How to Design a Team-Based Combat Game Like Brawl Stars

Team-based combat games have revolutionized the mobile gaming landscape. Titles like Brawl Stars have proven that fast-paced, multiplayer action can thrive on smartphones. With their strategic depth, varied character abilities, and thrilling game modes, these games keep players hooked for years. If you're looking to build something similar, you're entering a competitive but rewarding space.

However, designing a team-based combat game like Brawl Stars requires more than flashy graphics or cool characters. You need robust mechanics, scalable infrastructure, and a solid design philosophy. In this blog, we’ll guide you through every critical step from concept to launch sharing insights that top-tier game design company use.

Start with a Solid Core Concept

Every great game starts with a strong core idea. Brawl Stars thrives because it offers short, high-intensity matches with a mix of team strategy and individual skill. To create your own hit, ask yourself:

What will make your game unique?

Will it be 3v3 like Brawl Stars, or do you have a different team format in mind?

Will your game focus on casual fun or competitive depth?

Your core concept should focus on fast-paced action, quick rounds, and easily understandable objectives. Think of how the game will feel in 30 seconds of play. A well-formed vision will guide the rest of your development journey.

Moreover, it's essential to establish your game's Unique Selling Proposition (USP) early on. This could be a new game mode, a unique art style, or a fresh character progression system. A reputable game design company will help you polish this concept into a viable product.

Define Your Characters and Abilities

Characters are the lifeblood of any team-based combat game. Each should feel distinct, both in playstyle and personality. When designing characters:

• Define clear roles: tanks, damage dealers, support, etc.
• Create complementary abilities that promote team synergy.
• Balance their powers to avoid overpowered combinations.

Brawl Stars excels by giving each brawler a unique ability set. Similarly, your game should ensure characters are easy to pick up but offer depth through mastery. Include unlockable skins, star powers, or ultimate abilities to encourage long-term engagement.

Additionally, use archetypes (e.g., sniper, melee, area-denial) to simplify the design process. Hiring a game design company with experience in character balancing can prevent major headaches during post-launch updates.

Craft Engaging and Varied Game Modes

To keep players returning, your game needs multiple, exciting game modes. Each mode should offer a different strategic angle. In Brawl Stars, game types like Gem Grab, Heist, and Brawl Ball ensure there’s something for everyone.

Some potential modes to consider:

• Capture the Objective: Classic control point gameplay.
• Payload Escort: One team pushes while the other defends.
• Last Team Standing: Like battle royale but with squads.
• Zone Control: Hold zones longer than your opponents.

Rotating modes regularly keeps the experience fresh and promotes experimentation. A game design company can help test and refine these modes to ensure they're balanced and fun.

Develop Intuitive, Responsive Controls

Mobile gamers demand fluid, easy-to-learn controls. Complex button combos or clunky UIs will drive users away. Brawl Stars uses twin-stick controls one for movement and one for aiming, offering a great mix of simplicity and skill.

Tips for designing effective controls:

• Implement drag-to-aim shooting mechanics.
• Add customizable layouts for player comfort.
• Ensure actions like dashing or using ultimates feel snappy.

Testing is key. Allow real players to give feedback and iterate often. A professional game design company will use tools like heatmaps and analytics to track control usage and optimize responsiveness.

Build Balanced and Strategic Maps

Map design plays a crucial role in team-based gameplay. Maps should encourage teamwork, offer tactical depth, and fit specific game modes. A poor map can break an otherwise solid game.

Here are key principles of good map design:

• Include lanes, cover, and choke points.
• Design symmetrical layouts for fairness.
• Add interactive elements (e.g., teleporters, destructible walls).

Each character should have strengths and weaknesses depending on the map. This encourages variety and tactical thinking. The best game design companies often hire level designers who specialize in balancing flow, engagement, and fair play.

Design a Fair Progression and Reward System

Your progression system will heavily influence user retention. Players should feel like they're always making progress, whether unlocking new characters, earning currency, or leveling up.

Consider these systems:

• Battle Pass: Time-limited rewards to encourage daily play.
• XP and Rank Systems: Level up to gain bragging rights.
• Currency Economy: Coins, gems, or stars to unlock skins and upgrades.

Ensure progression is fair. Avoid pay-to-win traps by making competitive advantages obtainable through skill and time investment. A game design company with monetization expertise can help structure your in-game economy for both engagement and revenue.

Implement Real-Time Multiplayer Infrastructure

Behind every seamless multiplayer game lies robust infrastructure. Your game needs low-latency servers, effective matchmaking, and anti-cheat systems. Otherwise, even the best-designed gameplay will suffer.

Critical multiplayer components include:

• Server Authority: Prevents cheating and sync issues.
• Matchmaking Algorithms: Rank players by skill and performance.
• Latency Compensation: Handles network delays smoothly.

Testing your backend under load is crucial. Consider hiring a game design company with experience in scalable networking and real-time multiplayer implementation. Cloud services like AWS GameLift or PlayFab can help manage matchmaking and data.

Polish with a Vibrant Art Style and Audio Design

Visual identity is a key part of your game’s appeal. Brawl Stars uses a cartoony, colorful aesthetic that fits mobile screens and all age groups. Your game should do the same aim for high contrast, clean UI, and easily recognizable characters.

Important visual elements:

• Unique character designs and silhouettes.
• Vibrant, thematic maps and visual effects.
• UI that communicates cooldowns, health, and objectives clearly.

Don't neglect sound design. Punchy effects, character voice lines, and dynamic music elevate the gameplay. A game design company with a dedicated art and audio team will ensure your game leaves a strong impression.

Launch, Learn, and Update Continuously

Your launch is only the beginning. To compete in today’s market, you must treat your game as a live service. That means listening to feedback, fixing bugs, releasing content regularly, and updating balance.

Key post-launch strategies:

• Analytics: Track player behavior and adjust accordingly.
• Community Engagement: Use forums and Discord to stay connected.
• Seasonal Content: Introduce limited-time events, skins, or modes.

Even top studios like Supercell continuously iterate. The most successful games today are those that evolve. Partnering with a game design company post-launch helps maintain momentum with expert QA, patch management, and player engagement tactics.

Conclusion

Creating a team-based combat game like Brawl Stars is a complex but incredibly rewarding challenge. From the foundational concept to post-launch support, every step demands creativity, precision, and dedication. Whether you're an indie studio or a funded startup, leveraging the expertise of a professional game design company can elevate your vision into a market-ready product.

Remember, players are looking for games that are fun, fair, and worth their time. Focus on engaging gameplay, balanced progression, and ongoing support, and you’ll have a fighting chance in the competitive mobile arena.

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