Unreal Engine Game Development Cost You Must Know

May 20, 2025

Unreal Engine Game Development stands out as a smart and future-ready investment for entrepreneurs looking to invest in an online business. As an open-source platform, it gives access to advanced tools and features perfect for building high-quality games without high expenditures. However, when converting such a creative concept into a profitable online game, the Unreal Engine game development cost becomes a major consideration. And for development costs, there are several areas that you need to understand to build a budget-friendly development strategy.

In this blog, we’ll break down the key factors influencing the cost of Unreal Engine game development, offering insights to help entrepreneurs make smart and informed decisions as they plan their next big investment in the gaming world.

Unreal Engine: A Business Asset, Not Just a Dev Tool

Unreal Engine is a popular tool for building high-quality 3D games. Its unique selling point is that it is also used in movies, animation, architecture, and design, as used in games. It helps create real-time 3D visuals that look real and work smoothly. 

What makes Unreal Engine appealing for entrepreneurs is its flexibility and easy-to-use tools. Whether you plan to develop a game app, AR/VR app, Architectural Visualization App, Automotive and product Design app, or anything related, Unreal Engine supports it with smooth performance and stunning visuals.

Undoubtedly, investing in Unreal Engine can open doors to several business advantages. Let’s explore what makes it a smart choice:

Business Benefits of Choosing Unreal Engine

• Low Upfront Cost: Pay royalties only after your game earns revenue, keeping initial expenses low.

• Flexible Scalability: Suitable for both small mobile games and large AAA projects. 

• High-Quality Output: Delivers stunning graphics and smooth performance for a premium gaming experience, increasing user engagement. 

Unreal Engine Game Development Cost Estimates for 2025

Without a clear app development strategy, the exact cost of developing an Unreal Engine game is hard to tell. The price varies based on the project type, requirements, and development journey. Once you define your strategy, estimating the potential investment and planning your budget is easier. 

On average, developing a simple Unreal Engine costs $20k. However, cost can fluctuate based on multiple factors, such as how you want to build your app, what integrations you want to make, where you want to build the app, and so on. For example, developing for multiple platforms or incorporating advanced features like virtual experience through metaverse integration can increase costs. ​

Here’s a detailed breakdown of Unreal Engine game development costs per different stages:

Factors Affecting Unreal Engine Game Development Cost

The factors that affect the Unreal Engine game development cost vary based on several factors. And remember, whether you are investing in a simple app, MVP development, or full-scale app development, each stage of the project comes with its own set of costs. Let’s explore how these elements affect the overall investment: 

Core Development

The hiring charges of developers and UI/UX designers can also affect the total Unreal Engine game development cost. And you know what? As the project’s complexity increases, you’ll need a larger team, which naturally increases the price. Each development sprint and hour logged by the team adds up, especially in larger-scale projects with multiple game features.

Pre-production

This phase develops the main game ideas through brainstorming, storyboarding, and early design planning. It also creates the game’s basic structure, giving developers a solid starting point. Documentation is also important to ensure that all game features and mechanics are planned and easy to follow.

Asset Creation

Building a game like the one you need requires 3D models, animations, and character designs. The more detailed the models and animations, the higher the cost. 

However, creating rich, immersive environments and unique characters is vital for attracting and keeping players engaged. The complexity and quality of these assets will drive the price up significantly, especially in advanced games with realistic visuals.

Development Phase

This phase involves actual coding, game engine setup, and asset integration. It’s when everything starts to come together: game mechanics, visuals, sounds, and interactions. 

The complexity of the game’s features, such as multiplayer support, AI systems, and high-quality rendering, can significantly impact the cost. The larger the game world, the higher the investment needed for smooth performance and user experience.

Post-launch Support

After the game goes live, updates and bug fixes are necessary to ensure a smooth user experience. Any issues that arise need to be addressed quickly, which requires dedicated resources. 

Additionally, scaling up the game’s servers for more players, adding new content, and ensuring the game stays fresh with expansions require ongoing investment to keep the community engaged and satisfied.

Cost-Saving Strategies for Smart Investors

You don’t need your life savings to invest in Unreal Engine game development. With smart planning, you can control costs and build a high-performing game. Knowing where to cut costs and how to use resources wisely can save a lot. Here are some tips to help you save:

Build Once, Deploy Across Platforms

Unreal Engine lets you create a game that works well on many devices like phones, computers, consoles, and VR. You don’t need to build separate versions for each, which saves time and money. For example, a game made for a PC can quickly be changed to run on consoles and phones.

Outsource Expert Teams

Rather than hiring a big team, you can invest in offshore developers. This way, you get more skill options and can save money. It’s a smart choice for tasks like 3D modeling or sound design that don’t need someone full-time.

Utilize Existing Unreal Marketplace Assets

The Unreal Marketplace has ready-made assets like characters, environments, and animations. Using them can save a lot of time and money. For example, a pre-made character model can save weeks of work compared to making one from scratch.

Phased Releases: MVP to Full Product

Launching your game as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) means starting with only the core features. Investing in this gives you early feedback and understanding, and helps you decide to improve later. This also cuts down initial costs and spreads spending over time.​

Incorporate Effective Monetization Models

Choosing the right monetization strategy can enhance your game’s profitability. Here are five models to consider:​

• In-App Purchases: Provide players with access to buy items within the app.​

• Ads: Integrate advertisements within the game to generate revenue.​

• Subscriptions: Provide players with premium content or features for a recurring fee.​

• Freemium: Allow free access to basic features, with the option to purchase advanced content.​

• Pay-Per-Download: Take a time fee from the user for app development.​

Final Thoughts

Careful planning and strategic decision-making are the best allies you will need to make an investment budget for Unreal Engine game development, not just for the initial development phase but also for long-term factors like post-launch support, user engagement, and ongoing updates. 

However, investing in Unreal Engine game development with the right team can start a scalable business. RichestSoft offers proper assistance every step of the way to ensure your game’s success. 

Hiring RichestSoft means partnering with someone who understands your vision and helps turn it into a successful, high-quality game. Contact us now.