Today location tracking technologies are heavily influencing all areas of our lives and are used not only for needs like providing security with Number Tracker app or for better navigation experience with Google Maps, but also for entertainment, so the mobile gaming industry is not left behind. Imagination and technology come together to turn your smartphones into tools for exciting adventures and thrilling quests. If you dream of creating a game with location tracking features, but you're new to game development, just follow our guide below to have an idea about the process.
Developing a mobile game with location tracking features can be a creative and engaging way to improve gameplay by merging the virtual world with the real one. Location-based games always use the player's real-time location to influence the gameplay and promote exploration and activities of the players. If you're not imagining the process of creating your game yet, follow our guide below.
Step 1: Think about the type of game you want to create and how location tracking will play a role. For beginners, a good starting point is a simple game concept like a treasure hunt. The game uses the player's GPS to determine their location and guide them to these treasures or points of interest.
Step 2: List the core features of your mobile game. Here’s how you might detail location-tracking features for a treasure hunt game:
Players use GPS to locate items (the real-time location data will be used to show players when they are getting close to hidden treasures or targets due to map interface).
Items are only visible when players are within a certain range. This feature makes sure items appear only if players are close enough. For example, an item might only become visible when the player is within a 100-meter radius.
There are challenges or rewards based on location. For instance, players might need to complete tasks, solve puzzles, or answer trivia questions to earn in-game rewards, points, badges, or new items.
Step 1: Conduct research
Explore popular location-based games like Pokémon GO and Geocaching to understand how they effectively integrate location tracking. Pay attention to:
gameplay mechanics (i. e. how do these games use location data to influence gameplay?)
user interaction (i.e. on the way the players interact with the game based on their locationlike location-based challenges, rewards, etc.)
technical implementation (i.e. the way these games handle GPS tracking, map integration, and location-based notifications to understand the technical aspects for your own game).
Step 2: Create a game design document
Write a detailed description of your game to clarify its purpose and features. This document will serve as the basis for your gaming project. For example: “The game is a treasure hunt adventure where players use their mobile devices to find virtual treasures in real-world locations. Players need to explore and interact with the environment to discover these hidden treasures.”
Step 3: Define the key gameplay mechanics to drive your game.
Other words, here you need to determine the way players will interact with the game and their motivation. For instance:
“Players earn points due to discovering virtual elements that appear on a map of the game. These elements are only visible when players are within a specific proximity. Players might also do location-based challenges to achieve additional rewards.”
Step 1: Select a game engine
Choose a game engine that supports both mobile platforms and location tracking and is suitable for your development needs. Due to it you will be able to get all tools and functionality necessary to build and deploy your game effectively. Here are two popular choices.
Unity (for both Android and iOS development). The platform offers a user-friendly interface and advanced features for creating 2D and 3D games. It also has an Asset Store where you can find premade assets and plugins to simplify the development process.
Unreal Engine (also for both Android and iOS platforms). It supports and is often used for more graphically intensive games. This tool is ideal for developers looking to create high fidelity visuals and complex gameplay.
Step 2: Start developing the basic elements of your game.
Create scenes, player controls, and core gameplay mechanics. For example, set up player controls so the character can move around and add simple objectives like collecting items or reaching certain locations.
Step 3: Implement location tracking using APIs/SDKs:
For Unity you can use the LocationService class to access GPS data. Example of the code as follows:
if (!Input.location.isEnabledByUser) { // Notify the user that location services are disabled } else { Input.location.Start(); } |
For Unreal Engine you can use its built-in features or plugins to integrate GPS data into your game.
Step 4: Handle permissions.
Here you need to make sure your game requests and manages the necessary permissions to access location data.
For Android you need to add the required permissions to your AndroidManifest.xml file. As the example, you need to include:
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" /> |
For iOS you need to request permission in your app’s settings and add the appropriate keys to your Info.plist file, such as:
<key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key> <string>We need your location to provide location-based features in the game.</string> |
Step 5: Process location data within your game.
For example you can display nearby locations on a map for players to explore or create challenges that activate when players are at specific locations.
Once you've developed your mobile game with location tracking, it’s crucial to thoroughly test, optimize, and debug to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for players. Here’s how to approach each of these stages:
Step 1: Conduct initial testing
Verify that all core features of the game work as intended (i.e. check that location tracking is accurate, challenges activate correctly, and items appear within the expected range).
Test the game in various real-world scenarios to ensure location tracking functions accurately in different environments (urban, rural, indoor, outdoor). For example, check how well the game tracks location in areas with poor GPS signal.
Then consider inviting a group of players to test the game and provide feedback. This helps identify issues that may not have been apparent in earlier testing stages.
Step 2: Optimize your game.
Below you can find tips for beginners to pay attention to during optimizing:
Location Tracking Efficiency: Optimize how often your game queries location data to balance accuracy with battery consumption.
Asset Management: Ensure that game assets (textures, models, etc.) are optimized for mobile devices. Compress large assets to reduce loading times and improve performance.
Code Optimization: Review and refine your game code to eliminate unnecessary calculations or operations that may slow down performance.
Step 3: Debug your game
Now you need to address any bugs or issues identified during testing. Prioritize fixing critical issues that affect gameplay or location tracking accuracy.
Then identify issues and use debugging tools and logs to track errors and issues. For instance, examine crash reports or error messages related to location services. Update your code to fix any identified bugs or issues. Ensure that fixes do not cause new problems or negatively impact other sides of the game.
After applying bug fixes, retest the game to verify that the issues are resolved and that no new issues have emerged.
Step 4: Conduct a final review
Perform a final round of testing to ensure that all features, including location tracking, work seamlessly. Verify that performance optimizations and bug fixes were successfully implemented.
Step 1: Prepare for release. Build and package your game.
Once your game is ready, you need to build it for launch. This process involves creating the final version of your game that can be submitted to app stores.
For Android-based game implement consider the following:
You need to use your game engine’s build settings to create an APK file, which is the format required for Android apps.
For Unity, go to File > Build Settings, select Android, and click Build.
Once the file is created, test the APK on multiple Android devices to ensure compatibility and performance.
For iOS-based game act as follows:
You need to create an IPA file using your game engine.
For Unity, go to File > Build Settings, select iOS, and click Build.
Use TestFlight to test the IPA file on various iOS devices. This allows you to gather feedback and identify issues before the official release.
Step 2: Pay attention to compliance and submission.
For Android you should create a detailed app description, upload screenshots, and provide other required information for the Google Play Store. Then you may upload the APK to the Google Play Console, fill out the necessary forms, and submit your app for review.
For iOS you also need to prepare metadata (i.e., provide a thorough app description, screenshots, and other information required by the Apple App Store) and then upload the IPA to App Store Connect, complete the submission process, and wait for approval from Apple.
Step 3: Promote your game
Develop a strategy to promote your game and attract players. This can include a variety of marketing tactics:
Create a site or page for your game with information, screenshots, trailers, and download links.
Use social media and share updates, trailers, and engaging content on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to engage with potential players.
Optimize your app’s store listing with relevant keywords, appealing visuals, and a compelling description to improve its visibility and attract more downloads.
After pouring your heart and soul into developing your mobile game with location tracking, it’s time to bask in the fruits of your labor. Release your creation and watch as players explore your virtual world where their every step is depending on their real-world location. Remember, as the saying goes, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." You've taken those steps to build something unique and exciting.
However, your journey doesn't end with the release of the product. Be abreast of player feedback, monitor performance, update your game and add new content to it. Take our advice to make sure your game is attractive not only at launch, but continues to captivate players in the future.
