1. Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of publishing your mobile games on app stores, specifically focusing on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. We will discuss how to submit your game, abide by the store policies, and manage updates and user reviews effectively.

By the end of this tutorial, you will:

• Understand the steps to publish your mobile game on the app stores
• Be familiar with the store policies and how to comply with them
• Learn how to manage updates and user reviews

Prerequisites:

• Basic knowledge of programming (preferably in a language like Java for Android or Swift for iOS)
• A complete mobile game that you want to publish
• Registered developer accounts for Google Play Store and/or Apple App Store

2. Step-by-Step Guide

2.1 Preparing Your Game for Submission

Before submitting your game, ensure that it meets the guidelines and requirements set by the app store. This usually involves testing your game thoroughly, adding appropriate metadata and screenshots, and setting the necessary pricing and availability information.

2.2 Submitting Your Game

After preparing your game, you will need to submit it for review. This process differs slightly between the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, but typically involves uploading your game's APK or IPA file, filling out a detailed form about your game, and submitting it for review.

2.3 Managing Updates and User Reviews

Once your game has been published, you will need to maintain it by releasing updates and responding to user reviews. This involves monitoring your game's reviews and feedback, making necessary changes to your game, and releasing updates in a timely manner.

3. Code Examples

In this section, we will look at some practical examples of tasks you might perform when preparing your game for submission.

3.1 Adding Metadata to Your Android Game

In your AndroidManifest.xml file, you will need to add metadata about your game. This might look something like this:

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="com.example.mygame">

    <application
        android:allowBackup="true"
        android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
        android:supportsRtl="true"
        android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
        <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>
    </application>

</manifest>

This XML file includes metadata about your game, such as its name, icon, and the activity that should be launched when the game is opened.

4. Summary

In this tutorial, we covered the process of publishing your mobile game on app stores. This included preparing your game for submission, submitting it for review, and managing updates and user reviews. The next step in your journey might be to learn more about marketing your game to increase its visibility and downloads.

5. Practice Exercises

1. Create a basic "Hello, World!" mobile game and prepare it for submission to an app store. This should include adding metadata, screenshots, and setting pricing and availability information.

2. Submit your "Hello, World!" game for review on an app store. This will give you practice with the submission process and help you understand what to expect.

3. Once your game has been published, simulate releasing an update and responding to a user review. You can do this by modifying your game, releasing an update, and writing a response to a hypothetical review.

Remember, practice is key in mastering any skill, so don't be discouraged if you encounter obstacles along the way. Keep refining your game, learning from the feedback, and continually improving your process. Good luck!