Game engines offer huge benefits to game developers. The main functionality they provide is the library of core functions used in a computer game. This often includes a realtime rendering engine for 2D or 3D graphics, physics engine with collision detection, a character animation system, scene graph, sound, artificial intelligence, threading, networking, input, streaming localization support, debugging tools, integration with languages, and the provision of performance monitoring and optimization tools.
Game engines play a crucial role in the fast creation and development of computer games. As they offer a collection of visual development tools, and are often presented in an integrated development environment, they vastly accelerate the development of games. Game engines are referred to as “game middleware” because they provide a flexible and reusable software platform.
Let’s explore the 10 game engines. For each engine we have compiled its own portal page, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, a screen shot of the program in action, together with links to relevant resources.
| Game Engines | |
|---|---|
| Godot | Feature packed 2D and 3D cross-platform compatible |
| jMonkeyEngine | Game engine made especially for modern 3D development |
| libGDX | Java game development framework based on OpenGL |
| LÖVE | Framework to create 2D games in Lua |
| OGRE | Object-Oriented Graphics Rendering Engine |
| OHRRPGCE | Official Hamster Republic Role Playing Game Construction Engine |
| Panda3D | Framework for 3D rendering and games |
| PixiJS | HTML5 creation engine with 2D WebGL renderer |
| Pygame | Set of Python modules designed for writing video games |
| Spring | Real-time strategy game engine |
Note: The utilities are listed in alphabetical order.
Eligibility criteria
Free to download. The project must be available to download without charge but the authors may accept donations.
Published under an open source license. Popular open source licenses for games include MIT License, GNU General Public License, and BSD License.
Not in an early stage of development. The utility must be in a stage of mature development.
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