Creation of computer games is a rather complicated process, which, as a rule, requires knowledge of programming languages. But there are special editors and programs that greatly simplify this process and allow you to create simple games without special knowledge, using only visual design.
In this article you will find the best game editors that allow you to create your own games in any genres.
Game engine
The Unity 3D editor is rapidly gaining popularity due to its main advantage - lightness and intuitiveness with impressive features. With it, you can create games for Android, Windows, iOS, OSX, Wii, Blackberry, Playstation 3, Flash and Xbox. You can create any genre of games, as well as easily import models, textures and sounds. Three-dimensional models can be in the formats COLLADA, 3DS, FBX, DXF. For textures, there is support for all popular image formats. Also, audio files - they can be in any of the popular formats, including WAV and MP3. Scripting is done using JavaScript, although you can write codes in C #. The program has many examples and templates that are included in the help system and written in JavaScript. On the official website of this editor for creating games you will find several video demonstrations of its capabilities. And by installing Unity Web Player you can play some fragments of the games.
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Opportunities
With this program, you can forget about third-party programs altogether or minimize their use.
The editor has a special Asset Server joint development system, which allows you to directly develop the game as part of a large team directly through the Internet.
The only negative is that to use it, you must have knowledge of computer programming at least at the average level.
Opportunities:
- use of version control systems;
- use of scripts in C #, Boo and javascript;
- work in drag-n-drop mode with resources;
- support for importing from a huge number of formats;
- close connection of the development environment by the game engine;
- built-in network support;
- support for surround sound and dynamic shadows;
- Availability of Asset Server - solutions for team development.
CryENGINE 3 Free SDK
On this gaming platform , many hit games have been created. Far Cry, AION, Crysis - this is only a small part of the famous "games", the development of which used this free game editor for non-commercial use.
In the demonstration videos prepared by the developers of this engine, you can observe exceptional, close to realistic shooting, graphics quality. This is exactly the kind of graphics you could see in almost all versions of Crysis.
Game developers especially note the movement of this editor in step with the times. There are opportunities to implement support for DirectX 11, import models, optimize games for GPU rendering and textures from the latest versions of the powerful graphics editors 3ds Max and Maya.
The platform does not require installation. All you need to get started is to unzip the archive. The level editor is launched by the corresponding executable file, which is located in the Bin64 and Bin32 folders. Depending on the operating system and processor capacity, an executable file is selected. To the chagrin of beginner game creators, the editor is not Russified, the entire interface is exclusively in English.
True, the engine has become so popular that it has a Russian-speaking community, thanks to which you can find answers to questions about the work of the editor and all kinds of training materials.
Special requirements and main advantages
The developers of the platform have significantly expanded the capabilities of sufficiently powerful tools for real-time visualization, which made this program for creating games one of the best.
- RAM - from 4 to 8 GB;
- processor - Intel i5 2300 / AMD FX 8150 or dual-core from Intel 2 GHz / dual-core from Amd;
- video card - Nvidia GeForce 660 Ti / AMD Radeon HD 7950 or higher or any of the Nvidia GeForce 400 / AMD Radeon HD 6000 line.
Advantages:
- the availability of the best tools for developing games of the future generation;
- improved animation system;
- installed DirectX version 11;
- huge selection of innovative visualization technologies;
- free use for non-commercial purposes;
- real-time development capabilities.
For beginners and lovers
The free program for creating 3D Rad games is quite simple, but at the same time it allows you to create relatively colorful and complex games. In its package you can find many ready-made examples.
This editor allows you to work with sounds, lights, animations, particles, shaders, textures and many other elements necessary for building games.
At the level it can snow or rain, for example. To do this, use the "effects" options. Also, it is possible to decorate the game with glare, light spots, water, blur, etc. It also supports objects such as a mirror, fog, fire, etc.
Comments
This simple game editor was originally conceived as a powerful tool for creating 3d games, but in the end we have a fairly simple constructor. You can safely recommend it to those who are just starting their first steps in game design or experimenting with game mechanics.
Advantages:
- import and export of three-dimensional models is supported;
- the ability to compile the resulting game as an executable .exe file ;
- a wide range of tools for creating simple models;
- the ability to set rules of conduct and control 3D objects in the main window of the editor;
- there is a small library of environmental objects;
- AngelScript is supported for writing scripts inside the game;
- Currently, the project has become a non-profit distribution model.
Disadvantages:
- only beta testers have access to the training materials of the project developers;
- With this application, no one has been able to create a successful game;
- not suitable for creating high-quality games.
According to user reviews, the maximum that can be created using this editor is a racing simulator with simple physics or various educational games.
Game maker
Using this computer game editor, you can create professional games in a very short period of time. Using a simple and intuitive interface, the process of creating a game will give you pleasure.
The program allows you to revive the graphics of the game, select its background, as well as add various music and sound effects. And over time, gaining experience, you can start developing more interesting and functional games using the built-in programming language.
One very significant advantage of this utility is the ability to use it absolutely free. In addition, you can also play games you developed and sell them for free.
And if you register this game editor program, you will get access to additional functions and you can significantly expand your capabilities. It is also worth noting that the engine is distributed with a pre-installed collection of free sounds and images with which you can start creating your own games.
Requirements and advantages
Using this game editor in Russian, you can create your own games and presentations. In this case, you do not have to own programming languages - just look into the internal logic of building games.
- Sound card supporting DirectX at least version 8;
- on a hard drive at least 15 MB free space;
- monitor for 65,000 colors (16-bit);
- the graphics card must also support DirectX 8 and higher, and also have at least 32 MB of video memory;
- screen resolution should be at least 800x600 pixels;
- Sound and graphics drivers must be updated to the latest versions.
Advantages:
- the ability to create games for beginners who are not versed in programming;
- room editor - objects, or rather their instances, are created dynamically or with the help of this editor;
- for experienced developers there is a built-in GML language;
- fast code execution;
- the advanced version of the program adds scripts, fonts, particle systems, time lines and paths.
Disadvantages:
- inefficient built-in sound system;
- the program is paid.
Game Editor DarkBASIC Professional
This is a universal application for debugging and high-speed development of various computer visual games, presentations using the simplest programming language BASIC. With this program you can create computer games, slide shows, presentations and much more. In the latest version, the platform has become even more powerful and fast thanks to the improvement of some components: rewritten language, compiler, editor and debugger. DarkBASIC Professional is not just a continuation of the popular DarkBASIC application, but, in fact, a new program, featuring a huge set of features and functions.
Programmers in this game editor will be able to use various data types, including Boolean, real, integer, real double lengths, byte (bytes), integer double lengths, strings, user types, word (word), constants, unified arrays, functions.
Key Features and Features
The editor uses the powerful capabilities of DirectX in working with sound effects, 3D objects, music, animation, bitmap images.
- the creation of any applications and games;
- checking and debugging programs;
- the creation of any spirit and three-dimensional effects;
- creation of multi-level games;
- development in the Windows operating environment;
- Create great 3D screen savers;
- animation;
- system calls
- creating .EXE files;
- work with files;
- model animation;
- texturing and lighting.
Creating your own computer games is not such a difficult matter, unless of course you start from scratch, but use the experience of more experienced people. You should not engage in programming template game elements, especially if all of this has already been invented before you. Surely it is preferable to immediately start the creative component of the game - to come up with levels, heroes, enemies, exciting new episodes. For this purpose, special tools were invented and created - game editors and game engines.