9 best Game 9 best Game Engine libraries in 2024

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by kandikits dot icon Updated: Jan 5, 2024

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Game engine libraries are reusable components that can be used to build a game. They can provide a wide range of functionality, from rendering, input.


The most popular game engines are commercial products that require licenses and support. However, there are also many open-source alternatives. Some of these projects have been around for years and have a large following; others are just getting started. OpenRA is a modern reimplementation of the classic Command & Conquer series. It provides an API that wraps various other libraries that allow you to make games with little effort. Pyxel is a pixel art editor built on top of Pygame and Pygame Zero. It allows you to draw sprites, animations, and tilesets for your game in an easy-to-use interface with plenty of customizations. openmw is a reimplementation of Morrowind's engine that uses Python instead of C/C++ code. This makes it much easier to use than the original Morrowind engine and allows developers to add new features easily without having any knowledge of C++ or C programming languages. Popular open source Game engine libraries among developers.

OpenRA  

  • OpenRA is an open-source project that aims to recreate and improve classic real-time.  
  • OpenRA is designed to run on many platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.  
  • OpenRA supports online multiplayer, allowing players to engage in battles with others.  


OpenRAby OpenRA

C# doticonstar image 12903 doticonVersion:release-20230225doticon
License: Strong Copyleft (GPL-3.0)

Open Source real-time strategy game engine for early Westwood games such as Command & Conquer: Red Alert written in C# using SDL and OpenGL. Runs on Windows, Linux, *BSD and Mac OS X.

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            OpenRAby OpenRA

            C# doticon star image 12903 doticonVersion:release-20230225doticon License: Strong Copyleft (GPL-3.0)

            Open Source real-time strategy game engine for early Westwood games such as Command & Conquer: Red Alert written in C# using SDL and OpenGL. Runs on Windows, Linux, *BSD and Mac OS X.
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                      pyxel  

                      • Pyxel is a retro game development environment and library for Python programming.  
                      • It is designed to make it easy for developers to create pixel-art-style games with a focus.  
                      • Pyxel comes a built-in pixel art editor that allows developers to create and edit images.  


                      pyxelby kitao

                      Python doticonstar image 12012 doticonVersion:v1.9.16doticon
                      License: Permissive (MIT)

                      A retro game engine for Python

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                                pyxelby kitao

                                Python doticon star image 12012 doticonVersion:v1.9.16doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                A retro game engine for Python
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                                          engine  

                                          • engine is a JavaScript library used in Telecommunications, Media, Media, and Entertainment.  
                                          • The engine has no bugs, It has no vulnerabilities.  
                                          • You can install 'npm I playcanvas-kotlin' or download it from GitHub, npm.  


                                          engineby playcanvas

                                          JavaScript doticonstar image 8446 doticonVersion:v1.63.6doticon
                                          License: Permissive (MIT)

                                          Fast and lightweight JavaScript game engine built on WebGL and glTF

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                                                    engineby playcanvas

                                                    JavaScript doticon star image 8446 doticonVersion:v1.63.6doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                    Fast and lightweight JavaScript game engine built on WebGL and glTF
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                                                              openmw  

                                                              • OpenMW is an open-source project that aims to recreate and extend the engine used by role play.  
                                                              • OpenMW is designed to run on many platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.  
                                                              • These allows players to experience Morrowind on a variety of operating systems.  


                                                              openmwby OpenMW

                                                              C++ doticonstar image 4679 doticonVersion:openmw-0.47.0doticon
                                                              License: Strong Copyleft (GPL-3.0)

                                                              OpenMW is an open-source open-world RPG game engine that supports playing Morrowind. Main repo and issue tracker can be found here: https://gitlab.com/OpenMW/openmw/

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                                                                        openmwby OpenMW

                                                                        C++ doticon star image 4679 doticonVersion:openmw-0.47.0doticon License: Strong Copyleft (GPL-3.0)

                                                                        OpenMW is an open-source open-world RPG game engine that supports playing Morrowind. Main repo and issue tracker can be found here: https://gitlab.com/OpenMW/openmw/
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                                                                                  melonJS  

                                                                                  • melonJS is a lightweight and efficient JavaScript game engine designed to simplify it.  
                                                                                  • melonJS is specifically tailors for 2D game development.  
                                                                                  • melonJS games can deployed and run on various platforms, including web browsers.  


                                                                                  melonJSby melonjs

                                                                                  JavaScript doticonstar image 5391 doticonVersion:15.3.0doticon
                                                                                  License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                  a fresh, modern & lightweight HTML5 game engine

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                                                                                            melonJSby melonjs

                                                                                            JavaScript doticon star image 5391 doticonVersion:15.3.0doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                            a fresh, modern & lightweight HTML5 game engine
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                                                                                                      piston  

                                                                                                      • Piston is a modular game engine written in the Rust programming language.  
                                                                                                      • It aims to provide a flexible and extensible platform for game development.  
                                                                                                      • It is built on top of other Rust libraries, such as gfx-rs for graphics.  


                                                                                                      pistonby PistonDevelopers

                                                                                                      Rust doticonstar image 4393 doticonVersion:V0.33.0doticon
                                                                                                      License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                      A modular game engine written in Rust

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                                                                                                                pistonby PistonDevelopers

                                                                                                                Rust doticon star image 4393 doticonVersion:V0.33.0doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                A modular game engine written in Rust
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                                                                                                                          Urho3D  

                                                                                                                          • Urho3D is an open-source, cross-platform game engine written in C++ and designed for 3Ds.  
                                                                                                                          • It provides a wide range of features and tools to assist game developers in building it.  
                                                                                                                          • Urho3D features a robust audio system that supports 3D spatialized sound, and music.  


                                                                                                                          Urho3Dby urho3d

                                                                                                                          C++ doticonstar image 3822 doticonVersion:1.8doticon
                                                                                                                          License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                          Cross-platform 2D and 3D game engine

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                                                                                                                                    Urho3Dby urho3d

                                                                                                                                    C++ doticon star image 3822 doticonVersion:1.8doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                    Cross-platform 2D and 3D game engine
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                                                                                                                                              stride  

                                                                                                                                              • Stride supports cross-platform game development, allowing developers to create games for Windows.  
                                                                                                                                              • The engine provides a robust rendering pipeline with support for physically based rendering.  
                                                                                                                                              • Stride includes an editor with a range of tools for designing game levels and working assets.  


                                                                                                                                              strideby stride3d

                                                                                                                                              C# doticonstar image 4574 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                                                                                                                              License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                              Stride Game Engine (formerly Xenko)

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                                                                                                                                                        strideby stride3d

                                                                                                                                                        C# doticon star image 4574 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                                        Stride Game Engine (formerly Xenko)
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                                                                                                                                                                  Fyrox  

                                                                                                                                                                  • Fyrox is a Rust library typically used in Gaming and game Engine applications.  
                                                                                                                                                                  • Fyrox has no bugs, it has no vulnerabilities.  
                                                                                                                                                                  • You can download it from GitHub.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  Fyroxby FyroxEngine

                                                                                                                                                                  Rust doticonstar image 6210 doticonVersion:v0.30doticon
                                                                                                                                                                  License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                                                  3D and 2D game engine written in Rust

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                                                                                                                                                                            Fyroxby FyroxEngine

                                                                                                                                                                            Rust doticon star image 6210 doticonVersion:v0.30doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                                                            3D and 2D game engine written in Rust
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                                                                                                                                                                                      FAQ  

                                                                                                                                                                                      1. What is a Game Engine Library?  

                                                                                                                                                                                      A game engine library is a set of pre-built and reusable code components. That helps developers create and manage various aspects of a game. It is graphics rendering, physics simulation, audio, and input.  


                                                                                                                                                                                      2. What's the Difference Between a Game Engine and a Game Engine Library?  

                                                                                                                                                                                      A game engine includes a full suite of tools and systems for game development. The game engine library provides specific functionalities that developers can integrate. Libraries are often more modular and allow for greater flexibility.  


                                                                                                                                                                                      3. Which Programming Languages Are Game Engine Libraries Written In?  

                                                                                                                                                                                      Game engine libraries can be in various languages. Common languages include C++, C#, and Rust. The language choice often depends on factors like performance requirements and developer preferences.  


                                                                                                                                                                                      4. Can I Use Multiple Game Engine Libraries in a Project?  

                                                                                                                                                                                      Yes, many developers use multiple libraries in a single project.  


                                                                                                                                                                                      For example: a graphics library might be combined with a physics library and an audio library.  


                                                                                                                                                                                      5. Are Game Engine Libraries Suitable for Indie Game Development?  

                                                                                                                                                                                      Yes, many game engine libraries are designed to be accessible to indie developers. They provide a balance between simplicity and power. It allows smaller teams to create impressive games.  

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