As we have previously mentioned, porting a game is a complex process that requires a lot of effort. However, the end result (video game port) is highly rewarding once the game is launched on a platform where it was not originally intended to be played. This is what we call a ported game, which is a game that has been successfully converted to run on a different platform than it was originally designed for. Porting is a standard practice in the game community, and it is always appreciated by the audience. Game porting is an excellent way to broaden the audience, reach new markets, and spread one's vision to all platforms, bringing the game one step closer to success.

The process of game porting is quite intricate and requires significant expertise and time. Along the way, several challenges may arise. Initially, game developers must ensure the game can function on the target platform. In some cases, the original tools used may not support the new platform, and thus, the code must be rewritten in a different language that is compatible with the platform. The subsequent step involves adding suitable graphics support, which entails creating a standard interface for all platforms by extracting the graphics calls. Developers must then assess how the game performs and make changes as necessary for the new platform. They must also focus on game performance, which presents challenges such as CPU performance, shaders throughput, fill rate, etc. Once these issues have been resolved, developers must adjust the controls to suit the new platform, and adapt the interface to fit the size of the new screen. They must also alter the resolution and ensure that the text on the screen is legible. Additionally, each platform has its certification requirements that the game must meet. These are merely a few of the challenges that porting developers may face.

Every platform and game environment are vastly different and require careful analysis when porting a game. The porting process can be complex as each platform and game is unique. Meeting specific requirements is crucial to ensuring a successful launch. Game porting developers are responsible for making this sometimes problematic process smooth and painless for both the team and the client who requested the service. Therefore, the team chosen for this task, especially if outsourced, must have the necessary knowledge and experience. Attention to detail is key to success, and a significant amount of time should be dedicated to porting. Setting realistic goals and deadlines is a top priority. Although porting a game can be challenging, it is worth it because it makes the game accessible to a wider audience, which is the primary goal.

To start game porting, it's crucial to thoroughly understand the different platforms and their unique requirements. If you're new to video game porting, it's recommended that you gain experience before attempting it. For example, to port a game to a console, you'll need a special dev kit, which can only be obtained by becoming an official developer for that specific platform and adhering to its rules. Certification is also required for the game to be released, which involves testing for technical compliance with platform standards. It's not uncommon for developers to receive multiple rejections before certification, with each review taking weeks to complete.

When porting video games, several factors need to be taken into consideration, including the platform's architecture, engine type, programming languages, and libraries used, game complexity, and control optimization. The time required to port a game is relative and depends on the game's type, structure, and platform. For instance, it will take less time to port a game to a similar platform. Similarly, using the same engine in the original game will make the porting process simpler. If you are wondering how long it will take to port your game, please contact our experts at Whimsy Games for a free consultation.

Game porting is a specific process that can be done either by the original game development team or by recruiting a game porting outsourcing company. In the latter case, questions of competence and price are the main factors. The company’s competencies are easily evaluated in most cases. A few factors contribute to the calculation of porting services costs. They include: The architecture of the platform: the choice of the platform you want to port your game to and the original game platform directly impacts the porting game budget. For example, PC and Xbox are similar when it comes to platforms, so porting from one platform to the other will be faster and thus less costly. Porting a game from PC or Xbox to PlayStation will probably cost a little more. Engine: one of the most vital aspects of the game porting budget is closely tied to the type of game engine used in the original development. If you’ve used an existing engine, like Unity, the porting might be easier, as Unity supports many different platforms. However, if an engine that was not designed for other platforms was used, the process would take more time. Libraries used: the selection of other tools used during the initial development also affects the porting budget. If specific libraries used are available just for one platform, it will make the process more complex. Therefore, porting might take more time. The game's complexity: it’s common knowledge that developing a game requires resources and time, but so does porting. Big open-world games are the hardest and the most expensive ones to port. Even linear games sometimes can also be challenging to adapt; it all depends on the game's initial state. Controls optimization: the result of successful game porting is a game that conveys the same feelings and experience as the original. However, video game porting also includes adopting platform-specific elements, for example, controls. They significantly impact the gameplay and can make or break its success. At Whimsy Games, we can help you estimate the porting costs and the time needed to complete the process. Our team of professionals values your time and remains transparent about our work.

If you want to transfer your video game to a different platform, it's best to consider outsourcing game porting services. There are several advantages to game porting outsourcing: Specialization and experience. The outsourcing company has expertise in video game porting and knows how to do it correctly without errors, ensuring a guaranteed release on the platforms you need. The company also has experience in video game development, so they know how to carry out the project without errors and with a guaranteed launch on the necessary platforms. Significant savings. Outsourcing game porting companies offer lower prices compared to doing the porting yourself. They know where to start and how to approach porting for different platforms, so they can work immediately without downtime. Outsourcing game porting saves time and money, as the process can be lengthy and costly, but outsourcing teams have the experience to perform these tasks efficiently, competitively, and economically. Efficiency. Outsourcing tasks, including game porting, frees up resources to solve other issues and perform more urgent work. Your porting company's technicians will handle all the tasks, allowing you to focus on other, more pressing tasks and goals.