Best Game Engines for Video Game Development
Game engines are the foundation upon which developers build modern video games. They provide a framework of reusable components and tools that handle common game development tasks such as rendering, physics, scripting, audio, animation, and more. Choosing the right game engine is critical to the success of any game project.
As a full-stack developer and professional coder, I‘ve worked with many different game engines over the years. In this in-depth guide, I‘ll share my expertise and insights on the best game engines for video game development. Whether you‘re an indie developer or part of a AAA studio, this guide will help you make an informed decision when choosing an engine for your next project.
Unity
First released in 2005, Unity is the most popular game engine in the world. It is used by over 1.5 million active developers across industries including gaming, film, automotive, architecture, and more. In 2021, Unity accounted for 61% of the global game engine market share.
Unity‘s success can be attributed to its versatility, ease of use, and extensive ecosystem. The engine supports development for over 25 target platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and VR/AR devices.
One of Unity‘s biggest strengths is its Asset Store. The Asset Store is a marketplace where developers can find thousands of pre-made assets including 3D models, textures, audio, scripts, and editor extensions. Using these assets can significantly speed up development time and reduce costs.
Some of the most popular games made with Unity include:
- Genshin Impact
- Fall Guys
- Cuphead
- Hearthstone
- Pokémon GO
- Beat Saber
- Hollow Knight
For beginners, Unity is one of the most approachable game engines to learn. It uses C# as its primary scripting language, which is similar to Java and other C-style languages. Unity also has an extensive library of learning resources including documentation, tutorials, courses, and certifications.
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is the go-to game engine for AAA studios looking to create visually stunning, high-performance 3D games. Originally developed by Epic Games in 1998 for first-person shooters, Unreal has evolved into a general-purpose game engine that powers a wide range of genres and mediums.
Some of Unreal Engine‘s most notable features include:
- Photorealistic rendering with physically-based materials, dynamic lighting, and post-processing effects
- Robust physics simulation with NVIDIA PhysX integration
- Advanced character animation and rigging tools
- Powerful UI and UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) systems for creating interactive interfaces
- Niagara particle system for complex visual effects
- Pixel Streaming for delivering high-quality 3D content to web browsers
- MetaHuman Creator for generating photorealistic digital humans
- World building tools for creating massive open worlds
Unreal Engine is known for its steep learning curve compared to other engines like Unity. It is primarily coded in C++, which can be challenging for beginners to learn. However, Unreal does provide a visual scripting language called Blueprints that allows developers to create game logic without coding.
In recent years, Unreal Engine has expanded beyond gaming into other industries like film, television, live events, architecture, automotive, and more. Major companies like Disney, HBO, Ford, McLaren, and more have used Unreal Engine for visualization and simulation.
Notable games made with Unreal Engine include:
- Fortnite
- PUBG
- Bioshock
- Borderlands
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
- Tony Hawk‘s Pro Skater 1+2
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
Game Engine Comparison
To help you compare the top game engines, I‘ve compiled a table of key specifications and supported platforms:
| Engine | Developer | License | Scripting | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unity | Unity Tech. | Proprietary, Free | C# | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Consoles, VR/AR, Web |
| Unreal Engine | Epic Games | Proprietary, Free | C++, Blueprint | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Consoles, VR/AR |
| Godot | Godot Team | MIT License, Free | GDScript, C++, C#, Visual Script | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web |
| CryEngine | Crytek | Proprietary, "Pay what you want" | C++, Lua | Windows, Linux |
| GameMaker Studio | YoYo Games | Proprietary, Paid | GML | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Consoles, Web |
| Amazon Lumberyard | Amazon | Apache License 2.0, Free | C++, Lua, Script Canvas | Windows |
| Cocos2d | Cocos2d Team | MIT License, Free | C++, Lua, JavaScript | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web |
As you can see, each engine has its own unique combination of scripting languages, target platforms, licensing, and pricing models. Unity and Unreal Engine are the most versatile in terms of supported platforms, while open source engines like Godot and Cocos2d offer more flexibility and lower cost.
Other Notable Game Engines
In addition to the engines listed above, there are many other game engines worth considering depending on your specific needs and preferences:
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Phaser: A fast, free, and open-source 2D game engine for making HTML5 games for desktop and mobile. Phaser uses JavaScript and has a large community and plugin ecosystem.
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Construct: A user-friendly 2D game engine that uses a visual, drag-and-drop interface for creating games without coding. Construct exports games to HTML5 for publishing on the web.
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PlayCanvas: A cloud-hosted game engine for building 3D games and experiences for the web. PlayCanvas uses JavaScript and WebGL and features a collaborative online editor.
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Defold: A free, cross-platform 2D game engine developed by King, the makers of Candy Crush. Defold uses Lua for scripting and targets iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web.
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Buildbox: A no-code 3D game engine that allows developers to create games by dragging and dropping assets. Buildbox is popular for creating hypercasual mobile games.
WebGL and HTML5 Game Development
In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards developing games that run directly in web browsers using HTML5 and WebGL technologies. This allows developers to create games that are instantly accessible and playable on any device with a modern web browser, without the need for downloads or installations.
Many game engines now support exporting to HTML5 and WebGL, including Unity, Cocos2d, Phaser, PlayCanvas, and more. However, there are also engines built specifically for web game development like Three.js and Babylon.js.
Web-based games have many advantages over native apps, such as:
- Instant access without installation
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Easy sharing and embedding
- No app store approval process
- Lower development and maintenance costs
However, web games also have some limitations compared to native apps, such as:
- Lower performance and graphics fidelity
- Limited access to device hardware and sensors
- Dependence on internet connectivity
- Compatibility issues with different browsers and devices
Despite these challenges, the future of web game development looks bright. With advancements in web technologies and the rise of cloud gaming, we can expect to see more high-quality games delivered through the browser in the coming years.
The Future of Game Engines
Looking ahead, there are several trends and developments that are shaping the future of game engines:
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Cloud Gaming: Cloud gaming platforms like Google Stadia, Amazon Luna, and Xbox Cloud Gaming allow players to stream games directly from remote servers, without the need for powerful local hardware. This shifts the burden of rendering and processing from the player‘s device to the cloud. Game engines are evolving to support cloud gaming by integrating with cloud services and optimizing for streaming.
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Machine Learning: Game engines are starting to leverage machine learning and AI to create smarter, more responsive, and more realistic game worlds. For example, Unity‘s ML-Agents toolkit allows developers to train intelligent game characters using reinforcement learning. Other applications of machine learning in game development include procedural content generation, game balancing, and player modeling.
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Photorealistic Graphics: As hardware capabilities continue to improve, game engines are pushing the boundaries of visual fidelity and realism. Techniques like ray tracing, photogrammetry, and 3D scanning are allowing developers to create game worlds that are indistinguishable from reality. Epic‘s MetaHuman Creator is a prime example of how game engines are enabling the creation of photorealistic digital humans.
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Open Source and Modular Engines: While proprietary engines like Unity and Unreal still dominate the market, there is a growing trend towards open source and modular game engines. Open source engines like Godot and Cocos2d provide more transparency and flexibility for developers who want to customize their game engine. Modular engines like Amethyst and Our Machinery allow developers to mix and match different engine components to create a custom game framework.
As a game developer, it‘s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in game engines. By choosing the right engine for your project and leveraging its capabilities, you can create games that push the boundaries of what‘s possible and captivate players around the world.
Conclusion
Game engines are the backbone of modern video game development. They provide developers with a powerful set of tools and frameworks for bringing their game ideas to life across a wide range of platforms and devices.
When choosing a game engine, consider factors like your game‘s genre and scope, your team‘s skills and experience, your target platforms and audience, and your budget and timeline. Whether you choose a popular engine like Unity or Unreal, or opt for a more specialized tool like RPG Maker or Ren‘Py, the most important thing is to choose an engine that empowers you to create the best possible game.
As the game industry continues to evolve, so too will game engines. By staying on the cutting edge of engine development and leveraging the latest technologies and trends, you can create games that stand out in an increasingly crowded market and leave a lasting impact on players.