How Much
Does It Cost to Create a Mobile Game Like Star Raiders?

In today’s mobile gaming era, space adventure games like Star Raiders have captured the imagination of players around the world. The thrill of intergalactic battles, spaceship upgrades, and immersive missions makes such games both exciting to play and rewarding to develop. But if you’re planning to create your own Star Raiders-style mobile game, one question stands out—how much does it cost to build a mobile game like Star Raiders?

In this complete guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from development stages, cost factors, team requirements, and technology choices to how you can build a feature-rich space combat mobile game within a $10,000 to $20,000 budget.

Understanding What Makes Star Raiders Special

Before we calculate the cost, it’s essential to understand the nature of Star Raiders. Originally a classic sci-fi space combat game, it inspired generations of space shooter games. Players pilot starships, engage in dogfights, and navigate through galaxies—completing missions and defeating enemies.

A modern mobile version of Star Raiders would generally include:

• Space combat gameplay

• Spaceship customization and upgrades

• Enemy AI and boss battles

• Galactic map or mission-based navigation

• Visual effects such as lasers, explosions, and space backgrounds

• Immersive sound effects and background music

• Simple story progression or level advancement

These are the core gameplay elements that determine your project’s scope—and therefore, its cost.

What Determines the Cost of a Star Raiders–Style Mobile Game?

To build a mobile game in the $10,000–$20,000 range, you must carefully balance features, graphics, and performance. The total budget depends on several factors, including:

1. Game Design and Planning

Before development begins, you’ll need a clear game design document (GDD) that defines your gameplay mechanics, controls, and visual style.
This stage costs approximately $1,000–$2,000, depending on the level of detail and revisions.

2. Art and Graphics

Graphics contribute significantly to user engagement. For a budget-friendly version, developers usually opt for stylised 2D or low-poly 3D art to keep costs under control.
You can expect to spend $2,000–$5,000 for creating spaceship models, backgrounds, and visual effects.

3. Game Development and Programming

The coding phase brings your game to life. It includes player controls, AI behaviour, physics, and in-game interactions.
For a small-scale version of Star Raiders, programming will cost around $4,000–$8,000, depending on the number of features.

4. Sound Design and Music

Sound effects add immersion to the gameplay. Basic soundtracks and battle effects can cost around $500–$1,000, while custom compositions may push costs higher.

5. Testing and Optimization

QA (Quality Assurance) ensures that your game performs well on different mobile devices. Testing and bug fixing can cost $500–$1,000 for a simple version.

6. Publishing and Marketing

App Store or Google Play submission, icon design, and basic marketing materials may require an additional $500–$1,000.

When combined, these costs fit perfectly within the $10,000–$20,000 USD range for a small yet polished Star Raiders-style game.

Key Features You Can Include Within a $10k–$20k Budget

Even with a limited budget, you can still build an engaging and visually appealing mobile game if you focus on essential features. Here’s what you can include:

• Core Space Combat Mechanics: Player ship control, shooting system, enemy spawns

• Basic Enemy AI: Simple behavior patterns (attack, evade, retreat)

• Mission or Level System: 5–10 levels with progressive difficulty

• Ship Customization: Limited upgrade options (speed, weapons, shields)

• Visual FX: Laser shots, explosions, particle trails

• Sound & Music: Background theme and combat effects

• UI Elements: Menu, HUD, score, and health bars

• Single Platform Release: Android (later port to iOS if budget allows)

This setup delivers a fun, playable, and marketable version of the game that you can later expand as revenue grows.

Example Budget Breakdown for $15,000 Project

Here’s a sample cost allocation for a $15,000 game project:

• Game Concept & Documentation: $1,000

• UI/UX Design: $1,000

• 2D/3D Art & Animations: $3,000

• Programming (Core Mechanics & AI): $6,000

• Sound & Music: $700

• Testing & Optimization: $800

• Publishing & Basic Marketing: $1,000

• Miscellaneous & Contingency: $1,500

Total Estimated Cost: $15,000 USD

This structure balances development, design, and polish to ensure your game looks and feels professional within your target budget.

Choosing the Right Technology Stack

Selecting the right tools can drastically impact your cost and performance.
For budget-friendly mobile games, most developers prefer:

• Game Engine: Unity (best for cross-platform 2D/3D games)

• Language: C#

• Art Tools: Blender, Photoshop, Figma, or Illustrator

• Sound Tools: Audacity, FL Studio, or royalty-free libraries

• Backend (optional): Firebase (for leaderboards or cloud saves)

Using open-source or affordable tools helps keep costs within the $10k–$20k range while maintaining professional quality.

How to Reduce Costs Without Compromising Quality

Here are a few smart strategies to save money during development:

1. Start with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product): Focus only on the core gameplay loop (combat, missions, and upgrades).

2. Use Asset Store Packages: Buy pre-made spaceship models, sound packs, and effects instead of creating everything from scratch.

3. Hire Freelancers or Indie Teams: Developers in regions like South Asia or Eastern Europe often offer lower rates for quality work.

4. Limit Platforms Initially: Start with Android; expand to iOS later when the game gains traction.

5. Optimise Early: Build lean code to reduce rework later during testing.

6. Avoid Unnecessary Features: Skip multiplayer or complex storylines in the first version.

Following these steps ensures your project stays efficient and profitable.

Development Timeline for a $10k–$20k Mobile Game

Here’s a rough timeline for small-scale game development:

• Pre-production & Design: 2–3 weeks

• Art & Asset Creation: 3–5 weeks

• Programming & Gameplay Implementation: 6–8 weeks

• Sound & Effects Integration: 1–2 weeks

• Testing & Launch: 2–3 weeks

Total Estimated Duration: 3–4 months

This timeline fits within small-team operations, allowing you to launch a playable version quickly.

Benefits of Starting Small (MVP Approach)

Creating a limited version first offers several advantages:

• Faster Time to Market: Get your game published in months, not years.

• Lower Financial Risk: Stay within a safe investment range.

• Early Feedback: Gather real player insights for future updates.

• Monetisation Opportunities: Test ads, in-app purchases, or premium upgrades.

• Scalability: Add more levels, ships, or online features later as profits grow.

This approach aligns perfectly with the $10,000–$20,000 budget.

FAQs

1. Can I build a space shooter like Star Raiders for under $10,000?
Yes, but you’ll need to simplify your concept. A prototype or demo version with core shooting mechanics and a few missions can be built for under $10,000.

2. Which is better for this budget: 2D or 3D graphics?
2D or low-poly 3D graphics are ideal. They’re cheaper to produce, easier to optimise, and still look visually appealing on mobile devices.

3. How can I monetise my mobile game?
You can integrate ads, offer in-app purchases (like ship upgrades), or release a premium version for a one-time payment.

4. Do I need a backend server for such a game?
Not necessarily. For single-player or mission-based games, local data storage is sufficient. Backend services are only needed for leaderboards or online multiplayer.

5. How long does it take to create a Star Raiders-style mobile game?
A small-scale version typically takes 3 to 4 months, while a more advanced edition can take 6 months or more.

6. Can one developer handle this project?
A skilled indie developer can handle it solo using ready-made assets and templates. However, a small team (developer + designer + tester) delivers better results.

Conclusion

Building a mobile game like Star Raiders is an exciting journey that combines creativity, technology, and storytelling. While major studios invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in such projects, it’s entirely possible to develop a scaled-down, enjoyable version within a $10,000 to $20,000 USD budget.

The key is to focus on core gameplay mechanics, smart resource allocation, and efficient development practices. Start with a basic version, test market interest, and upgrade features as your player base grows.

With careful planning, the right tools, and a dedicated small team, you can turn your dream of creating a thrilling space combat game into reality—without breaking the bank.

Author

He is a SaaS-focused writer and the author of Xsone Consultants, sharing insights on digital transformation, cloud solutions, and the evolving SaaS landscape.