Raylib is a versatile C graphics library released in November 2013, known for its cross-platform support, unique OpenGL abstraction layer, and powerful math operations. It has received recognition from Google and Epic Games and is popular in videogame programming education globally.
For those exploring options beyond Raylib, alternative libraries include Pygame, Unreal Engine, Libgdx, LÖVE, MonoGame, OpenGL, Bevy, Unity, SDL, SFML, Godot, and Arcade.
Pygame
Ascend into the world of gaming with Pygame, an assembly of Python modules designed for video game creation. Originally authored by a team of experts and first released on October 28, 2000, Pygame stands as a beacon for beginners, college students, and even first-time developers.
Pygame Top Features
Cross-platform capabilities: Python, C, Cython, Assembly language are the foundations of Pygame’s multidimensional code structure.
Useful for a myriad of functions: From vector math to sprite scene graph management, collision detection, and pixel-array transformations, Pygame offers a wide array of game development features.
Android friendly: Compatibility with Android devices keeps your gaming world at your fingertips, complete with sound, vibration, keyboard, and accelerometer support on Android through Pygame Subset for Android (pgs4a).
Pygame Speed
Adjustable background scrolling and increased FPS for game speed control
Community Driven
The community-driven ethos drives Pygame’s development, boasting a wide range of tutorials for new users.
Highly Portable and Everywhere
From AmigaOS, Dreamcast, to RISC, OS/2, and more – it’s in almost every operating system.
Pygame Downsides
Its ease and accessibility, while a boon for beginners, may be limiting for more advanced game developers seeking complex functionalities.
As the code is written in Python, there might be performance issues associated with high-end, graphic-intensive games.
Pygame Pricing
Get on gaming with this open-source tool – Pygame is absolutely free. It encourages creation of open source, freeware, shareware, and even commercial games.
Pygame Use Cases
Use case 1: Education
Pygame provides an exciting and interactive platform to learn and understand game development and programming – a delight for students and first-time programmers.
Use case 2: Indie Game Development
With featured games like Frets on Fire and IndieCade 2013 Finalist – Pygame empowers indie game developers to create engaging and user-friendly games.
Use case 3: Coding Experimentation
Its simple structure encourages developers to experiment with their coding knowledge, from Python to C, Cython, and even Assembly language.
Unreal Engine by Epic Games
Unveiled to the world in 1998 with the eponymous game Unreal, the Unreal Engine (UE) is a remarkable series of 3D computer graphics game engines brought to life by Epic Games. While its action birth revolved around PC first-person-shooters, this versatile engine has seen widespread application across an array of gaming genres and even industries such as film and television. Around the world, school and university students toy with its potentials for free, and its real-time constructive solid geometry operations even find application in iOS games and apps through the Unreal Development Kit.
Unreal Engine: The Apex of Features
Capable of supporting diverse platforms from desktop and mobile to console and virtual reality devices.
An incisive level editor, UnrealEd, is integrated for real-time constructive solid geometry operations.
Quite open for modders to explore in Unreal Engine 3 version.
Sets out basic project templates as excellent starting points for first-person or third-person experiences.
A marketplace to acquire or sell developer content, with 88% share of revenue flowing to the content creators.
Feature
Benefit
Written in C++
User-friendly, flexible, and efficient for game development
Unreal Development Kit (UDK)
Allows creation of iOS games and apps
Revenue Model
Royalty waived for games published on Epic Games Store
Limitations of Unreal Engine
Royalty model wherein it charges 5% of revenues over USD 1 million for commercial use.
Although extensive, the feature set might seem overwhelming to beginners or solo developers.
Unreal Engine Pricing
Unreal Engine takes a cut of 5% from the revenues generated over USD 1 million under its commercial use policy. In a gesture of warm inclusivity, it offers the tool free of charge to educational institutions. Notably, the royalty fee does not apply to games published on the Epic Games Store.
Unreal Engine: A Spectrum of Use Cases
Use Case 1: Game Development Studios
Equipped with proficiency in C++, developers in game studios set to work on the massively capable Unreal Engine, fashioning rich experiences for users spanning multiple platforms. Its wide array of features and endorsements from successful titles make it a reliable choice.
Use Case 2: Indie Game Developers
Albeit a bit complex for beginners, indie game developers who invest in learning the Unreal Engine will find it amply rewarding. Unreal marketplace acts as an ecosystem that’s conducive to sharing, selling or acquiring development assets.
Use Case 3: Educational Institutions
Institutions of learning are given access to the Unreal Engine for free, thereby fostering a generation of game developers acquainted with the prowess of an industry-winning engine.
Godot
Enter the world of Godot, an open-source game engine that’s not only free under the MIT license but is a top choice for developers across the globe.
Godot Top Features
Intuitive scene-driven design allowing the creation of games from simple blocks.
Highly flexible node system enabling the development of complex, reusable scenes.
A unique and easy-to-use scripting language, GDScript, with optional static typing support for streamlined game logic.
Multilingual support reflecting in official C++ support in 4.0 with GDExtension API, and support for C# for .NET platform in Godot 4.
Feature
Description
3D engine support
Designed for high and low-end devices, plus direct import of Blender files.
Specialized 2D workflow
Designed specifically for games and apps.
Multi-platform support
Operates on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android phones & tablets, and many mobile & Web platforms.
Godot Limitations
Though the 3D engine is highly robust, Godot may not be suitable for complex 3D game development.
The .NET support in Godot 4 is only available for desktop platforms.
Godot Pricing
With Godot, get ready for a ride that won’t cost you a penny! It’s free and open-source, with no licensing fees, contracts, or hidden charges.
Godot Use Cases
Use case 1 – Education
Godot’s intuitive scene-driven design and user-friendly nodes make it an exceptional tool for teaching game development to beginners.
Use case 2 – Indie Game Development
With its audience-friendly pricing and multilanguage support including GDScript, C#, and C++, independent developers are sure to find Godot a beacon in their game development journey.
Use case 3 – Professional Game Development
Godot’s 3D engine and 2D workflow support, combined with its versatility and support for various platforms, make it an attractive pick for experienced game developers.
Arcade
Arcade is a modern Python module for creating 2D video games with eye-catching graphics and sound. Created by Paul Vincent Craven, a computer science professor, it’s built atop the Pyglet multimedia library and provides a significant improvement over Pygame.
Arcade’s Best Features
Compatibility: Arcade is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux and requires OpenGL 3.3+ support.
Type hinting support: Written for Python 3.6+, Arcade supports type hinting.
Inbuilt drawing functions: Arcade provides inbuilt functions for drawing different shapes including circles, rectangles, polygons.
User-friendly Cartesian coordinate system: The origin (0,0) is located in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Intuitive audio controls: Arcade allows developers to manipulate audio with functions such as load_sound, play_sound, and set_sound_volume.
Support
Key Features
Free, open-source, shareware, and commercial games development.
Arcade gives developers freedom to develop games under any of these types.
Version 2.4.3
Released in 2020 with enhancements such as added PyInstalled hook, tutorial, ShapeLists no longer share position
League system
Allows creating realistic motion.
Sprites
Unique feature that creates objects for various animations, crucial in games and graphic applications.
Arcade’s Limitations
Occasional instability issues and limited Python version compatibility render Arcade a bit unpredictable.
Limited backward compatibility can pose a challenge, along with the occasional breaking changes.
The documentation is lacking and the interface requires debugging using long examples.
Arcade Pricing
Arcade is completely open-source and free to use, making it a highly accessible platform for individuals interested in game development.
Arcade Use Cases
Use Case 1: Education
As an easy-to-use system providing a myriad of resources, Arcade can aid in teaching concepts of computer science and game development.
Use Case 2: Hobbyist Game Developers
With its inbuilt drawing functions and tutorial-laden documentation, Arcade can provide hobbyist developers with a platform to fully explore their creativity in game crafting.
Use Case 3: Professional Game Development
Despite its simplicity, Arcade still stands as a powerful tool for professional game developers, offering an array of features that can be used to create commercial-level games.
Libgdx
Immerse yourself in the world of game development with LibGDX, a reliable Java game development framework respected for over a decade. This potent tool offers a unified API for cross-platform targeting and leverages the vast Java ecosystem brilliantly. Its outfield advantage? An extensive third-party ecosystem that brings your gaming vision to life.
Libgdx Top Features
Audio streaming for WAV, MP3, OGG, and direct PCM sample playback and recording.
Intuitive input handling for various devices, including mouse, keyboard, touchscreen, controllers, accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass.
Advanced graphics features, which include vertex arrays, vertex buffer objects, meshes, textures, among others.
Frameworks such as Box2D physics and Bullet physics provide dynamic 2D and 3D physics capabilities respectively.
UI library and additional 3D APIs enhance the overall game feel and immersion.
Additional Feature
Description
Firebase integration
Aids in personalizing game experience for users
Google Play, Apple Game Center integration
Promotes the game on popular platforms
AdMob integration
Offers valuable advertising capabilities
Libgdx Downsides
Given that it is code-centric, it might present a steep learning curve for beginners.
Some developers may find its strong orientation on the Java ecosystem limiting.
Libgdx Pricing
Embrace freedom with LibGDX, as it comes at no cost. This open-source project is free to use, transparent, and welcomes contributions.
Libgdx Use Cases
Use case 1: Indie Game Developers
With fine-grained control and detailed documentation, LibGDX is ideal for indie game developers looking for a robust, flexible framework.
Use case 2: Educational Institutions and Training Centers
LibGDX’s open-source nature and active community support make it a great learning platform for institutions and training centers teaching game development.
Use case 3: Game Studios
Game studios seeking seamless multi-platform distribution will find LibGDX’s unified API and robust game ecosystem capabilities beneficial.
LÖVE
If you’re searching for an open-source, cross-platform game framework, look no further than LÖVE. Initially released in 2008, this framework has been continuously updated and enhanced to support a wide array of platforms and functionalities.
Top Features of LÖVE
Written in C++, Lua scripting language
Access to host machine’s video and sound functions via SDL and OpenGL libraries
Rendering through FreeType engine
Support for multiple platforms from Microsoft Windows to Android
Open-source nature allows increased flexibility and modifications
Additional Features
Benefit
Hardware acceleration, multi-threading, and networking
Regular version updates with added features, bug fixes, and enhancements
Ensures constant improvement
Limitations of LÖVE
Being a relatively light framework, it may require external libraries for complex game elements
Real-time code modification is powerful but may be complex for beginning developers
LÖVE Pricing
As an open-source solution, LÖVE is available free of charge, making it a budget-friendly alternative for game developers.
LÖVE Use Cases
Use case 1: Independent Game Development
With its array of features, and the fact that it’s ranked 10th in popularity among indie game developers on Itch.io, LÖVE is an ideal choice for creating unique and complex games.
Use case 2: Educational Use
LÖVE’s full-fledged wiki, tutorials, and community resources make it excellent for educational purposes—be it learning game development or instructing a class.
Use case 3: Prototyping
Given the flexibility of LÖVE and its real-time code amendment support, developers can conveniently use it for prototyping, enabling them to instantly see the impact of their changes.
MonoGame
Meet MonoGame, a versatile game engine that has creatively forged classics like Bastion and Celeste. It’s a multi-platform, open-source, and C# sharp framework chiseled by the MonoGame Team in 2009.
MonoGame Top Features
Free and open-source C# framework, perfect for budget-conscious game developers with a knack for C#.
Proficient in creating games for a galaxy of platforms; iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and even on gaming consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Flexibility with graphics capabilities thanks to OpenGL, OpenGL ES, or DirectX. Remember, the more the merrier!
3D support from mid-2013, breaking its ‘strictly 2D’ shell.
Heavily community-maintained. Hence, updates aren’t just released; they are brewed with gamer-friendly spices.
Feature
Description
Independent software maintainers
The maintenance load isn’t on just one superhero, but a legion of independent software developers.
XNA 4 ContentManager model
Its content management follows the XNA 4 ContentManager model, rendering a familiar and streamlined workflow.
Game Schooling
Courses, tutorials and game schooling available for more intimate understanding of C# and MonoGame.
MonoGame Downsides
Not tailored for developers hunting for a WYSIWYG environment or an integrated game editor.
The XNA framework is aging, hence might not be optimized for non-Windows platforms.
Lacks the aces of high-level programming.
Updates can embark on a vacation, i.e., you might have to wait quite a bit for them.
MonoGame Pricing
Consider your wallet’s prayers answered! MonoGame is free and open-source, making it a darling for indie developers!
MonoGame Use Cases
Use case 1: Experienced Developers
With its focus on lower-level programming (primarily C#), MonoGame is an ideal fit for developers desiring the reins of the game development process.
Use case 2: 2D Project Aspirants
Born as a platform for 2D projects, MonoGame retains its edge for developers aiming to create engrossing 2D games.
Use case 3: Multi-Platform Game Development
Want to dominate every platform out there? MonoGame has your back with its unique competence to create games for a variety of platforms.
OpenGL
An industry staple since 1992, OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) was birthed by Silicon Graphics. Building on the heritage of its proprietary IRIS GL, OpenGL rides on a legacy shaped by leading tech companies such as Microsoft, IBM, US undertakings like Silicon Graphics Inc., and now managed by the Khronos Group.
OpenGL Top Features
Highly suited for hardware-accelerated 3D graphics, AR, and VR.
Renowned for its low-level rendering and modelling prowess.
Widely employed in commercial games like ID Software’s Quake series and various CAD and scientific applications.
Constantly evolving, with versions ranging from 1.0 to 4.6, each contributing new functionalities and enhancements to ensure forward compatibility.
Version 4.6 introduced SPIR-V language for defining shaders and brought additional features for Atomic Counters and function references.
Versions
Highlight Features
OpenGL 4.0
Shading language 4.00, introduction of indirect drawing
OpenGL 4.1
Added compatibility with OpenGL ES 2.0
OpenGL 4.2
Introduced shading language 4.20 and new buffer & shader accesses
OpenGL Limitations
Requires prior knowledge of C++ programming language.
Densely math-laden, involving linear algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
The modern OpenGL version only starts from version 3.3.
OpenGL Use Cases
Use Case 1: Gaming Industry
OpenGL has been extensively used in the gaming industry, notably in commercial games like Quake. It is the go-to tool for intricate game graphics rendering.
Use Case 2: Scientific Applications
From data modelling to simulations, OpenGL’s powerful rendering ability makes it an asset in scientific and research applications.
Use Case 3: CAD Applications
With its strong heritage in hardware-accelerated 3D graphics, OpenGL fits naturally in the landscape of CAD applications, enhancing their 3D rendering capabilities.
Bevy
Welcome to the Bevy universe: a game engine for the bold, the innovative, the creators! Imagine an open-source, data-driven gaming universe, with the raw power of Rust under its hood. Yes, that’s Bevy!
Bevy Top Features
Data-Oriented: Bevy offers a complete 2D and 3D feature set, all hinged upon the revered Entity Component System (ECS) paradigm.
Multiplatform: This engine proudly stands platform-agnostic, with support spanning across major systems such as Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web, and iOS. And guess what, Android folks? Your support is coming soon!
Fast Compile time: Sit back and watch as Bevy cross-compiles with a stunning 0.8-3.0 seconds, allowing quick feedback on changes.
Feature
Description
Community
Join the buzzing Discord server, subreddit, GitHub Discussions, or explore the Bevy Assets collection. Your voice is always valued!
Customizable
Every creative wizard needs his unique set of tools. Get yours with Bevy’s cargo features that let you tailor the engine to your requirements.
“Hello world” size
Your first creation with Bevy? A binary that is little over 1MB in size. Sweet and compact!
Bevy Limitations
Due to Bevy’s tight-knit relationship with Rust language and compiler improvements, new versions may introduce API-breaking changes.
The fulfillment of modern web standards like wasm and webgpu are on the horizon, but not a current offering.
Bevy Pricing
Dive in! Bevy is free, open-source, and packaged under the lenient MIT or Apache 2.0 licenses. Quality has a price, but in Bevy’s case, that’s a big, comforting zero.
Bevy Use Cases
Use case 1: Indies and Enthusiasts
Looking to make an indie masterpiece? Look no further. Bevy’s robust yet accessible API coupled with its focus on swift iteration lets creators bring their unique vision to life without hurdles.
Use case 2: Large studios (Future)
Big dreams don’t scare Bevy. As the fuel for your large-scale projects, it carries a grand vision to be the preference of large studios – a future you can be part of!
Use case 3: Networking
Networking in games has never been more important, and with high-level and low-level networking support on Bevy’s horizon, it’s eyeing to be a go-to choice for multiplayer experiences.
Unity
Proving that audacity drives innovation, Unity, born in 2005, has shaped the game development world with its powerful cross-platform engine. Capable of crafting intricate 3D and 2D games, it’s been a game-changer for developers worldwide, despite its recent pricing controversy.
Unity Top Features
Flexible cross-platform deployment, covering both Android and iOS platforms
Harness the power of Augmented Reality and 3D simulations
Robust suite of tools and rendering technology for high-quality game creation
Integrated rich asset store with diverse pre-designed textures and game design inspirations
Multiple coding languages support – BOO script, Javascript, and C#
Community
Support
An active developer community providing valuable feedback and problem-solving discussions
Constant learning and open communication to solve industry challenges
Unity Downsides
New pricing model causing backlash, perceived as detriment to indie and mobile developers
Unannounced changes, raising trust issues with users
Fears around sudden pricing shifts impacting developers’ financial sustainability
Concerns that new fees could hamper digital preservation efforts
Unity Pricing
Stirring the community pot with its proposed pricing model, Unity’s set to implement fees every time a Unity-based game is installed post January 1, 2024. Firestorms arose over this move, but Unity held its ground, affirming that installation fees would only kick in when a game reaches $200,000 in revenue and surpasses 200,000 installations.
Unity Use Cases
Use case 1: Augmented Reality
With its far-reaching support for AR (Augmented Reality), Unity empowers developers to craft immersive experiences, enabling users to interact with a mixed-reality environment. A boon for mobile game developers!
Use case 2: Cross-Platform Development
Ever versatile, Unity gives developers the freedom to build games for multiple platforms. Be it Android, iOS, or other platforms, Unity’s got you covered. No re-engineering required!
Use case 3: Community Collaboration
Step into Unity’s active developer community for valuable feedback, problem-solving advice and camaraderie. It’s a goldmine, particularly for individuals new to the game development hustle.
SDL
Founded in 1998 by Sam Lantinga, SDL is a preferred platform in the gaming industry globally. It leverages C and C++ programming languages and offers unmatched flexibility and performance in game development engines, serving as a hardware abstraction layer. With over 700 games and 180 applications to its credit, SDL provides solid cross-platform support, uniting developers worldwide across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.
SDL Top Features
Impressive library support: SDL provides a uniform approach to platform-specific features, allowing developers to create games for multiple platforms seamlessly. Its extensions – SDL_image, SDL_net, SDL_mixer, SDL_ttf, SDL_rtf – bolster its capabilities.
3D hardware acceleration: SDL manages OpenGL, Vulkan, Metal, Direct3D11 context which supports 3D graphics, offering the industry more opportunities for exploration in 3D game development.
Hardware-accelerated, texture-based rendering API: This ensures optimization of game performances across different devices and platforms.
Dynamic runtime object creation: It speeds up development time, making SDL a preferred choice for both small and large scale projects.
SDL_Game Development Guide: With well-structured, comprehensive tutorials, SDL makes game creation on RTOS achievable and efficient.
Feature
Benefit
Support for file reading/writing
Allows developers to handle complex game data efficiently
Support for game-related object-oriented programming
Gives room for reusable codebase and clean architecture
SDL and OpenGL 2:
Supports legacy OpenGL in SDL2 for older games as well as modern OpenGL for shader-based programs
SDL Limitations
SDL 2.0 breaks backward compatibility, making it undesirable for developers with an affinity for backward compatibility API.
SDL requires the latest DirectX SDK for development on Windows, which may pose a challenge for developers using older SDK versions.
SDL Pricing
As a testament to its commitment to supporting the global game developer community, SDL is available as an open-source framework, making it not only versatile but also cost-effective.
SDL Use Cases
Use case 1: Cross-platform Game Development
As a cross-platform game development engine, SDL offers a unified approach to platform-specific features. Whether you’re targeting Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, or Windows, SDL serves as a reliable conduit, assuring minimal discrepancy in game performance across diverse platforms.
Use case 2: Large-scale Game Projects
In big projects where efficiency and speed are of the essence, SDL stands as a feasible option. Its dynamic runtime object creation significantly speeds up development time.
Use case 3: Hardware-accelerated Games
For developers looking to maximize hardware performance on targeted devices, SDL is a wise option. Its hardware-accelerated, texture-based rendering API guarantees optimum game performance on different devices and platforms.
SFML
Looking for a nimble, yet sturdy game development platform? Meet SFML, an open-source C++ library that has been transforming game development narratives since 2007!
Top SFML Features
Game logic, graphics, audio, user input, physics and whatnot, everything’s covered under SFML’s broad umbrella!
An impressive suite of modules from system classes to networking, these guys have thought of everything.
2D graphics acceleration – Are you kidding me? That’s just brilliant!
A whole bunch of language bindings from Ada to Rust, they’ve got them all!
Mobile Ports
Android and iOS (SFML 2.2)
GitHub Stars
8,774 and counting…
How-To Book
“SFML Game Development”
SFML Limitations
Lack of an extensive toolset for modern 3D game development
Auditory resource management can be a little intensive, as it requires a good grasp over the libraries and modules.
SFML Pricing
Guess what? SFML is an open-source marvel! Yes, you read it right. It’s free! Long live open-source!
SFML Use Cases
Hobbyist Game Developers
For those ambitious weekend coders, SFML’s user-friendly nature and extensive documentation, makes it a go-to tool.
Independent Developers
Independent developers, breathe easy! SFML’s diverse array of features helps you handle complex tasks single-handedly.
Small Companies
Small companies, SFML has your back! Quick prototyping, rapid iteration, and budget-friendly (read FREE), SFML hits that sweet spot just right.
Hannah Stewart
Content writer @ Aircada, tech enthusiast, metaverse explorer, and coffee addict. Weaving stories in digital realms.
