Export a Game Project

This page has been updated for version 3.4.2.

To export your project, you need to complete the steps below and then compile your game project for the platform where you want to publish your game.

Saving and Exporting Your Game Project

  1. Remove unused images and sounds:
      1. On the Buildbox menu bar, go to Tools > Atlases.
      2. In the Atlas Editor, select each atlas and in the Options panel click Optimize.
      3. Close the Altas Editor.
    1. On the menu bar, go to Tools and select Remove Unused Sound Objects.
  2. On the Buildbox menu bar, select File > Project Settings.
  3. In the Project Settings window, fill in the General project settings for each platform where you want to publish your game.
    Make sure to set a unique bundle ID for each platform App Store where you want to publish your game, for example, in the Apple App Store settings and Google Play Store settings. This will prevent errors and notifications when compiling your game.
  4. Close the Settings window.
  5. On the Buildbox menu bar, go to File > Export and select the platform where you want to publish your game.
    A progress indicator appears as Buildbox saves your game project.

    1. If you have not added ad monetization, you will receive a pop-up asking if you want to do so. We highly recommend you add this so that you can make money off of your game, and it’s as simple as can be. Find more info here.
    2. You will also see a pop-up regarding your bundle ID. If your bundle ID is already taken, we ask that you change it. If your bundle ID is available, you will be asked to “claim” it for yourself. For prompt and accurate payouts, it’s important that you DO NOT manually change your bundle ID after export.
    3. Lastly, if you have not set up your Hyperwallet account by the time you export, you will be prompted to do so. This is not a requirement for export, however we ask that you do so as soon as possible to ensure we are able to pay you out.
  6. In the Save As field, type a name for your exported game project folder and select a location for it on your computer, for example, Desktop.
    If you are planning to export to more than one platform, to be able to distinguish between the export folders with the same name, include the platform name at the end of the export folder name, for example, My Game Name iOS.
  7. Click Save.
    A progress indicator appears as Buildbox exports your game project.
  8. When the process is complete, navigate to the export folder where you saved it on your computer and open it.
  9. For all platforms except Windows EXE, compile your project in Xcode, Visual Studio, or a similar IDE, as explained below.

Compiling Your Game Project

For iOS

Prerequisites

If you plan to include any ad SDKS in your game, you need to download Xcode 12 or later. This complies with the iOS 14 requirements and gives players the option to allow tracking.
  • Complete the saving and exporting steps above, including the settings for Apple App Store.
  • Install the latest version of Xcode on your Mac computer. If you only have a PC, search for solutions to running Mac OS on other computers online.
  • Make sure you have an Apple Developer Account or at least an Apple ID so that you can add an account during the compilation process, if you don’t have one.

To compile your game in Xcode for iOS:

  1. Navigate to the iOS export folder where you saved your game and double-click your Xcode project file named BBPlayer.xcodeproj.

    Xcode opens with your project loaded.
  2. In the panel on the left, select BBPlayer at the top and navigate to the Signing & Capabilities tab on the right as shown below.
  3. In the Team drop-down, select your developer account. If you don’t have one, select Add an Account and enter your Apple ID and follow the onscreen instructions.
  4. Select the device on which you would like to run your game:
    1. Plug in your device to your computer with a cable and, if you want to trust the connected computer, select Trust on your device when prompted.
    2. In the Device list that appears in Xcode, scroll and select the device you need, for example, iPhone 11 Pro Max.
    3. If you are prompted to register your device in the Status section, click Register Device and follow any onscreen instructions that may appear.
  5. Unlock your device.
  6. In the top-left corner of the Xcode window, click the Run button.
    A blue build progress indicator appears at the top of the Xcode window.
  7. When prompted, enter your computer password as the login keychain password.

When the build is complete, you should be able to play your game on your iOS device. Congratulations! You’ve compiled you game project and can now upload your game to the App Store.

For Android

Prerequisites

  • Complete the saving and exporting steps above, including the settings for Google Play Store.
  • Install the latest version of Android Studio and Android Gradle Plugin.
  • (Optional) Install the Dropbox app on your Android device for importing the APK file.

Open your exported project in Android Studio:

  1. Navigate to the Android export folder where you saved your game and double-click your either the build.gradle or settings.gradle Android Studio Documents.

    Android Studio opens and starts syncing your project. If prompted to search for an application, click Choose Application and select Android Studio to load the gradle file.     If prompted to install any missing SDK packages, do so by following the displayed links and installation instructions.
    After the synching process is complete, the build output is displayed with green checkmarks at the bottom of the Android Studio window.

Build APK for Dropbox:

  1. Click the Make Project button .
    The build process begins, with the progress indicated by green checkmarks appearing in the Build Output section. When the build is completed, a new build folder is added in your game export folder.
  2. Navigate to the app-debug.apk file in the newly added folder, android > app > build > outputs > apk > debug.
  3. To install the APK, connect your device to the computer and in Android Studio, click the Run App button . Follow the onscreen instructions.
    You can also add the APK file to your personal Dropbox, create a sharable link, and then use the Dropbox app on your device.

Build AAB for Google Play:

Google Play now requires Android App Bundles (.aab) to submit to the Play Store.
  1. In the menu, select Build -> Generate Signed Bundle / APK…
  2. Follow the steps in the subsequent window to build an Android App Bundle.
  3. For more information on app signing, please reference the following Android Developer guide: Sign your app

Congratulations! You’ve compiled you game project and can now play your game and upload it to the Google Play Store.