MMO P&S I want to develop multiplayer card game

[tyuuii]

I aim to develop a multiplayer card game allowing users to join tables/rooms, similar to Zynga Poker. However, I lack experience in app or game development.

Are there beginner-friendly software options for creating a card game app from the ground up?

Additionally, what would be the estimated cost of hiring a developer to create a multiplayer card game app with in-app purchases?

Could you provide guidance on the recommended path for someone with no prior development experience?

 

[Cakevisa]

Casino games are actually some of the most complicated to make. They might seem simple, but they require strong math skills, especially in statistics.

To get started, you'll need to learn a programming language for mobile apps. Here are the main ones:

Java: for Android
Swift: for iOS
Kotlin: for Android
C#: for both iOS and Android
First, you'll learn the basics of coding and frontend development, then move on to the backend.

You'll also need to create graphics and animations, rent a server, and set up payment systems.

Effective marketing, like running Google Ads, will help too.

Building a game takes a lot of hard work and time, but it’s worth it for a finished product.

Good luck!

 

[Marysis]

You’ll need more than just a budget to create an app for both platforms (using Unity might be a good choice). You'll also need to build a backend and spend a lot on marketing and app installs for both platforms.

What I can say is: Unless you have a big budget, it might be better not to try.

 

[Facent]

It's not that complicated. I always try to find a simple and easy way to get started.

Remember, before you're sure your game is successful, don't invest too much effort into it.

What you need is an MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

A basic app with simple functionality. Test the prototype and make decisions based on the data you collect.

I once spent a whole year on an app I thought was great, only to find out that nobody liked it—people played for 5 minutes, and my Day 1 retention was just 5%. It was a disaster. A whole year wasted.

Then I switched to MVPs, and I still use them for any business I start. It doesn’t matter if it’s a niche blog or the next big game.

If you were starting a blog, what would you do? Learn to code, write, design, and get a VPS? Or just install WordPress on shared hosting with a basic design and move on?

Multiplayer games are tough, even for pros. As a beginner, you’ve got a long road ahead.

So forget about servers for now. Make a simple bot that emulates multiplayer. Trust me, this works great—and most multiplayer games actually use bots.

You just need 20 minutes of playtime, a bot that mimics real users (don’t overthink it), and a decent design. Publish your game, test it, and check the metrics. That’s when you’ll know what works.

Good luck!

 

[Facent]

You’ll need more than just a budget to create an app for both platforms (using Unity might be a good choice). You'll also need to build a backend and spend a lot on marketing and app installs for both platforms.

What I can say is: Unless you have a big budget, it might be better not to try.

Don't scare people off, please.

What do you consider a "high budget"? Is it $1k, $10k, or $100k? What might be a lot for some could be a small amount for others.

I can build a decent multiplayer game in about 3 months to test it. I can hire a developer for $2k to help, is that considered a high budget?

Also, remember, I’m not a developer myself. If I were, it would just take time, not money.

Testing a prototype could cost me around $100–$300, depending on a few factors.

 

[Cakevisa]

It's not that complicated. I always try to find a simple and easy way to get started.

Remember, before you're sure your game is successful, don't invest too much effort into it.

What you need is an MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

A basic app with simple functionality. Test the prototype and make decisions based on the data you collect.

I once spent a whole year on an app I thought was great, only to find out that nobody liked it—people played for 5 minutes, and my Day 1 retention was just 5%. It was a disaster. A whole year wasted.

Then I switched to MVPs, and I still use them for any business I start. It doesn’t matter if it’s a niche blog or the next big game.

If you were starting a blog, what would you do? Learn to code, write, design, and get a VPS? Or just install WordPress on shared hosting with a basic design and move on?

Multiplayer games are tough, even for pros. As a beginner, you’ve got a long road ahead.

So forget about servers for now. Make a simple bot that emulates multiplayer. Trust me, this works great—and most multiplayer games actually use bots.

You just need 20 minutes of playtime, a bot that mimics real users (don’t overthink it), and a decent design. Publish your game, test it, and check the metrics. That’s when you’ll know what works.

Good luck!

What does MVP stand for?

 

[Facent]

What does MVP stand for?

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

A minimum viable product, or MVP, is a product with enough features to attract early-adopter customers and validate a product idea.

www.productplan.com

 

[WetSizzlin]

Don't scare people off, please.

What do you consider a "high budget"? Is it $1k, $10k, or $100k? What might be a lot for some could be a small amount for others.

I can build a decent multiplayer game in about 3 months to test it. I can hire a developer for $2k to help, is that considered a high budget?

Also, remember, I’m not a developer myself. If I were, it would just take time, not money.

Testing a prototype could cost me around $100–$300, depending on a few factors.

If it takes 3 months to create the first version, it's not an easy or quick job. And it won’t cost just $2,000 unless you’re okay with a low-quality result.

For example, I've seen some projects like this start at $20,000 for basic features. More complicated ones can even cost $100,000 or more. You also have to think about ongoing costs, like marketing to get users, keeping the project running, and fixing problems as they come up. Plus, making something like this takes a lot of time.

 

[Facent]

If it takes 3 months to create the first version, it's not an easy or quick job. And it won’t cost just $2,000 unless you’re okay with a low-quality result.

It takes about 3 months and $2,000 to go from an idea to a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This includes free brainstorming and research, $100–$200 for design, $1,800–$2,000 for coding, and $100–$200 for testing. If the project shows good results, we improve it. If not, I stop.

I work with local developers and designers, and since their rates are low here, I also work with students. They are skilled, motivated, and see this as a chance to learn, practice, and build a portfolio. If the project does well, I hire them full-time and offer them a share of the profits plus a salary. Keeping things simple can lead to profitable and easy-to-manage apps.

 

[Marysis]

Don't scare people off, please.

What do you consider a "high budget"? Is it $1k, $10k, or $100k? What might be a lot for some could be a small amount for others.

I can build a decent multiplayer game in about 3 months to test it. I can hire a developer for $2k to help, is that considered a high budget?

Also, remember, I’m not a developer myself. If I were, it would just take time, not money.

Testing a prototype could cost me around $100–$300, depending on a few factors.

I’m not trying to scare anyone, just being honest. He said he’s making "beginner-friendly software," but he's going up against huge companies with millions of dollars. These companies not only have a team of top developers, but they also already have a huge number of users, probably thousands or even millions of gamers.

It takes about 3 months and $2,000 to go from an idea to a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This includes free brainstorming and research, $100–$200 for design, $1,800–$2,000 for coding, and $100–$200 for testing. If the project shows good results, we improve it. If not, I stop.

I work with local developers and designers, and since their rates are low here, I also work with students. They are skilled, motivated, and see this as a chance to learn, practice, and build a portfolio. If the project does well, I hire them full-time and offer them a share of the profits plus a salary. Keeping things simple can lead to profitable and easy-to-manage apps.

That’s all great for you, but as a beginner, good luck finding trustworthy people on Upwork or anywhere else to make a multiplayer game for $2k and still make it fun and good enough that people actually want to play. When it comes to games, there’s a lot to think about, especially if you’re serious about it.

I can do all that myself and probably wouldn’t even need to pay for testing since I already have a large group of users. But this post isn’t about me or you; it’s about the person who started the thread. And from what I can see, they don’t have experience. There are two options: Learn how to do it all yourself or hire people. If you hire people, it’s going to cost a lot.

But hey, maybe you’re saying all this because you’re selling an ebook on how to rank on Google Play. Of course, you wouldn’t say anything else.

 

[Facent]

I’m not trying to scare anyone, just being honest. He said he’s making "beginner-friendly software," but he's going up against huge companies with millions of dollars. These companies not only have a team of top developers, but they also already have a huge number of users, probably thousands or even millions of gamers.



That’s all great for you, but as a beginner, good luck finding trustworthy people on Upwork or anywhere else to make a multiplayer game for $2k and still make it fun and good enough that people actually want to play. When it comes to games, there’s a lot to think about, especially if you’re serious about it.

I can do all that myself and probably wouldn’t even need to pay for testing since I already have a large group of users. But this post isn’t about me or you; it’s about the person who started the thread. And from what I can see, they don’t have experience. There are two options: Learn how to do it all yourself or hire people. If you hire people, it’s going to cost a lot.

But hey, maybe you’re saying all this because you’re selling an ebook on how to rank on Google Play. Of course, you wouldn’t say anything else.

Here’s a simpler version:

My point is to start by building an MVP—a simple game with a bot that acts like a multiplayer game, instead of having real multiplayer. There are two big reasons for this: 1. It's easier and cheaper, and 2. With real multiplayer, you need a big number of players to test it.

For a card game, you can create a fake multiplayer experience using a few variables. You can simulate things like gameplay, leaderboards, rooms—everything.

Have you ever played a game that looks like multiplayer but is actually just a bot? That’s what I mean. In a game like Ludo, you could just use random numbers, for example. In a card game, you could use random variables. This is a simple way to start building an app and then make it more advanced later. If he starts with real multiplayer right away, it’s going to be a really tough job.

However, I lack experience in app or game development.

Are there beginner-friendly software options for creating a card game app from the ground up?

Here’s a simpler version:

I think he should start with an MVP approach. Make an easy card game for 2 players where they take turns playing on the same device, side by side. Once that works, then think about adding real multiplayer.

I’ll stop here. I’ve said all I have to say. Start simple, then build up.