9 Best C++ Game Development Libraries 2024

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by Kanika Maheshwari dot icon Updated: Feb 15, 2024

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Here are some of the C++ Game Development Libraries. Some use cases of C++ Game Development Libraries include the Creation of 2D and 3D Games, Game Engine Development, Optimization of Existing Games, and Game Prototyping.  


C++ game development libraries are a set of libraries or frameworks, usually written in the C++ programming language, that provide tools and functions to help developers create video games and other interactive applications. They typically provide functions such as graphics and audio libraries, physics and collision detection libraries, AI libraries, and game-specific libraries. 


Let us look at the libraries in detail below. 

SFML (Simple and Fast Multimedia Library) 

  • Provides an easy-to-use interface for creating multithreaded games with high-performance graphics.  
  • Written in C++ and has bindings for various languages, such as C#, Java, and Python. 
  • Cross-platform offers features such as audio, networking, and input support.  

SFMLby SFML

C++ doticonstar image 8727 doticonVersion:2.5.1doticon
License: Permissive (Zlib)

Simple and Fast Multimedia Library

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            SFMLby SFML

            C++ doticon star image 8727 doticonVersion:2.5.1doticon License: Permissive (Zlib)

            Simple and Fast Multimedia Library
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                      SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) 

                      • Low-level access to system hardware such as audio, mouse, joystick, and graphics. 
                      • High portability since the code can be easily adapted to different platforms.   
                      • Provides a comprehensive set of APIs that makes game development simpler and easier. 

                      SDLby libsdl-org

                      C doticonstar image 5882 doticonVersion:prerelease-2.27.1doticon
                      License: Permissive (Zlib)

                      Simple Directmedia Layer

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                                SDLby libsdl-org

                                C doticon star image 5882 doticonVersion:prerelease-2.27.1doticon License: Permissive (Zlib)

                                Simple Directmedia Layer
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                                          Ogre 3D (Object-Oriented Graphics Rendering Engine) 

                                          • Has a powerful rendering engine that is optimized for both DirectX and OpenGL.  
                                          • Has a robust and versatile material system. 
                                          • Has an intuitive and user-friendly UI system that makes it easy to prototype and develop games. 

                                          ogreby OGRECave

                                          C++ doticonstar image 3296 doticonVersion:v13.6.4doticon
                                          License: Permissive (MIT)

                                          scene-oriented, flexible 3D engine (C++, Python, C#, Java)

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                                                    ogreby OGRECave

                                                    C++ doticon star image 3296 doticonVersion:v13.6.4doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                    scene-oriented, flexible 3D engine (C++, Python, C#, Java)
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                                                              UnrealEnginePython 

                                                              • Allows developers to easily access and modify the powerful features of UE4. 
                                                              • Allows developers to create custom tools and plugins for the UE4 editor. 
                                                              • Has advanced graphics capabilities, allowing developers to create stunning visuals for their games.  
                                                              C++ doticonstar image 2482 doticonVersion:20190508doticon
                                                              License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                              Embed Python in Unreal Engine 4

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                                                                        UnrealEnginePythonby 20tab

                                                                        C++ doticon star image 2482 doticonVersion:20190508doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                        Embed Python in Unreal Engine 4
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                                                                                  Cocos2D-x 

                                                                                  • Allows developers to build their games for multiple platforms. 
                                                                                  • Written in C++ and is optimized for performance.  
                                                                                  • Intuitive and easy-to-learn syntax. 

                                                                                  cocos2d-xby cocos2d

                                                                                  C++ doticonstar image 17158 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                                                                  no licences License: No License (null)

                                                                                  Cocos2d-x is a suite of open-source, cross-platform, game-development tools used by millions of developers all over the world.

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                                                                                            cocos2d-xby cocos2d

                                                                                            C++ doticon star image 17158 doticonVersion:Currentdoticonno licences License: No License

                                                                                            Cocos2d-x is a suite of open-source, cross-platform, game-development tools used by millions of developers all over the world.
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                                                                                                      Qt 

                                                                                                      • Supports GUI development with its powerful set of widgets. 
                                                                                                      • Based the QML scripting language and enables developers to create user interfaces quickly. 
                                                                                                      • Is a library for creating 3D applications and games. 

                                                                                                      Qtby lesliefish

                                                                                                      C++ doticonstar image 876 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                                                                                      no licences License: No License (null)

                                                                                                      Qt development knowledge and experience summary. Including Qss, database, Excel, Model/View, etc.

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                                                                                                                Qtby lesliefish

                                                                                                                C++ doticon star image 876 doticonVersion:Currentdoticonno licences License: No License

                                                                                                                Qt development knowledge and experience summary. Including Qss, database, Excel, Model/View, etc.
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                                                                                                                          lumberyard 

                                                                                                                          • Optimized for both performance and scalability. 
                                                                                                                          • Makes the developers use the same codebase to create PC and console games.   
                                                                                                                          • Highly extensible and can be easily incorporated into existing game engines. 
                                                                                                                          C++ doticonstar image 1952 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                                                                                                          License: Others (Non-SPDX)

                                                                                                                          Amazon Lumberyard is a free AAA game engine deeply integrated with AWS and Twitch – with full source.

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                                                                                                                                    lumberyardby aws

                                                                                                                                    C++ doticon star image 1952 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon License: Others (Non-SPDX)

                                                                                                                                    Amazon Lumberyard is a free AAA game engine deeply integrated with AWS and Twitch – with full source.
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                                                                                                                                              NoahGameFrame 

                                                                                                                                              • Full-featured, open-source game development framework. 
                                                                                                                                              • Intuitive and comprehensive engine structure.  
                                                                                                                                              • Supports a wide range of input devices. 
                                                                                                                                              C++ doticonstar image 3712 doticonVersion:6.0.0doticon
                                                                                                                                              License: Permissive (Apache-2.0)

                                                                                                                                              A fast, scalable, distributed game server engine/framework for C++, include the actor library, network library, can be used as a real time multiplayer game engine ( MMO RPG/MOBA ), which support C#/Lua script/ Unity3d, Cocos2dx and plan to support Unreal.

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                                                                                                                                                        NoahGameFrameby ketoo

                                                                                                                                                        C++ doticon star image 3712 doticonVersion:6.0.0doticon License: Permissive (Apache-2.0)

                                                                                                                                                        A fast, scalable, distributed game server engine/framework for C++, include the actor library, network library, can be used as a real time multiplayer game engine ( MMO RPG/MOBA ), which support C#/Lua script/ Unity3d, Cocos2dx and plan to support Unreal.
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                                                                                                                                                                  JoltPhysics 

                                                                                                                                                                  • Support for multiple physics engines, including Havok, PhysX, and Bullet. 
                                                                                                                                                                  • Has a built-in collision detection system. 
                                                                                                                                                                  • Has a built-in network synchronization system for multiplayer game development. 

                                                                                                                                                                  JoltPhysicsby jrouwe

                                                                                                                                                                  C++ doticonstar image 3162 doticonVersion:v3.0.1doticon
                                                                                                                                                                  License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                                                  A multi core friendly rigid body physics and collision detection library, written in C++, suitable for games and VR applications.

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                                                                                                                                                                            JoltPhysicsby jrouwe

                                                                                                                                                                            C++ doticon star image 3162 doticonVersion:v3.0.1doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                                                            A multi core friendly rigid body physics and collision detection library, written in C++, suitable for games and VR applications.
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