What’s the Cost to Build Characters of Subway Surfers?

27 Jun, 2025

8 min read

Cost to Build Characters of Subway Surfers

At Cubix, we’ve had the privilege of working on game characters for big names like Angry Birds and Clash of Clans, so we know exactly what it takes to bring fun characters to life. As of 2025, Subway Surfers has been downloaded over 4.5 billion times, making it the most downloaded mobile game of all time. The game has more than 20 million daily active users and over 150 million monthly users. In 2023 alone, it was the most downloaded gaming app, with 304 million global installs.

From the initial sketches to the final in-game action, a lot goes into each character. The cost can vary based on the complexity, whether you’re after a simple design or a high-end cinematic hero. By the end of this blog post, you’ll understand why partnering with a leading game studio like Cubix can save you both time and money while still delivering top-quality results.

Key Elements That Affect Game Character Costs

Creating game characters is an art, and the cost to bring them to life depends on several key factors. Let’s dive into what drives the price tag for these vibrant, dynamic characters, including characters like those seen in the Subway Surfers game.

1. Character Complexity Tiers

The complexity of a character plays a major role in determining its cost. Here’s a breakdown of the three main tiers of character creation:

Low-poly / Mobile Characters (~$50–500)

These characters are simple, often used for mobile games like Subway Surfers, where performance is prioritized over detail. They have a lower polygon count, meaning fewer details, which lowers the cost.

Mid-range Game-Ready Characters (~$500–5,000)

These characters are more detailed and are suitable for console and mobile games with mid-level graphic requirements. A Subway Surfers character could fit into this category, offering more refinement in textures and animations while still being optimized for mobile play.

High-end Cinematic/Rigged AAA Characters (~$5,000–20,000+)

These characters are top-tier, designed for AAA games and cinematic productions. High-end Subway Surfers game characters, for instance, would feature incredibly detailed textures, high-resolution models, and complex animations. These characters are often rigged to allow for fluid movements and facial animations, making them the most expensive to produce.

Quick Mention: According to Reddit, a basic, rigged Subway Surfer character could cost a few hundred dollars, while AAA-level characters can go up to $15K or more.

2. Influencing Factors

Several factors contribute to the final price of a game character. Let’s break down the most influential elements:

Polygon/Detail Level

The more polygons a character has, the more detailed and realistic it looks. Characters of Subway Surfers have a relatively low polycount, which makes them perfect for fast mobile gameplay but also less expensive to produce. However, a high-poly character designed for more realistic or cinematic games is pricier.

Texture & Rigging Needs

Adding detailed textures and intricate rigging for movements (like bending limbs and facial expressions) adds to the cost. A Subway Surfers character that performs smooth animations as it slides across the screen would require more detailed rigging than a basic, static model.

Facial Animation, Accessories, and Level of Realism

Characters with realistic facial animations, accessories, and special effects will cost more due to the added complexity. For example, a character in Subway Surfers with accessories like hats and costumes would require extra design time.

3. Studio Location vs. Talent

The location of the studio and the talent it employs also influence the cost. Here’s a general overview of the average hourly rates:

US: Average Rate of $45/hr

Studios in the US typically charge a premium for their high-skilled talent and proximity to large game development companies.

Eastern Europe/India: Average rate of $18–20/hr

Studios in these regions often provide similar quality work at a lower rate, which is why many game companies outsource character creation to these areas.

Step‑by‑Step Cost Breakdown of Subway Surfers Characters

Bringing a character to life, especially something as iconic as a Subway Surfers character, involves several steps, each contributing to the final cost. Let’s break down the costs at each stage of the character creation process:

Concept & Sketch: $200–1,000

The first step in creating characters like those in Subway Surfers is the concept and sketching phase. This is where the initial idea, shape, and design come to life. Depending on how detailed or creative the sketch needs to be, the cost can range from $200 for basic sketches to $1,000 for more intricate designs. Initial revisions may also add to the cost, especially if the character needs specific changes to align with the game’s theme.

Modeling: $500–5,000

Modeling is the process of turning the sketch into a 3D character that can be used in the game. The complexity of the model determines the price.

Low-poly (Mobile Characters): $500–1,000

These characters are simpler and more stylized, like many of the Subway Surfers characters. Their low polygon count helps keep the game running smoothly on mobile devices.

Mid-range (Game-ready Characters): $1,000–3,000

A Subway Surfers game character might fall into this category, offering detailed textures and smooth design while maintaining performance for gameplay.

High-end (Cinematic/AAA Characters): $3,000–5,000+

These characters have advanced detail and are often used in high-resolution games or cinematic films. These are the Subway Surfers game characters you’d find in more detailed, graphically intense versions.

Texturing & Materials: $300–2,000

This phase adds depth and realism to the character. The level of detail in the textures, including clothing, skin, and accessories, determines the cost. Simple designs can cost around $300, while highly detailed characters like a Subway Surfer character with realistic textures and accessories can cost up to $2,000.

Rigging & Skinning: $500–5,000

Rigging is the process of adding bones and joints to a character to allow it to move, while skinning is applying the 3D model’s textures to its skeleton.

For a Subway Surfers game character, rigging could cost anywhere between $500 for simple rigs to $5,000 for complex rigs required for advanced movements or cinematic scenes.

Animation (Idle/Run/Jumps): $200–2,000+

Animation brings your character to life. For characters like those in Subway Surfers, the animations include movements like running, jumping, and gliding. The cost depends on the complexity and number of custom movements needed.

Basic cycles (such as idle, run, or jump) can cost around $200, but custom animations or additional movement sequences can push this price to $2,000+.

QA, Revisions & Final Prep: $200–1,000

Quality assurance (QA) is essential to ensure the character integrates smoothly into the game. Testing for issues like texture glitches or animation errors is a crucial part of the process. This phase can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000, depending on the complexity of the character.

Total Estimated Cost Table

Here’s a quick look at the overall costs for different levels of character complexity, using a Subway Surfers character as a reference:

Category	Low-poly	Mid-range	High-end
Concept	$200	$500	$1,000
Model	$800	$2,000	$4,000+
Texture	$500	$1,200	$2,000+
Rig	$500	$1,500	$5,000+
Animate	$600	$1,200	$2,500+
QA	$300	$800	$1,000+
Total	$2,900	$7,200	$15,500+

Cost Comparison: Subway Surfers Character vs. Cubix’s Game Character

Cost Comparison Subway Surfers Character vs. Cubix's Game Character

When developing a character like those seen in Subway Surfers, there are several stages involved that contribute to the overall cost. Let’s break down how the cost of a Subway Surfers‑style character compares with the work we do at Cubix.

Hypothetical Cost of a Subway Surfers‑Style Hero

A character resembling those in Subway Surfers falls into the mid-range complexity tier, where the costs usually start around $7,000. This cost includes several elements of character design and development:

The concept and sketching phase, which can range from $500 to $1,000, sets the foundation for the character’s overall look and feel. During this phase, the character’s basic shape, style, and identity are determined.
Modeling the character, which typically costs between $1,000 to $3,000, adds depth to the 3D and 2D characters with shapes, details, and refinement, especially for mobile games like Subway Surfers, where character efficiency and appeal are key.
The texturing and materials stage costs around $300 to $2,000. This step involves giving the character the realistic or stylized look necessary for the game’s aesthetic. The more detailed the textures (such as clothing, hair, or accessories), the higher the cost.
Rigging and skinning, necessary to allow the character to move fluidly, can range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the character’s animation needs.
Animation costs, depending on the number of actions (such as running, jumping, or special moves), range from $200 to $2,000+. These animations ensure that the character’s movements are smooth and engaging during gameplay.
Finally, QA, revisions, and final prep (which include testing the character in-game and making any adjustments) can cost between $200 and $1,000.

Cubix’s Recent Project: MicroPets Game Characters

At Cubix, we recently worked on characters for the popular endless runner game MicroPets, which shares a similar style to Subway Surfers. The total cost for developing a character for this game was $6,800, and we were able to deliver it in just 4 weeks. Our streamlined process allowed us to produce high-quality characters quickly while keeping costs down.

In comparison, the process included concept sketching for $600, modeling for $2,000, texturing for $1,000, rigging and skinning for $1,200, animation for $1,000, and QA and final prep for $1,000. This fast turnaround time and cost efficiency make Cubix a strong contender for character development projects.

Why Choose Cubix for Your Game Characters?

When you choose Cubix for your game character development, you’re partnering with a studio that delivers high-quality, dynamic characters on time and within budget. Here’s why we’re the best choice for bringing your characters to life:

1. End‑to‑End Development Team

At Cubix, we have a complete, in-house development team that handles every stage of character creation. From artists who bring your vision to life with vibrant designs to riggers who ensure the character moves fluidly, and animators who give them life, everything happens under one roof. This means there’s no back-and-forth between multiple contractors, ensuring consistent quality throughout the entire process.

As your point of contact, I personally manage each hand-off in the project. From concept art to final testing, I ensure the process flows smoothly and any changes are addressed quickly. This transparent workflow eliminates confusion and keeps the project moving forward efficiently.

2. Agile Pipeline = Faster Delivery

One of the things that set Cubix apart is our agile pipeline. By working in weekly sprints and having regular milestone reviews, we ensure the project stays on track and meets deadlines without surprises. This approach allows us to adapt quickly and incorporate feedback in real-time.

When it comes to timelines, we’re proud to say that our typical delivery is 2–6 weeks per character, compared to the 6–12 weeks that freelancers often take. This speed doesn’t compromise quality, our streamlined process delivers game-ready characters faster, so you can focus on the rest of your project.

3. Cost‑Efficiency & Quality Control

At Cubix, we centralize everything. With all services under one roof, we avoid the overhead costs associated with working with multiple vendors or contractors. This approach not only saves you money but also gives us full control over the quality of the character from start to finish.

Our game quality assurance (QA) process ensures that characters are game-ready from day one. We handle all testing and revisions before final delivery, making sure there are no unexpected surprises during integration. This helps to avoid costly fixes later on and ensures your character works seamlessly in your game.

4. Client‑Focused Service

At Cubix, client service is a priority. As the dedicated project manager, I’m your primary point of contact, ensuring clear communication and personalized service throughout the project. You’ll never feel out of the loop with regular updates, video check-ins, and detailed reports on progress.

Plus, we offer post-delivery support packages to ensure your character performs well after launch. If you need any updates or tweaks, we’re here to help.

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How to Get Started?

Bringing a character to life is easy when you work with a team that gets it. At Cubix, we handle everything from concept to in-game character, ensuring it’s exactly what you’ve imagined. To kick things off, just fill out our contact form or drop us a message. We’ll set up a 15-minute discovery call to understand your game and character needs.

Share any briefs, sketches, or references you have, no matter how rough and we’ll help bring them to life. Then, we’ll send you a free estimate and timeline so you know exactly what to expect. Once you’re happy with everything, we’ll start within 3 working days and keep you updated weekly.

Ready to see a demo or get an estimate on your character? Connect with us today.

“At Cubix, we don’t just create characters but we bring stories to life.”

– Shoaib Abdul Ghaffar, Vice President at Cubix, a leading game development company

We’ve discussed how a Subway Surfers‑style character might cost $7K, but at Cubix, we deliver the same quality, faster timelines, and built-in QA, all while saving you money.

Better character = better game.

So, what are you upto? Let’s build your next hit character, reach out now!