to port a game successfully when porting a game to other platforms.
Game porting vs native game development
The major motivation for porting a game onto a distinct platform is to reach more players. Everyone wants as many people to take part in their product as possible. The primary method for accomplishing this is to launch the product on all available platforms, such as Steam, PS4, and Xbox. So, suppose you only have a PC game, for example. In that case, you might be missing out on a substantial portion of your potential audience and the possibility of growing it repeatedly over. Which is more widespread: consoles or mobile apps? An endless dispute.
When you port a game on another platform after its initial availability, you get a further chance to appear on the front page of a digital shop. It can also reintroduce your game to people's minds and boost sales on channels where it is already distributed. This is an entirely novel wave of marketing.
The classic porting process contains the following options: desktop computer – console, desktop computer – phone, smartphone – computer, or console – computer. Companies that make games generally start with PC because running the title on the same platform it was developed on is faster. You also have fewer prerequisites for publication. A lot of programmers, particularly those working on indie games, need access to the tools and equipment necessary to undertake console development.
When developing from scratch, a rapidly shorter period of recesses of the essence is required. With out-staff processes, adaptation takes longer. However, transferring it from a conditional mobile phone to a PC or from a PC to a PS is going to be straightforward since the product has already been produced.
Initial planning and platform analysis
What does porting need to operate? The procedures are basically the same as when building a game: platform study, budget size, staffing, and audience characteristics. This topic will be discussed further in this section.
Platform research and requirement gathering
Use cross-platform engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot. Prepare platform-specific control modules and network functions to optimize the game for the novel field. Configure CI/CD to simplify builds for many platforms. The table below illustrates the general requirements for each valid environment:
In 2022, the average price of a video game sold in the United States in its year of release was $69.99, the first time this amount was attained. Titles on the newest console platforms, PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S are priced higher than their predecessors, indicating that port game expenses are rising. On a median, migrating from one platform to another costs at least $20,000.
Understanding audience expectations per platform
Approximately 50% of the worldwide audience chooses mobile games. Around 25-30% of players prefer consoles. About 20-25% stick with PC. What is the reason behind this distribution? The popularity of particular franchises on specific platforms. Here are the primary characteristics that players use to select particular products:
Factors to consider are below:
- gameplay,
- title quality,
- platform scandals,
- pre-game availability,
- project exclusivity.
Developers should select an integration environment based on its scope, governance, and privacy regulations.
Budget and timeline assessment
As a result, one of the primary variables to consider when considering the price tag of porting is the game engine used by the developers. If you have already used a framework such as Unity, exporting can turn out fairly straightforward due to various systems accepting several platforms. However, if you used a proprietary engine that was not designed to work with other consoles, it would take far longer and cost greatly more.
Simpler games could run anything from $5,000 to $25,000. More complicated titles may demand a budget of $30,000 to $120,000. Top-tier products containing extensive content and complicated mechanics could retail for $1,500,000 or more.
Code and game asset adaptation
The field of building games has grown dramatically over the last decade, with developers continually looking for tools offering versatility, productivity, and a diverse set of capabilities. Cross-platform game creation is the process of generating titles that can operate on several platforms. Unity and Unreal Engine are two industry titans. Let us talk about them.
Code adaptation across platforms
Cross-platform solutions are transforming the app development industry. These technologies allow programmers to construct apps for multiple operating systems, notably iOS, Android, and the Web, from a single or multiple codebase. Changing the way applications are produced by simplifying the construction process, lowering costs, and creating user-friendly interfaces. Refraction networking in cross-platforming has lost its relevance with the development of Unity and Unreal Engine.
Graphics and art adaptation
Use platform-specific texture decompression protocols (ASTC for mobile and BC for PC) to minimize file size and speed up load times while maintaining quality. Asset override tools, such as those found in Unity, allow you to fine-tune these parameters for each platform. By 2023, mobile gaming alone would account for a significant amount of global gaming income, with developers focusing on cross-platform titles such as Genshin Impact to engage gamers across platforms.
Audio adjustments
The obstacles to refining audio for cross-platform games comprise problems with performance that need platform variability, hardware limits, and user experience considerations. Because of the short file sizes, they suggest utilizing OGG or AAC formats for videos presented on mobile devices. On consoles or computers, high-quality formats such as FLAC or WAV can be used for specific sounds, effects, and music.
Employ game platform-unique 3D audio libraries Dolby Atmos for Xbox and OpenAL for PC while keeping in mind to switch back to conventional stereo. FMOD and Wwise cross-platform audio tools already have functionality for platform optimization and can be simply incorporated into Unity or Unreal Engine.
User interface and user experience customization
The major reason a port game might be considered a failure is when the player sees changes in the user interface. If someone can find an excuse for No Man's Sky (after all, converting from PC to VR is tricky), then Assassin's Creed: Valhalla and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt must publish additional patches to address faults. We are going to discuss how to avoid this right now.
UI adjustments for different devices
According to surveys, seven out of ten cross-platform gamers who switch from PC to console return for a variety of reasons, such as being uncomfortable with controllers rather than keyboards and mice, poor graphical quality, and slow frame rates. This is especially true in games that need precision input, for instance, first-person shooters or fast-paced action games. Control schemes for a smoother transition are presented in the following table.
Similar schemes exist for integrating mobile apps and consoles. If this seems overmind, Fortnite has managed to implement intuitive controls on all platforms, saving flexible settings for touch screens. Otherwise, you can turn to game porting companies for help.
Control scheme adaptation
Adaptive design entails establishing distinct layouts for various sorts of devices. For example, a smartphone screen may display huge buttons and controls, whereas a tablet or PC screen can display fewer items.
Gaming consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox generally utilize the 16:9 TV standard, although mobile phones will have more elongated screens, such as current versions with an aspect ratio of 18:9 or 21:9. Please keep this in mind, especially when you port a game from a mobile device and vice versa.
Compliance and certification requirements
Sony is well-known for its strict adherence to its Technical Requirements Checklist, which outlines the fundamental requirements that developers must satisfy in order for their games to be certified on PlayStation platforms. The policy of Microsoft and mobile stores is somewhat different, but it definitely requires study before agreeing.
Sony's TRC establishes stringent requirements for technical performance, user experience, and error-free operations, making compliance a common release bottleneck. Studios have stated that several modifications are required before approval, which substantially influences timetables. Violations of these rules can cause major delays or outright rejection of projects.
Certification standards for major platforms
Each game undergoes licensing and compliance checks before publication. The main points for successful certification are:
- Consent with Apple Store guidelines.
- Compliance with Google Play Billing rules.
- Support for Joy-Con controllers and full testing of the game's operation when the device is discharged for Nintendo.
- Support for PSN functionality and a uniform interface that meets PlayStation standards, etc.
- The licensing of the Unity and Unreal Engine, which are the major "hearts" of video game development, is provided as a prerequisite for certification for any shop, whether GOG or Steam.
If vital errors or delays in execution are detected, the platform should be notified of this. Otherwise, this will lead to termination of the contract and a ban on the publication of the title.
Preparing for submission
Cross-browser and cross-platform testing guarantees that the app is switch-proof and fully compatible with all operating systems accessible. Functionality consistency and UI/UX performance assist testers in identifying areas that pose concerns in offering a consistent experience across platforms, between narrow and big screens, among desktop and mobile users. If you merely have the necessary tools or assistance, then you can easily and confidently validate a smooth and error-free cross-platform experience.
Testing and quality assurance in game porting
Chopping wood was used to test the strength of swords during the knighthood era. Modern digital "swords and wood" are conducted by testers. Without them, the gaming business would consist of trash games of varied severity.
Platform-specific testing
Functionality and compatibility are the two titans of cross-platform testing. The former is in charge of mechanics and interface, while the latter focuses on configurations. For each environment, there are unique features to consider:
- For mobile platforms, it is necessary to test the game's compatibility with a camera, microphone, and other hardware features if they’re using.
- Console systems prioritize game performance on both new and old models, such as PS4 or Xbox One.
- PC requires no stuttering or FPS drops.
Tester tools that will become your friends during this stage: Appium, Game Performance Analyzer, and CircleCI.
User acceptance testing
Interactive product testing has become more widespread. EA led the way for the first five years of 2020. The business incorporated FIFA 23's cross-play functionality into its testing process, allowing players from various platforms to compete against one another and assessing the game's adaptability across several PS4, Xbox, and PC systems. The company collects extensive player feedback through focus groups, group tests, and extended tests, which helps to refine the user interface (UI) and gameplay mechanics across platforms.
Post-porting updates and patches
Each launch can function with patches. From platformers to AAA projects, their implementations serve as a compelling reason for players when selecting a game. This signifies that the developers listen to the community. Baldur's Gate III has also published a patch that will boost the game's performance on Xbox for quite some time. And this is the best game in 2023.
Best practices for successful game porting
Now, it’s time to move from theory to practice. What can be done for successful porting? Let's figure it out!
Start with platform requirements
Better safe than sorry. Consider where the porting will occur and whether it is planned at all during the alpha stage of development. Anything's conceivable. Nintendo waited three years for Cuphead to be available on its platforms. The destiny of Final Fantasy XIV on Xbox lasted even longer, nine years.
As a result, evaluate the checklist and schedule multiple team meetings to discuss the stage of requirements, the speed of implementation, and the testing outcomes. In this manner, you can avoid numerous problems and discover areas that need to be rectified.
Regular communication with the team
The product's quality should come first and foremost. Even if some of the labor is outsourced, don't forget about management and the entry level.
According to the report, people have been integrating multiple platforms during the last five years in response to the 2019-2021 pandemic. Developers must face the situation with dignity.
Documentation
Whether it's a desktop, tablet, or smartphone, your software must work reliably and correctly, regardless of the platform. Therefore, your documentation must comply with the requirements and contain the following items:
- test results;
- code configuration for the platform;
- internal project documentation of the team;
- copy of the conclusion of the cooperation agreement.
Before submitting, double-check the documents, and if everything is in order, congratulations on reaching a new level!
Bottom Line
Unlike native development, which requires generating separate versions of a game for each platform, which can get costly and time-consuming, cross-platform development allows programmers to write code once and emit it across numerous platforms.
Pay attention to formats and documentation. Instead, don't forget the fundamentals of producing a high-quality game over generations. It all begins with an idea, and we are ready to port the game with its realization!
