Mobile game development has always been described as an art. All the people who are involved in this process are instrumental in creating sources of entertainment for millions of people worldwide. Therefore, a lot of thought and work goes into it. Once you have an idea for a game, the next big question asked is what are the best mobile game engines available. There are several factors that determine this aspect. From the budget to the platform on which the game is being published, game creators should consider all of these.Â
Choosing this can make or break your game and you will have to be cognizant of all the pros and cons of each available software platform. If you wish for a cross-platform game engine that can realize all your imagination and create immersive gaming experiences, here is a pick of the top 5 game engines:
- Unity
Every mobile games developer will vouch for the Unity engine. It is one of the best game development platforms that supports 2D and 3D games. The platform is known for its flexibility and ease of use. Most of the Android games are built with Unity. Here are some of the features that you should know about:
- It is affordable since it requires a one-time payment for the license.
- Unity is a cross-platform game engine.
- Even developers with very little experience can use the platform without any hassles.
- There is a comprehensive tutorial for each process which makes it a better choice for beginners.
- Unreal Engine
If you are a game creator, you would not have missed the Unreal Engine platform for developing your app. It is a flexible tool that supports both 2D and 3D games. It is flexible across platforms and is absolutely free. Here are some other features which make it a popular choice:
- It is ideal for MMORPGs (Massively multiplayer online games).
- The Unreal Engine is known for its multiple features.
- It has a visual-scripting interface that makes coding much easier.
- Unreal offers a myriad of assets and ready scripts that can be used by game developers.
- Another benefit is that it allows testing of the game within the platform.
- SpriteKit
A flagship of Apple, SpriteKit is ideal for games on the iOS platform. It supports iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, which means that this is a cross-platform game engine. Some of its best features include the following:
- It has an action system that enables developers to create animations that are complex in nature.
- The best 2D games can be created using SpriteKit.
- The platform helps you in publishing games as well.
- Most developers find it compatible with most device features.
- Corona SDK
If you are a beginner and wish to develop your first game, Corona SDK is the perfect choice for your endeavor. It has an easy learning curve and comes with a number of features. Here are some of the benefits of using this game developing tool:
- The availability of multiple plugins makes it a good choice.
- It offers developers to check their work on a real-time basis. This allows them to make any changes instantaneously, saving time in the process.
- Developers of mobile games can publish them on multiple platforms from a single code base.
- This engine facilitates live testing.
- Buildbox
If your game is big on animations, this is the best choice. Casual games and the Buildbox engine are a good combination. This is a no-code engine that does not require you to have any programming, coding or scripting skills. The pricing is also competitive. Some of the other factors that may help you in your decision are as follows:
- It has a visual programming interface that reduces the need for coding.
- There are unlimited assets and animations available that developers can make the most of.
- BuildBox is known to save time as it has several in-built systems for use.
In addition to these aforementioned game development platforms, there are several other noteworthy mobile game engines such as Marmalade SDK, CryEngine, Rage Engine, etc, which have helped many developers in creating engaging games. Whether it is a casual game, MMORPG, or puzzle games, there are different options available for each genre. Based on your specific requirements, you can choose the one that fits all your needs.Â