
But in all cases, programs are needed to create games , from where developers design, test and squeeze the most out of the millions of titles we know... and those yet to be discovered.
The 7 Best Softwares to Create Games
It can be said that video games would not exist without the presence of desktop computers , which are the mind, heart and engine of operation and creation of these great audiovisual formats.
Generally, familiar programming languages used in the development world are employed, along with advanced tools that vary according to your ambitions. Therefore, we present some of the best programs for developing games on your PC.
1.Roblox
We start with the simplest and most intuitive, where you won't need any development knowledge, but it's not a platform for designing commercial games , but rather for entertainment purposes.
Roblox is a fun game with a style similar to Minecraft , as the levels and all the characters are created from building blocks. However, Roblox focuses more on creating games than levels, based on the same theme.
In fact, Roblox has a section on its platform for creations from different developers around the world, and your titles can range from the most generic to something more creative and personalized, but must be uploaded to the program's systems.
You won't even have to install it on your computer, as it's an online video game development software that provides a basic understanding of construction, allowing you to progress to specialized tools.
Download it on their Website |
2. Unity 3D
If there's one widely used professional software in the game development world, it's Unity 3D. It's a cross-platform option, available for download on Windows and Mac . It also allows you to export your games in code adapted for other native platforms , including iOS and Android for mobile devices , and even for web games.
On the other hand, it is highly recommended because it is possible to start your project with generic code and then convert it to that of each operating system.
Unity 3D, in turn, can be used to develop not only 3D games, as its name suggests, but also 2D games and simpler titles. In fact, it was in Unity 3D that Pokémon GO, an unprecedented commercial success, was designed.
However, here you will find very advanced tools and functions, so you will not only need knowledge at that level, but also equipment with sufficient software and hardware resources to work properly, making it practically the best program for creating video games.
Download it on their Website |
3. GameSalad
GameSalad is another alternative you shouldn't miss. While it doesn't require advanced programming or development skills like Unity, you will need to practice a bit before you can use its interface effectively.
Here, games can be created using templates or from scratch, depending on your needs and ambitions. In the first case, you have access to a Marketplace or specialized store where you can download or purchase available templates.
GameSalad's graphics aren't designed for large-scale games, though. It's more of a platform for creating 8-bit games , puzzles, or children's games, but with creativity and hard work, you can achieve great results for all skill levels.
Furthermore, it's not a completely free option, as although it includes a trial version , it has limited features. However, you can export your games for online platforms, smartphones, or computers.
Download it on their Website |
4. MUGEN
For those who want to make good quality 2D fighting games , they have to try MUGEN. This platform was launched in 1999 and is still used today, with the SDL library for creating the game code.
The developers of the tool focus their efforts on the aesthetic, technical and visual conditions of fighting games, which are usually more demanding in these aspects than other genres in the market.
That is why with MUGEN you will have to work simultaneously on the development of the different levels starting from the stage, choosing adapted backgrounds and contexts, as well as on the functioning of the special effects.
In the case of characters, it is possible to choose them from an integrated store or catalog, but you can also upload your own, which is useful for recycling the bases of old games in the most recent ones, so it is a program for creating 2D games with few requirements.
Download it on their Website |
5. 001 Game Creator
Combining 2D and 3D graphics wouldn't hurt, but you can also work with each separately thanks to 001 Game Creator , which has a very useful advanced toolbox.
On the one hand, the games you create here can be exported to a wide variety of platforms , including Windows and Mac computers, Android or iOS smartphones and tablets, as well as web versions in HTML5, which is the most widely used language to date.
Similarly, 001 Game Creator will allow you to create your games not only offline , but also with online support, and you choose your own servers, making it a popular choice among professional developers.
This particular feature lets you know from the start that it's not for beginners, so you'll need to prepare yourself before using it. Furthermore, it supports multiplayer games across different platforms, with various configurations to accommodate all types of controllers.
Download it on their Website |
6.Godot
Godot follows the same path as 001 Game Creator, but with many improvements and features that make it superior. It's open source , and from that alone we can infer that your games can be developed at no cost.
It supports 3D and 2D graphics with the option to export to Linux , Windows and Mac computers, smartphones and even video game consoles such as the PlayStation 3, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita and the Nintendo 3DS, among others.
The best thing about Godot is that it allows you to create very fluid animations , either designed within the program or imported from specialized software like Blender. OpenGL is the graphics engine used for the rendering process, and it's one of the most widely used on the market today.
Furthermore, it supports many programming languages such as C++, C#, and VisualScript . It even provides a unique, proprietary language called GDScript , which is quite similar to Python, so you shouldn't rule it out when considering game development programs.
Download it on their Website |
7.Scratch
The education and children's sector has its own alternative, known as Scratch . It's essentially a programming language that stands out for being very easy to handle and use, and it can even be combined with others like Java or Python.
Its main feature is that it is used throughout the world as a basis for children and those who are venturing into the world of development to design their own games from there and also learn how they work.
In that sense, Scratch comes with an engine to create educational and entertaining video games aimed at developing thinking and learning skills, since the dynamics are already integrated into the platform.
You can use it with the drag-and-drop function to build levels or incorporate your own graphic designs, which makes it quite intuitive for the less experienced, but it cannot be used for ambitious and advanced graphic projects.
Download it on their Website |
Conclusions
Develop your own games, export them for computers, mobile devices, and the web, earn money with them, and more with Game Creation Software. There are many options available for download, but they are incredibly varied.
Some apps are very simple because they don't require advanced programming skills, which will save you a lot of time. But there are also advanced platforms that will allow you to design much more professional games.
▷You should read: 5 Best Programs to Play Flash Games ▷
Keep in mind that each game has its own essence and way of being created, and that you must choose well the type of graphics you want to use, whether in 2D or 3D.
The difficulty of each proposal is also strictly tied to the price, because the more expensive they are, the more professional and complex they are to understand.
In any case, you can start with simple solutions and then scale up to more complete video game development software .
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.