PlayN alternatives

Free 28 alternatives

Official website

PlayN is an open-source Java library that helps you write games and deploy them on multiple platforms like HTML5 browsers, Linux/Windows/Mac desktop Java, Android, and iOS devices. It is distributed under the terms of the Apache 2.0 license and is packed with a bunch of features. You can program against a single API and deploy it to mobile devices, desktops, and browsers.

It recognizes input from several sources like Keyboard, Mouse, and touch. The Library offers music and sound effect playback and provides low and high-level drawing APIs. You can easily write to graphical engines like OpenGL and use its built-in shaders or Quadbatch and make use of Surface for a Canvas-like API. Before starting out, it would be a good idea to read the overview of the PlayN functionality and create and run the demos.

Ranked alternatives

1
Torque 3DFree
Torque is an open-source 3D game engine developed using the C and C++ programming languages. It used to be proprietary but was later distributed under the MIT License. You can use the Game Engine to build worlds and do lots of designing like sculpting terrain, painting forests, drawing roads and rivers, along with decal and particle editing.
It implements dynamics in the world by using PhysX, which powers cloth dynamics, buoyancy simulation, and rigid body dynamics. Other highlights and functionalities include color correction, deferred lightning model, depth of field, parallax and normal occlusion mapping, bloom, and refraction. Cross-platform support is offered for Web, Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
Torque currently has two engines named Torque3D and Torque2D. Torque3D delivers the maximum Torque power and has been used in the creation of top-notch games ranging from MMOs to driving simulators. The Torque2D Engine, on the other hand, offers all the functionalities of Torque and cuts down on problematic dimensions, which can bring you down.
Torque 3D alternatives
2
Stride Game EngineFree
Stride (formerly known as Xenko) is an open-source 3D Game Engine written in C# and released under the MIT License that allows you to build powerful game worlds for free or to generate income. There are a lot of features that are offered by this powerful and free game engine. It is bundled with a powerful toolchain that gives you the ability to create, manage, and edit in-game equipment. Development workflows are automated and simplified by the suite of editors.
The solution is designed to be extended easily. The built-in plug-in system gives users the freedom to enhance the functionalities by adding more features. You can customize the game’s rendering pipeline via the Graphics compositor. Upcoming versions will add new functionality that will enable you to edit the building blocks. Another great feature is Nested prefabs, which is programmed to edit a prefab, and each instance gets automatic updates, relieving burdens from your shoulders.
It is also possible to edit prefabs inside other prefabs. Developers can create the UI of their game in an easy and intuitive way using the UI editor. Build UI libraries and take advantage of the prefab system to update all the UI elements’ design automatically, saving tons of time. Other provided features include a Scene editor for creating game scenes and levels by simply dragging and dropping objects and a Sprite editor that comes in handy for creating and editing sprites visually within the editor.
Stride Game Engine alternatives
3
ENIGMA – LateralGMFree
LateralGM is a powerful IDE for ENIGMA, and both of these combine to offer you a cross-platform game environment. This high-quality game-building tool makes it easy for you to create rich game worlds through a Drag-and-Drop system which is a wonderful opportunity for junior-level developers to start creating. You can use its own robust programming language compatible with C++ for learning purposes, while Advanced developers can use it to make changes according to their requirements.
The IDE comes with an intuitive and simple interface for adding essential functionalities to your game worlds like scene/room/level editor, sounds, and animated graphics. You can also use the more powerful game engine that is provided by ENIGMA and is composed of an extensive set of APIs for file functions, widgets, physics/collisions, 3D, along with a complete compiled language.
ENIGMA – LateralGM alternatives
4
Cocos CreatorFree
Cocos Creator Engine enables you to build complete, rich software and games that can function perfectly well on the web, phones, PCs, and tablets. The set of professional services and products help everyone create their own game worlds and are loved by the Cocos Creator Engines’ community of large-scale companies across the globe. The solution is easy to use, enabling everyone to build massive worlds without hassle.
You can save tons of money, as there are many third-party services that require no payment, decrease expenditures like game development and operating costs. Us the COCOS creator, which is an easy-to-use and lightweight tool designed to help with the creation of 2D/3D games. It comes packed with a robust developer tool suite and hassle-free content production workflow that helps with the implementation of top-quality game effects and game logic.
The set of features available in the COCOS creator includes Editor extension, 3D scene editor, VK & Metal, Skeletal animation, Material system, UI layout, 3D particle, Terrain Editor, gITF 2.0, and Animation editor. In addition to all this, developers can use TypeScript to create games, check their preview, find and remove errors on powerful machines, and add new features from time to time on their published games.
Cocos Creator alternatives
5
G3D Innovation EngineFree
G3D Innovation Engine is an Open-Source C++ 3D engine bundled with many premium features to help you create breathtaking game worlds. It supports general-purpose computation, real-time rendering, and ray tracing computation on Graphics Processing Unit, enabling you to enrich your worlds with superior graphics. The design places special importance on innovation and rapid prototyping, specifically of game and rendering algorithms.
The Engine offers a range of structures and routines which are used commonly in lots of graphics programs. You can easily use low-level libraries such as audio channels, OpenGL, and network sockets without compromising on quality. The core features include Data import and export, Rendering modes, Support for virtual reality, Primitives, In-Engine Prototyping Tools, Audio and Video API, State-of-the-art effects, and Write once, run everywhere.
G3D Innovation Engine alternatives
6
FPS Creator ClassicFree
FPS Creator Classic is a powerful Windows 3D game editor that enables you to create shooter-style video games with great ease. It is the best resource for people who would like to develop their own shooter games like Quake, Doom, and Counter-Strike. The best feature is that there is no need to learn any coding skills, enabling everyone to become a developer without pulling all-nighters.
It is open-source and gives you all the tools required to create top games like Battlefield or Half-Life. Use the built-in prefabricated elements to create new settings in record time. All you need to do is drag and place the modules on the program grid, and this will create the levels of the game, such as lifts, labs, staircases, bunkers, doors, armories, and windows. Other features include adding the desired textures, editing the lightning, and creating corridors to link different rooms for shaping the video game screens.
FPS Creator Classic alternatives
7
microStudioFree
microStudio is an all-in-one online game engine that enables you to create games, develop programming skills, have fun playing what you have created, share with others, and prototype. It is packed with all the tools that are required for writing code, creating maps and sprites for your 2D game. All of this and more can be accessed by any web browser.
Your projects will be uploaded to the cloud, making them accessible from anywhere and anytime. Start by entering the game code in microScript, which is a basic language influenced by Lua. Use the documentation whenever you get stuck and build amazing demos with a couple of lines of code. The traits that help microScript stand out are its interactivity and simplicity. It gives everyone a choice to code in either Lua, JavaScript, or Python.
Leverage the built-in editors and create maps and pixel art sprites through them. It makes adjustment easier and hassle-free, enabling you to modify various aspects of the game through PC while it is being tested on mobile. The modifications can be seen in real-time in the ongoing playing session.
microStudio alternatives
8
MaratisFree
Maratis is a 100% portable, easy to use and visual game development tool that enables developers and artists to create stunning game environments without hassle. The Engine is cross-platform and has been used on iOS, Windows, and Mac, getting stable performance on all of these. It can also be utilized virtually on any platform.
It is open-source, and you can build your world using the simple yet powerful Lua Language or C++ if you have the skills. The solution has a layout similar to other game engines. When starting for the first time, you can check the Docs/Examples to learn how the work is done.
Maratis alternatives
9
ShiVaFreemium
ShiVa is a cross-platform 3D game engine that simplifies the task of creating games by providing a full-fledged WYSIWYG editor. You can think of this tool as the thread that links the target hardware, creative ideas, and your code together. It has many great options, including a function that enables you to export applications and games to more than 20 platforms, including Web browsers compatible with HTML5, Flash, iOS, Mac OS X, Blackberry, Android, and game consoles such as Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.
The main highlight is the ShiVa Editor, which is something you will be spending most of your time on. It is packed with 21 modules spanning from material tools to terrain to a powerful and integrated code editor. It is best for all game niches, be it an action platformer, mobile puzzler, first-person shooter, action-platformer, or a racing game. Another major highlight is the ShiVa Authoring Tool that serves as a free companion app and uses the projects created using the ShiVa Editor and compiles them into executable standalone applications that run on multiple platforms.
ShiVa alternatives
10
Esenthel EngineFreemium
Esenthel Engine is a state-of-the-art and fully capable game engine that allows you to create games for multiple platforms, including Xbox, Windows, Linux, iOS, Mac, Android, and Nintendo Switch. It comes with a powerful Editor that delivers identical performance on all platforms and can be used online as well as offline. You can create massive worlds on it and work alongside team members.
The Engine is ideal for 3D and 2D and provides APIs for Web GL, Open GL, Open GL ES, and several versions of Direct X. The graphics capabilities are endless, and you will be able to add true depth to your games. The core graphic features include Glow, Fur Rendering, Motion Blur, Sharpening, Fog, 3D Holographic images, Screen Color Transformations, and Gamma Control.
Esenthel Engine alternatives
11
LobsterFree
Lobster is an open-source game programming language that does its best to merge the benefits of compile-time memory management and static typing with a terse, lightweight, and easy-to-become-familiar-with syntax. It is released under the Apache v2 license and is mainly focused on games though it terms itself as general-purpose. The programming language carries with it a vast number of features to help you meet your creative vision.
The highlights include Vector operations, Immutable “inline” structs, Dynamic dispatch and unified overloading, and Lightweight blocks. These are the features that are associated with the Language and help you when you are programming. Other core features are associated with the Engine and Implementation and include Dynamic code loading, Portability, ImGui support, high-performance, easier deployment, GLSL shaders, and a Uniform input system for touch and mouse.
Lobster alternatives
12
MANU Game MakerFree
MANU is a next-gen Video Game Maker software that eliminates obstacles between audience and talent and enables you to generate huge worlds without any coding. You won’t have to study to learn skills and can start working instantly. It comes with a top-notch and powerful animation system that allows you to create games in a hassle-free way. This saves a lot of development time and offers you the chance to have fun while creating.
The solution features a user-friendly system that requires zero coding and lets you customize and launch the animations in the desired way. Choose and edit any custom values on the fly, including object movement, health, character speed, and ammunition. You can create and reuse the animation using simple tools, and in doing so, you will be able to ease the workflow and enhance the development process.
Use superior quality animations for the timeline by making use of simple Excel-style formulas that can be mastered quickly. The solution gives the audience the freedom to import popular 3D formats from their desired service to populate the game with characters or animated objects. The supported formats include.OBJ,FBX, and.DAE.
The best feature is that games can be exported to macOS and Windows by following a few simple steps. Other core features include Custom main characters and their animations, the ability to reuse assets and objects to boost development, and creating enhanced visuals.
MANU Game Maker alternatives
13
NeoAxis 3D EngineFreemium
NeoAxis Engine is a comprehensive and feature-rich platform that provides you with a wide range of tools for creating 2D and 3D apps and games. The projects that can be created with it include VR systems, computer games, visual trainers, simulators as well as apps featuring stunning graphics. The highlights of the platform include support for integration of third-party stores and services, versatile .NET development capabilities, and a full-fledged suite of development tools for passionate creators.
The modules and components that make up the engine are developed in the C# programming language, with rendering, sounds, physics, and other low-level parts being developed in Native code. There is a C# IDE within the NeoAxis editor featuring the tools of the Visual Studio to create ease during scripting.
You will be able to populate the scene with event handlers and other objects straight in the environment, which saves a lot of time. The full set of tools includes Mesh tools, Scene editor, GUI editor, 3D modeling tools and fast level creation tools, Built-in C# editor, Material editor, Visual flow graph editor, and Particle system editor. Aside from these are the Rendering Features composed of Billboard, Scriptable materials, Particles, Terrain, Decals, Lens flares, and Curves.
NeoAxis 3D Engine alternatives
14
Adventure Game StudioFree
Adventure Game Studio is an open-source development tool that is specially designed to create graphics adventure games. This solution is aimed at intermediate-level video game designers. It combines an integrated development environment for setting up most aspects of the game with the scripting language based on the C language to process the game logic. It is a simple and easy-to-understand solution and does not require any professional skills to design your own Graphic Video Game.
It has everything you need, from importing graphics and writing the game script right through testing your video game under one platform. It was started at a fundamental level and is known for thousands of users, and produces thousands of games. It includes core features such as import sprites, creates a view of animations, a script with audio complete, draw room walkable areas, easy to understand, and much more. If you easily want to create a graphic adventure game, this is a perfect tool.
Adventure Game Studio alternatives
15
GDevelop
GDevelop is a cross-platform open-source game creator that is designed to be used by everyone with no programming skills required. With the help of this solution, you can unleash your creativity and create any kind of game including puzzle, strategy, and shoot-em-up, etc.
It has a simple and easy to understand editor where you access all its features without any limitations. Through this, you can publish your games to the web, Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and even Facebook Messenger, etc. Games created by this solution run anywhere you can even do a one-click export.
As compared to all other similar engines, GDevelop offers unlimited possibilities to express your ideas without being blocked. You can prototype new features on your games in a few minutes and refine thee without limits.
To deliver a comprehensive solution, it offers a step-by-step guide system that teaches you how to start. The engine also includes core features such as easy to understand, create and publish your own game in minutes, simple editor, and create objects for your game, and add behavior to your game object, etc.
GDevelop alternatives
16
Wick Editor
Wick Editor is a comprehensive free flash-like browser-based toolkit for creating small interactive things for the internet. With this solution, you can easily create, animation, video game and everything in between. All your creations can run on any device with the browser that means mobile too.
The editor is a hybrid of an animation tool and a coding environment that heavily inspired by similar tools such as flash, scratch, and HyperCard. Wick Editor developed in response to a growing need for such a tool for the modern web.
The best thing about this editor is that it is completely free for everyone with all its tools and features. It is also best for beginners because it offers step by step guide system that teaches you how to create stunning stuff.
Wick Editor includes core features such as attractive interface, import files, step by step, updates, drag and drop interface, and easy to understand, etc. Adventure Game Studio is one of the best open-source game editors as compared to others.
Wick Editor alternatives
17
OrxFree
Orx is an open-source, lightweight, portable, plugin-based, and easy-to-use 2D-oriented video game engine design for professional game designers. The engine provides a complete game creation framework, including a 3D scene graph, hardware-accelerated 2D rendering, sound, animation, physics, and much more. The main objective of this platform is that to enable fast game prototyping and creation. With the help of these platforms, professionals can easily design any video game.
Orx has an object-oriented design with the plugin architecture that allows its kernel to be cross-platform and delegates hardware and OS-dependent tasks to plugins. Unlike Unity and all the other game engines, it also has a list of core features such as automated sprite rendering using the 3D hardware, advanced resource management, viewport system, 3D scene graph, etc. Try it out; you’ll be amazed by all the things on this stunning and powerful platform.
Orx alternatives
18
Stencyl
Stencyl is a video game development suite that helps developers to create 2D video games for mobile and computer devices. The solution is available for free, with select publishing options available for purchase. It is known as the easiest and quickest way to make a complete video game.
Games created in this solution can be exported to the web via the Adobe Flash Player and to the personal computer as executable games and onto various mobile devices as Android and iOS apps. Physics and collisions are managed by Box2D that can be selectively or completely disabled to decrease any potential performance impact for games that do not require complete physics simulation.
Stencyl is an authoring tool and IDE that include several modules used to accomplish the necessary tasks to create games with the solution. Unlike others, it also includes core features such as simple and attractive editor, drag and drop interface, writes code if you want, import files, fast development, and much more.
Stencyl alternatives
19
Godot EngineFree
Godot Engine is a 2D and 3D cross-platform compatible game engine released as an open-source solution under the MIT license. It runs on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Haiku and can design video games targeting PC, web, and phones. It aims to offer a complete integrated game development solution. It enables game developers to create a game from scratch that needs no other tools beyond content creation. Its architecture is built around the concept of a tree if nested scenes. From scripts to graphical assets, all video game resources are saved as part of the computer’s file system.
This storage solution is intended to simplify all the game development teams to collaborate on script coding using version control. This game engine support deployment to multiple platforms and enable specification to texture compression and resolution setting for each solution. It is also best for beginners and offers a complete guide that makes it simple. Godot Engine includes core features such as animation system, level of detail, particle system, multithreading, render targets, texture import and audio playback, etc.
Godot Engine alternatives
20
Urho3D
Urho3D is a free and lightweight cross-platform 2D and 3D game engine implemented in C++ and released under the MIT license. The solution is inspired by OGRE and Horde3D and contains all the major tools and features. With the help of this game engine, you can easily design any size and kind of game, add objects, set pixels, and soundtracks to deliver a complete experience.
Urho3D is also best for beginners and offers tutorials and a step-by-step guide that makes it better than others. The solution introduces an advanced type of shadow mapping system for all the light types such as cascaded shadow maps for directional lights normal offset adjustment in the additional depth bias.
Its task-based multithreading system also makes it better than others. The app features configurable rendering pipeline, component-based scene model, automatic instancing, point, spot and directional lights, static and skinned decals, HDR rendering, and cross-platform support.
Urho3D alternatives
21
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is a Game Engine created by Epic Games in 1998. It is a complete solution of creation tools designed to meet ambitious artistic vision while being flexible enough to ensure success for teams of all sizes. As an established, industry-leading engine, the solution delivers a powerful, and proven performance that you can trust.
The engine features a massive range of unique tools and workflows that put you in control, whether your team made up of five or more than 500 developers. Its pre-built, modular systems, advance level, customize plugins, and source control integration empower you to meet each project’s unique needs.
Unreal Engine is an all-in-one game engine that comes with a full product suite that comes production-ready out of the box without the need for additional plugins or purchases. The solution works similar as compared to other engines, but its advanced tools and features make it better than others.
Unreal Engine core features include simple editor, create high-quality photorealistic renders, immersive AR and VR experience, and deep support for the platforms that matter. Overall, Unreal Engine is one of the best game engines as compared to others.
Unreal Engine alternatives
22
CryENGINE
CryENGINE is a first all-in-one game development solution with truly scalable computation, multi-award winning graphics, realistic physics, and intuitive visual scripting, etc. The game engine is developed by a German developer named Crytek in 2006. Its editor comes with all the major tools and features in order to deliver a complete and comprehensive experience.
CryENGINE makes the learning curve less steep with complete source code. Clear tutorials, detailed documentation, and a strong development community make it better them others. The marketplace provides you with a wide range of assets ready to use in your products.
It comes as an alternative to Unreal Engine but offers lots of new features that make it better than others. CryENGINE app’s core features include sandbox editor, road and river tools, integrated vegetation, placement tools and cover, high-quality 3D water, AI editing system, rope physics, and much more. If you are looking for a true game engine with complete tools, then you’ll surely enjoy CryENGINE.
CryENGINE alternatives
23
AutoDesk StingRayFree
AutoDesk StingRay is a game engine that comes with Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, iOS, and Android devices and uses Lua Scripting Language. Autodesk produces a new game engine called AutoDesk’s StingRay that comes with all the features and compiling options for users who wanted to convert Revit Models into interactive 3D experiences such as VR with a minimum effort.
It comes with all the major tools, features, and technology that allow its users to create any video game. It offers particle and other visual effect options and post-processing effects like depth-of-field, motion blur, and lens blur effects to make it more powerful. It can be used NVIDIA’s PhysX physics system works with Autodesk gameware tools like Beast for global illumination, Scaleform, and FBX, etc. There is also a range of core features that make it a comprehensive solution to make any video game.
AutoDesk StingRay alternatives
24
Strata Sculpt 3DPaid
Strata Sculpt 3D is an Online Virtual Clay, Modeling, Sculpting, and 3D Printing application designed for professionals. It is a modern style 3D object builder that comes with all the leading tools, features, and services. With this help of this, you can easily create and customize any size of a 3D object, add different objects and shapes that make your object more interesting.
The best thing about this solution is that it comes with a massive library of simple objects and shapes that consists of multiple categories. Each category has its purposes that you can easily choose and edit without any limitation. There is also has an option that allows you to upload on objects and shapes to own personalized objects.
As compared to all the other similar online 3D object builder software, Strata Sculpt 3D is much powerful and offers a simple editor that is full of advanced tools and items. Its most prominent feature includes massive showcase, expert artist guides, online community, and camera menu to rest your view, multiple filters, effects, and more.
Strata Sculpt 3D alternatives
25
RPGMakerFreemium
RPGMaker is a platform that enables users to create games from high-budget to general 2D games. The platform helps the users to create games from their imagination into reality even if they do not have any programming skills.
The platform allows the users to customize every aspect of their game through the easy-to-use interface. RPGMaker has large features, and the best thing about this software is that anyone can create a game on this platform without any previous experience. It provides all kinds of games categories from action to puzzle and provides the implementation of events in the scenarios like transitions, animations, and automatic movements.
It enables companies to create simulations against simpler hackler attacks. RPGMaker helps the user to stay focus on the real mechanics and story of the game instead of worrying about the coding issues. The platforms also have a vast number of freeware demos, scripts, tilesets, tutorials, and animations that can be used by anyone. RPGMaker has a free trial and a paid version, while customer support is provided online.
RPGMaker alternatives
26
KeyshotPaid
Keyshot is one of the best 3D rendering software that instantly brings you real-time 3D rendering and display results. The solution comes with the aim to reduce the time to create realistic product visuals. It starts at a very basic level, and now it has millions of users around the world who can use it to create their products easily and quickly.
The solution comes with advanced editing capabilities and offers almost all the core services and features that help you create and modify your design in minutes. It includes native support for over 30 landing 3D file formats and offers a range of plug-ins and app sync features to automatically grape your date.
It offers more than 750 preset materials, with thousands more on its cloud that helps you create advanced designs. The solution is also best for those who get new ideas and has a massive gallery that you can freely explore without any limit. Keyshot is commercial software and offers three different price plans. Each plan has its own cost and core features.
Keyshot alternatives
27
LeadwerksPaid
Leadwerks provides you with powerful tools to build VR experiences and 3D games. You can start by learning game development which is a path that beginners can take to polish their skills and develop games. The tutorials contain easy guidelines and teach you all the knowledge necessary for game creation, and the best part is that you aren’t required to have any experience or skills.
The entry-level chapters show you how to use the visual editor ad flow graph system to build game interactions without the need for code. After that’s done, you will be shown how to write custom game scripts using Lua. Users with advanced knowledge can go one step further by programming in C++ using Leadwerks professional Edition. The Leadweks Game Engine is built to utilize the full potential of PC, which is currently considered the number one platform for games.
It doesn’t port games to niche platforms and runs perfectly fine on all PC hardware available in the market, and this also includes integrated graphics chips. The best feature is that the game can be instantly published to Steam with Steamworks integration. Another great highlight is that those who buy Leadwerks can make the desired number of commercial games via a Royalty-free License.
Leadwerks alternatives
28
Game BuilderFree
Game Builder is an easy-to-use and feature-rich game-building sandbox for Windows and Mac OS. You can use it to create beautiful and highly appealing games within a 3D game world created by you. Select from tons of 3D models via Poly and build game logic by placing several blocks through the drag-and-drop UI. You can also simply code via JavaScript in real-time. This option can be utilized by those who have knowledge of the JS programming language and are looking for something revolutionary.
Game Builder alternatives