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General Discussion

Kevin Gonzales
Kevin Gonzales
4,638 Points
Posted by Kevin Gonzales
Kevin Gonzales
4,638 Points

What courses should I take to learn how to make mobile games?

I am currently Taking the android course and will proceed to take the IOS course. However I also came across this http://teamtreehouse.com/library/mobile-game-design. So will this course only teach me how to make the design of a mobile game/app? Can anyone give me more detail about the course? Also if someone could name all the courses I need to take to learn to make mobile games that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

1 Answer

Marcus Parsons
Marcus Parsons
15,719 Points
Marcus Parsons
Marcus Parsons
15,719 Points

If you want to create games that are not just for one type of platform and will give your game access to everyone with access to the internet, learn how to build games using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. When you make browser based games using these technologies, you open up your game to every single platform (not just Android or iOS or mobile platforms). There is a neat course that Randy Hoyt does called Coding Your First HTML5 Game here on Treehouse. There are also other resources out on the web that you can search for to get more advanced.

Kevin Gonzales
Kevin Gonzales
4,638 Points
Kevin Gonzales
Kevin Gonzales
4,638 Points

I want to focus specifically on mobile games right now, so learning IOS and Android are top priority. Thanks for your advice tough.

Kevin Gonzales
Kevin Gonzales
4,638 Points
Kevin Gonzales
Kevin Gonzales
4,638 Points

For example if I make a game using HTML CSS and javascript, I would not be able to put the game on the app store or google play correct? I would have to learn how to make the game on their specific platform.

Marcus Parsons
Marcus Parsons
15,719 Points

You can use the PhoneGap Build interface to easily wrap your game with native code from whatever platform you choose. Then, you can submit it to the relevant distribution platforms (Google Play, Apple Store, etc.).

Here is an article outlining how one person easily turned their HTML5 game into a mobile game: http://phonegap.com/blog/build/my-first-mobile-game-in-html-with-phonegap-build/

Marcus Parsons
Marcus Parsons
15,719 Points

You also need to take into consideration that developing a native game on Android or iOS only targets the customer base and leaves out Windows phone users (who are becoming more and more prevalent). That means you'd have to rewrite the entire game at least 3 times to reach 3 different markets. Is that efficient? No. So, why not write it in a browser based environment and use a service such as PhoneGap to wrap your code in the native environment's code. You write the game one time; distribute it on various platforms without having to rewrite.

P.S. I have nothing to do with PhoneGap. I just think it's 100% awesomesauce.

Kevin Gonzales
Kevin Gonzales
4,638 Points
Kevin Gonzales
Kevin Gonzales
4,638 Points

Interesting, I will look more into it. However I still want to know how to build native apps, so courses would you recommend from treehouse (or another site that is free) to learn to build native ios and android games?

Marcus Parsons
Marcus Parsons
15,719 Points

Well, you have this one, although I don't know what language it focuses on: http://teamtreehouse.com/library/mobile-game-design

And there's this one for iOS: http://teamtreehouse.com/library/build-a-game-with-sprite-kit

For Android and other iOS courses, just go to the Library and search for either "android" or "ios". Most of them are available for regular subscription, although there are some more available for Pro members.

Kevin Gonzales
Kevin Gonzales
4,638 Points
Kevin Gonzales
Kevin Gonzales
4,638 Points

Is there a way to know what videos are only available for pro members? Thank you for your help by the way!

Marcus Parsons
Marcus Parsons
15,719 Points

You're welcome, Kevin. When you are in the library, they will say pro in the tags under the description.