If you love playing games so much you want to try creating your own, have a go at using one of these game development software!

If you’re technically minded but also have bags of creativity, you could have what it takes to create an awesome game. There’s a lot that goes into growing a video game from an idea to a fully formed product. Fortunately, there are plenty of online game design courses on Skillshare, where you can learn and develop your skills.

Naturally, as a beginner, you may not want to part with a lot of cash before you’ve fully jumped into the game creation world. As with anything, it’s nice to have a go and get a feel for something without a huge commitment to start with. The main expense with game creation comes from the game development software – or game engines, as they’re also known.

What Is a Game Engine?

A game engine is a software-development environment used for designing and developing games. They can be used to construct games for consoles, computers, and mobile devices.

Just like video editing software can vary in price, so too can game engines. Fortunately, there are some fantastic packages available online that won’t cost you a thing! You can also have a play with more expensive options by hopping on a free trial period, before you make any decisions.

It’s difficult to know which option is best for you when you’re starting from scratch. To make your decision easier, we’ve listed some of the best free/trial option game development software. These include some software that big time game developer studios use for award-winning games, as well as simpler options for less complex games.

So, without further ado…

Unity

Unity is possibly the top free game making software, used by everyone from total beginners to industry professionals. It supports the creation of games in both 2D and 3D, opening up a world of creative opportunities.

The open source software works on a component-entity model. This means that you can add objects to games, and then add components to these. The components define the behaviours of the objects within the game. Having a good understanding of C#, the programming language, is very beneficial when using Unity. Fortunately, since Unity and C# are so popular and widely used, there are loads of online tutorials.

Unity offers a wide range of features and tools, including a visual editor, a scripting language, physics engine, and an asset store that provides a vast collection of assets, plugins, and tools for game development. It also includes a comprehensive animation system, AI tools, and multiplayer support, enabling developers to create complex and immersive games.

The software is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, as well as even Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Unity also offers modern experiences, enabling you to create augmented and virtual reality-based games.

GameMaker

GameMaker is a software development tool designed for creating 2D games, particularly those that don’t require advanced graphics or processing power. It provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for beginners and a comprehensive scripting language (GameMaker Language) for more advanced users.

GameMaker allows developers to create games for various platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and HTML5. It also has a built-in physics engine, which allows for realistic movement and interaction between objects in the game. Additionally, it offers a range of features and tools for game creation, such as visual and audio editors, animation support, particle systems, pathfinding, and more.

One of the notable strengths of GameMaker is its ease of use, which makes it accessible for beginners and hobbyists who want to create simple games. However, it also offers enough flexibility and complexity to satisfy more experienced developers who want to create more advanced games.

GameMaker is a versatile game development software that is suitable for creating 2D games on various platforms, ranging from simple to more complex games.

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is a popular choice when it comes to game development software. With the ability to produce high-quality 3D games for a variety of platforms including PC, consoles, and mobile devices. It’s known for its powerful graphics engine, which enables developers to create stunning visuals and immersive experiences.

Unreal Engine offers a wide range of features and tools that enable developers to create games with advanced physics, AI, and animation systems. It also includes a comprehensive visual scripting system, called Blueprints, which allows non-programmers to create gameplay mechanics and complex interactions within the game.

One of the notable strengths of Unreal Engine is its versatility and scalability, which makes it suitable for both small indie projects and large AAA games. It also provides developers with a range of resources and support, including documentation, forums, and tutorials.

Unreal Engine is also known for its robust community and user base, which allows developers to collaborate and share resources, assets, and ideas. This helps to accelerate the development process and enables developers to create high-quality games with ease.

Unreal Engine is a powerful and flexible game development software that is well-suited for creating high-quality 3D games with advanced features and stunning visuals.

GameSalad

GameSalad allows developers to create 2D games for multiple platforms without the need for coding. It provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for game creation, allowing beginners and hobbyists to create simple games easily.

GameSalad offers a variety of templates, actors, and behaviours that can be customized to create gameplay mechanics and other features. It also supports real-time testing, which allows developers to test and preview their games as they build them.

Additionally, GameSalad offers a publishing platform that enables developers to publish their games on various platforms, including iOS, Android, and web. It also provides resources and support, including documentation, forums, and tutorials, to assist with the development process.

One of the notable strengths of GameSalad is its ease of use, which makes it accessible for beginners and hobbyists who want to create simple games without coding. However, it also offers enough flexibility and complexity to satisfy more experienced developers who want to create more advanced games.

GameSalad is a versatile game development software that is suitable for creating 2D games on multiple platforms, ranging from simple to more complex games, without requiring coding skills.

Adventure Game Studio

Adventure Game Studio (AGS) is designed for creating point-and-click adventure games. It provides a user-friendly interface and scripting language, enabling developers to create games without needing to have extensive programming knowledge.

AGS offers a wide range of features and tools for game development, such as character and object animations, inventory management, dialogue systems, and puzzle creation. Additionally, it includes a built-in editor for creating backgrounds, characters, and other assets, as well as an audio editor for creating sound effects and music.

One of the notable strengths of AGS is its active community, which provides support, resources, and feedback for developers. The community also offers a range of templates and assets that can be used in game creation, accelerating the development process.

AGS allows developers to create games for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and it supports various input devices such as keyboard, mouse, and gamepad. It also provides options for exporting games to different platforms and file formats, such as executable files or web-based games.

Overall, Adventure Game Studio is a comprehensive and accessible game development software, ideal for creating point-and-click adventure games for various platforms, without requiring extensive programming knowledge.

RPG Maker

RPG Maker is available on Steam which gamifies the idea of game development! It’s designed for creating 2D role-playing games (RPGs). It provides a user-friendly interface and a range of tools and features that enable developers to create games without needing extensive programming knowledge.

RPG Maker offers a variety of assets, such as characters, tiles, and backgrounds, that can be customized to create unique game worlds. It also includes a map editor, a scripting language, and a database system that enables developers to create complex game mechanics and gameplay systems.

Additionally, RPG Maker provides resources and support, including documentation, forums, and tutorials, to assist with the game development process. It also allows developers to publish their games on multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

One of the notable strengths of RPG Maker is its ease of use, which makes it accessible for beginners and hobbyists who want to create simple RPGs without extensive programming knowledge. However, it also offers enough flexibility and complexity to satisfy more experienced developers who want to create more advanced games.

RPG Maker is a comprehensive and accessible game development software, ideal for creating 2D RPGs with unique game worlds, characters, and gameplay mechanics.