2D games always come up with engaging elements. Gaming is always about entertaining the audience. The obsession with mobile games has increased immensely, and 2D game development does complete justice to it. 2D games provide a simple objective for the user that doesn’t require complex strategies to complete, compared to 3D games in which you have to rack your brain and spend hours on a single boss fight. Moreover, with the emergence of a wide variety of 2D Game Development Software, the creation of 2D games has been facilitated.
The simplicity of the 2D games makes them a perfect choice for people who want to cool off and de-stress after a day’s work. They just want something simple and engaging, and 2D games come to their rescue.
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What is a 2D Game?
2D games are flat, linear games that only allow the player to move the character up-down or left-right. These games have a static background and are fairly simple and straightforward. Simplicity and linearity are two of the main reasons why 2D games are still relevant and receive a massive audience even with AAA 3D games in the market. 2D games are giving tough competition to 3D AAA game titles and even topping the charts once in a while.
2D games only have two axes of motion and typically only have one objective—to reach the end of the level. These games are fairly simple compared to 3D games because of the limited range of motion. The camera angle in 2D games is simplified. It basically looks at the screen from the side. Some 2D game programming uses ‘parallax scrolling’. It moves the background at a different speed than the foreground, which provides the illusion of depth.
Some popular games ideas that topped the charts and received critical acclaim were Stardew Valley and Undertale.
Types of 2D Game Development
2D games have a vast collection and consist of various games in different genres. The versatility and simplicity of 2D games allow them to excel and dominate in every genre. Some of the most popular 2D game genres are listed below-
In order to create a 2D game, developers leverage the power of various 2D mobile game engines that facilitate game development. Let’s take a look at the most popular 2D game design software-
1. Unity Game Engine
It is one of the most used engines by developers. With the right set of tools, game developers can build interactive 2D and 3D games with content and animation. The popularity of Unity makes it a well-known choice among developers for Unity 2D game development. Unity is fairly complex and requires professional technical knowledge to use. There are a plethora of tutorials and guides available on the internet that makes it easy to use the Unity 2D game development software.
2. Cocos2D
Cocos2D is one of the most popular open-source iOS frameworks for developing 2D games, including thousands of App Store games and many top 10 hits. Cocos2D has a fairly complex user interface and is suitable for experienced developers. Cocos2D game development is highly preferred by iOS developers.
3. OpenGL
OpenGL was released on 30th June 1992. It is a popular choice among developers because of its ability to create both 2D and 3D games. The best selling point of OpenGL is that it can be used to develop multi-platform games with ease. OpenGL API achieves smooth and efficient rendering as it directly interacts with the graphics unit.
4. Godot
Godot is an easy-to-use free and open-source 2D mobile game engine that can be used to develop both 2D and 3D games. C and C++ are the primary languages used in Godot. It provides a simplified user interface, which makes it a popular choice among amateur developers. Godot offers multigaming platform support and is available on Windows, Linux, macOS, etc. The downside of using Godot is that it struggles with games that have high graphics.
5. Adobe Flash
Flash is used for authoring vector graphics, animation, games, and RIAs that can be viewed, played and executed in the Adobe Flash Player. It is considered to be an effective tool for creating enticing and unique websites.
6. Game Maker Studio 2
Game Maker Studio is the perfect engine to develop 2D games with sprite-based visuals. This engine is popular for its user-friendly interface. It has been a great choice for developers and entrepreneurs.
How to Choose a 2D Game Development Company?
2D games are still going strong even after 3D came into existence two decades ago. These games are renowned for their simplistic and straightforward approach. The gaming industry has seen massive growth over the years, from 3D to AR games, from spectacular graphics to lifelike, but the craze for 2D games never stopped. Given the current market situation, this might be a good time to start developing your own 2D game.
If you’re not sure of the development process, you can outsource your project to a 2D game development company. But, the question still arises: which game development company is the right choice for you? Various companies offer various 2D game development software. There are various aspects to consider when choosing a development company for your game. Here are some factors to consider before making a choice.
1. Company Portfolio
One of the most effective ways to determine a company’s competency is by looking at its portfolio. It is one of the most reliable aspects that can help you figure out the company’s work experience. A portfolio encompasses all the projects a company has ever completed. You can see the list of all the 2D games a company has developed and choose whether it meets your requirements.
Check out the complexity of the various games the company has developed in its portfolio. This will help you figure out whether the company will be able to handle your project or not. Make sure to check out games with similar genres to yours to see if they’ve executed the development process perfectly, and if you like the gameplay, you can choose them.
2. Game Engines
Games are created using specific engines. These game engines streamline the development process and allow for better and swifter development processes. When choosing a 2D game development company, it is essential to know if the said company can handle working with the best engines in the market. Engines like Unity and Cocos2D-X are some of the most preferred game engines by developers for developing 2D games. Using these engines, the developers can easily develop the game of their choosing.
3. Experience on the Target Platform
The target platform is another important aspect to consider. It also depends on whether you’re thinking of a single-platform game or a multigaming platform game. 2D games are very versatile and have the potential to excel on different platforms. For example, games like Terraria and Minecraft are ruling the charts on mobile devices, windows, and consoles. If you’re developing a single-platform app, you must consider whether the company you’re employing has experience on that platform. If the game is not properly optimized for the said platform, your game will not be well received by the users.
4. Client Testimonials
Client Testimonials are one of the best ways to learn about a company’s competency. Testimonials allow us to see customer satisfaction and user experience with a particular company. It is important to study the testimonials as it will give you a clearer picture of the company’s workflow and how they treat their clients. Make sure your desired company has all the necessary characteristics to fulfill your game development requirements.
5. Case Study
A case study of the company will give you an in-depth perspective of the company you want to employ for your 2D game idea. It will give you a general idea of whether the company has any prior experience in handling projects similar to yours. It’s better to gather as much information about the company you’re employing so you don’t have to go through the hassle of constant corrections in the game development process.
Top 2D Game Development Companies
Developing a game that attracts users is not an easy task, only well-experienced and reputed companies can develop these engaging games. Below we have listed the masters of game development that are proficient in their professions. Let’s dig in to know more.
BR Softech
BR Softech comes at number 1 in terms of 2D game development. They have a team of developers who are well-versed in their development part. For 13+ years they have been providing tailored solutions to their clients. Along with 2d this company develops hypercasual, casual, metaverse, and other games as well.
Argentics
For 7 years this 2D game development company has been in this race. Argentics is well-versed in creating interactive 2D and 3D games. They have a team of 80+ developers who work day and night to make things work out. If you are seeking a company that is good at creating simple yet interesting games you can consider this company.
Kevuru Games
If you are looking for a company that can fulfill all its clients’ demands, then this company, with 12 years in this competitive gaming world, can be a good game development partner. Kevuru consists of more than 300 professionals who are experienced. Their motto is to satisfy their clients by creating affordable gaming solutions.
Stepico
It’s a European-based 2D game development company with 9 years in the gaming industry. They specialize in creating PC, Consoles, and mobile games. Stepico includes services like custom games using trending engines like Unity and Unreal. This company is proficient in running and updating live games and developing games with blockchain technology and NFTs.
Cubix
This is one of the leading 2D and 3D game development companies well known for their high-quality games, professionalism their new and innovative ideas. It has received several awards for creating top-notch games which results in client’s complete satisfaction.
HitBerry Games
HitBerry Games is one of the reputed 2D game development companies known for crafting innovative and mind-boggling games for all ages. They create games for various platforms like iOS, and Android. Established in the year 2021 this is a newbie in the competition though it manages to compete with other industries as well.
Ans. There are many factors that determine the cost of developing a 2D game. 2D game development can cost approximately $10,000 to $20,000. Prices can go up to $50,000 if the game has complex functionalities.
Q. What is the best engine for 2D game development?
Ans. There are various game engines that excel in 2D game development. Game MakerStudio2, Godot, and Unity are some of the most preferred engines used by 2D game developers.
Q. What are the essential features of a 2D game?
Ans. 2D games are linear in nature and have simple gameplay mechanics. They have easy controls and are fairly easy to develop. 2D games use flat graphics called sprites.
Q. Can the Unity game engine be used for 2D game development?
Ans. Unity is a versatile game engine that can be used to develop both 2D and 3D games. It is preferred by developers all around the world. However, it features a complex user interface and is not suitable for beginners.
Q. How do I develop a 2D game?
Ans. 2D game development is a complex process. Hiring a game development company is the best option if you want to develop your own 2D game. If you want to develop a 2D game, BR Softech has all the necessary tools to deliver the best product that meets all your requirements.
Q. How do I evaluate the portfolio of a 2D game development company?
Ans. An interactive portfolio of a company reflects its expertise. While choosing a company you must check graphics, storytelling, sound, and much more in their projects.
Q. Why is choosing the right 2D game development company important?
Ans. The right game development partner can bring your vision to life. It helps your business to grow in the right direction.
Q. Should I prioritize a company that specializes in 2D games?
Ans. Yes, while seeking a company you should make sure that it is specialized in creating 2D games.
I am Nitin Garg, founder of BR Softech PVT LTD - an award-winning mobile game development company known for its excellence in the gaming domain. We have a team of 180+ exceptional professionals & we have a satisfied clientele of 2.7k+ globally. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, I aim to elevate BR Softech to a billion-dollar company.