Top 7 Game Engines and How You Can Start Using Them

Benefits of using a game engine and how to get started with each one

Clark D. Cooper
The Beginner’s Guide
3 min readSep 29, 2022

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Photo by Ashkan Forouzani on Unsplash

A Game Engine is a set of tools and libraries that allow game developers to create video games. These frameworks provide a basic structure for the game, making it easier for developers to create the game.

There are several benefits of using a Game Engine. One benefit is that it can save developers time by providing a basic structure for the game. Another benefit is that it can help developers stay organized and avoid problems. Additionally, some game engines come with tools and libraries that can make it easier to create a game.

Here are seven popular ones and how you can get started programming with each one.

1. Unity:

Unity is a popular game engine that is used to create both 2D and 3D games. It has a large community and plenty of resources to help you get started. To start programming with Unity, you’ll need to download the Unity Editor and create a new project.

2. Unreal Engine:

Unreal Engine is another popular game engine that is used to create both 2D and 3D games. It is a bit more complex than Unity but also has a large community and plenty of resources to help you get started. To start programming with Unreal Engine, you’ll need to download the Unreal Engine 4 Editor and create a new project.

3. Godot:

Godot is a free and open-source game engine that is gaining popularity for its ease of use and flexibility. It is a great option for those just starting out in game development. To start programming with Godot, you’ll need to download the Godot engine and create a new project.

4. GameMaker:

GameMaker is a popular game development tool that is used to create 2D games. It is relatively easy to use and has a Drag and Drop interface that makes it easy to start. To start programming with GameMaker, you’ll need to download the GameMaker software and create a new project.

5. Construct 2:

Construct 2 is a free game development tool that is used to create 2D games. It is simple to use and has a drag-and-drop interface. To start programming with Construct 2, you’ll need to download the software and create a new project.

6. RPG Maker:

RPG Maker is a popular game engine that is used to create role-playing games. It has a simple interface that makes it easy to get started. To start programming with RPG Maker, you’ll need to download the software and create a new project.

7. Twine:

Twine is a free tool that is used to create interactive fiction games. It is simple to use and has a lot of flexibility. To start programming with Twine, you’ll need to download the software and create a new project.

To select the best game engine, it is important to consider the kind of games you want to create and your experience level. For example, RPG Maker is designed specifically for creating role-playing games. Without experience, I would advise starting with Unity, Godot, or Construct 2, as they are relatively easy to use. Unreal Engine or RPG Maker would be better suited if you want to create more complex games. Also, check out the community and resources available for each framework to see which will best fit your needs.

To start programming with a game engine, you will need to download the framework and create a new project. Some frameworks also require you to download additional tools or libraries. For example, Unreal Engine requires you to download the Unreal Engine 4 Editor. Once you have everything installed, you can start programming your game.

Concluding

No matter what your experience level or the kind of games you want to create, there is a game engine that is right for you. Do some research to find the framework that best fits your needs and then get started programming your game today.

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