How to
Create a Mobile Game Like DungeonClash

In the thriving mobile gaming industry, idle RPGs have captured players with their addictive progression and accessible gameplay. DungeonClash – 3D Idle RPG, released in 2021 by Solaris Mobile Tecnologia LTDA, is a standout example. Players take on the role of a dragon slayer battling orcs, goblins, and skeletons in procedurally generated 3D dungeons. Its hybrid mechanics—manual combat for active players and auto-battle for idle rewards—paired with upgradeable gear, skills, and vibrant graphics, make it a compelling model for aspiring developers. With millions of downloads and high engagement, DungeonClash taps into a mobile gaming market projected to surpass $100 billion by 2025, where idle games boast retention rates above 40% after day one.

This 2,000-word guide provides a detailed roadmap for creating a mobile game like DungeonClash. From ideation to launch, we’ll cover game design, development tools, monetization, and marketing, ensuring your game resonates with players and stands out in a crowded market.

Understanding the Core Mechanics of DungeonClash

To build a game like DungeonClash, start by analyzing its key features:

• Idle RPG Mechanics: Players progress through dungeons, fighting enemies and collecting loot. The game continues to generate rewards (gold, XP) even when offline, encouraging frequent returns.
• Hybrid Gameplay: Manual combat offers active engagement, while auto-battle caters to casual players, balancing accessibility and depth.
• Progression Systems: Players upgrade weapons, armor (e.g., iron or golden sets), and skills, improving stats to tackle tougher enemies.
• Procedural Dungeons: Randomized layouts keep gameplay fresh, enhancing replayability.
• 3D Visuals: High-quality graphics create an immersive experience, setting it apart from 2D idle games.

These elements create a rewarding loop: fight, upgrade, repeat. Your game should replicate this balance of engagement and automation while adding a unique twist—perhaps a distinct theme (e.g., sci-fi dungeons or mythical realms) or innovative mechanics like cooperative multiplayer.

High-Volume Question: What Makes Idle RPGs Like DungeonClash So Popular?

Idle RPGs thrive on accessibility and progression. Players enjoy instant gratification from upgrades and loot, even with minimal time investment. The genre’s low barrier to entry—simple controls, short sessions—appeals to casual gamers, while deep systems (e.g., skill trees, gear crafting) retain hardcore players. DungeonClash’s 3D visuals and hybrid combat further boost immersion, making it a model for balancing simplicity and depth.

Step 1: Planning Your Game

Define Your Vision and Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Start with a clear concept. DungeonClash focuses on a dragon slayer in a fantasy world. Your game could explore a different setting—cyberpunk, Norse mythology, or post-apocalyptic ruins. Identify your USP to differentiate from competitors. Examples:

• Unique art style (e.g., pixel art or stylized 3D).
• Innovative mechanics, like time-based abilities or pet companions.
• A compelling narrative, such as a hero rebuilding a fallen kingdom.

High-Volume Question: How Do I Choose a Theme for My Mobile Game?

Select a theme that resonates with your target audience (e.g., fantasy for RPG fans) and aligns with market trends. Research popular genres on app stores—fantasy and sci-fi consistently rank high. Ensure your theme supports idle mechanics (e.g., endless dungeons or missions) and allows for rich visuals and storytelling.

Create a Game Design Document (GDD)

A GDD outlines your game’s mechanics, story, art, and monetization. Include:

• Core Loop: Fight enemies, earn rewards, upgrade, repeat.
• Mechanics: Combat (manual/auto), progression (skills, gear), dungeon generation.
• Monetization: In-app purchases (IAPs) for cosmetics, premium currency, or boosts.
• Art Style: 3D models, animations, and UI inspired by DungeonClash’s polished aesthetic.
• Target Audience: Casual gamers (ages 18–35) who enjoy RPGs and short play sessions.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Tools and Technology

Game Engine Selection

For a 3D idle RPG, Unity is the go-to engine due to its robust features, extensive asset store, and mobile optimization. DungeonClash likely uses Unity for its 3D rendering and cross-platform support (iOS, Android). Alternatives include:

• Godot: Open-source, lightweight, but less suited for complex 3D.
• Unreal Engine: Powerful for high-end graphics but overkill for most idle games.

Unity’s C# scripting and built-in tools for animations, physics, and UI make it ideal for beginners and pros alike.

High-Volume Question: What’s the Best Game Engine for Mobile RPGs?

Unity dominates mobile game development due to its ease of use, vast community, and support for 2D/3D. For DungeonClash-style games, Unity’s asset store offers pre-built 3D models, animations, and plugins to speed up development. Godot is a free alternative but requires more setup for 3D, while Unreal’s steep learning curve suits larger teams.

Art and Audio Tools

• 3D Art: Use Blender (free) for modeling characters, enemies, and environments. Purchase assets from Unity’s Asset Store or TurboSquid for speed.
• 2D UI: Adobe XD or Figma for designing menus and HUDs.
• Audio: Audacity (free) for sound effects; license music from AudioJungle or hire a composer for custom tracks.

Backend and Multiplayer (Optional)

For leaderboards, cloud saves, or multiplayer, use Firebase or PlayFab. These services handle user data and server-side logic, ensuring offline progress syncs seamlessly.

Step 3: Developing Core Systems

Building the Core Loop

Program the following systems in Unity:

1. Combat System:
   • Manual Combat: Implement tap-based attacks (e.g., swipe to swing a sword). Use Unity’s Input System for touch controls.
   • Auto-Battle: Create an AI script to automate attacks when idle. Example: Enemies spawn every 5 seconds, and the player’s character attacks based on stats (damage, speed).
   • Idle Mechanics:
     • Calculate offline rewards based on time away (e.g., gold per minute). Store last login time using PlayerPrefs or Firebase.
     • Example: If a player is offline for 2 hours, award 120 minutes × gold rate.
2. Progression System:
   • Implement a leveling system for stats (health, damage, speed).
   • Add gear upgrades (e.g., iron sword to golden sword) via a currency system.
3. Procedural Dungeons:
   • Generate random dungeon layouts using Unity’s tilemap or prefabs. Example: Spawn rooms with varying enemy counts and loot.
   • Use a seed-based randomizer for consistent replayability.

High-Volume Question: How Do I Program Idle Mechanics for a Mobile Game?

Idle mechanics rely on timers and reward calculations. In Unity, use coroutines or Time.deltaTime to track offline time. Store player progress (gold, XP) in a database or local storage. Reward players based on their character’s stats and offline duration, ensuring rewards feel meaningful but not overpowered.

Step 4: Designing Engaging Visuals and Audio

Art Direction

DungeonClash’s 3D visuals are vibrant yet optimized for mobile. Create low-poly models in Blender to maintain performance (aim for <50k polygons per scene). Focus on:

• Characters: A customizable hero with swappable armor sets.
• Enemies: Varied designs (e.g., goblins, dragons) with distinct animations.
• Environments: Dungeons with modular assets (walls, floors) for procedural generation.

UI/UX

Design an intuitive interface:

• HUD: Display health, gold, and skills during combat.
• Menus: Include upgrade screens, inventory, and settings.
• Use Unity’s UI Canvas for responsive layouts across devices.

Audio

• Sound Effects: Craft distinct sounds for attacks, enemy deaths, and loot drops using Audacity.
• Music: Use looping tracks with a fantasy vibe. License royalty-free music or collaborate with a composer.

Step 5: Monetization Strategies

To compete with DungeonClash, integrate monetization that respects players:

• In-App Purchases: Sell premium currency for gear, skins, or boosts (e.g., 2x gold for 24 hours).
• Ads: Offer optional video ads for rewards (e.g., extra gold). Use Unity Ads or AdMob.
• Battle Pass: A seasonal pass with exclusive rewards for dedicated players.
• Balance: Ensure free players can progress without feeling forced to pay.

High-Volume Question: How Do Mobile Games Like DungeonClash Make Money?

Idle RPGs monetize through IAPs (cosmetics, boosts), rewarded ads, and subscriptions. DungeonClash likely uses a premium currency for gear upgrades and ad-based rewards. Balance monetization to avoid pay-to-win, keeping progression fair for free players.

Step 6: Testing and Optimization

Playtesting

Test early and often:

• Mechanics: Ensure combat feels responsive and idle rewards are balanced.
• Performance: Optimize for low-end devices (e.g., 30 FPS on budget Androids).
• Bugs: Use Unity’s profiler to catch memory leaks or lag.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Test on iOS and Android using Unity’s build tools. Optimize for various screen sizes and aspect ratios (e.g., iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy).

Step 7: Launching and Marketing Your Game

Pre-Launch

• Soft Launch: Release in a small market (e.g., Canada) to gather feedback and fix issues.
• App Store Optimization (ASO): Use keywords like “idle RPG,” “dungeon crawler,” and “3D mobile game” in your title and description. Include DungeonClash-style screenshots and videos.
• Build a Community: Share dev logs on social media platforms or Discord to build hype.

Launch

Publish on Google Play and the App Store using Unity’s export tools. Ensure compliance with store guidelines (e.g., no excessive ads).

Post-Launch

• Updates: Add new dungeons, enemies, or events monthly to retain players.
• Analytics: Use Firebase Analytics to track retention, revenue, and churn.
• Marketing: Partner with influencers or run ads on social platforms targeting RPG fans.

High-Volume Question: How Do I Market a Mobile Game on a Budget?

Leverage free tools like social media (TikTok, YouTube) to showcase gameplay. Engage with gaming communities on Reddit or Discord. Use ASO to boost discoverability with keywords and eye-catching visuals. Collaborate with micro-influencers for affordable promotions.

Step 8: Post-Launch Support and Updates

To match DungeonClash’s longevity, release regular updates:

• Content: New gear, enemies, or story chapters.
• Events: Time-limited challenges with exclusive rewards.
• Community Feedback: Address bugs and balance issues based on player reviews.

High-Volume Question: How Do I Keep Players Engaged After Launch?

Regular content updates, seasonal events, and leaderboards keep players invested. Respond to feedback via app store reviews or community forums. Offer daily login rewards and limited-time challenges to maintain DungeonClash-level retention.

Common Challenges and Solutions

• Challenge: High development costs.
  • Solution: Use free tools (Blender, Godot) and asset stores to minimize expenses.
• Challenge: Player churn.
  • Solution: Balance rewards to feel generous but not overwhelming.
• Challenge: Standing out in a crowded market.
  • Solution: Focus on a unique theme and polished visuals inspired by DungeonClash.

Conclusion

Creating a mobile game like DungeonClash is a rewarding journey that blends creativity and technical skill. By leveraging Unity, designing a compelling core loop, and balancing monetization, you can craft an idle RPG that captivates millions. Start small, iterate based on feedback, and stay committed to delivering value to players. With the mobile gaming market booming, your dungeon-crawling adventure could be the next big hit.

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.