Do you have a killer idea for a video game that just won’t leave you alone? Are you itching to make your own platformer or RPG? Luckily, there has never been a better time to make your own videogame.
Free game creation software is now more available than ever and easy to use. The great thing is that most come with plenty of support, making it easier than ever to build a game.
Below, we help you get started with six video game software tools that even beginners can use.
Table of Contents
1. RPG Maker
RPG Maker is free game making software that does exactly what it says on the tin. It allows you to make all those cool Super Nintendo style top-down RPG games, such as Zelda and Sword of Vermillion. It is easy to use and looks fantastic.
RPG maker works using a standard tile placement structure. The panels at the right allow you to place mountains, towns, and scenery for your characters to adventure around. You do not need any coding knowledge to use it.
RPG Maker comes in a number of different versions, and you can get a free trial of all of them. However, the big package is RPG Maker VX Ace, which is available for $69. It has lots of features for your music and sprites that allow you to make a full game completely within the program.
2. GameSalad
Game Salad is one of the best free software options for making games, particularly for beginners. Within an hour or two, you could have a game ready to play. There have been a lot of games made on GameSalad that have ranked highly in the Playstore. Once you have created a game, it is very easy to publish it to a number of different platforms.
It is often used to teach the fundamentals of coding, though you do not need coding knowledge to use it. It has a handy drag and drop interface using tables and arrays that the user writes data onto.
GameSalad comes in a free trial and two subscription models that are both worth their money. Their highest-tier allows you to publish to a number of platforms and start making money immediately. You also retain full rights to your game.
3. Gamemaker
Another easy-to-use platform is Gamemaker, and users need no prior coding knowledge to get started. It uses a drag and drop feature to populate your game and write to objects or characters. For anyone wanting to go further, the creators, YoYo Games, have a number of tutorials and videos online to assist.
Gamemaker can be used to create a host of games, including 2D, 3D, sports, and card games. Other games such as tower defense and farming simulators can be made but may need some extra knowledge and skills.
The program is free for the first 30 days then goes into a subscription service. Once finished, your game can be published across multiple platforms. It also has a great analytics feature that allows you to see how many people are playing your game.
4. Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is one of the most famous free game making software tools available. A whole host of games have been created using the program, including Fortnight and the Final Fantasy VII remake. Its beauty is that you can make games quickly and out of the box with limited knowledge, or use it to make a huge blockbuster of a game.
Primarily intended for the creation of 3D games, it has a host of special features not available on other development tools. This includes AI assistance, game previews, debugging assistance, and more. There are lots of tutorials to help you online and back up games, such as this how to clone Mac hard drive tutorial.
The whole system is free, but once a game starts to make over $3,000, there is a royalty percentage of 5%, which is a very good deal. There are a number of online tutorials that can take you from beginner to professional in a very short amount of time.
5. Unity Video Game Software
Unity has been responsible for some very successful games such as Mario Kart Tour and Hollow Knight. It allows you to create games in 3D and 2D. Unity is free to small companies and amateurs, but once you earn more than $100,000 per year with the program, you must start to pay a subscription.
The system works on a component entity model. This means that you add objects in the game, then add components to these. This can define the behavior of objects within the game structure.
Unity has a lot of assistance in the form of tutorials and online videos. However, the best assistance is through their subscription school called Unity Learn Premium. You can even gain certified qualifications through this.
6. GDevelop
GDevelop is mainly for 2D game design, though it is also extremely user friendly and great for beginners. It uses a drag and drop interface that allows games to be made quickly and with maximum creativity. You can simply build objects on the screen with a simple click.
Further enhancements allow the addition of custom shapes. It also has built-in tools for better game design and sound quality. You can also add RPG-type maps for extra depth in the game structure.
The game is free to download and use, requiring no subscription at any point. The company has its own Wiki that gives lots of information on how to make specific games. It supports a number of platforms.
Publishing The Game
Using our selection of the best video game software makers, you should hopefully have something you feel comfortable using. Now all you have left to do is create your game and get it published!
If you are looking for more handy software advice, then come and visit our blog. We have lots of handy hints and how-to guides to help you along.