Top 20 Game Development Software with its Awesome Features [2021 Edition] The gaming industry has grown like never before, and this will continue for the foreseeable future. Games such as Angry Birds or Candy Crush have revolutionized entertainment by steadily attracting new gamers with every improved game or app release.
According to a Statista report, the Global Gaming Industry will grow from $138 billion in spending this year (2021) to nearly $180 billion just five years later!
Image Source: Statista
However, when it comes to making video games from scratch, there are a few barriers that one has to face. Among them, one is choosing the right game development software for your project. This is because we have plenty of options for the game creation software, but only some can stand out above others.
So, if you’re looking for the best game development software to create your next hit, this post is for you to help in picking the right tool for game creation. We’ve compiled a list of 20 game-making software covering everything from character design and animation to UI creation and particle effects. No matter what type of game you’re making, there’s something here for everyone.
Also Read: Top 100+ Custom Software Development Companies in 2021
Top 20 Game Development Software Tools To Create Your Next Hit The following list of game development software will surely help you if you’re making a mobile or web game, an online multiplayer game, or even a gamification project.
1. GameMaker: Studio
GameMaker Studio is a powerful Windows game development engine for 2D games, from simple sprite-based games to complex 3D titles. Using familiar drag-and-drop actions, designers can create original concepts in minutes to hours, then export them into HTML5 or native code. GameMaker has a fully-featured sprite editor, physics engine, particle editor, and more – even the most demanding games can be created using this tool.
Top Features:
● Develop game prototypes quickly and easily without any knowledge of programming ● Easy to use with the minimal experience needed ● Exports to multiple platforms, including console, PC, mobile games, and website-based games
2. Stencyl
Stencyl is a game development platform that makes it easy for beginners to develop games without programming skills. With Stencyl, you simply drag and drop various components together, modify them as needed in the Property Editor window, and then test your game instantly on your device or online using our multiplayer plugin. You can also export your game and share it with others.
Top Features:
● The drag-and-drop interface makes it incredibly easy to create games ● No programming required; export your game through a single click! ● Share games online or publish them to mobile devices or the web, all directly from Stencyl.
3. Unity
Unity is an excellent video games creation software for all developers, not just those who are experienced. It offers a very friendly environment and has the best tools to create 3D games on any platform from Windows to Linux-based operating systems with Unity’s integrated plugin Cheetah3D or Adobe Photoshop. This comes at really affordable prices, making it perfect for beginners and companies without many resources!
Top Features:
● Maximize your creativity with an easy-to-use yet robust and powerful game development environment. ● Create games for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, consoles, and more! ● Unity also offers excellent support for plugin developers by providing an API that allows you to create custom features- such as special effects, enhanced controls, or connectivity – for any platform you’re targeting. ● Support for 2D and 3D game development
4. GameFroot
Gamefroot’s revolutionary platform allows beginners to create mobile and web games without any knowledge of programming. Beginners can use the user-friendly interface, which contains a drag-and-drop editor that is quick and responsive, as well as other features such as object creation, structures, terrain editing tools, etc., to make their own game – all from scratch!
GameFroot is a reliable video game-making software that allows beginners to easily create games on their mobile and web. Without any coding experience,
you can make your own interactive objects with intuitive controls in just minutes!
Top Features:
● An intuitive interface that is easy to use for beginners ● Create your own unique game by adding blocks ● No programming is required! Use existing features in the editor or create your own ● Export and play your game on your phone or online with a single click! ● With Gamefroot, you can also allow other people to enjoy playing.
5. Blender
Blender is an innovative open-source 3D gaming designing software that allows you to use its shortcuts and get the job done faster. The customizable options are endless, which means it can be customized according to your
needs for any task or tool—whether this includes video editing, scripting, or free updates!
With this highly customizable, user-friendly program, you can create any digital model that your mind desires. You have access to all of the shortcuts needed for developing in one easy package with tons of features built right into it – video editing, scripting, unlimited installation options, and more.
Top Features:
● Free and open-source 3D production software ● Create game scenes, camera paths, and animated sequences with the built-in Non-Linear Animation Editor ● Visually animate any character or object that you import into the system ● Import meshes from other programs or creates your own in Blender! ● Quickly configure a build pipeline for any platform you’re targeting – and use the intuitive interface to get started immediately. ● The built-in script editor, Python interpreter, and command-line tools make it easy to integrate Blender into your game engine or create tools for exporting models from Blender.
6. Godot Engine
Godot Engine has a unique approach to game design that allows you to be very organized and modify individual elements. With Godot, every segment like sprites, sounds, or scripts is divided into scenes – not the type of scene most people think about, though! When designing your own games, you can use multiple scenes combined and combine those with other bigger ones for even more organization options.
Top Features:
● A visual node-based editor that helps you work visually with your game ● Build mobile games for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone, or target desktop platforms – all from a single code base! ● Export to HTML5 to reach audiences on virtually any platform. And with the release of Godot 3.0, export your game to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, and Switch! ● Compatible with popular 3D formats like Blender FBX and Autodesk Maya 2011 on the asset side. ● An entirely customizable 2D game engine as well.
7. RPG Maker
RPG Maker MV is the best version to go with. For those who have had trouble figuring out the complex code, there are plenty of sample data and character generators along with entire maps you can use in your game-making process! It’s the unique and best game-making software for all game developers.
Top Features:
● Includes a game template and the tilesets, maps, sprites, and more needed for various genres from fantasy to sci-fi! ● You can easily share your games on social media like Facebook or Twitter ● An RPG Maker program contains all the tools you need to create your own game – no coding skills required !!!
8. Roblox
Roblox is a great way to add exciting features and effects to your game. With its powerful tools, you can create realistic sounds with every action or event and give an impressive visual appearance that will make the player feel like they’re in the world of their creation.
Top Features:
● Customize the look and feel of your game through its features like smooth lighting, shadows, fog, and more ● Add chat to your game so that players can talk with each other inside the virtual world. ● Create games for thousands of people to play together on a single server ● Create player accounts or give players the option to play anonymously ● Build a game in a variety of genres – from shooter to puzzle and many more!
9. GameSalad
GameSalad is an innovative & the best game maker software that students have primarily used to create iOS or Android games. These interactive games teach the fundamentals of programming languages, making them an excellent resource for children trying to learn these concepts in school. Game design can be complex at first, but GameSalad software makes creating mobile apps more accessible than ever before!
Top Features:
● Create high-quality games without any programming skills or know-how needed! ● Or bring your existing App Store game with you to PC, Mac, and iPad! ● Keeps the game loop as a priority when designing your game for smooth gameplay and elimination of bugs
● Add multiple assets from other developers that are available on the GameSalad marketplace. ● Import 3D models into your game and manipulate them with the use of a drag-and-drop interface. Export for any mobile or desktop platform you wish! ● Develop games in HTML5 that can be played on almost all devices – not just smartphones and tablets
10. Visual Studio
Visual Studio is a one-stop game coding software for all your game development needs. It is an excellent tool for any type of project. Whether you want to create web apps, mobile apps, or games, it will have all the features required and more! It has Git integration, allowing your team members to work on different bits simultaneously without interfering with one another’s changes.
Top Features:
● Once the game is complete, you can publish it to any platform from Windows and Xbox to iOS and Android! ● Has a C++ compiler for your more complex game projects ● Connects with Visual Studio Team Services and Azure for effective teamwork. You can also build games in the cloud! ● A cross-platform IDE that allows you to develop games for macOS, Linux, and Windows ● When programming your game, you have the option of choosing between C# and Boo – great for both beginners looking to learn coding as well as experts!
11. GDevelop
GDevelop is a versatile game-making software that helps you get the most out of your creativity and time. From providing an easy interface for those new to designing games to letting professionals design without having to spend too much time on it themselves, GDevelop lets anyone play around with their own
imagination through interactive scenes as they learn how to make video games!
Top Features:
● Develop HTML5 games that can be played on desktop browsers, Android devices, and iOS. ● Run your game on the GDevelop player in a snap! – it’s completely free & available for download ● Create interactive fiction with an emphasis on storytelling as opposed to game design and game development ● Build games using drag-and-drop functionality for a rapid development cycle ● GDevelop offers an easy interface that helps you focus on the game design rather than the development process.
12. Unreal Engine
The Unreal Engine is a powerful game design software that some of the biggest developers have used in gaming. This program offers tools for designing high-quality visuals and 3D or 2D video games, with its graphics engine capable of rendering images at a highly rapid pace.
Discuss unreal’s free offer to provide those who use it this excellent opportunity to change their fate from struggling artist/video developer into one successful business person!
Top Features:
● Develop games for smartphones, tablets, desktop PCs and Macs, consoles such as Xbox, and more. ● It has a C++ compiler that allows your game to be built at a rapid pace ● Runs on Windows 7+, OS X 10.8+, and Linux with Python 2.7+ or Perl 5.10+ ● Build games that can be played on any device – from consoles and smartphones to PCs and Macs! ● Has event-driven gameplay that allows the game designer freedom when designing the game ● Connects with GitHub, Perforce, TFS, Dropbox, & Google Drive for optimal collaboration between your team members. You can even create multiplayer games!
13. GameSparks
With GameSparks, you can create the game of your dreams in a few minutes and monetize it without any hassles. It is user-friendly with features that help to boost productivity while also being easy for users to customize.
Top Features:
● Create a game in a few minutes! ● Share your game online with ease. Once you have created it, GameSparks hosts it for business partners to browse and play via its API. ● Has an embedded analytics module that understands how people are using the game – meaning you know what works and what doesn’t!
14. Adventure Game Studio
Adventure Game Studio is an open-source game developing software specializing in action games such as point and click adventure games. It is free game-making software that uses the C programming language to design classic-looking high-resolution adventure video games for anyone who wants a challenge!
Top Features:
● Allows you to create games with the C programming language and is one of the most popular game making software in its genre ● Offers more than 20 graphic adventures along with scripting tutorials, example code, and a community forum to help you become an expert at the art of designing video games.
15. Buildbox
Buildbox is a powerful game design software that lets novice to expert level designers create their games without coding or programming knowledge. With an intuitive interface and plenty of features at your disposal, you can use Buildbox for designing everything from 2D mobile puzzle games to 3D console blockbusters with ease!
Top Features:
● It has a drag-and-drop interface that is the best part of this game-making software. ● Allows you to build an infinite variety of games with unique features such as physics, logic puzzles, and more.
16. Incredibuild
Incredibuild is a suite of software that enables game developers to create games faster. Incredibuild allows them up to 30 times as quickly compile speeds, shader compilation (UE4), asset creation, rendering, and texture processing, among other things. With the help of its Virtualized Distributed Processing features, every machine becomes an almost limitless resource for any developer’s needs with only one installation on their computer.
Top Features:
● Incredible is an advanced game engine that works seamlessly with the widely popular Unreal Engine version. ● Create your games by mastering a series of tutorials and lessons on game design, environment modeling, and other topics. ● Use Incredibuild to create assets for your game and launch it onto multiple platforms, all without leaving the application. ● The editor supports 3ds Max plugins (including V-Ray), FBX, Blender, Maya, and more. It has built-in support for standard formats such as DDS, JPG, and PNG.
17. Torque 3D
Torque 3D is the perfect game development software for developing web and desktop games in an open-source environment. This video game creation program comes with features such as physics simulation, a 3D Game Tools module (which will help you create your world), and IT asset management tools that allow users to import their assets into Torque’s engine seamlessly!
Top Features:
● Enables you to create 3D games using its editor that is packed with features and support for all platforms ● It uses an open-source platform so anyone can edit the game engine and learn from their code.
18. CRYENGINE
CRYENGINE allows developers to create games without needing a large budget. The software has tutorials and documentation for beginners and an established community with plenty of available support.
Top Features:
● It gives you the freedom to create games in any genre
● It has an intuitive and user-friendly interface with plenty of features for creating anything from first-person shooter video games to virtual reality adventures!
19. Construct 3
Construct 3 is a game-making software with all the tools needed to make games. You can create HTML5 games without any coding knowledge, and you’ll be able to do it quickly too! With streamlined and easy workflow, developers can customize video games in days rather than months because of how user-friendly Construct 3 is. Creating new levels or objects for your project couldn’t get easier – just drag them into place on screen before assigning behaviors like movement or animation using our intuitive event system.
Top Features:
● It has a drag-and-drop physics editor custom integrated seamlessly into the software, allowing you to add your physics objects from scratch without writing any additional code. ● It is a cross-platform game engine designed to build HTML5 games and applications, enabling you to create for desktop computers and mobile devices. ● Using this game engine software will allow you to create stunning, interactive 2D and 3D games with fun features such as touch screen controls, virtual reality support, sound effects, and more!
20. Hansoft
Hansoft is the perfect choice for multinational companies looking to streamline their collaboration and communication between teams. Hansoft’s easy-to-use software can be used by developers across various industries, from indie to AAA games. The tool’s simple design enables everyone to participate in projects with intuitive teamwork. It offers game developers a set of tools that they can use to enhance their project management and team collaboration.
Top Features:
● Hansoft’s interface is simple to use, and it takes only a few hours for new users to become familiar with the software. ● Teams can collaborate on various projects using Hansoft; create bug reports, estimate tasks, and post comments integrated. ● Hansoft’s integrated calendar allows teams to check out dates and monitor resource availability over the next few weeks. Additional functionality includes the ability to review timesheets, create reports, document expenses, and consolidate all of your project data within a single platform. ● Hansoft’s analytics functionality provides teams with the opportunity to generate reports for their clients, streamline internal processes, and monitor project progress.
Wrapping Up! These were the TOP 20 best game development software of 2021. If you have any suggestions left out, feel free to leave a comment, and I’ll add them to the article!
I hope this qualified information on game development software is helpful and valuable for those looking for one. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional game designer, make sure you choose the right software for you. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know if you have any questions!
FAQs
Which software is used for gaming? Some great gaming software examples are: GameMaker, Construct, GameSalad, Unity3D & Stencyl. These tools are helpful to people who are looking for new game-making software. They allow you to create your games without any coding knowledge, which is a great way to get started with developing your video games.
Which is the best free game development software? There are many free gaming development software available, such as
● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Construct 3 Unity GameMaker Studio 2 Godot Engine Defold Unreal Engine 4 RPG Maker MZ
● Cerberus X
These are free to use and don’t cost anything, allowing people to create their games without buying the software or paying subscription costs.
What is the most used game dev software?
GameMaker Studio 2, Unity, and Unreal Engine are three of the most used game-making tools. If you don’t know any coding language, these are good choices as they let you create your games without writing a single line of code.
How do you make a game app for PC? There is a variety of game development software you can use to create games for PC. Some great ones include Construct 3, GameMaker Studio 2, and Unity3D, as well as Unreal Engine 4 and Godot Engine. You can use these game development tools for PC to make your games without any coding knowledge, and then you can publish them through Steam or many other platforms.