For the aspiring game developer, one of the most underrated tools stands ready and waiting: open source game engines. While commercial game engines can offer a wide array of features and expansive capabilities, open source game engines present a unique opportunity for both the novice and the experienced game developer to create amazing games with minimal budget and effort.
Open source game engines are free and open source software, typically released under a GNU General Public License. This means anyone can have unrestricted access to the source code to the engine and create their own games and modifications. Furthermore, the engine and any modifications are freely available to redistribute, making it possible to cheaply release your own independent game.
Open source engines are increasingly feature-rich and powerful. For 3D game development, engines such as Unreal and Unity have been around for a long time, but open source engines such as Godot, CrystalSpace, and Horde3D offer a refreshing alternative. In 2D game development, open source engines such as libGDX are becoming increasingly popular.
Open source game engines can also be incredibly versatile. Many of the popular open source 3D game engines support game development for multiple platforms. This means you can create games for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and even mobile and console platforms such as Android, iOS, PlayStation, and Xbox, all with the same engine.
Not only is development with open source game engines a breeze, but their collaborative and community nature makes debugging and updates much easier. With the source code publicly available, you can quickly identify and fix issues with the engine. Furthermore, many members of the open source community are passionate about the engine and are willing to help improve it. This means your game can remain up-to-date and bug-free for years.
Overall, open source game engines are a great option for anyone looking to develop games without breaking the bank. From their free and open source nature to their versatility and collaborative nature, open source game engines have everything game developers need to create amazing games.