There are a number of free video game making software programs to help developers get started. Some are more advanced than others, but all offer easy-to-use interfaces and support for multiple platforms.

Godot is an open source free video game maker that supports a variety of platforms. It is a great choice for beginners because it offers a visual programming system and can be extended with JavaScript.

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is a game development software that provides developers with the tools they need to create real-time 3D graphics and interactive experiences. It features advanced physics simulation, rendering, and editing capabilities. It also includes special processes for creating realistic human faces and bodies, as well as animation systems. It also supports a variety of external software, allowing for streamlined data preparation workflows.

Its Blueprint visual scripting system allows developers to quickly create and iterate their game mechanics without writing any code. It uses a node-based visual interface to create the logic of the game, which is then executed by the underlying C++ code. It also has the ability to import and edit existing source code from the GitHub repository.

Unreal Engine is available for free to all developers and offers a wide range of tutorials and online support. Its powerful tools and graphics capabilities make it the preferred choice of game developers. The platform also boasts an impressive array of graphical effects and real-time technologies, such as ray tracing, virtual reality, and a next-generation physics engine. In addition, the Unreal Engine offers a number of other utilities that can help developers improve the quality of their games. These include the Oodle compression suite and the Bink video codec.

GameMaker Studio 2

The latest iteration of GameMaker is GameMaker Studio 2, released in 2017. This cross-platform game engine was designed with 2D games at its core. The developers, YoYo Games, have made it a priority to make the program user-friendly for people who don’t have programming skills. It’s also one of the most stable engines available. It doesn’t have 3D capabilities, but it does allow for pixel-based games—a style that is popular right now.

The coding system has been simplified, but it is still very powerful. It uses a visual programming language called DnD, which turns tricky if/then statements into understandable blocks. This gives designers more control over their game than ever.

The tool is used to create some of the most beloved independent console, mobile and PC games. These include the platform stealth game Gaiden, Downwell, Gunpoint, Heat Signature, Katana Zero, Hyper Light Drifter, Nidhogg, Ravegan, Rivals of Aether, Spelunky, and Undertale.

Adventure Game Studio

Though the genre of conventional graphical adventure games seems to be slowly dying out, it still has a passionate amateur scene thanks to tools such as Adventure Game Studio. Dearden has used this tool to create a number of highly-received titles, such as the Technobabylon series and the Ben Jordan paranormal detective games.

Designed specifically for point-and-click adventures, AGS offers a comprehensive set of features that makes it easy to design games from the ground up. It uses an IDE to simplify setting up most aspects of the game, and a powerful scripting language to process the game logic. It can handle simple or complex graphical effects, and supports 256, 16 and 32-bit colour.

The streamlined interface is user-friendly and puts all the genre’s trademarks front and centre. Interactions, characters, inventory, dialogue, conversations and QTEs are all easy to manage visually, as is a range of other features, including a robust art system for handling vector graphics (which also uses Inkscape). The engine is geared towards adventure/quest games but can be used to make non-adventure titles as well.

GameGuru

GameGuru is a non-technical 3D game-maker designed to make creating games as easy and fun as possible. It provides a full set of tools, including a character creator, model importer, building maker, and a complete scripting language, along with over 6GB of complimentary game assets to get you started. It also offers a user-friendly design interface that is ideal for rapid level creation.

Its Visual Logic system allows you to link objects together and choose how they interact. This can range from flag way-points that lead NPCs to enemy patrol zones, to keys linking doors that can be opened. This makes it easy to create complex game logic without any coding.

GameGuru MAX is a powerful but user-friendly game development software tool that can be used to create mobile, PC and console games. It is designed for use by hobbyist game developers who want to produce and sell their games. It has many features that allow users to create games of their own, including a user-friendly interface and integrated video tutorials. The program also supports Virtual Reality, enabling users to bring their games to life in an immersive and realistic environment.

Gamefroot

Gamefroot is an easy-to-use web tool for creating 2D games without coding. It has an intuitive drag-and-drop block tool and a built-in physics engine for easy game development. It also offers a variety of sounds, images, characters, and terrain to customize the game. Its WYSIWYG editor makes layout and editing easy for users of all skill levels.

Although it doesn’t have the advanced features of other 3D engines, it has enough to create a fun and challenging game. It’s also free and has a community where students can share their games and learn new skills. Using Gamefroot in classrooms can teach students about computer science and digital technologies.

Twine is a visual tool that allows developers to create non-linear interactive fiction. It requires minimal programming knowledge and is a great tool for developing gripping mystery adventures. The simple interface makes it easier to visualize storylines for quicker development. The clear link between code objects and events gives a natural sense of organization to projects. This is something that coders often struggle to achieve in other tools.