The Game Designer's Kit
After the game plan
The game engines we recommend.
Your reMarkable takes you all the way to a complete game plan, tested on paper. The game itself is then built in an engine: the software that brings your images, sounds and rules together. Here are six, from gentlest to mightiest: all have a free version, and the first two need no code at all. The right choice is the one that puts your character on screen the very first evening.
GDevelop
the gentlest · visual blocks, zero code · 2D first, in the browser or offline · free and open source · gdevelop.ioNo code
the gentlest · visual blocks, zero code · 2D first, in the browser or offline · free and open source · gdevelop.ioNo code
Construct 3
visual and very intuitive, perfect for 2D · many commercial games were born in it · free trial then subscription · construct.netNo code
visual and very intuitive, perfect for 2D · many commercial games were born in it · free trial then subscription · construct.netNo code
GameMaker
the 2D classic, the engine behind Undertale · a little simple code, an enormous library of tutorials · free to start · gamemaker.io2D
the 2D classic, the engine behind Undertale · a little simple code, an enormous library of tutorials · free to start · gamemaker.io2D
Godot
free, open source, lightweight · 2D and 3D, a language that reads like simple English · the fastest-growing community · godotengine.orgFree
free, open source, lightweight · 2D and 3D, a language that reads like simple English · the fastest-growing community · godotengine.orgFree
Unity
the studios' general-purpose engine, 2D and 3D · powerful but demanding, for a second game or a tiny first one · free below a revenue threshold · unity.comPro
the studios' general-purpose engine, 2D and 3D · powerful but demanding, for a second game or a tiny first one · free below a revenue threshold · unity.comPro
Unreal Engine
the heavyweight of spectacular 3D · visual Blueprints but a serious learning curve · free, royalties above a threshold · unrealengine.com3D
the heavyweight of spectacular 3D · visual Blueprints but a serious learning curve · free, royalties above a threshold · unrealengine.com3D
On release day, itch.io hosts the world's first games for free: that is where the kit's release checklist takes you. We are not affiliated with any of these publishers: this selection is ours alone. Choosing your engine, and your first seven days step by step, live in step 6 of The Game Designer's Kit.