Registering a Developer Account on Google Play and publishing our game.
Well the mobile project is over! we have something publishable and it’s time to put it out in the world!
I’m not quite sure where the google play store developer console is so let’s google it.
Nice! Let’s hit that first link!
Oh boy! New terms of service! Let’s read all that new text! After reading the terms of service, you’ll be brought to a new screen to fill out your developer info, developer name, email, etc.
After filling out your info and paying the 25 dollar fee, you’ll get confirmation of your developer account being created, congratulations!
Next, you’ll be asked to show some form of Id, I uploaded a photo of my drivers license which is great because now they’ll get their first impression of me off of a drivers license photo.
Wow, my good looks must have wowed them over at google, they instantly approved my developer account!
Next go to the Account details page and fill out your personal info, you’ll need an email and phone number that google will need to verify.
next, we’ll have to create a keyfile for our game.
First, we’ll go into file, build settings/player settings:
Fill out the company name, game name, and the icon. An average Icon size is 128x128, but it’s always a good idea to create one in larger dimensions, the original size should be around 512x512 and then shrunk down to other dimensions as needed.
Next, go to “Other Settings”, there will be options for version number or bundle version code which are important for when you update your app.
Right now, the version is at .1 and Bundle version is at one. The version can be changed to whatever you feel is appropriate, but the bundle version will be changed to 2 if you update the game.
Everything else can be left alone, finally we can head on to Publishing Settings:
The keystore is a private code between you and google, basically an encrypted file that holds information and certificates that verify that you’re the original author and have permission to update your app. This prevents hackers from hijacking your app and updating it for their nefarious purposes. I don’t have a keystore yet, so I’ll have to create one.
First I’ll click on Keystore manager:
Next, I’ll fill out the relevant info:
When we’re done, press ‘Add Key’, it will ask if you want to add it to your current file, say yes.
Back in the Player section, choose the keyfile and input your passwords:
IMPORTANT:
Google Play now requires 64bit builds, you’ll have to change the scripting backend from Mono to IL2CPP
Also change the Target Architectures to support ARM64 and split APKs.
Thee’s also a special checkbox for google play in the build settings, definitely tick that!
For the least problems in google play as of 2021, make sure the minimum API level is Android 10.0, API level 29.
Make sure under publishing settings, choose to Minify your code, I’ll try Proguard
Time to build the game! Unity will embed the keyfile into the apk and we’ll be able to upload it to google play after it’s done!
and we have a successful build! Excellent!
Time to publish on the google play store!
Under the first option, All Apps, there’s a button called ‘Create your first app’. Let’s use it!
You’re then taken to a page to fill out some preliminary info like name, if it’s an app or game, if it conforms to googles rules, etc.
Next, you’ll have to submit your app for testing. You can have google test it themselves or publish your app and have the public test it.
It’s a better idea to test your game before publishing, but for now, I’m just going to set up my game:
First is App Access. Everything’s available, so I’ll choose that.
Next is content ratings, we’re going to have to fill out a questionnaire on any problematic elements of our game for ratings purposes:
You’ll have to enter your email, and then choose what kind of app you’re submitting. I’m clicking game of course:
After answering various questions about violence, sexual situations, and drug use, we’ll be given a rating:
And it happens that our game is given a 3+ rating. It’s a relatively safe game.
Next is target audience:
Apparently, I need to complete the ads section, so let’s do that:
Yup! We have ads to buy the castle key, so I’ll say yes.
Ok, back to the target audience:
Wait, what? Another to do list? Ok, let’s start with privacy policy:
I need a privacy policy? Ok, thankfully there’s a app policy generator for that:
Fill out all of the appropriate information and then click the large infographic on the left, you’ll be taken to the next screen that gives you a couple options on how to download your privacy policy:
I need a privacy policy so I’ll click that:
Looks awesome! I’ll click on HTML and save it as a page for my website:
And now I’ll put the link in the google play dev page!
Time to target some audiences!
I think we can include teens for the game. Even though the game is rated 3+, the game’s target is teens and older:
Will your store unintentionally appeal to children? Admittedly, I have a cartoony style so I’m going to answer yes:
And we’re set!
Finally getting to the final item, news apps! We’re not a news app so let’s set things straight!
Looks like we’re almost done, time to select the app category:
Our game is a castlevania style arcade platformer so:
Finally, we’ll create the main store listing. First we’ll write a description:
and upload some graphics:
Next, We’ll allow google to handle the publishing keys by going to app integrity and opting in.
Upload your apk and fill out the details, I’ve been figuring this out via trial and error so this will be version 1.7 for me.
Uploading the aab file.
If all goes well, you may have one error, but go ahead and press ‘Roll Out’ and it will enter googles final testing process and it will take around 24 hours to appear in your store. Hope it helps!
