Game Making – Researching Game Making Platforms

kb4n24
laptop, digital device, technology, portable, computer, laptop computer, pc, macbook, laptop, laptop, laptop, technology, technology, technology, technology, computer, computer, computer, computer, computer

I used Microsoft CoPilot to find 20 game-making platforms of varying complexity to test platforms that might work for my final prototype for semester 2.

The list with CoPilot’s Comments

  1. Scratch: A visual programming platform ideal for beginners and educational purposes. Great for creating simple 2D games.
  2. GDevelop: A no-code, open-source engine for 2D and simple 3D games. Perfect for those new to game design.
  3. microStudio: A browser-based engine for 2D games, offering tools for coding, sprite creation, and map design.
  4. RPG Maker: Focused on creating role-playing games with minimal coding. Ideal for storytelling and character-driven games.
  5. Construct 3: A drag-and-drop engine for 2D games, suitable for beginners and intermediate designers.
  6. Godot Engine: A powerful open-source engine for both 2D and 3D games. Offers flexibility with scripting languages like GDScript and C#.
  7. Unity: A widely-used engine for 2D and 3D games, offering advanced features and a large community for support.
  8. Unreal Engine: Known for its high-end graphics and capabilities for 3D games. Best for advanced designers.
  9. Defold: A lightweight engine for 2D games, offering a balance between simplicity and advanced features.
  10. Blender Game Engine: While primarily a 3D modeling tool, it also supports game creation with Python scripting.
  11. GameMaker Studio 2: A versatile engine for 2D games, offering drag-and-drop functionality and coding options.
  12. Stencyl: A no-code platform for creating 2D games, ideal for mobile and web publishing.
  13. TIC-80: A fantasy console for creating retro-style games with built-in tools for coding, music, and art.
  14. PICO-8: Another fantasy console focused on 8-bit style games, with a strong community and creative tools.
  15. Cerberus X: A lightweight engine for 2D and 3D games, suitable for indie developers and hobbyists.
  16. Adventure Game Studio (AGS): Perfect for creating point-and-click adventure games with minimal coding.
  17. Ren’Py: A visual novel engine that’s beginner-friendly and great for storytelling-focused games.
  18. Twine: A tool for creating interactive, text-based games and stories without programming knowledge.
  19. CryEngine: A high-end engine for 3D games, offering stunning visuals and advanced features.
  20. Amazon Lumberyard: A powerful 3D engine with integration for multiplayer and cloud-based games.

Quick Testing Each Platform:

What am I looking for?

  • Something easy to use and quick to prototype with
  • A range of game making strategies – aim to use 4 platforms
  • They must work on Mac as that is the operating system I have at home
  • They must be free
  • The grading key
    • ** = they seem suitable
    • xx = not suitable
    • Everything else is in the may be useful pile!

The results:

  1. **Scratch: Simple with good tutorials.**
  2. GDevelop: Looks very simple. Small monthly fee if you want to publish games. First game free.
  3. microStudio: Browser based and looks simple. Coding. Might be a good one for the prototyping stage.
  4. RPG Maker: Looks simple to use. Costs £25.
  5. Construct 3: Subscription model.
  6. Godot Engine: Free, looks powerful and able to create complex games which work across platforms. Might be good for phase 3.
  7. Unity: Have experience of using this in class. Might be useful when I want to make something more developed.
  8. Unreal Engine: Cannot run this on my devices due to lack of processing power. Too complex for this phase.
  9. Defold: This is cross platform and may be useful for the final game. Looks like it has lots of features and may be something to look at in phase 3 or for the final project.
  10. Blender Game Engine: I think this will be too complex for the moment.
  11. **GameMaker Studio 2: This looks like an easy to use high potential game engine.**
  12. **Stencyl: Drag and drop interface with the option of writing code. Drawing system looks very simple to use. Might be a good candidate!**
  13. TIC-80: Very simple pixel ‘games’. Too simple to use for my concepts I think…
  14. PICO-8: Costs £15. Very simple pixel games.
  15. Cerberus X: Simple games that have the Indie aesthetic. Uses high level programming. There is also a module that allows for more simple construction.
  16. Adventure Game Studio (AGS): Point and click, hard to get a sense of how this works. Free and able to make simple games.
  17. **Ren’Py: This looks like a good option for the final game – a narrative, illustration based game engine.**
  18. Twine: Have experience of this from term 1.
  19. CryEngine: Ruled out as not available for Mac OS.
  20. Amazon Lumberyard: Now O3DE => Ruled out as not available for Mac OS.

The Winners

  • Scratch
  • GameMaker Studio 2
  • Stencyl
  • Ren’Py

Next Steps

To continue with phase 2 of the project plan: prototyping games to test game ideas using the above shortlist

Related Posts