HuniePop is among the most successful games on the market. It has taken the gaming landscape by storm, hence, the demand for the development of games similar to it has surged in recent times. Creating a game like HuniePop that offers a unique blend of match-3 puzzle mechanics and dating simulation requires a strategic approach encompassing design, development, and monetization.
In this blog, we will talk about all the distinct features, the development process, the cost breakdown, the development timeline, and the monetization strategies used in HuniePop.
HuniePop has become a massive success because of the amalgamation of extravagant features on a single platform. If you wish to capture the essence of HuniePop similar games and design your own game drawing inspiration from the classic, you must focus on integrating the following key features:
HuniePop has a diverse range of characters with personal storylines. Therefore, craft compelling narratives around diverse characters, so that players have a variety to choose from. Each character must possess unique personalities, backstories, and dialogue options. The more engaging the storyline, the better the chances of user retention.
The above-mentioned 4 points should be kept in mind while developing games like HuniePop.
HuniePop similar games have a dynamic puzzle system that helps players earn points by matching the tokens. You must implement similar puzzle mechanics to help players earn points. Through these earnings, players can unlock new interactions and progress through the game freely. Match-3 puzzle mechanics are a good feature to keep players hooked to the game.
One of the USPs of HuniePop similar games is their unique genre. Certain elements in the game allow players to engage in relationships as part of the gameplay. Ensure players build relationships seamlessly through choices, gifts, and conversations. The relationships built inside the game should also lead to various outcomes, so that players should have a distinct experience based on their choices.
Apart from the game mechanics and gameplay, visuals and audio design are also prominent factors in making a game successful. Just like HuniePop, utilize high-quality character animations, expressive visuals, and immersive sound design to enhance the gaming experience of your audience. Once the game mechanics, visual, and audio design align with each other, it provides a surreal experience to the gamers.
HuniePop offers a lavish reward system, and levels follow a good progression. You can leverage AI to use PNG (Procedural Level Generation) in your game to stand out. You must incorporate leveling systems, unlockable content, and achievements to keep players motivated. The leaderboards option is also lucrative as it keeps the players in a competitive spirit, and you get more screen time from them.
Cross-platform compatibility is a must-have feature to attract the audience on a large scale. Streamlining the app to a single platform will result in the loss of traffic. Therefore, ensure the game is accessible across various platforms, including PC and mobile devices. Once you use cross-platform development, your app will be ready for iOS, Android, and even the browser. Players playing on different platforms will have the liberty to collaborate and engage in missions. Without multiplayer compatibility, you won’t be able to run a successful multiplayer game.
The development process of the HuniePop game is generic and follows the traditional route. We shall discuss the different stages of the game development process briefly. It starts with the conceptualization or the planning of the project, and ends with testing and quality analysis. We will list down all the steps below.
If you want to understand the process in detail, you can read our comprehensive blog on the six stages of game development.
Developing a game like HuniePop involves various costs; a full breakdown of the costs involved in all the steps is listed below:
These figures are approximate and can vary based on the project’s complexity and the development team’s location.
The estimated time to develop games like HuniePop is between 8 to 12 months, broken down as follows:
There are multiple ways to integrate monetization options in games like HuniePop. The genre offers developers to establish multiple revenue streams that are lucrative in nature. Some of the strategies are mentioned below to generate revenue from your game.
You can offer players the option to purchase power-ups, character customizations, or exclusive dialogue options. You can benefit from this strategy, as many players like the idea of buying exclusive content from the game.
You can also sell the game as a paid download with additional premium features or content. Premium members will have exclusive content and can enjoy ad-free features.
The best way to earn through ad monetization is by integrating non-intrusive ads. Examples of ad monetization include rewarded video ads, banner ads, which are some of the ways to generate revenue without disrupting gameplay.
You can also use a subscription model to provide players with access to exclusive content, updates, and bonuses for a monthly or annual fee.
When your game becomes successful, you can leverage the brand name to sell official products. You can sell branded merchandise like apparel or accessories related to the game.
You can also utilize platforms like Patreon or Kickstarter to gather financial support from fans during the initial stages.
To develop a game like HuniePop, consider the following technologies:
| Game Engine | Unity (preferred for 2D games with cross-platform capabilities) |
| Programming Languages | C# (for Unity), C++ (for Unreal Engine) |
| Graphics & Animation | Photoshop, Spine, Blender |
| Audio Software | FMOD, Wwise, Audacity |
| Backend & Cloud Services | Firebase, PlayFab |
| Testing & Optimization | Android Studio, GameBench, TestFairy |
The above-mentioned table will give you a gist of all the tools required in developing a game like HuniePop.
If you want a successful game like HuniePop, it would require you to build something more than just puzzles and romance. You would need to provide an engaging experience to your audience. This would require you to align the gameplay, narrative, and aesthetics in a corroborative way. The key lies in balancing creativity with smart planning, which is something a game development agency can accomplish easily.
You can contact BR Softech, which consists of a team that validates your ideas, stays authentic to their styles, and has the right tools and vision to bring your idea to life.
Ans: Some basic coding knowledge is necessary, especially if you’re using Unity with C#. However, there are also visual scripting tools and no-code engines that can help you get started more easily.
Ans: Absolutely. AI tools can help generate dialogue ideas, design characters, and even prototype gameplay. Just make sure the final product feels human and emotionally authentic.
Ans: No. While Unity is ideal for 2D games like this, you can also consider Godot (great for open-source devs) or even Ren’Py if your game leans heavily toward visual novel elements.
Ans: A solo developer can expect to spend 8–18 months, depending on scope, skill level, and how many assets are outsourced or reused.
Ans: Definitely. Many games like this make money through in-app purchases, premium downloads, merch, or Patreon-style community support without relying on ads.
