Top 12 Picks for Open 3D Engine Alternatives in 2024

Exploring Open 3D Engine alternatives 2024

Unreal Engine

Unleashed upon the world in 1998, the Unreal Engine (UE) is more than just a series of 3D computer graphics game engines developed by Epic Games. Over the years, the Unreal Engine has grown beyond its initial focus on PC first-person shooters, evolving into an all-encompassing development platform for not just games of various genres, but also for striking visuals in film and television.

Unreal Engine Top Features

Written in C++, the engine promotes a wide palette of creation, offering support for an impressive breadth of platforms, including desktop, mobile, console, and virtual reality.
The Unreal Engine offers an array of development features that include a dynamic and versatile level editor, UnrealEd that supports real-time constructive solid geometry operations. This provides an unparallelled level of control and precision.
Its robust and user-friendly Unreal Development Kits support the creation of iOS games and apps, adding to its charm and practicality.
The Unreal Engine Marketplace further expands the creative potential, allowing developers to sell their creations or purchase the work of others.

Features	Benefits
Level Editor, UnrealEd	Controls and precision
Unreal Development Kit	Development of iOS games and apps
Unreal Engine Marketplace	Expanded creative potential

Unreal Engine Limitations

The royalty model might not be ideal for all, charging 5% of revenues over USD 1 million for commercial use.
Full benefits pertain only to those publishing games directly on the Epic Games Store.

Unreal Engine Pricing

The pricing model of the Unreal Engine is structured around a sweet-spot balance of compatibility and competition. While the engine is free for all users, Epic Games charges 5% of revenue for products that earn more than $3,000 per quarter. For schools and universities, Unreal Engine is completely free.

Unreal Engine Use Cases

Use case 1: Game Development

In-game development scenarios, Unreal Engine’s holistic range of high-powered tools and robust features make it a go-to choice for developers eyeing intricate, in-depth designs and multi-platform support.

Use case 2: Film and Television

The engine’s support for striking visuals, animation and rendering capabilities has found favor with creators in the film and television industry, leveraging this technology to produce breathtaking, reality-like scenes.

Use case 3: Education

For schools and universities, Unreal Engine is a priceless teaching asset. With it being available for free, it encourages students and researchers to get hands-on experience with this revered game development tool.

Stride

Born to the world as Xenko by the good folks at Silicon Studio, Stride, now picking up the slack after Silicon retracted support, is a free, open-source, cross-platform wonder beeping on your game development radar. With foundation in C#, and a mission to create video games for PCs, mobiles, and VR, it underwent a name and license switcheroo in a grand effort to align with the .NET Foundation.

Stride Top Features

A full suite of C# tools for maximum creativity
Customizable shader system to make your game shine in your unique style
Integrated environment, a.k.a., The Game Studio for a seamless workflow covering asset import, scene creation, and script assignment
In-built goodies like Physically-Based Rendering (PBR) layered material editor, photorealistic postprocess effects, particle editor, sprite editor, and UI engine. It’s like a complete tech amusement park!
Cross-platform runtime support. Say hello to iOS, Android, Windows UWP, Linux, and PlayStation 4!

Extra features	Releases and recognition
3D rendering engine for vvvv gamma	First Alpha release in September 2014
Scene streaming system	Became open-source in October 2014
Full tool-chain	Part of Xbox Creators Program, March 2017

Stride Disadvantages

Support from the original developers, Silicon Studio, ended in 2018. It’s a community affair now, which may not suit everyone’s taste.
Shift to MIT License implied certain changes, and not everyone’s into sudden transformations. Just ask a certain arachnophobic superhero!

Stride Pricing

Stride’s a real gem, and you know what’s best about gems? When they’re free! Yes, Stride is open-source and free for everyone. Celebratory dance, anyone?

Stride Use Cases

Use case 1

Stride’s versatile tools can make PC game development a total breeze. With the C# tool suite and Game Studio, you can curate and control every pixel to your liking.

Use case 2

Cross-platform mobile game developers, listen up! Stride supports both Android and iOS, meaning you can wave those compatibility fears goodbye.

Use case 3

Entering the realm of virtual reality? Let Stride guide you. Its powerful tools and features create captivating VR experiences that truly immerse players.

RPG Maker

Introducing RPG Maker—a powerhouse crafted by ASCII, Enterbrain, Agetec, Degica, and Gotcha Gotcha Games, primed for weaving narrative-heavy RPGs. Dating back to December 17, 1992, this engine has reinvented itself across multiple platforms, earning a robust global acclaim.

RPG Maker Top Features

Built in JavaScript and HTML5, supporting languages from English to Korean
No coding knowledge required, ease of use making it ideal for novice developers
Cardinal character creation flexibility within RPG Maker MV
Over 200 DLCs offered, expanding creative horizon
Steering ingenuity with story-driven approach, focusing on creative aspects of game development

Feature	Description
Cross-Platform Compatibility	Thrives on diverse platforms ranging from Windows, Mac, Xbox One, and Nintendo 3DS.
Community Support	Basks in the extensive modifications and support pool from its user community.
Free Plugins	Implements a myriad of free plugins extending the engine’s usability.

RPG Maker Limitations

Engine’s design constraints limiting creative freedom
Requires a skilled developer to avoid game failure
Controversies due to games created using RPG Maker like “Super Columbine Massacre RPG!” and “Heartbeat”

RPG Maker Pricing

With RPG Maker MV’s DLCs ranging from $5 – $25, you can select the tools that best fit your budget.

RPG Maker Use Cases

Use Case 1: Story-Driven RPGs

RPG Maker excels in the creation of story-driven RPGs where tactical complexity is organically weaved with narrational opulence.

Use Case 2: Platform Compliant Games

Description: RPG Maker’s cross-platform stability presents a tremendous opportunity for game developers to publish across a spectrum of gaming platforms.

Use Case 3: Beginner Developers

Its simplicity combined with flexibility provides a nurturing environment for novice developers to explore the realm of game development.

Solar2D

Drawing on a legacy of over a decade, Solar2D offers a comprehensive, open-source environment for cross-platform mobile app development. Rooted in its predecessor, Corona SDK, it has blossomed into an intuitive, powerful, and richly-featured game development engine.

Solar2D Top Features

Empowering development across a multitude of platforms: iOS, tvOS, Android, Android TV, macOS, Windows, Linux, and HTML5
Lua scripting language, celebrated for its ubiquity in gaming franchises like Warcraft, Angry Birds, and Civilization.
Simultaneous development with a single code base, thus stimulating cost and time efficiency.
Instant-update Simulator and Live Builds for true real-time testing of code and assets.
Extensive suite of plugins within the Solar2D ecosystem, enhancing functionality in advertising, analytics, or media.

Noteworthy Features	Implications
Solar2D Native	Enables calls to native (C/C++/Obj-C/Java) libraries/APIs for deeper integration.
Vibrant developer community	Offers support, ideas exchange, and shared resources for aspiring and seasoned developers alike.
Powerful APIs	A quicker frame rate compared to competitors, thereby facilitating smoother gameplay.

Solar2D Limitations

Despite the abundance of features, Solar2D might require a learning curve for those unfamiliar with Lua. It should also be noted that its primary focus on 2D mobile applications could limit possibilities for 3D game development.

Solar2D Pricing

Remarkably, Solar2D is 100% free and open source. There are absolutely no hidden fees or royalties, an embrace of transparency that might resonate with privacy-conscious developers.

Solar2D Use Cases

Use case 1: Rapid App Development

If time is of the essence, Solar2D excels in rapid app development, thanks to its instant update features and integrated Simulator.

Use case 2: Multichannel Distribution

For developers looking to deploy apps across multiple platforms, Solar2D’s single code base offers a seamless solution.

Use case 3: Learning Lua

Aspiring game developers interested in mastering Lua, a prevalent scripting language in the gaming industry, will find Solar2D an excellent springboard.

Blender

Blender is a robust 3D computer graphics software toolset developed by the Dutch animation studio NeoGeo. Open-source and absolutely free, it caters to multiple applications—animated films, visual effects, art, 3D-printed models, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications, and virtual reality since its creation in 1994.

Blender Top Features

3D Modeling
UV Mapping and Texturing
Digital Drawing and Raster Graphics Editing
Rigging and Skinning
Animation and Rendering
Sculpting and Several Simulations (fluid and smoke, particle, soft body)
Video Editing and Compositing

OS Compatibility	Linux, MacOS, Windows, BSD, Haiku
Language of Code	C, C++, and Python
File Format Support	Alembic, 3DS, FBX, DXF, SVG, STL, UDIM, USD, VRML, WebM, X3D, OBJ.

Blender Downsides

Depreciated game engine in release 2.8
Transition from ‘Blender Internal’ renderer to ‘Eevee’ in 2.80 release.

Blender Pricing

Standing as testimony to the magnitude of open-source technology, Blender is completely free of charge.

Blender Use Cases

Use case 1: Animated Films

For creators eyeing animation, Blender offers a powerful suite—3D modeling, texturing, rigging and skinning, and rendering—ensuring impeccable animated outputs.

Use case 2: Virtual Reality

Blender ticks all necessary boxes in the VR arena. From superb 3D modeling to sophisticated simulations, quality VR content is now at your fingertips.

Use case 3: Motion Graphics

Unveil your visual storytelling prowess with Blender’s animation and motion graphic capabilities. Bring narratives to life with radical precision.

GameMaker

An easy-to-use 2D game engine, GameMaker, offers a unique blend of simplicity and power, making it a preferred choice for both beginners and experienced developers. Launched as Animo in 1999, GameMaker has an impressive legacy of 17 years, iconic games like Undertale and Chicory: A Colorful Tale bearing its mark.

GameMaker Best Features

User-Friendly: Simplified game design to cater to beginners, yet scalable to meet the needs of experienced developers.
Extensive Tools: Access to a comprehensive suite of tools for game development.
Flexible Code Editor: The new code editor will be hosted in a full-screen window, making it easier to access objects, events, and functions.
Diverse Language Support: Language Server for syntax highlighting and Intellisense support, enabling more languages within Code Editor, including Shader Languages, JSON, and XML.
Mod.io Extension: Facilitates the addition of user-generated content to your game.
Future-Focused: Scheduled for major updates in 2023, including AI support and enhanced modding capabilities.

Feature	Description
Community Development	Continuous balance of engine updates between new features, basic maintenance, and customer feedback.
Integrated AI	Future plans for AI integration through partnership with OpenAI to further simplify the game development process.

GameMaker Limitations

No specific limitations are mentioned in the available data.

GameMaker Pricing

GameMaker offers various pricing tiers to suit different developer needs: Free, Creator – for game development career, Indie – with multiple export options, and Enterprise – for major console releases.

GameMaker Use Cases

Use case 1: Novice Developers

Easing the obstacle of complex coding, GameMaker is an excellent choice for beginners. Its user-friendly interface and simple design make it a go-to option for novice developers.

Use case 2: Full-Time Developers

With its scalability and extensive tools supporting more advanced game development, full-time developers can effectively create immersive games using GameMaker.

Use case 3: Educational Purposes

GameMaker serves as an ideal platform for teaching game development, its simplicity and comprehensive toolset making it highly appropriate for educational environments.

jMonkeyEngine

A Java-based game engine, jMonkeyEngine leverages the NetBeans Platform for its operations and is adaptable to Android. With a keen focus on developers, it offers a minimalistic, code-first approach. Among its most prominent applications is the development of the RPG game, Mythruna.

jMonkeyEngine Top Features

Open-source 3D gaming engine
Reliable 3.6.0-stable libraries on Maven Central repository
Offers jMonkeyEngine Initializer, a intuitive web tool for project creation
Advanced 3D audio support via OpenAL, Cross-platform, and jmePhonon
Multitude of networking options including Spidermonkey, SimEthereal, and Monkey Netty
Capable of low-level yet high-quality game development
Cross-platform compatibility for PC, Linux, iOS, Android, and Mac
Extensive online documentation and a vibrant community for support.

Attraction	Description
Post-processing support	Includes filters like Bloom FXAA, Light Scattering, etc.
Terrain libraries	Provides libraries for creating visually appealing terrains
Particle capabilities	Offers an array of options for advanced particle generation

jMonkeyEngine Limitations

Usability might be challenging for some due to its code-first approach
Less feature-rich when compared to competitors like Unity

jMonkeyEngine Pricing

Embracing the spirit of collaborative development, JMonkeyEngine is free and open-source. It operates under a permissive BSD 3-Clause license.

jMonkeyEngine Use Cases

Use case 1: Game Development

JMonkeyEngine’s comprehensive set of features make it an excellent tool for game development. Its cross-platform compatibility enables developers to publish to various platforms including PC, Linux, iOS, Android, and Mac. Its participation in serious game development projects is evidenced by its use in numerous commercial games.

Use case 2: Game Development Education

The engine presents an ideal learning platform for people interested in game development education. With its comprehensive documentation, YouTube tutorials, and online books, users from all age groups can easily grasp its working mechanics. It is extensively used in game-education programs for both young and adult learners.

Use case 3: Game Networking

jMonkeyEngine offers multiple options for game networking, making it a robust choice for developers who want to implement multiplayer capabilities in their games. Options include Spidermonkey, SimEthereal, and Monkey Netty.

Defold

Meet Defold, a highly intuitive game engine that’s free for console, desktop, mobile, and web game development. Its source code is readily accessible on GitHub, with a decidedly developer-friendly license. With a history rooted in gaming giant King, Defold boasts a strong reputation for ease of use, robust technical documentation, and a vibrant, growing community.

Defold Top Features

Code Editor: Native built-in code editor, debugger, profiler, scene, and UI editors.
Language: Offers a flexible approach to game logic with Lua, and also provides the option to use native code for extra functionality.
Updates: Enjoys consistent development, with bi-weekly releases of the engine and editor.
Community: Vibrant, active community on Discord and Forums offering collaboration and support.

Feature	Details
Cross platform building	Defold supports Any<->Any cross-platform building, requiring no SDKs, and using Lua or C/C++.
Open Source	Offers developers the ability to fork.
3D Development	Primarily designed for 2D games, with ongoing enhancements for 3D development.

Defold Limitations

Requires significant understanding of Defold and Native-Extensions for flexible development capabilities.
The scale of development is limited due to a relatively small development team.

Defold Pricing

Defold takes a developer-forward approach to pricing with no upfront costs, licensing fees, or royalties. It’s completely free and open source.

Defold Use Cases

Use case 1: Games Development

Defold shines in games development, with its strong focus on facilitating ease and efficiency. Whether it’s a commercial hit, an entry for a game jam, or an educational tool for schools, Defold comes through.

Use case 2: Simulator Development

With its flexible and wide-ranging capabilities, Defold makes an excellent platform for creating engaging and realistic simulators.

Use case 3: Apps Development

Defold’s open source, cross-platform compatible nature also makes it well-suited to application development, with its convenient and easy-to-use editor.

Raylib

Born on November 18, 2013, Raylib was the brainchild of Ramon Santamaria and a collective of creative contributors. Infused with inspiration from Borland BGI graphics library and the XNA framework, Raylib is written in C and has conquered cross-platform versatility. It comfortably navigates environments like Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Android, Raspberry Pi, and HTML5.

Raylib Best Features

Compatibility with over 50 programming languages due to extensive bindings.
Comes with all necessary libraries, eradicating dependency on external resources.
Features a unique OpenGL abstraction layer for enriched graphics, supported by rlgl.
Empowers 3D modeling with its robust support for shapes, models, billboards, heightmaps, and a flexible material system.
Amplifies audio loading and playing capabilities, including streaming support for varied formats like WAV, OGG, MP3, FLAC, XM, and MOD.
Developed with an eye on education, it doubles as an instructional tool for teaching video game programming around the world.

Feature	Description
Powerful Fonts Module	Supports SpriteFonts, BMfonts, TTF, and SDF, managing multiple texture formats, including compressed.
VR Stereo Rendering Support	Offers configurable HMD device parameters for an immersive gaming experience.
Raylib Technologies	Established in 2018, it expanded Raylib’s focus to tools development, strengthening its core functionalities.

Raylib Limitations

Its functionality might seem limited for complex commercial game developers looking for comprehensive features beyond prototyping and tooling.
Being written in C (specifically C99), it may not appeal to programmers preferring more recent or different language architectures.

Raylib Pricing

Raylib is free and open source, making it an accessible tool for anyone from aspiring game developers to educational institutions.