Porting Pixel Gun 3D: Lessons Learned and Future Plans

by Frank McDougall
in Action, News, PC, Release, VR, xEL
on 3 June 2024

Pixel Gun 3D, a popular free-to-play game, has successfully made its way from mobile devices to the PC platform. The team behind Cubic Games, the developers of Pixel Gun 3D, recognized the growing demand from players for a PC version. The decision to port the game to Steam was based not only on player demand but also on the transition of many original players from a decade ago to PC gaming. The nostalgic appeal of the game on a new platform attracted old players, resulting in a successful launch.

The process of porting Pixel Gun 3D to PC was unstructured at first, as the team lacked experience in PC game development. To overcome this challenge, they sought external expertise and partnered with a team that spent months adapting the game for PC. Modifying control systems to accommodate mouse and gamepad inputs was the most challenging phase, but eventually, the team overcame the complexities of multi-platform development.

Integrating the extensive content of Pixel Gun 3D into the PC version was a major task. Although the unified codebase allowed for easier content management, specific enhancements were made for the PC version to improve graphics and animations. The team also had a strong and active community on mobile, which played a crucial role in the success of the Steam launch. Their support generated significant excitement and high engagement before the release.

Reflecting on their experience, the team shares five lessons for other developers considering porting their games from mobile to PC:

1. Understand the PC Market: Consider the unique aspects of PC gaming and carefully address player expectations, graphics, interface layout, controller responsiveness, and variety.

2. Seek Technical Expertise: Partner with experts in PC game development to save time, reduce costs, and ensure a higher quality end product.

3. Learn Steam’s Launch Process: Understand Steam’s marketing and launch dynamics, including wishlists, launch date planning, and coordinating with competitors.

4. Prepare for the First Wave: Steam’s organic traffic can significantly impact the initial success of a game, so plan for a substantial influx of players.

5. Adjust Balance for PC: Rebalance free-to-play games for the PC platform to consider alternative monetization strategies.

The launch of Pixel Gun 3D on Steam exceeded expectations, ranking in the top 20 grossing games and attracting peak concurrent players. This success has motivated the team to continue developing and improving the PC version. They plan to release regular updates, enhance the PC gaming experience, explore Mac compatibility, and potentially develop their own launcher. Furthermore, there is interest in expanding to consoles by 2025.

Cubic Games’ long-term strategy involves maximizing platform availability for Pixel Gun 3D and their other key game, Block City Wars. They aim to reach the broadest possible audience by ensuring their games are playable on various devices. In addition to Android, iOS, and Steam, they are considering porting their games to Mac and exploring console releases. The experience gained from porting Pixel Gun 3D to PC will inform their approach to future platform expansions, including VR and other emerging technologies.

Additional relevant facts about porting Pixel Gun 3D to PC:

1. Player Feedback: The developers actively collected player feedback during the development process to understand their expectations and preferences for the PC version. This helped them make informed decisions regarding graphics, controls, and gameplay elements.

2. Multiplayer Features: The PC version of Pixel Gun 3D introduced new multiplayer features, such as local area network (LAN) support and dedicated servers. These additions enhanced the competitive aspect of the game and allowed for smoother online gameplay.

3. Optimization Challenges: Adapting the game to run smoothly on a wide range of PC configurations was a key challenge. The developers had to optimize the game’s performance to ensure it can run well on both high-end and lower-end computers.

4. Monetization Strategies: The PC version of Pixel Gun 3D implemented different monetization strategies compared to the mobile version. While the mobile version relied heavily on in-app purchases, the PC version focused more on cosmetic microtransactions and additional content packs.

5. Cross-Platform Support: The developers aimed to implement cross-platform support between the PC and mobile versions of Pixel Gun 3D. However, due to technical limitations and the need for separate balance adjustments, cross-platform play was not feasible.

Key Questions and Answers:

Q: What were the main challenges faced during the porting process?
A: The main challenges included adapting controls for mouse and gamepad inputs, integrating the extensive content of the game into the PC version, and optimizing the game’s performance for different PC configurations.

Q: How did the developers involve the community during the development of the PC version?
A: The developers actively sought player feedback and implemented suggestions from the community to tailor the PC version to their expectations and preferences.

Q: What changes were made to the monetization strategy in the PC version?
A: The PC version of Pixel Gun 3D focused more on cosmetic microtransactions and additional content packs, compared to the heavy reliance on in-app purchases in the mobile version.

Advantages of Porting Pixel Gun 3D to PC:
1. Increased Player Base: The PC version allowed the game to reach a new audience of PC gamers, expanding the player base and increasing the game’s popularity.

2. Enhanced Graphics and Performance: Adapting the game for PC allowed the developers to improve graphics, animations, and overall performance, providing a richer gaming experience.

3. Multiplayer Enhancements: The PC version introduced new multiplayer features like LAN support and dedicated servers, enhancing the competitive aspect of the game and providing smoother online gameplay.

Disadvantages of Porting Pixel Gun 3D to PC:
1. Technical Challenges: Adapting the game for PC posed technical challenges such as control modifications, content integration, and optimization for different PC configurations.

2. Separate Balancing: Due to the differences in player demographics and platforms, the developers had to adjust the game’s balance, leading to separate balancing efforts for the PC version.