Hire a Unity developer for your game
A Unity developer builds games in the Unity engine, in 2D or 3D. Hire one for a mobile game, a web game or an interactive experience that needs real game tools.
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What Unity is used for
Unity is a game engine. One project can be published for iPhone, Android and other platforms. There is a large library of ready-made assets and tools, which speeds up many projects.
- Mobile games: puzzle, casual, strategy, runners, card games.
- Web games that run in the browser.
- 3D and 2D games with animation, physics and sound.
- Interactive demos and training apps.
For a small 2D game, Godot is a lighter free alternative. A regular app with forms and lists does not need a game engine, see React Native and Expo instead.
What to ask a Unity developer
- Is my game 2D or 3D, and what does that change in your approach?
- How do you keep the game running smoothly on older phones?
- How do you handle game saves, online scores or in-app purchases?
- Where do the art, sound and music come from, and what are the usage rights?
- How do you structure the project so I can add levels later?
- Which of your games can I play today?
Rights for art and sound matter. If an asset is bought from a store, the licence should cover your use. Ask the developer to list every third-party asset.
Milestones for a game
Games are best built in playable steps, so you feel the game early. Each milestone is funded before work starts and runs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 weeks. The weeks in this example are for illustration, and developers set the length of each milestone in their proposal. Milestones are from 50 to 2,000 each in your project currency.
- Prototype (for example, weeks 1 to 2): the core mechanic is playable with simple shapes. Is it fun?
- First level (for example, weeks 3 to 4): real art, sound, controls and a complete play loop.
- Content and systems (for example, weeks 5 to 8): more levels, progress, menus, saves, optional purchases or scores.
- Polish and release (for example, weeks 9 to 10): device testing, store assets, launch.
The prototype is the key decision point. Approve it only when playing it already feels right.
How matching works
A developer can list Unity as Expert in or as Also works with. Your game project is scored on this, plus project type, help type, portfolio, budget fit and availability.
The score runs from 0 to 100 with plain reasons. Developers need at least 40 to apply. 80 or more earns a Top match badge, and proposals arrive sorted by score.
Frequently asked questions
Unity or Godot?
Both can ship 2D games. Unity has a very large asset store and is used a lot for mobile. Godot is free and open source and light for 2D. Ask the developer which they know better.
Link to this answerDoes the developer also make the art?
Not always. Some do, some work with an artist. Say what you have and what you need in your brief.
Link to this answerCan a Unity game run in the browser?
Yes, with limits on size and loading time. Ask for a test build early.
Link to this answerWho owns the game?
Unless both sides agree otherwise in writing on the platform, the rights to the result of a milestone pass to the client once that milestone is paid in full.
Link to this answerRelated pages
- Hire a Godot developer for your gameGodot is a free, open source game engine for 2D and lighter 3D games. See what to ask a Godot developer and how a game project is planned.
- Build a mobile game with a developerPlan a phone game: engines like Unity and Godot, a milestone plan from prototype to store release, what the brief needs and how to judge a developer.
- Build a web game with an independent developerPlan a browser game people can play with one click: tools, a milestone plan, what to write in the brief and how to recognise a good developer.
- How to Write a Project Brief for a DeveloperA good project brief fits on one page: goal, users, must-have features, examples and limits. Here is what to include and a free tool to draft it.
- How to Split a Project Into MilestonesSplit a software project into milestones that each deliver something you can see and approve. Rules, an example plan and a free planner tool.