Creating Games

logo Construct 3 Construct 3
logo Unity 3D Unity 3D
logo Unreal Engine 4 Unreal Engine 4
logo Autodesk 3ds Max Autodesk 3ds Max
logo Game Editor Game Editor
logo GameMaker Studio 2 GameMaker Studio 2
logo Godot Engine Godot Engine
logo CryEngine V CryEngine V
logo Clickteam Fusion Clickteam Fusion

You have an idea to create a computer game. And immediately the question arises, what program to use to create not only attractive graphics, but also to fill the gaming space with meaning? The platforms for creating games come to the rescue. These are special applications that allow you to create a game without knowledge of programming. Presented platforms have a special set of options with which it is possible simulation 2D and 3D-graphics, imposing effects, control animation, visual filling of locations, and setting the behavior of objects. Create your own heroes and locations, and customize character interaction. The applications are suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Multifunctional editors work perfectly with the Windows operating system.

Programs for creating games include the following features:

  • user-friendly interface;
  • easy to understand scripting of the gameplay;
  • development of projects in different genres;
  • cross-platform;
  • tools for creating visualizations;
  • built-in templates with textures and models;
  • the function of embedding images and music;
  • collection of textures, shadows and effects;
  • realistic graphics design;
  • sound and video import
  • adding a variety of multimedia files in the process;
  • preview function.

The applications are accompanied by introductory materials, so these programs are not difficult for beginners. The rating includes both free programs and applications distributed on a commercial basis with a free trial period.

All Creating Games in rating

The third part of popular game designers from Scirra became Construct 3 - the program based on HTML5 technology was fully moved to the browser. Users note that the game editor is almost unchanged, but a few important differences are still present.

Pros

    • Clear and easy-to-use program for creating high-performance and beautiful games
    • Proprietary tried and tested event system
    • Wide range of functions
    • Easy to learn, you can make games without programming
    • Multi-platform
    • Construct 3 games run fast even on older Android devices
    • If you understand sprite animation, you can design a game without a designer or artist

Cons

    • Incomplete documentation, which users constantly complain about
    • You can only make 2D games
    • On this platform it is difficult to make a game with complex unique mechanics

Unity 3D is a popular game engine for developing 2D and 3D projects. After the end of support for Adobe Flash Player, Unity 3D remains the only major player in the development of browser games. However, the designer has the functionality to develop not only browser-based applications.

Pros

    • Multi-platform
    • Maximum ease and convenience of game creation
    • Includes various software - text editor, compiler, debugger, etc.
    • Possibility to develop games without any special knowledge
    • Component-oriented approach
    • Allows to draw maps and arrange objects in real time and immediately test the result.
    • Availability of a huge library of assets and plugins
    • Support for a huge number of platforms, technologies and APIs
    • Solid state physics, ragdoll and textiles, Level of Detail system, collisions between objects, complex animations

Cons

    • Slowness of complex, heavy projects
    • Unity apps are quite heavy
    • Creating complex games requires knowledge of C# to write scripts and components and implement them in the game

Unreal Engine 4 is the most famous and most powerful game engine available for both professional developers and ordinary users. Having received its fourth version, the best-selling game builder became available to users on a free-of-charge basis, provided that in case of earning more than 3000$ the developer will still pay to Epic Games a 5% commission for creating a product on Unreal Engine.

Pros

    • Visual programming
    • Saving time on character creation
    • Multitasking and versatility
    • Active use in film, commercials, architectural renderings and training simulations
    • Separate Twinmotion project for architectural renderings
    • Store for content you can buy or get for free for your game: models, animations, locations, plugins, ready code, etc.
    • The cross-platform nature of the engine: for consoles, PCs, mobile devices, etc.
    • Many different functions

Cons

    • If your project "fires" and makes more than a million dollars, you will be charged a 5-10% commission
    • Overpriced content in the store
    • Very little universal content
    • High system requirements

Three-dimensional graphics nowadays take a leading place in the creation of cartoons and special effects in feature films. This is especially true for the sci-fi and fantasy genre. Now on the Internet in the public domain there are many programs that are designed for 3d modeling. But many of them do not give very good results. It can be poor quality of the finished project or too unnatural effects that are superimposed on the video.

Pros

    • Polygonal modeling support
    • Realistic effects with dynamics
    • Customizable Units of Measure
    • Huge material library
    • Water, fire, smoke, wind simulation and more
    • Depth and Sharpness Adjustments
    • Advanced motion physics calculations
    • Broad application in game development
    • Multiple workflows running simultaneously

Cons

    • High system requirements
    • Limited functionality of 3ds Max in free mode
    • The new version of the program is not compatible with WinXP (32 bit)

Game Editor is a popular software package that allows you to create two-dimensional projects.

The development began in 2002 by Makslane Rodrigues. The project was published in 2003 and quickly became recognizable. The company Game Discovery released a kind of review on the designer, which noted compatibility with programs such as IPhone, iPad, MAC OC, Windows, Linux, Android, Windows Mobile, WM Smartphone, Pocket PC, GP2X. A large list of sites that support game editor makes it stand out among other similar services.

Pros

    • An excellent program for creating simple 2D games for computers or mobile devices
    • Requires no special knowledge of programming languages
    • Contains ready-made templates with different textures and models
    • Built-in animation sets
    • Inclusion of images and music
    • Express version for $99, which allows you to sell your creation at popular online stores
    • Open source code
    • Tips for beginners
    • A simple and convenient event and object behavior editor

Cons

    • Not suitable for creating complex projects
    • Not suitable for creating 3D games

GameMaker Studio is one of the most well-known 2D game engines. A simple interface and unique features make GameMaker Studio the best solution for novice 2D developers.

Pros

    • Multi-platform processor
    • In the professional version, you can buy separate modules that extend the functionality of the program
    • Includes functions for interaction with joysticks and gamepads, for handling touch and tilt on smartphones
    • Built-in Box2D physics engine, Angry Cats and Angry Cats Space demo projects and the Box2D feature set
    • Support for a wide range of libraries and extensions, including in different languages
    • Flexible pricing, the Standard Edition of Game Maker: Studio is completely free
    • Proprietary, simplified Game Maker Language (GML)
    • Integration with multiple version control systems
    • Integration with Steam, GooglePlay, AppStore

Cons

    • The free version (Standard) is limited to compilation under Windows
    • Despite the ability to work with 3D, it is extremely inconvenient in Game Maker

One simple and popular platform for creating 2D and 3D games is the Godot Engine. This open-source game engine allows you to create projects from scratch, even for people who have no experience in programming, but want to develop games.

Pros

    • Lightweight Software
    • The interface is intuitive to use for programmers and designers alike
    • The engine is constantly being developed and maintained
    • Extensive documentation available to developers
    • High-level scripting language
    • 2D engine that can transform and resize sprites, create physics and collision systems and easily animate
    • 3D engine works with OpenGL ES 2, so it is compatible with all types of rendering effects, lighting (HDR), and antialiasing
    • Allows you to import 3D models from popular environments such as Blender, Maya, and 3D Studio Max.
    • Available as a completely free, open source alternative

Cons

    • New lighting technology does not yet capture dynamic objects
    • Limited toolset

Programming language is very difficult for anyone, even for a good computer user. But you can find special platforms on the Internet to help you learn the basics of programming. One of these programs is Kodu. With this platform you can create a simple game, which will start the acquaintance with programming. Kodu is created for students. And it doesn't necessarily have to be future programmers. This software can be just a fun activity for other users.

Pros

    • Visual programming language based on tiles
    • Arbitrary landscape editing in full 3D
    • Builder has integrated help for each action, organized as tutorials
    • Extensive camera controls to give you the style of game you want
    • Flexible lighting to create the mood of your world
    • Huge collection of sound effects and music to choose from
    • Multi-platform
    • Simple and easy to understand interface
    • Visual Studio tools are used for development

Cons

    • Suitable for children and novice users

The CryEngine Software Development Kit (SDK), originally called the Sandbox Editor, is the current version of the level editor used to create levels for CryEngine by Crytek. The software also includes tools to facilitate scripting, animation, and object creation. It has been incorporated into various Crytek games (including but not limited to Crysis and Far Cry), and is widely used for modding. The editing style is a sandbox concept, with an emphasis on large areas and a free-form mission programming style. The editor can also create internal customizations.

Pros

    • Advanced video game development capabilities and support for the most advanced technologies
    • Real-time, pixel-by-pixel lighting
    • Detailed textures, fog, glare surfaces, realistic physics, advanced animation, etc.
    • Allows you to create games with almost photorealistic graphics
    • Games developed with it surpass the quality of any game on Unreal Engine 4 or Unity.
    • Engine contains a functional realtime renderer that allows you to quickly test a newly created level or scene.
    • Proprietary ray tracing technology in the engine, which works on AMD and Nvidia video cards
    • GameSDK - a tool that allows you to quickly create your own games using Assets from Crytek official site
    • Ideal for experienced developers to create expensive, high-quality projects

Cons

    • The complexity of building the build
    • Presence of bugs in the editor
    • Modest selection of Assets
    • Limited network game development
    • Lack of good technical support and an active community
    • Rather complicated to learn

Clickteam Fusion is a game and app builder created by Clickteam. The main advantage of Clickteam Fusion is that you can create games without any programming skills. Clickteam Fusion is available on Steam for 1,299 rubles. With Clickteam Fusion, you can build games and applications for Windows (including Windows Mobile), Android, XBox, Flash, and XNA. However, non-PC games require plug-ins to be released.

Pros

    • Ability to create prototypes quickly
    • No complicated programming required
    • Low price
    • You can create a full-fledged commercial product for ios, android
    • Easy to learn
    • Multi-platform
    • User-friendly interface
    • Several options for good optimization for portrait and landscape orientation
    • Quality support: fast, no water, they can even send you a piece of code

Cons

    • Some advanced options are hard to find
    • The built-in admob setup is only available for Android, and Unity ads have to be added via xcode