Computer games without programming. Gamemaker's Toolkit
The program is designed for creating two-dimensional games without using programming languages. Instead of lines of code, ready-made actions of game characters are substituted. The user can only create game objects, provide them with two-dimensional sprites or animation, create rules for interaction between objects, and arrange objects on levels. You can draw graphics and animation directly in Game Maker without using third-party programs.
This program excels at top-down games and side-view platformers.
“Game Maker” will also be of interest to advanced programmers; there is also the opportunity to add your own program code.
The free version of the program does not limit ordinary users in any way, compared to the paid version of Game Maker Pro. The paid version provides access to complex software modules that are of interest only to real professional programmers.
Construct 2
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A very simple 2D game designer. Knowledge of programming languages is not required.
Unlike Game Maker, Construct 2 can create games for iOS, Android, Facebook, Chrome Web Store, Desktop Windows, Windows 8 Apps, Web (HTML5), Kongregate and many other platforms.
This is a higher quality program, but also more greedy for money. The program is free until you want to sell your game. In this case, you will need to buy a licensed version. Also on the developers website there is special store, where you can buy building resources for your game: sound packs, music, detailed instructions.
We recommend the training course “TDS from A to Z” (creating a game in the “Top-down shooter” genre).
Programs for creating 3D games (Website)
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"3D Rad" is the cheapest option among 3D game engines. The program can be used for free, and by paying $5 you get the latest updates on the day they are released (on free version updates appear only after three months). Most often, this engine is used to create racing games.
The program has a simple and clear interface, not burdened with trifles.
"3D Rad" supports the installation of individual plugins, has pre-installed AI models, shadow and texture maps. It is possible to create online games.
NeoAxis Game Engine SDK
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An excellent game engine with a simple interface and high-quality graphics. Designed to create games in almost any genre.
Created based on the Ogre3D engine. The programming language used is C# and C++ and the .NET platform, but it is possible to do without programming thanks to special libraries of ready-made actions. The engine has various add-ons and extensions developed by third-party users. It is possible to export for 3dsMax and Maya, Autodesk Softimage and Blender. PSSM (Parallel-Split Shadow Map) shaders, lighting and shadows are supported.
NeoAxis Engine is distributed under 4 license types: Non-commercial – free for non-commercial projects; Indie license – $95/$295 (single/team); Commercial – $395/995 (single/team); Source license - from $9,800.
The main advantage of this game engine is maximum convenience and simplicity. In addition, the engine was developed by domestic programmers, which is why it has Russian as the default language. When you purchase a licensed version, you get high-quality technical support in your native language.
Unity 3D
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A comprehensive tool containing everything you might need to create a game. The Unity 3D package includes graphics engine, which fully utilizes the capabilities of DirectX and OpenGL, a built-in 3D model editor, separate programs for creating and processing shaders, shadows, landscapes, physics and sounds, as well as rich script libraries. With Unity 3D you can completely forget about third-party programs, or reduce their use to a minimum.
Unity 3D is suitable for creating games of any genre. The platforms supported are regular computers (Windows XP/Vista/7, OSX), mobile devices (Android, iOS, Blackberry), game consoles (Wii, Playstation 3, Xbox), Internet browsers (Flash, Web Player).
There is a special collaborative development system - Asset Server, which allows you to develop a game as part of an entire team directly via the Internet.
The only negative is that to use “Unity 3D” you need to know computer programming at least at an average level. Despite the rich library of ready-made practical software solutions and a powerful scripting engine with instant compilation, some of the code will have to be written independently in JavaScript or C#.
Unreal Development Kit (UDK)
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One of the most popular game engines in the professional environment game developers. On " Unreal Engine» created such games as: the “Unreal Tournament” series, the “ Mass Effect", "XCOM", "Borderlands 2", "DmC: Devil May Cry" and dozens and hundreds of smaller games.
"UDK" supports the following platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Android.
This engine was originally designed for creating 3D shooters, but it also has the ability to create games of related genres: slashers, adventures, MMO games.
The game engine perfectly creates facial animations, complex building architecture, and processes complex physical objects. UDK contains all the necessary tools for creating animations, textures, sounds, levels, models, and software scripts. There is a built-in library containing more than 1000 structures, other 3D models, standard textures and sounds. It is possible to program in a special language “Unreal Script” (created based on C++).
You can use UDK completely free of charge until you decide to officially publish your game created on this engine. In this case, you will have to fork out for an expensive license.
CryENGINE 3 Free SDK
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CryENGINE 3 is the pinnacle modern games new engines, providing photorealistic graphics with support for DirectX 11 and third generation shaders. The third version of the engine was created in 2009. A series of games were created on this engine " Far Cry" and "Crysis", the online game "Aion", as well as dozens of lesser known ones computer games.
The Crytek company decided to distribute this already popular game engine for free. But the free version only lasts until you want to officially release a game created on this engine. Licensed version It costs more than all similar programs, but it is worth the money.
On "CryENGINE 3" you can create games for the platforms: PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
You can import textures from graphics programs “3ds max”, “Maya”, as well as from previous versions of the engine.
The CryENGINE 3 engine turned out to be very popular, it has a whole Russian-speaking community, thanks to this you can easily find all kinds of training materials, as well as answers to specific questions.
Previously, we touched on the topic of free game engines - . True, the title of the article was given a simpler one in order to attract more people who want to make their own 2D/3D game.
In this review, I decided to look at more serious game engines CryENGINE 3, Unreal Engine. Let's also look at new version Unity3D.
CryENGINE 3 Free SDK
CryENGINE 3 is a free game engine created by Crytek, which released the first version of the engine in 2002. The third version was born in 2009. The worldwide popularity of this engine is justified by the stunning graphics performance of the products, some of which look incredibly photorealistic.
Possibilities:
- I think the best demonstration of capabilities is already ready games and here CryENGINE 3 has something to boast about. Over the years, this engine has been used by the developers of such games as Far Cry, Crysis and AION. Of course, the list of created games is much larger, but I have listed the most famous games.
- CryEngine 3 is a cross-platform engine and supports PC, PlayStation ® 3 and Xbox 360 ™.
- You can import textures from 3ds max, maya, and also from previous versions of the engine.
- I will quote the words of the company’s founder, Tsevat Yerli: “The engine was ready for the next generation 3 years ago. We have long had an advanced particle system, GPU rendering, Deferred shading, tessellation, DX11 support and so on” - Indeed, real examples of created games speak volumes.
Examples of games: The official website presents the most popular games on CryENGINE http://mycryengine.com/index.php?conid=68
Where to start?
The SDK is downloaded as an archive, without an installer. The archive contains several folders, each of which has its own purpose. For example, to launch the editor, use the bin32 or bin64 folders (depending on the bit depth of your system). Editor file editor.exe, but to view the result - launcher.ex e.
Actually, this is a small explanation; numerous video tutorials will tell you everything else about what you will download. Fortunately, this engine turned out to be very popular and there is a whole Russian-speaking community for it (link below), here you will find training materials and can ask questions. This undoubtedly plays in favor of the engine for Russian-speaking developers, because the process of developing a game is not so simple, and cannot be done without reading the technical documentation.
The limitation of the free version is that you will not be able to obtain a license and distribute (sell) the game you developed.
Interface language: English
Unreal Development Kit (UDK)
Unreal - this is the word that the Unreal Engine developers decided to use not only in the name of the engine, but also in the names of some games - “Unreal”, Unreal Tournament, Unreal Championship. The released products also include Mass Effect, XCOM, Borderlands 2 and more than a hundred more unusual games which have received worldwide recognition.
Possibilities:
- Unreal Engine is a cross-platform engine and supports IBM PC-compatible computers, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Android. To be more precise, you can develop a game on Windows, and run the resulting product on the above-described game consoles and, of course, Windows itself.
- Initially, the engine is suitable for creating shooters, but is also suitable for other genres, for example, MMO games.
- The graphics are at a very high level. High detail of shadows and light. There is a lighting calculation system Unreal Lightmass.
- The built-in editor has a huge set of built-in tools, including FaceFX Studio (facial animation), mesh editor, Unreal Facade (development of architecture and buildings), Unreal PhAT (working with physics) as well as editors for animation, textures, sounds, levels, landscapes and others .
- Scripting is carried out in the Unreal Script language, which includes many functions that simplify the development of 3D games. Despite some difficulties like class inheritance, appearance Unreal Script code is similar to C/C++.
Examples of games: here is a plus to what I wrote above - http://www.unrealengine.com/en/showcase/
Interface language: English
Unity3D
An engine that is rapidly gaining popularity among beginners. The reason for this is quite natural - the ease and intuitiveness of both the interface and the game design system as a whole. A lot of video tutorials and high-quality documentation give this engine an additional advantage. In operation, Unity3D is quite productive and stable.
Possibilities:
- Multiplatform games and the engine itself. Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows XP/Vista/7, OSX, Wii, Playstation 3, Xbox, Flash, Web Player are supported. I would especially like to highlight the web plugin, because now you can play created 3D games directly in the browser; I have provided a link below with examples of games.
- Almost every genre of modern games is covered, it's really impressive (http://unity3d.com/gallery/made-with-unity/profiles/)!
- Simplified import of textures, sounds, fonts. To import, just drag and drop the elements into the textures folder on the engine panel. Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TGA, IFF, PICT, PSD, TIFF (images); FBX, COLLADA, 3DS, DXF (3D models); MP3, OGG, AIFF, WAV, MOD, IT, S3M, XM (audio).
- Scripting. Scripts can be written in JavaScript, C# and a Python dialect called Boo. Most often, code is written in JavaScript; besides, almost all Unity help contains examples in JavaScript. You can check the script's operation immediately in the game, without leaving the Unity window.
- The graphics system is well optimized and runs on DirectX (includes support for DirectX 11) and OpenGL. There is support for Deferred Shading and real-time shadows. There is also a built-in landscape generator and a built-in shader editor.
- If you want to develop a game in a team, the engine provides a collaborative development system for you - Asset Server.
Examples of games: Bad Piggies, Wasteland 2. Some games can be played directly on Unity website(requires installation of a special UnityWebPlayer plugin)
Interface language: English
Where to start?
There is a topic on our forum dedicated to this engine (link below). Here you will find video tutorials and other material on learning Unity3D.
Let's summarize. What to choose?
Of course, to choose an engine you must clearly know for which platform you are going to develop the game. For mobile platforms, choose between Unity3D and Unreal Development Kit (UDK). Unity3D has the widest selection of platforms: Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows XP/Vista/7, OSX, Wii, Playstation 3, Xbox, Flash, Web Player (most platforms are excluded in the free version).
Game genre:
These three engines can be used to make a game of any genre, but CryENGINE 3 and UDK will be more focused on FPS (shooters). Racing simulators - UDK, because it works better with physics, but Unity is also suitable.
Training/Interface:
Scripting is an integral part of game development and Unity is at its best. Some beginners can figure out how to write simple scripts even without documentation. As for the training material, there is enough of it in RuNet for all the engines described above, but Unity3D is the leader here too.
Graphics:
The review provides examples of finished products; they are already enough to draw conclusions. CryENGINE 3 is superior to its competitors, but we cannot speak of clear superiority. Unity in the free version has lost many technologies, full list See the possibilities here - https://store.unity3d.com/ (button “read more” > “License Comparison”)
Choose an engine based on your needs and knowledge. It’s still worth trying each one and choosing what is closer and easier for you.
This article will talk about free programs for creating 2D and 3D games. This article is aimed not only at beginners, but also for more experienced ones.
Programs will be described that can be used to create both primitive 2D games and more complex 3D games using physics, high graphics, writing scripts and algorithms. The top will feature engines and programs on which anyone can create games, since for this you do not need to know and write special complex scripts, as well as master programming languages.
This top can also be useful for people who are involved in creating games and have experience in programming, working with frameworks and libraries.
The article will help those who want to make their debut in this field and are now choosing the optimal engine for themselves. The top will describe all the advantages and benefits of the presented engines.
The top 5 engines for creating games will be formed, starting with the most primitive and simple ones, ending with the more complex ones. This top was formed taking into account the use of completely free and accessible engines, as well as the relevance and support of these programs.
The engines selected and described in this article will not be the best, they are simply the most suitable for performing the tasks of novice game creators.
A little background.
Previously, all games were created manually for each platform. Every time the whole game wrote from scratch. Then game developers noticed that when creating games, there are many routine tasks that are easier to automate, write such solutions once and then simply access them from code.
Thus, libraries, frameworks and then full-fledged engines appeared.
5 Place
Stencyl is a game designer that will help you create games of different genres in 2D format, for platforms such as Android, IOS, Windows, as well as games in Flash and HTML 5 format. 
The constructor is a ready-made selection of event blocks, a basket of remote actions, blocks of predefined actions, and much more. At the same time, the developers of this constructor provide the opportunity to create your own events and reactions. This engine has a large set of tools and the ability to work with a visual designer.
Simplicity and a wide range of simple tools do not in any way reduce the capabilities of this designer for the work of professionals. The engine allows you to write code in ActionScript 3.0.
Using this engine you can create online games, so-called flash games, in Flash and HTML 5 formats that can be launched in a browser and posted on websites.
The Stencyl constructor provides a very useful and interesting opportunity to develop a game in a team while being remote from each other using a common network interface, chat and support, which are provided free of charge on the official website.
In this constructor, it is worth noting that there is a store where you can download already ready-made scripts, graphics and much more.
An example of how the engine works is the many online flash games that are abundant on the Internet.
· Ease of operation.
· A large number of video lessons and instructions, as well as support on the official website.
· The designer is completely free.
· Possibility of team work on the game.
· Ability to use your own scripts in ActionScript 3.0.
· Game development for different platforms.
· English interface.
· The interface is not immediately clear.
4 Place
Kodu Game Lab is a visual editor that allows you to create 3D games without any knowledge of programming languages. This engine allows you to create game worlds, maps and place characters in them, for whom you can then create tasks or scenarios.
All this can be done without writing any scripts or knowledge of programming languages.
Kodu Game Lab has many features and you can create any genre of games on its basis. Due to the fact that the program interface is very simple, anyone can create the most primitive game with their own scenario and world.
· A large number of tools.
· Ease of operation.
· Creation of absolutely any genre of games.
· Russian-language interface.
· No powerful computer required.
· Poor optimization.
· Poor game creation capabilities.
· Impossibility of creating a distribution kit for further installation on another computer.
· Inability to create your own textures and add your own materials.
3 Place
Unity is a powerful engine for creating games. This engine is cross-platform, allows you to create games for popular operating systems such as Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, as well as game consoles Xbox, Wii. 
This game engine is very popular among novice developers, as it is free, functional and provides the opportunity to develop games for all popular platforms.
By installing special plugins (possibly paid ones), you can create a primitive game without writing special scripts or algorithms. Thus, even a person far from programming will be able to create a simple game and try out this engine.
The free version of Unity has enough tools and features for beginners in this field. If you are already an experienced game creator, then most likely you will not have enough tools that are present in the free version. In order to more finely tune the graphics of the games you create, I advise you to use the Pro version.
The main programming languages you need to create simple games are C# and JavaScript.
It is worth noting the presence of a store for skins, textures and much more, as well as the ability to use your own created materials in the Unity engine.
It should be noted that the majority popular games for PCs and Smartphones were created precisely on this engine, so you should understand how much of a functional and powerful platform it is for creating games.
To understand all the capabilities of this engine, I advise you to familiarize yourself with popular video games that were entirely created in Unity - these are Cities Skylines, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, Rust, Firewatch, Superhot, Kerbal Space Program.
· Roughly clear interface.
· Creation of absolutely any genre of games.
· Cross-platform.
· Optimization.
· A large number of video lessons and instructions.
· The engine is completely free.
· No powerful computer required.
· Not suitable for beginners.
· Closed source.
· Outdated graphics.
Undoubtedly, this engine is many times better and more functional than the previous ones, but if we look at it from a more professional creation games, then you should understand that Unity is becoming obsolete.
2 Place
Unreal Engine is a fairly powerful engine for creating games. This platform makes it possible to create 2D and 3D games. An integral part of such modern and powerful engines is cross-platform, and Unreal Engine does it quite well. You can create games for all popular platforms, both for smartphones (Android, IOS) and for computers (Windows, MacOS). 
For this engine, there is quite a lot of documentation and information about working with it on the official website and on the Internet. Therefore, if you are unfamiliar with Unreal Engine, you can easily find all the information you need to get started, and if any problems arise during development, you can contact the form and discuss or find a solution to the problem.
Unreal Engine is a completely free game creation engine that you can download from the official website.
It is very important that if you are a professional developer and are planning to create a fairly complex and large project, then you should pay attention to this platform, as it is completely open source and has very well optimized, modern graphics. As for writing scripts, the engine uses the C++ programming language. Open source will allow you to add your own libraries and frameworks from the engine, which gives you almost unlimited possibilities in creating games.
I would like to note that if you are not experienced in creating games, and if you do not know the basics of programming in C++, then you should not start getting acquainted with game development with this engine. Since Unreal Engine is a professional tool for creating games.
To understand the full power and capabilities of the engine, you can look at popular projects already created on it, such as Gears of War 4, We Happy Few, Final Fantasy VII, Dead Island 2, Taken 7 and a long list of examples of features. 
· A huge number of tools.
· Creation of absolutely any genre of games.
· Cross-platform.
· Optimization.
· A large number of video lessons and instructions.
· Own forums, discussions in game development.
· The engine is completely free.
· Built-in add-on store.
· Ability to create a multi-player in games.
· High level graphics.
· Open source
· Not suitable for beginners.
· Complex interface.
1 Place
CryEngine was put in first place, although it is very similar to Unreal Engine, but still it is now more popular for creating modern games, and is developing more and more every day. CryEngine is the most popular engine among developers of complex and modern games using the most better graphics, physicists, etc.
CryEngine is a powerful engine for creating modern games in any genre for all possible platforms. It is also cross-platform and allows you to create games for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, IOS.
It is very suitable for teamwork on projects and allows you to create games using the latest knowledge and capabilities. The engine is also open source, which gives unlimited opportunities to refine the engine and create games that no one has ever created before.
Even though the engine is powerful and allows you to run and create high graphics games, it also makes it possible to create 2D games that not only look beautiful.
Here are some projects implemented on CryEngine: CrySis, Star Citizen, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3, Ryse: Son of Rome, Warface, the first part of FarCry and many others.
· A huge number of tools.
· Creation of absolutely any genre of games.
· Cross-platform.
· Optimization.
· A large number of video lessons and instructions.
· Own forums, discussions in game development.
· The engine is completely free.
· Built-in add-on store.
· Ability to create a multi-player in games.
· High level of graphics.
· Almost unlimited possibilities in creating games.
· Open source
· Not suitable for beginners.
· Quite demanding on the computer.
· Complex interface.
Conclusion
The article describes the most popular and, in my opinion, better engines and constructors for creating both primitive 2D games and developing the most advanced new video games.
If you want to start developing games but don't know any programming languages, then you should apply your attention to 5th and 4th place. Such engines will help you create simple games without knowledge of programming languages or scripting. To create your own game, the usual visual editors of these engines will suffice
If you are already a fairly experienced game creator and want to debut with your project, then you should take a look at the top three leaders in this top and decide which project and for which platform you are going to implement.
If you have decided on the engine and what project you will implement, then you can safely begin, and the forums, documentation and developer communities for these platforms will help with this.
Do you want to try creating your own 2D game? Here are the best tools for the job, even if you are new to this business.
Making games is difficult. The more you know about this process, the more amazed you will be that anyone actually follows through with it. As one of the former PC Gamer writers, Tom Francis, said when describing the process of programming the game Gunpoint: “While working on the game, I came to one conclusion: My game is pure madness. This is a patient of a mental hospital. She has completely lost her mind, and you need to be prepared for the fact that all reasonable arguments will be met with deranged screaming nonsense.”
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work that goes into designing and programming your game, but we asked several independent developers and they all gave the same advice to newbies: just do it. Plunge yourself into your work, no matter how scary it may seem. To help you take that first (daunting, but ultimately rewarding) step, we've prepared a list of 2D engines for aspiring game developers. We hope that it, along with the recommendations of experienced game designers, will be useful to you.
GameMaker Studio 2
License cost: $100 for PC version; free trial available
Suitable for: short 2D platformers and RPGs; cross-platform games
Examples of games: Nidhogg, Hyper Light Drifter, Undertale, Risk of Rain
Pros
Mark Essen, author of the games Nidhogg and Nidhogg 2, says that GameMaker is great for beginners, since the system for creating scripts in it is as simple and clear as possible, and on the Yoyo Games portal you can find a collection of manuals and guides on this topic. There are also many add-ons for the engine on the Internet that allow you to customize it to create a top-down platformer or RPG.
Alex Preston, who created Hyper Light Drifter, says that the community of the GameMaker engine provides invaluable assistance to beginners. He notes that new developers should "...connect with the developer community and learn all the engine tools to get where they need to be - and to do this, it's worth seeking advice from seasoned developers."
Cons
Of course, you are unlikely to be able to immediately create a game that can be published on Steam. "Because GameMaker is so easy to use, projects often end up unbalanced," says Essen. “I love that in the early stages of development you can quickly sketch out the skeleton of your game and focus on its design, but this can backfire later, especially if you don’t adhere to organizational standards!”
Duncan Drummond, author of the beloved Risk of Rain, also points out that GameMaker's ease of use can be a developer's nightmare. “You can quickly create a game with an engine, but if you overlook your mistakes in the early stages, then later this will result in increased costs for the game,” he says. Drummond notes that the specifics of working with GameMaker are very different from working with other engines, so if you plan to switch to Unity or any other engine in the future, you'll probably be better off looking elsewhere.
“Don't forget to delete your old works! The more often you start a game from scratch, the more experienced you become at game design." - Mark Essen, Nidhogg
“Just start! Start the engine, read the manuals and get to work, even if you can't really do it. The more mistakes you make, the more lessons you learn." - Alex Preston, Hyper Light Drifter
“Don't be afraid to start! It's an interesting and relatively simple way to develop, and it doesn't waste your time." - Duncan Drummond, Risk of Rain
Unity
License cost: Free Starter Pack, $35/month for Unity Plus, $125/month for Unity Pro
Suitable for: almost any indie game
Examples of games: , Galak-Z, West of Loathing, Cuphead
Unity is one of the premier platforms for developing popular indie games, and while it has impressive 3D capabilities, it has also produced some amazing 2D games. Unity is more difficult to learn than other engines from this list, but the extensive developer community and the wealth of tutorials available online can help you get started.
On the official Unity website you can also find special add-ons that allow you to customize the engine for developing 2D games. For example, the free 2D Platformer extension or tools like Corgi Engine and Rex Engine, which offer game physics, controls and features tailored specifically for platformers.
We spoke with Joseph Humphrey from inkle and Victor Thompson from Asymmetric Publications, who talked about their experiences with Unity.
Pros
Thompson, who had previously created games the classical way, quickly became a fan of Unity, the engine that was used to create the recently released West of Loathing. “After 2-3 years of working with the engine, what I'm most excited about is how quickly concepts and prototypes can be put together,” he says. “I used many different engines - both small ones for my own projects, and large ones for developing AAA games, but Unity is by far the best engine I've seen because it allows me to be the most productive."
Cons
However, if you are going to use one platform for all your development, you will encounter certain limitations. If you find a bug in Unity, you will have to wait for the engine's authors to fix it, and this is not always fast. “Even though the engine says that bug fixing is their top priority, the inkle developers still consider debugging stability to be one of the engine's main problems,” says Humphrey.
“First of all, try to create an image of the end game in your head and focus on it - your end goal should not be the experience gained in the process, but the finished product. Of course, it's good to learn a lesson or two from failure, but I think it's much more important to set a goal, learn everything you need to do to achieve that goal, and ultimately make it happen." - Victor Thompson, West of Loathing
Ren'Py
License cost: For free
Suitable for: 2D visual novels, simulations
Compatible with: Python
Examples of games: Long Live the Queen, Analogue: A Hate Story
Ren'Py is an easy-to-learn open-source engine source code. Although it requires basic programming skills, in the very early stages you will only need the ability to work with a word processor and photo editing applications. This is a convenient starting point for those who plan to learn the Python programming language in the future.
Pros
“Ren’Py’s open source and cross-platform nature provides a wealth of options for all users of the engine,” says Bensley. “I also think it’s a plus that the engine is designed for beginners, but at the same time requires making changes to the game’s program code. It's better than a graphical drag-and-drop interface because it shows that there's nothing scary about programming."
Ren’Py is suitable for you if you are scared by the prospect of creating a game from scratch:
“One of the biggest obstacles that most people who have not worked in game development before is the belief that programming is “too hard” and therefore beyond their ability. And this engine allows you to quickly and successfully create a simple game, which gives confidence to novice developers, even if they do not plan to release only visual novels. Once you create something that others can play, even a simple project, you no longer question your abilities.”
Cons
Ren'Py is a bit limited in terms of graphics and gameplay features. If you intend to create games with 3D, Live2D, damage system and other features, then you should look for other options.
ink
License cost: For free
Suitable for: text adventure games
We are conscientious with: Unity, C#, HTML
Examples of games: 80 Days, Sorcery!
Ink is good free add-on for Unity if you want to spice up your game with dialogue threads and expanded storytelling. It's easy to learn, doesn't use advanced code, and integrates seamlessly with Unity. As ink creator Joseph Humphrey says, this engine is an “intermediate” engine - after creating a script in ink, it can be transferred to a larger game using the Unity engine. However, the Inky Editor also allows you to create web games.
Pros
Creating a large script with lots of dialogue threads can quickly become a confusing mess, so ink will help you avoid getting lost in the process. “Game authors can use the engine's tools to create dialogue and text in an easy-to-use interactive script format with key cues,” says Humphrey. “The ink engine, running inside Unity, can then read these scripts and output text to screens within the game itself.”
Open source plays an important role in the development of ambitious projects. Humphrey notes that “text generated in the ink engine does not necessarily need to be displayed as text. For example, in the game Heaven’s Vault, the ink engine creates a dynamic scenario that is interpreted by the game itself in the form of an interactive graphic novel with adventure elements.”
ink is also a great tool for those who are more interested in writing game scripts rather than pure programming. “...The number of writers using ink to write interactive stories is constantly growing,” adds Humphrey. "Where The Water Tastes Like Wine is one such example. It was created by the authors of the game Gone Home using the ink engine. Such famous screenwriters as Lee Alexander, Emily Short and Kara Ellison worked on the game. So if you enjoy writing scripts and are interested in game development, then ink could be a great place to start.”
Cons
ink is best used for games developed using the Unity engine. Humphrey says that "ink is not an alternative to Unity - it's more of an add-on. Moreover, ink is the only tool for creating interactive scenarios, which was deliberately created as an intermediate link."
“The only advice I have is to just try to create a demo game. If you want to fill out your portfolio, which shows examples of what you are good at, then now is the time to start filling it out. Create these examples!”
At the beginning of 2017, we wrote about the sudden appearance of RPG Maker on Steam platform and how the engine is rapidly gaining popularity among budding indie developers. But there are other tools that are worth paying attention to:
HaxeFlixel open source and cross-platform.
Stencyl– a tool for creating games without using programming.
The computer games industry is one of the most dynamically developing segments of the IT sector. How difficult is it to learn how to create games or at least individual elements of them? Can the user cope with such tasks alone? How do professionals create computer games?
What do you need to start creating games?
First of all, you need to be involved in the industry as a player. Without knowledge of how games work from the inside and the psychology of gamers, observations of how it works computer graphics In real use, not in theory, success in releasing your own games is very difficult to achieve. If a game is created with an eye toward commercial sales (or at least with the goal of promoting the personal brand of its developer), then it must be competitive and reflect the current demands of the gaming community. To release a product without following the “trend” is to waste time. Therefore, it is important to be not just an amateur gamer, but also to study the market, be able to install new games on your computer, and test them. And this means that the developer will also need very And here we move on to the second main condition for success in the gaming industry. We are talking about hardware components - hardware.
It is known that (from among PCs, of course, we are not talking about industrial computers) - gaming ones. They include hardware components (processor, video card, memory, chipset) that are much more technologically advanced than PCs for office and home use. Externally, of course, computers of different classes may hardly differ, but from the point of view of electronic “stuffing” the difference is significant. A gaming PC can cost 5-10 times more than an office or home PC. It is possible that even some individual component (for example, the same processor) will have a price higher than the entire finished PC for the office. By the way, powerful hardware will be needed not only for testing gaming products. High-performance components are also required by specialized programs for computer games. Those with the help of which masterpieces of the industry will be created.
The third component of release success cool games- this is, as the specialists of the “gaming workshop” say, - special kind thinking. It must combine two seemingly completely different principles: logic and creativity. The first is necessary in order to have a good understanding of the construction of scripts, scenarios and various kinds of dependencies embedded in the product concept, to decide how to write a game in a structure that future users will understand and accept. The second is to give your product unique features that distinguish it from similar or competing solutions.
Game Creation Methods
How are games created for a computer? Experts identify three main ways to develop gaming products: using construction kits, using game engines, and writing from scratch. The first is the simplest, the third is the most difficult. Therefore, if we are new to the field of creating games, then it makes sense for us to pay attention to the possibility of using construction sets. However, it will be useful to consider the features of each of the tools.
Game constructors
A constructor is a set of templates that have a programmed behavior model. The closest analogy that can be given to explain how to create a game using such a solution is “Lego” parts. Just as children construct, by reading a manual or improvising, houses, cars and other interesting masterpieces made of plastic.
The user has relatively great freedom in managing templates and setting scenarios for their operation. It is unlikely, of course, that with the help of a constructor even experienced developer games will be able to produce a product that will create a sensation on the world market. Such programs are, rather, educational in nature, allowing novice gaming industry enthusiasts to understand how games are created on a computer. However, even this kind of task assigned to designers is important from the point of view of industry development.
Game engines
Creating games using engines is a process in which the user has at his disposal a disproportionately wider range of tools than in the case of designers. It is quite realistic to say that through the interfaces supplied by the manufacturers of such solutions, it is possible to create solutions that are competitive even at the global level - arcades, 3D action games, simulation games. Engines can be installed on a computer without any problems and are almost always accompanied by a convenient interface for using them. As a rule, also high-quality help and training systems.
What is an engine? This is, in fact, just a set of commands (albeit a very complex one, consisting of hundreds of thousands of algorithms) that allows you to run individual game processes. The number of templates, similar to those found in constructors, is usually kept to a minimum. And those that exist are very easy to modify or replace with those developed by the user himself. Using engines requires, of course, more qualifications than working with designers. If we are talking about creating a serious game, then the user will most likely have to involve someone else to help (we will look at the structure of a typical development team below). But once a person has mastered the engine interfaces, he will subsequently be able to adapt his existing knowledge and skills to create almost any gaming product.
Game from scratch
If a user has outgrown the capabilities of game engines, not to mention designers, has learned several programming languages, and studied in detail the principles of creating 3D graphics, then it’s time for him to master the most complex tool for creating games - writing a gaming masterpiece from scratch. The stages of releasing a new product will most likely include the development of its own engine - it is rare for a game to do without it, especially one that claims to be recognized in the community.
It is worth noting, however, that it is very difficult to cope with the release of a product from scratch alone (although the history of the gaming industry knows such precedents). But it is quite possible for one user to go through some stages of game development (such as, for example, creating characters, drawing graphic elements) in order to then involve other people by assembling a team.
Professional developers
If we talk about game development as a separate market segment, then main role This is where professional studios play, with the financial and human resources to produce commercially competitive products.
Creating top-level games costs hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars, and dozens of specialists from various fields are involved in their release. There are, of course, small and medium-sized development companies whose budgets for the release of gaming products can fit into the amount of 8-10 thousand “green”, but this is a very specific segment.
Structure of a professional game studio
Continuing the conversation about professional development, it will be useful to study the structure of the average development company. Who should work for a company that claims to create a global gaming bestseller? How do people who do this on a professional basis create games on a computer?
The development team must include designers and artists. Without their talent, computer graphics will not impress users. Graphics are, according to many experts, a key factor in the success of a game. In some cases, positions of this type are divided by function. For example, a team of game creators may have separate 2-D and 3D designers, as well as so-called concept artists who offer sketches of future graphic elements to their colleagues and the company’s management for approval.
The next group of specialists are “modelers”. Befitting the name of their position, they create prototypes of the game characters, as well as the artifacts, equipment, and buildings surrounding them, and “model” the future virtual world. In some cases, specialists in this category are assisted by animators (in cases where particularly complex character movements have to be modeled).
In most cases, programmers themselves are involved in creating games. This happens most often when the development company uses its own engine, but it is necessary to periodically coordinate the scripts written in it with the features of the game animation laid down by the artists. If the engine is supplied by a third-party developer, then, as a rule, no changes to the program code are required.
A serious gaming product cannot be made without an art director. This person is called upon to consolidate the efforts of artists and designers within a single concept. He will also be responsible for the efficiency of work, organizing processes so that the game is released on time.
We create games ourselves: a review of programs
How to create a game with only general knowledge of how programs for developing gaming products work? There are many tools that allow even an amateur to create his own own game. Let us give examples of solutions of the types that we discussed above.
Game Maker
This program makes it possible to create a game even for those users who do not speak programming languages. This, however, is not about developing three-dimensional masterpieces. The program allows you to create only 2D games, but in a wide variety of genres. You can do very simple games"adventures". The menu available to the user contains large number ready-made templates. All that essentially remains to be done is to come up with your own game scenario.
The program contains quite detailed instructions, good quality help system. Having mastered the capabilities of Game Maker on basic level, the user can proceed to study the built-in language of this program - Game Maker Language. Using its capabilities, you can go beyond the templates built into the software and create games almost from scratch.
Construct-2
The Construct-2 product is recognized by experts as one of the most functional solutions in its class for creating games by users who do not speak programming languages. The huge advantage of this solution is that with its help you can release games for most platforms used today - Windows, iOS, Android, create them in HTML5 and applications for Facebook (after understanding how to make programs to run in this social network, the user will learn how to create a game on VK and show it to friends). Users of Construct-2 note the simplicity and clarity of its interface. You can work mainly according to templates, but there are a lot of them, and therefore there is almost anyone that will fit into the scenario invented by the user. The nice thing is that Conustruct-2 is free.
Unity 3D
The two programs listed above are designed for creating games in 2D mode. Unity allows you to work using 3D graphics capabilities. The opportunities that the program provides are huge. Just as in the case of Construct 2, there is multiplatform (there is even support for consoles - Xbox, PlayStation, Wii).
The program includes one of the best game engines in the world, according to experts (it is also called Unity). Therefore, this solution, without any exaggeration, allows us to create world-class gaming masterpieces (if, of course, we manage to assemble a team comparable in personnel to at least the average development studio). It will be possible to release very serious games to the computer. Shooting games - definitely, strategies - also quite realistic, racing, simulators - easy.