For people that want to design video games, game making software free is what you need. With game making software download, anyone can create games with no coding skills. Beginners game software is also available to learn the basics of game software development.
Want to learn about game making software? It is not an easy thing to do, since the market has tons of options you can choose from. To make it simpler for you, here are some of the best game design software that you can download right now!
GDevelop:
Best For:
- Open-source. Intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- Support for HTML5 and native games.
- Comprehensive documentation for quick learning.
- Multi-language support.
Open-source free software, GDevelop allows developers to make games without programming skills. It allows you to create objects for games such as sprites, text objects, video objects, and custom shapes.
You can control the behavior of objects using different tools such as the physics engine that allows objects to exhibit realistic behavior. Additionally, the screen editor allows you to edit all levels as well as create them.
You can use the events feature of this free Software to define reusable functions that can be utilized as expressions, conditions, and actions for games. The other game creation programs do not provide this feature.
Pricing: As this is an open-source package, there are no fees or charges of any kind. The source code is also freely available.
Features: Game deployment on multiple platforms, Sprites with multiple animations, Particle Emitters, Tiled sprites, Text objects, Support for custom collision masks, Physics engine, Pathfinding, Platformer engine, Draggable objects, Anchor, and Tweens.
Cons:
- Needs more in-depth tutorials to cover all aspects.
- Object behavior is generalized.
Publishing Platform: GDevelop can make HTML5 games that can be exported to both iOS and Android. It can also create native games for Linux and Windows.
Verdict: Select this free game development software for quickly making a wide variety of 2D games without coding.
GameMaker Studio 2:
Among the best game design software options for beginners to experiment with, GameMaker: Studio 2 (GMS 2) features an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface for variables and game logic, so that you can build entire games without knowing any code. However, having some background with the C programming language will come in handy for using the software’s scripting language, GML, to further customize your game.
The GMS 2 free version limits you to publishing games to Windows with a watermark, but versions with full export to Windows, Mac, HTML5, iOS, Android, and more start around $100 and up.
Autodesk:
Best For:
- Industry-standard and top preference for animation and modeling in AAA games.
- Using the MEL language, you can download or write custom scripts.
- Realistic and powerful rendering is combined with ease-of-use.
Autodesk offers a suite of programs for making the most stunning visuals, immersive environments, and 3D models. Unsurprisingly, Autodesk is at the heart of many blockbuster AAA games.
With Maya, you can create the most realistic 3D models. The program allows responsive manipulation and fast playback of character rigs with Parallel Rig Evaluation.
A toolset is provided with a full list of features for animation, character creation, and editing. This versatile platform can be easily customized and integrated into the game development pipeline.
Pricing:
- Maya and 3DS MAX: Starting at $125 per month.
- Maya LT: $30 per month
- A free version is also available.
Features: Comprehensive list of features for rendering, animation, rigging, modeling exporting, and much more. Extensive support from Autodesk and an active user community.
Cons:
- Both 3DS Max and Maya have steep learning curves as they are feature-rich.
- Autodesk programs are not cross-platform. They work only on Windows.
Publishing Platform: Windows only
Verdict: Select these software suites for the most comprehensive tools that are used by leading game development studios for the biggest and best 3D games.
Unity:
Unity is one of the industry’s most powerful and widely used game design software tools, allowing you to create 2D and 3D games for nearly any system—including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Facebook, Oculus Rift, Steam VR, PS4, XB1, Wii U, and Switch. Using Unity requires knowing some C programming, although Unity does offer tutorials for beginners if you’re willing to dive in on your own. While Unity supports game design assets created in 3ds Max, Maya, Blender, and similar software, Unity’s asset store also offers an impressive selection of high-quality graphics, model, environment textures, and other free and for-sale items.
While Plus and Pro plans are available, Unity’s free version has everything you need to build awesome games and is royalty-free for anyone with game revenues under $100,000 per year.
Stencyl:
Best For:
- A cross-platform tool that will allow you to publish Mac, Windows, Flash, Android, and iOS games without coding.
- Advanced users can utilize Haxe scripting to extend the engine and create personalized classes.
- As games are exported to native code, performance on all platforms is very fast.
Stencyl allows inexperienced developers to make stunning and addictive 2D games without the need to write code. It provides intuitive and comprehensive toolsets to streamline your workflow and accelerate development.
This program manages all technical details while allowing you to focus on what is most important i.e. designing and customizing the game according to your ideas.
The game design approach is based on the drag-and-drop concept employed by the popular MIT Scratch project. Although you can make use of several readymade elements, you can also write your own code, custom classes, and import libraries.
Pricing:
- Free for beginners (Web publishing only).
- $99 per annum for indie developers (Web and Desktop publishing only).
- $199 per annum for studios (Desktop, Web, Android, and iOS publishing).
Features: Intuitive and comprehensive toolsets to streamline workflow and accelerate development. A design approach based on the drag-and-drop concept employed by the popular MIT Scratch project. Scene designer tools such as Flood fill, Grid-snapping, Zooming, Selection, and much more to manipulate Terrain, Tiles, and Characters.
Cons:
- Some features do not work well for Android.
- Suitable for small games only.
Publishing Platform: Stencyl can publish Flash, HTML5, Linux, Mac, Windows, Android, iPad, and iPhone games.
Verdict: If you are interested in an open-source game development ecosystem that allows you to develop 2D games without any coding knowledge, then Stencyl is a good choice.
Unreal Engine 4:
Because it’s jam-packed with cutting-edge, advanced features, Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) likely has the highest learning curve of these three game design software tools, but it’s perhaps also the most professional. UE4’s most unique aspect is its Blueprint system that allows users to rapidly develop complex game logic and entire games without ever interacting with a single piece of code. Don’t worry though; those who prefer to code have that option too.
Like other game design software mentioned, Unreal makes it easy to export to popular platforms across mobile devices, computers, gaming consoles, and VR systems. Their payment model is also based on the success of the games you create, so that you can use the software for free, but any time you earn $3,000 in a quarter (3 months), you pay a 5% royalty on your total revenue.
Construct 3:
No programming needed. Construct 3 is the best game development software if you’ve never written a line of code in your life. This game development tool is completely GUI-driven, meaning everything is drag-and-drop. Game logic and variables are implemented using the design features provided by the app itself.
The beauty of Construct 3 is that it can export to dozens of different platforms and formats, and you don’t have to change a single thing in your game to accommodate these various options. Once your game is done, you can export to HTML5, Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, Microsoft Store, and more.https://www.youtube.com/embed/pWiC5Ln_0yA
Construct 3 has some of the best and most comprehensive documentation I’ve ever seen for a game development tool. In addition, there are hundreds of tutorials that will help you understand concepts from basic to advanced, and the forum community is extremely active if you ever need assistance.
Asset Store. Most programmers have no skills in art, music, or animation. But that’s fine with Construct 3 because you can always browse and purchase ready-made assets from the Scirra Store. Most asset packs are just a few dollars, but the professional-grade stuff can price at $30 or beyond. You can also buy sample games with source, which can be helpful for studying and learning new tips and tricks.
The free version has all of the core features but is limited to 25 events, two object layers, two simultaneous special effects, one web font, no multiplayer functionality, can only export to HTML5, and no permission to sell your games. The Personal license is $99/year and lifts all of these restrictions.
Conclusion:
There are advantages that only computer games have, which have made it more attention-grabbing to players. With the potential of being combined with devices associated with entertainment, computers have rather turn into equipment meant for amusement. Video game design software free download online gives players a lot of entertainment value found in different kinds of video games.