The Costs of Building a Video Game

Building a game can be an exciting journey, but the costs can vary widely depending on your approach, scope, and goals. Whether you’re an indie developer with a tight budget or a studio aiming for a polished Minimum Viable Product (MVP), understanding the financial landscape is key. At Nautical Narwhal Game Studios, we’ve navigated the spectrum of game development costs, from simple $1,000 MVPs using templates to full-scale projects costing $50,000 and beyond. In this article, we’ll break down the costs at each level, helping you plan your game development journey effectively.

Starting Small: $1,000 MVP Using Templates

For developers with limited funds, a $1,000 budget can still get you started by leveraging pre-built templates and minimal customizations. This approach is ideal for testing a game concept as an MVP with basic functionality.

• Templates and Assets: Platforms like Unity Asset Store or Itch.io offer game templates for as little as $10–$500. For example, a 2D platformer template might include basic mechanics like movement and collectibles.

• Code Adjustments: With basic coding skills, you can tweak the template to fit your vision. This might cost $200–$500 if you hire a freelancer for a few work hours, assuming $20–$50/hour rates.

• Art and Audio: Free or low-cost assets (e.g., OpenGameArt.org) keep expenses minimal, though you might spend $50–$100 on premium sprites or sound effects.

• Testing and Deployment: Hosting a web game on platforms like Itch.io is often free, but you might spend $50–$100 on basic testing tools or a domain name.

Total Estimate: $1,000
This budget suits a solo developer or small team creating a simple web2 game, like a 2D endless runner, to test market interest. This is perfect for initial feedback, but not always a long-term solution.

Scaling Up: $5,000–$10,000 for a Custom MVP

If you’re ready to invest more, a $5,000–$10,000 budget allows for a custom MVP with better quality and functionality, suitable for both web2 and web3 games.

• Custom Code: Hiring a freelance developer for 50–100+ hours at $30–$50/hour costs $1,500–$5,000+. This covers core mechanics, like a basic combat system for an RPG.

• Art and Design: Custom 2D art or UI/UX design might cost $1,000–$2,000. For example, commissioning a character sprite sheet could be $200–$500.

• Audio: Custom music and sound effects add $500–$1,000, enhancing immersion.

• Web3 Integration (Optional): For web3 games, integrating a blockchain wallet (e.g., MetaMask, Phantom, Xverse) via Web3.js might add $1,000–$2,000, depending on complexity.

• Testing and Hosting: Budget $500–$1,000 for playtesting, bug fixing, and hosting on platforms like AWS or Heroku.

Total Estimate: $5,000–$10,000
At this level, you can build a small but polished game, like a web-based puzzle adventure with a few levels, or a web3 game with basic NFT integration. It’s enough to attract early adopters and gather meaningful feedback.

Mid-Tier MVP: $10,000–$30,000 for Enhanced Features

A $10,000–$30,000 budget opens the door to a more robust MVP, with improved visuals, mechanics, and scalability—perfect for a competitive market launch.

• Development Team: A small team (developer, designer, tester) for 200–400 hours at $40–$60/hour costs $8,000–$24,000. This covers complex mechanics, like multiplayer functionality in a web2 game or tokenomics in a web3 game.

• Art and UI/UX: High-quality 2D/3D art and a user-friendly interface might cost $3,000–$5,000. For example, Among Us started with simple but effective visuals that successfully scaled.

• Audio and Music: Professional audio production adds $1,000–$2,000.

• Web3 Features: Advanced blockchain integrations, like smart contracts for play-to-earn mechanics, can add $2,000–$5,000.

• Marketing and Launch: Initial marketing (e.g., social media ads, X campaigns) and app store submission fees might cost $1,000–$3,000.

Total Estimate: $10,000–$30,000
This range suits a game like a multiplayer card game or a web3 title with NFT trading. It’s market-ready, scalable, and capable of attracting investors or a small user base.

Full-Scale MVP: $50,000 and Upwards

For a polished, competitive MVP, a budget of $50,000 or more ensures high quality, scalability, and market impact—ideal for studios like Nautical Narwhal Game Studios aiming to make a splash.

• Professional Team: A full team (developers, artists, sound designers, project manager) for 500–1,000 hours at $50–$80/hour costs $25,000–$80,000. This covers advanced features, like real-time multiplayer or cross-chain NFT interoperability for web3 games.

• High-End Art and Animation: Detailed 3D models, animations, and UI/UX design can cost $10,000–$20,000. Think of Stardew Valley’s charming art style, which evolved from its MVP.

• Audio Production: Cinematic soundtracks and voiceovers add $3,000–$5,000.

• Web3 Complexity: Robust blockchain features, like decentralized economies or DAO governance, might add $5,000–$15,000.

• Marketing and Support: A strong launch campaign, community building (e.g., Discord), and post-launch support can cost $5,000–$10,000.

Total Estimate: $50,000+
This budget delivers a standout MVP, like a web3 MMORPG with play-to-earn mechanics or a web2 open-world adventure. It’s designed to secure funding, build a community, and scale into a full game.

Tips to Manage Game Development Costs

• Prioritize Features: Focus on the core gameplay loop (e.g., combat, exploration) and add extras later based on feedback.

• Use Agile Methodology: Iterate quickly with player feedback to avoid costly reworks.

• Leverage Existing Tools: Use engines like Unity or Godot to reduce development time.

• Outsource Wisely: Hire freelancers for specific tasks (e.g., art) to save on full-team costs.

• Plan for Web3 (If Applicable): Budget for blockchain integrations early if building a web3 game.

Check out our full guide to Planning a Great Game for more information.

Why Choose Nautical Narwhal Game Studios?

At Nautical Narwhal Game Studios, we understand the balance between cost and quality. Whether you’re starting with a $1,000 MVP or aiming for a $50,000+ blockbuster, our expertise in web2 and web3 game development ensures your vision comes to life.

Shoot us a message here or message our founder (Francois/Hanz) directly on X. Looking forward to building something amazing together!