How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Game like Ludo?

Introduction 

Ludo has long been India’s favourite board game and in the digital age, it has become one of the most lucrative mobile gaming apps. Whether you’re just a casual gamer or you’re a competitive Ludo fan who makes money online playing in real-money tournaments, there’s a Ludo app for everyone!

Games such as Ludo King, MPL, Paytm First Games and others are seeing huge traction and this has helped prove the point – this classic game is hot with the modern crowd!

As per recent data, the online gaming industry in India is expected to grow to over $8.6 billion by 2027 and a huge part of this growth will come from Ludo game apps!

Low entry barrier, high user retention, multiple monetisation opportunities like in-app ads, paid tournaments and real money gaming make Ludo game development a very popular choice for app developers and startups.

In this blog, we’ll cover every aspect of Ludo game development cost in 2025, pricing factors, features to include, monetisation models, AR/VR, NFT, gaming trends of the future and much more.

So, whether you want to make your own Ludo app or just want to know more about Ludo game development costs – you’re in the right place!

Why Are Ludo Game Apps Trending in 2025?

Mobile gaming has seen a massive boom recently, more specifically after the global pandemic. Casual and social games such as Ludo are dominating the digital entertainment space and are being played like never before.

People have now traded in their tabletop game for mobile gaming sessions. Hours are being spent playing on Ludo game apps, connecting and competing with friends and even strangers from around the world.

Booming during pandemic: As people had more time at home, Ludo and other multiplayer games became a popular pastime for everyone.

Money-minting potential: According to Statista, the Indian mobile gaming market will reach over $7 billion by 2025. Casual board games and Ludo apps will make up for a big piece of the pie.

Mix of multiplayer and real-money gaming: Users can just play for fun or try to win real money. Options of both make these apps more appealing.

Case study – Ludo King: 

• Over 900 million downloads on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
• It was one of India’s most successful gaming apps and it still does hundreds of millions in ad and IAP revenue.

Just like Ludo King, MPL and Paytm First Games are other successful Ludo game apps with real-money gaming tournaments.

By 2025, Ludo game apps are not just going to be a nostalgic trip to the good old days – they’re a business opportunity you cannot ignore if you’re a mobile gaming developer or entrepreneur.

Factors That Influence Ludo Game Development Cost 

The cost to develop a Ludo game app in India or anywhere else in the world varies based on a number of factors. 

These include: 

Platform 

• Android only: ₹2.5–5 lakhs 
• iOS only: ₹4–6 lakhs 
• Cross-platform (Flutter/React Native/Unity): ₹6–10 lakhs 

Cross-platform development will cost more, but you can save in the long run since a single app will cover both iOS and Android platforms.

Complexity of the app 

• Basic app: Offline play, simple UI, multiplayer (₹2.5–5 lakhs) 
• Advanced app: Real-money wallet, gaming, AI bots, 3D graphics, tournaments, AR/VR, etc (₹8–12 lakhs)

Design and UI/UX 

• UI and user experience is a critical element for player retention in a Ludo game.
• Simple 2D graphics design: ₹50,000–1 lakh 
• 3D/AR effects: ₹2–4 lakhs 

Features & Game Mechanics 

Adding some of the below features will cost more on top of the basic cost:

• Login/Signup, Dice roll, Leaderboard – included in basic cost
• Addition of real money wallet, AR/VR, Chat, Ads – ₹2–5 lakhs

Development technology stack 

Region	Hourly Rate	Cost Estimate
India	$20–$50/hr	₹2.5–12 lakhs
USA	$100–$150/hr	₹20–40 lakhs
Europe	$80–$120/hr	₹15–30 lakhs

 

Selecting developers in India will help you bring down Ludo app development cost without compromising on quality.

Ongoing Maintenance & Updates 

Maintenance and support is also an important consideration. Ludo game development cost may require you to budget for 15–20% of the development cost per year for ongoing maintenance. This includes server costs, bug fixes and other updates or feature releases.

✅ Summary: Cost to develop a Ludo game app in India can range from ₹2.5 lakhs (basic) to ₹12 lakhs (advanced). Prices outside India will be higher and can reach up to $50,000+.

Related Blog :-Best Ludo Game Development Company 2025 – Guide

Estimated Cost of Ludo Game Development in 2025

Here’s a cost comparison:

India Estimate:

• Basic app: ₹2.5–5 lakhs ($3,000–$6,000)
• Advanced app: ₹8–12 lakhs ($10,000–$15,000)

Global Estimate:

• Basic app: $10,000–$20,000
• Advanced app: $25,000–$50,000.

Table: Basic vs Advanced Development Cost 

Feature	Basic Ludo App	Advanced Ludo App
UI/UX	2D graphics	3D/AR graphics
Multiplayer	Yes	Yes + Tournaments
Real Money	No	Yes (Wallets)
Chat & Social	No	Yes
AI Bots	Basic	Advanced AI
Estimated Cost	₹2.5–5 lakhs	₹8–12 lakhs

Essential Features of a Ludo Game App

Basic features every Ludo app must-have: 

• Login/Signup (₹30k–50k) 
• Multiplayer Mode (₹50k–1 lakh) 
• Dice Mechanics (₹20k–40k) 
• Leaderboards (₹40k–80k) 

Some of the advanced features that’ll help set your Ludo game app apart from the competition:

• Real Money Play (₹1–2 lakhs) 
• Chat System (₹70k–1.5 lakhs) 
• Social Media Integration (₹50k–1 lakh) 
• Referral & Rewards (₹80k–1.5 lakhs) 
• 3D/AR Graphics (₹2–4 lakhs) 

Ludo Game App Admin Panel Features 

• Analytics Dashboard 
• Payment Management 
• Player Management 

✅ Notice how each advanced feature will dramatically increase Ludo app development cost. For example, AR mode will cost an additional $5,000–$10,000 on top of the basic cost.

Technology Stack for Ludo Game Development 

• Frontend: Unity, Unreal Engine 
• Backend: Node.js, Firebase, AWS 
• Database: MongoDB, MySQL 
• Payment Gateway: Paytm, Razorpay, Stripe 

All the above-mentioned technology stack affects the speed and cost of Ludo app development. The most popular choice for frontend development is the Unity game engine due to its support for cross-platform (both Android and iOS).

Monetisation Models of Ludo Game App 

• In-app Ads (AdMob, Unity Ads) 
• Paid Tournaments 
• Real Money Play (Entrance fee-based) 
• Referral & Loyalty Rewards 
• Premium Paid Version 

By diversifying the monetisation models, you ensure continuous revenue flow after the app is launched (not just relying on downloads).

Timeline for Ludo Game Development 

Stage	Time (Basic)	Time (Advanced)
Planning	1–2 weeks	2–3 weeks
Design	2–3 weeks	4–6 weeks
Development	1–2 months	3–5 months
Testing	2 weeks	1 month
Launch	1 week	1 week
Maintenance	Ongoing	Ongoing

 

✅ Basic Ludo app: 2–3 months 

✅ Advanced Ludo app: 4–8 months

Related Blog :-Top Ludo Game Development Companies in India 2025 – Features, Cost & Reviews

Future of Ludo Game Development (2025 & Beyond) 

There are a lot of interesting trends that are going to make the Ludo gaming experience a whole lot more exciting:

• AR/VR Integration: Engaging gaming experience with 3D/AR graphics. 
• Blockchain & NFTs: Ownership of Ludo game boards, pieces, even dice as NFTs.
• AI-based Personalisation: Playing against smart AI bots and custom challenges.
• Esports Potential: Ludo in the Indian esports scene. 

The Ludo game development in 2025 will be a bright business opportunity for companies who invest in it early.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What is the minimum cost to develop a Ludo game app?

The bare minimum you’d pay for Ludo game development in India is ₹2.5 lakhs ($3,000–$4,000). This is an elementary version with the most basic features like offline play and simple multiplayer support. Features such as real-money play, advanced 3D graphics or cross-platform support will be added to the price.

2. Are real-money Ludo apps legal in India? 

Yes, real-money Ludo apps are legal in India since Ludo is considered a game of skill and not purely luck-based. However, rules and regulations on gaming apps may vary across states (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh has more strict gaming regulations for example). You should consult with a lawyer before proceeding with a real-money Ludo game.

3. Can I launch a Ludo game app in international markets?

Ludo is loved by people all around the world in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and many other regions. However, in case you are planning to use a real-money model for the Ludo game, you will need to familiarise yourself with the gaming and gambling regulations of each country.

4. How do Ludo apps like Ludo King earn money?

Apps like Ludo King are free to download and play. Revenue is generated through: 

• In-app advertisements 
• Paid themes and in-app purchases 
• Premium memberships 
• Ludo King doesn’t have wallets, real-money gaming or betting, so it is a safe app for all age groups to play.

5. Is it possible to add AI bots to a Ludo game?

Yes, in case you want players to be able to play even when there are no friends online, AI bots can be added. This helps keep the users engaged. AI bots will increase the development time and cost by ₹1–2 lakhs ($2,000–$4,000).

6. Do I need licenses for a real-money Ludo game app in India?

In order to launch a real-money Ludo app you will need the following:

• GST registration 
• Adherence to Information Technology Act 
• Payment gateway approvals and accreditations 
• Licenses and legal clearances if you are operating in a state with specific gaming laws and restrictions

7. What is the ROI (Return on Investment) on Ludo game apps?

The development cost for a Ludo game app can be easily recovered in 6–12 months by making good on marketing the app and through monetisation (real-money tournaments, ads, referral programs, etc). Ludo King, MPL and Paytm First Games have shown that Ludo is a high-ROI business model to be in.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the cost for Ludo game development in India can start as low as ₹2.5 lakhs and can reach up to ₹12 lakhs. The prices can even cross $50,000+ outside India. A lot of factors that influence the price are platform (Android/iOS/cross-platform), features (basic/advanced), design (simple/complex) and developer location. Add the right combination of basic and advanced features and you can build a Ludo app that will attract millions of users and bring in profits.

🚀 Want to build a Ludo game app? Get in touch with us to get a free cost estimate and get your gaming idea off the ground!