Even the most demanding creative fields can have low barriers to entry. For instance, you don’t need to know how to use photo editing or video editing software to take a picture or shoot a movie on your phone. Humanity wrote brilliant literature with paper, ink, and feathers for hundreds of years before word processors. But what about video games, the most modern artistic medium? Today, you have more options than ever for pursuing a career in game development or sharpening your skills beyond modding new Doom WAD files. You can teach yourself with consumer video game development software, including our Editors' Choice winners Game Builder Garage and Game Maker. These are our top picks for getting started.
Overview
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![GameMaker]()
Best for Serious Aspiring DevelopersGameMaker
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![Game Builder Garage]()
Best for Accessible 3D Game DevelopmentGame Builder Garage
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![Construct]()
Best for Developing on the WebConstruct
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![Core]()
Best for Creating Free 3D ShootersCore
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![Godot]()
Best for Free Open-Source Game DevelopmentGodot
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![Twine]()
Best for Interactive FictionTwine
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![Inklewriter]()
Best for Narrative ScriptingInklewriter
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![Fuze4]()
Fuze4Fuze4
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![Stencyl]()
Best for Former Flash DevelopersStencyl
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![AppGameKit Studio]()
Best for Developing on MobileAppGameKit Studio
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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Credit: YoYo Games
![GameMaker]()
Best for Serious Aspiring DevelopersGameMaker
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
GameMaker is accessible, but it doesn't sacrifice power. You can create and play self-made video games on a PC or sell them on consoles. Multiple award-winning indie games are powered by this engine, including Hyper Light Drifter and Katana Zero.
Who It’s For
GameMaker is for people who want to make games and maybe even pursue it as a professional career. The higher subscription tiers cost a premium, making them more geared toward professional budgets. Fortunately, GameMaker supports multiple different programming languages, including a simple visual language that lets novices develop complex titles.
Specs & Configurations
3D Editing Built-in Tools Community Marketplace / Gallery Free Trial Platform Android Platform iOS Platform Linux Platform Mac Platform Nintendo Switch Platform Nintendo Switch 2 Platform PlayStation 4 Platform PlayStation 5 Platform Web Platform Windows Platform Xbox One Platform Xbox Series X/S Starting Price $99 User Forums Video Tutorials Learn More GameMaker Review -
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![Game Builder Garage]()
Best for Accessible 3D Game DevelopmentGame Builder Garage
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Building off of Labo VR’s underrated creation tools, Game Builder Garage lets Nintendo Switch owners create titles that are far more elaborate than Super Mario Maker's courses. Nintendo’s commitment to high-quality presentation and thorough tutorials means that even young players can make platformers, shooters, or pinball tables.
Who It’s For
Game Builder Garage is especially impressive as an easy way to make 3D polygonal titles. As a Switch exclusive with limited online features, you won’t have access to a broad community. Still, this is a super-fun introductory game design tool.
Specs & Configurations
3D Editing ESRB Rating E for Everybody Games Genre Simulation Games Platform Nintendo Switch Games Platform Nintendo Switch 2 Platform Nintendo Switch Platform Nintendo Switch 2 Starting Price $29.99 Learn More Game Builder Garage Review -
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Credit: Construct
![Construct]()
Best for Developing on the WebConstruct
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Construct’s visual programming language lets you create a variety of 2D games, bolstered by JavaScript support, and the community marketplace further expands your development options. If you want others to play your creations, you can publish games to PC, Xbox, or mobile.
Who It’s For
Construct is for aspiring designers who value flexibility. The visual programming language means you don’t need to learn complex coding to get started. You don’t even need to download a program, as Construct runs in a web browser and syncs projects to the cloud.
Specs & Configurations
3D Editing Community Marketplace / Gallery Platform Android Platform iOS Platform Linux Platform Mac Platform Web Platform Windows Starting Price $129.99 per year Learn More Construct Review -
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Credit: Manticore Games
![Core]()
Best for Creating Free 3D ShootersCore
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Similar to Roblox, Core is a game development tool and a thriving online community. Powered by the Unreal Engine, this free software is best for creating 3D shooters. But really, the sky's the limit.
Who It’s For
Core is best for people who want to make shooters and hang out with their friends. Unsurprisingly, most community games are pretty unpolished. Still, the software lets you monetize releases if they become popular.
Specs & Configurations
3D Editing Community Marketplace / Gallery Platform Windows Starting Price Free Learn More Core Review -
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![Godot]()
Best for Free Open-Source Game DevelopmentGodot
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Godot has a lot of great stuff going for it. It’s free and open source, so anyone can use and even improve the engine. It also supports 2D and 3D development, broadening the types of games you can make.
Who It’s For
Godot is one of the best tools on this list. The only thing holding it back for amateurs is its relative complexity. Still, between the community support and efficient programming options, Godot offers a challenge that's worth undertaking.
Specs & Configurations
3D Editing Community Marketplace / Gallery Platform Android Platform iOS Platform Linux Platform Mac Platform Web Platform Windows Requires Some Coding Starting Price Free Learn More Godot Review -
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Credit: Twine/PCMag
![Twine]()
Best for Interactive FictionTwine
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Twine is an incredibly easy and free tool for developing text adventures using its dedicated app or just in your browser. For years, marginalized artists have made boundary-pushing, radical work through Twine.
Who It’s For
Interactive fiction in general appeals to creators who want their games to focus more on words than explosions. Twine also has some neat coding tricks that its helpful community is eager to share.
Specs & Configurations
Platform Web Starting Price Free Learn More Twine Review -
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![Inklewriter]()
Best for Narrative ScriptingInklewriter
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Inklewriter has an impressive pedigree. Its parent company, Inkle, used portions of the tool in its acclaimed games, such as 80 Days, Heaven’s Vault, and the Sorcery remake. This browser-based tool lets you write and code your own story-based games even if you lack technical skills.
Who It’s For
Text adventures are a niche genre, but Inklewriter is excellent for anyone interested in making them. Ambitious designers can even export Inklewriter projects into more complex engines to polish them into professional products.
Specs & Configurations
Platform Web Starting Price Free Learn More Inklewriter Review -
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![Fuze4]()
Fuze4Fuze4
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Fuze4 is an affordable and powerful game creation tool on the Nintendo Switch that lets you code and share 2D and 3D games. Note that everything stays within the Fuze community; you can't publish to other platforms.
Who It’s For
Fuze4 is so robust it’s almost too much for the platform. Since it’s text-based, you’ll need to plug in a keyboard if you don’t want coding to become too tedious. Still, it’s a useful educational tool.
Specs & Configurations
3D Editing Community Marketplace / Gallery Platform Nintendo Switch Requires Some Coding Starting Price $19.99 Learn More Fuze4 (for Nintendo Switch) Review -
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Credit: Stencyl
![Stencyl]()
Best for Former Flash DevelopersStencyl
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Stencyl is a humble but capable game development tool that reminds us of making Flash games back in the day. Free web publishing and the accessible visual programming language give it a low barrier to entry. You can also add in-app purchases to your mobile games as a potential revenue stream.
Who It’s For
Between its dormant community and lack of 3D or console support, Stencyl probably shouldn’t be anyone’s first game development tool. But it works and it doesn’t alienate novices.
Specs & Configurations
Community Marketplace / Gallery Platform Android Platform iOS Platform Linux Platform Mac Platform Web Platform Windows Starting Price $99 per year Learn More Stencyl Review -
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Credit: AppGameKit
![AppGameKit Studio]()
Best for Developing on MobileAppGameKit Studio
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
AppGameKit Studio lets you craft your own ideal game development environment. You can buy individual program parts depending on what features and assets you need. You can even code games on your mobile device with its free apps.
Who It’s For
Developing on a mobile device is a cool perk most other game development tools can’t claim. However, without a visual coding language, AppGameKit isn’t great for newcomers. And without console support, it may stifle professionals.
Specs & Configurations
3D Editing Community Marketplace / Gallery Platform Android Platform iOS Platform Linux Platform Mac Platform Web Platform Windows Requires Some Coding Starting Price $99 Learn More AppGameKit Studio Review -
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4.0 Excellent |
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Best For | Best for Serious Aspiring Developers | Best for Accessible 3D Game Development | Best for Developing on the Web | Best for Creating Free 3D Shooters | Best for Free Open-Source Game Development | Best for Interactive Fiction | Best for Narrative Scripting | Fuze4 | Best for Former Flash Developers | Best for Developing on Mobile | Best for Serious Aspiring Developers | Best for Accessible 3D Game Development | Best for Developing on the Web |
Starting Price | $99 | $29.99 | $129.99 per year | Free | Free | Free | Free | $19.99 | $99 per year | $99 | $99 | $29.99 | $129.99 per year |
Platform | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Web, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Web | Windows | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Web, Linux | Web | Web | Nintendo Switch | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Web | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Web, Linux | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Web, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Web |
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Buying Guide: How to Make a Video Game: The Best Game Development Software
Getting Started With Game Development Software
The programs we tested let you create fully functional titles from scratch. Although you may learn plenty about creativity and game design from games and products like Baba Is You, Dreams, Human Resource Machine, Lego Mindstorms, Levelhead, LittleBigPlanet, Minecraft, Nintendo Labo, Roblox, or Super Mario Maker, they aren’t included in this list. They don’t let you create wholly original work, and their interfaces are just a little too far removed from the real coding required to develop real games. That said, plenty of games turn coding concepts into fun puzzles, and playing good video games can spark your imagination to make your own projects
We also didn’t include robust engines that primarily target professional game developers at indie studios and large companies. These programs are typically more expensive and assume a baseline knowledge level that many people lack. Plus, many studios create and use proprietary engines, even after third-party rivals surpass their technology. Bethesda's various engines and EA's Frostbite come to mind.
(Credit: Core)The programs featured in this story walk you through the process of making a game. Once you feel confident in your skills, try other popular engines. Unity is free with a Personal License. The ubiquitous Unreal Engine costs nothing (and you can check out a developer marketplace through the Epic Games Store).
Finally, we focused on game-making software that lets you create various titles rather than a specific niche. If you only care about dating sims, fighting games, RPGs, esoteric text adventures, shoot 'em ups, or machinima movies, check out Ren’Py, Mugen, RPG Maker, Inform 7, Shooting Game Builder, or Valve's Source Filmmaker, respectively. We highlight Inklewriter and Twine because those programs easily let you make a surprisingly varied amount of games in the interactive fiction format.
(Credit: Twine)What Kinds of Games Can You Make?
Most products in this roundup specialize in 2D game creation. For 3D development, you need a more powerful tool. Still, developers have used these engines to create everything from side-scrolling platformers to top-down shooters based on Netflix movies to the highly influential indie RPG Undertale. If you grew up playing online Flash games on sites like Kongregate and Newgrounds, you’ll recognize the look and feel of these games.
However, not all engines are created equal. AppGameKit Studio, Core, Game Builder Garage, and Godot are capable 3D engines. GameMaker and Fuze4 offer limited support for 3D graphics. Stencyl lets you use a controller plugged into your computer, but you can’t add multiplayer to your projects. Core's games can only be played within Core's social PC ecosystem. Fuze4 and Game Builder Garage lock all of your projects to the Nintendo Switch. Every other tool lets you publish to the web via HTML5. Construct, Inklewriter, and Twine run in a web browser. Most subscriptions also offer tiers to publish PC games and mobile games with in-app purchase options.
As for consoles, only GameMaker sells licenses for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. With other software, you'll need a third-party solution to port to consoles, or be prepared to do hard, expensive, and technical porting work yourself.
What Does Game Development Software Cost?
Pricing varies depending on what software you pick. Godot, Inklewriter, and Twine are completely free. Core is free to play, but you can buy optional cosmetics and credits. Fuze4 costs $20, but you own it forever. The same goes for Game Builder Garage, which costs $30. Construct and Stencyl offer free versions, but you must pay at least $99 per year to fully take advantage of their features and sell your games for money. AppGameKit Studio sells a $99 base version, alongside optional DLC add-ons. GameMaker has a free tier, a $99 permanent license, and a $799 annual subscription for selling your creations on consoles. While unavoidably high, that price may be worth it to gain access to the large and lucrative console audience.
Note that these are all standard, individual prices. Pricing can also change if you’re a company making more than a certain amount of money, or an educator looking to teach game development in the classroom. Teachers should also consider researching services just for them. Youth Digital, once an Editors’ Choice for coding classes focused on game design, has now become the digital curriculum Apex Learning. Even if you’re an adult, online learning services, in general, may nicely supplement your game development education.
(Credit: Twine)Learn to Code
To become a serious game developer, you should learn to code. Video games contain wonderful art, smooth animations, catchy music, and clever gameplay systems created by talented individuals, but code binds them together. Learning code is tough, though, so what makes these programs especially convenient for consumers is how they ease you into the coding process or make it fully optional.
With Twine, you only need to code if you want to make your game prettier or more complex by editing JavaScript or CSS. The same goes for Inklewriter, although you can use its open-source language or export your project to Unity for more advanced development. Construct, Core, Game Builder Garage, GameMaker, and Stencyl turn their code into easily understandable visual languages. Instead of writing in a specific syntax, you add object properties, modify their behaviors, and create events that tell the game what to do under certain conditions. Everything is just an if/then statement. If you press a button, then the character jumps. If you touch an enemy, then you die.
(Credit: Stencyl)Heavily emphasizing a visual language makes game development much more accessible for non-technical users. At their best, visual languages weave in more complicated concepts (such as collision masks, frame rate, and variables) that help you better transition into proper coding, and set you up for success as you take your potential professional career more seriously. These programs also let you write your code from scratch if you want more control from the start. AppGameKit Studio and Fuze4 force you to write in code, with no visual language option. With Fuze4, you'll need to connect a keyboard to your Nintendo Switch to avoid the annoyances of typing on its touch screen, a problem you'll also run into with AppGameKit's otherwise convenient mobile companion app.
By simplifying coding, these programs also free you up to focus on other vital, creative game design elements. Use built-in image editors to draw sprites, animate them, and arrange them on the levels you build from tilesets. Synthesize your sound effects or import music files. You’ll get deeply invested in your game much faster once you have a sense of ownership, and custom handmade sounds and visuals provide a more personal stamp than sterile code.
(Credit: Fuze4)The Game Development Community
What good is art if you don’t share it with people? These engines aren’t just tools, they’re jumping-off points for users to share knowledge and resources. These programs provide helpful documentation on how to get started. Once you’ve mastered the tutorials, look to the community, on forums or through online videos, for tips on how to improve your projects.
Twine creators love swapping tricks on how to take stories to the next level. Game Builder Garage lets you share games with friends online. Fuze4 lets you download new games from strangers through the online portal. AppGameKit Studio's DLC add-ons include demo games. Construct, Core, GameMaker, Godot, and Stencyl feature community marketplaces where you can purchase or freely download graphics, sound effects, game demos, useful code, and other assets to speed your development. You don’t have to limit yourself to one store or another. Indie game store itch.io also sells plenty of assets.
Become a Video Game Developer
There’s nothing wrong with simply being a fan of video games. Still, making a video game yourself will give you a greater appreciation for the hard work that goes into the wonderful video games you play. Our top picks for consumer video game development software give you the skills and tools you need to get started on your journey to become the next Amy Hennig, Shigeru Miyamoto, or Gabe Newell.
Once your game is done, sell it to the masses using a PC gaming marketplace. Then, let an influencer give it attention via a video game live streaming service.