TOP-5 Game Development Programs: A Ranking by Evgeny Kasyanenko

Good day, as always, this is Yevhen Kasyanenko, and today we are going to talk about the game development industry and game creation. The first part of the material can be found here. There, I discussed the general stages and algorithms for creating PC games.

Today, we will focus on development, and I will tell you about the best tools for creating games. And yes, we use all these applications for creation in the Kiss.software studio.

Best Tools for Game Development

I will say right away that there are many different tools for creating game projects. But today, I've prepared a top 5 list of applications that are not only convenient and functional but also allow you to implement projects based on modern market requirements.

Unity

Unity is a platform that, in my opinion, needs no introduction. It is a standalone development environment with an incredible range of possibilities. Its toolkit allows even beginners to work on game creation.

With it, you can create everything from simple 2D projects to large AAA games with realistic graphics and object physics. Let's take a closer look at its functionality and capabilities.

Advantages and Features of Unity:

1. Unity supports 20+ platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, PlayStation, and VR/AR devices. You can create a game and port it to another platform in the future.
2. A special rendering system called High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP). This technology allows you to create a project with the most realistic visuals possible. Additionally, you can create a game that supports ray tracing and post-processing.
3. Unity has its own asset store. You can browse the store and download free models to use in your project. The internal store saves time and resources during development.
4. Unity allows teams to work with physics and animations using its unique tools: Animator and AI navigation system. These tools enable you to create realistic animations and environmental physics.
5. The engine supports a component-based system and visual programming. This is convenient and makes the process of setting up characters and objects much faster and easier.Visual programming or scripting is a cool feature, as it allows you to create logical chains and mechanics without using a programming language.
6. There is also support for integration with third-party tools: Adobe software, Blender, Autodesk Maya, and more.
7. Can you create multiplayer games in Unity? Yes, you can. The engine has a ready-made integration called Unity Multiplayer. But that's not all; you can use Unity Analytics and Unity Ads to add a monetization system to your game.
8. And what about AR/VR technologies? Unity supports them and provides a good set of tools. Create a game that works on Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Microsoft HoloLens.

Unreal Engine

Next up is another well-known engine—Unreal Engine. This engine was developed by Epic Games as a commercial product. As of the time of writing, the current version of the engine is Unreal Engine 5.4.

The engine is used for developing games with advanced graphics and realistic object physics. Its capabilities have made it popular among major studios for creating AAA-class games.

Advantages and Features of Unreal Engine 5.4:

1. Unreal Engine supports ray tracing technology. It allows you to create photorealistic scenes with detailed textures and control over shadows, reflections, and lighting.
2. There is also a visual programming system, like in Unity, called Blueprints. The working principle of the system is similar to Unity, but it has its own unique features. Blueprints are great for beginners and designers who are just starting out in the industry.
3. Unreal Engine has its own marketplace, called Unreal Marketplace. Users can buy assets, ready-made templates, and even entire systems for further integration.
4. The engine provides excellent tools for working with object physics, enabling the creation of realistic physics, destructible objects, and simulations of fabrics and liquids.
5. One unique feature of the engine is the MetaHuman Creator, which allows users to create characters. If you need to create cutscenes or animations, the Sequencer tool is at your disposal.
6. Support for VR and AR is also included. The engine has been used and will continue to be used for such projects. Games utilizing VR and AR technologies run smoothly on all top platforms: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and others.
7. Unreal Engine is used for projects of various levels and scales. Indie games? Yes. Large AAA projects? Absolutely. All thanks to the system's flexibility and excellent optimization for different platforms.
8. Integration with external tools is provided. This includes Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, and ZBrush. This significantly simplifies the work with various assets and saves time.

Godot

Godot may not be as well-known as the previous two, but it is a functional engine. It is an open-source engine, but the main advantage is that it is free. Indie developers actively use it. The engine is simple, functional, easy to learn, and suitable for creating both 2D and 3D games.

Advantages and Features of Godot:

1. Godot has an open-source code and a free distribution model. What could be more pleasant? This opens up new opportunities for developers. They can make their modifications to Godot, improve it, and use it for commercial purposes.
2. Godot offers two different engines: one for 2D games and another for 3D games. The 2D engine has great features for working with pixel games, including support for pixel alignment and layer management.
3. All development occurs using the GDScript programming language. This is a unique language based on Python. Don’t worry; if you know the basics of Python, learning to work with GDScript won’t be a problem.
4. Another feature of the engine is the use of a node and scene system. The game creation program is designed so that each game element represents a "node." This significantly simplifies collaboration within the team. The system itself is very flexible and allows for the creation of complex game structures.
5. As for the platforms on which games will run? All of them. Godot supports exporting to Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and HTML5.
6. There are also built-in tools for working with object physics and animations.
7. Since the engine is open-source, it’s worth checking out the developer community. Godot has a very active community. The community for this game creation program constantly publishes templates, educational materials, and assets.

GameMaker Studio

GameMaker Studio is an engine designed specifically for creating 2D projects. It quickly became a favorite among indie studios and developers. I would call it an ideal option for those who want to focus on game mechanics and overall design.

Advantages and Features of GameMaker Studio:

1. GameMaker Studio has an excellent, user-friendly drag-and-drop editor. This is very convenient, especially for beginners. No coding knowledge is required, no complex mechanics.
2. The engine supports the GameMaker Language (GML). GML allows you to create complex mechanics and project logic.
3. There is a separate editor for animations, sprites, and visual effects. This allows you to make the visual part of the game beautiful and appealing.
4. GameMaker Studio supports cross-platform development. This means you can port the game to Windows, macOS, Android, HTML5, consoles, and more.
5. You will have a separate tool for designing levels and locations.
6. GameMaker Studio offers integration with external libraries and plugins. Connect third-party plugins to expand development capabilities.

Construct

And rounding out our top five engines is a program for game development called Construct.
Construct is a tool for creating 2D games. It is used for developing games for mobile platforms. Construct also supports visual programming.

Advantages and Features of Construct:

1. The Construct application for creating your own games is initially focused on developing HTML5 projects. Despite this, export to Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS is supported.
2. It features a functional and flexible level editor. You can manage sprites, animations, and events. It's an excellent program for creating your game.
3. Integration with external APIs and services is provided, including Google Play, Facebook, and advertising networks. This is important for creating a monetization system for the project.
4. You will have a large pool of templates and various assets at your disposal for game development.
5. The developer community is very active and large. Everyone shares their findings, tips, plugins, templates, and other materials. Documentation is also continuously updated, which is crucial for beginners in the learning process.
6. Yes, the Construct application for PC game creation is focused on 2D games, but it also includes tools for improving optimization. This is important for creating mobile games.
7. A special event and game logic system allows for detailed development of game mechanics.

Advantages of Working with the Professionals at K.I.S.S. Software

Want to create your own project? The Kiss.software team is at your service. We are ready to take on the development of a game for PC, consoles, or the mobile segment.

Why trust Kiss.software?

• An experienced team of specialists with a background in the game development industry.
• There are no impossible tasks for Kiss.software.
• Throughout the game development process, we are always in touch and regularly hold meetings with clients. You will be able to track all stages and results of the development.
• Honest feedback and direct communication are our top priorities. Honesty and openness during collaboration help make timely adjustments to the project and achieve the desired results.
• Each project is a unique experience and set of tasks. We will assemble a stack of specialists and technological solutions based on the client's requirements and the project.

If you wanted to create your own game — now is the perfect time. Don’t put off your ideas; Kiss.software will help with the development.