Some game making Tools and Resources I've found on the net.
I'll add descriptions of applications i've used if their site doesn't have a good one.
Game Engines
Neo Engine
A fully featured Open Source 3D game engine
that you can use to power your own game creations. It is released under
the GPL license, with options of acquiring commercial and support
licenses.
VASSAL Engine
VASSAL is a game engine for building and playing online adaptations
of board games and card games. It allows users to play in real time
over a live Internet connection (in addition to playing by email). It
runs on all platforms, and is free for personal use.
PTK 2D Game Engine
TK is a game engine, also called a SDK
(Software Development Kit) that helps you make your own games easily.
PTK is a multi-platform 2D game engine with 3D capabilities built
around OpenGL or Direct 3D accelerated hardware, however, it is also
possible to create 3D multi platform games with OpenGL
Dx Game Engine
The DXGame Engine is a 2D game engine for Visual Basic
that allows even novice programmers to quickly get a project up and
running. Features include easy sprite movement, explosions, particle
engine, tilemaps, alpha, rotation, scaling, and more! Create anything
from simple point and click games to full blown shoot-em-ups, multi
scrolling rpgs, anything!. DXGame Engine is licensed as freeware, full
size of the download is 2.66 MB. You may download a free version of
DXGame Engine by following download link at Free Download section of
this page. DXGame Engine is developed or distributed by DXGame.com and
is listed under visual basic devlopment.
JGame
JGame is an open source 2D game engine that runs on any Java 1.2+ JRE platform
(with optional OpenGL enhancements through JOGL), as well as the mobile J2ME
(CLDC1.1/MIDP2.0) platform. It provides a very high-level framework for
developing "classic" type arcade games. It is based on sprites with
automatic animation and collision detection, a tile-based background with
easy sprite-tile interaction facilities, and high-level game state and game
sequence facilities. JGame games can be run in a variety
of ways without requiring any changes in the code: regular applications,
webstart, applets, or MIDlets. Graphics are scaled automatically to fit any
screen size, from the smallest mobile device to full-screen desktop PC. JGame
uses 2D graphics acceleration where available, but using OpenGL
enables better graphical quality.
Eclipse
Eclipse is a free to use 2D game engine. This game creator makes online mmorpgs.
No previous knowledge is necessary because Eclipse uses a simple point
and click system. If the software does not have the requirements you
need you can program it with the source.
Basic4gl
Basic4GL is a free BASIC
programming language for Win32 platforms with built in OpenGL v1.1
support. Basic4GL is a compiler and virtual machine, using a easy,
simple syntax based on traditional BASIC. It is designed to be an easy to
learn, easy to use language for writing games, 3D demos and utilities
without all the setup hassle associated with most language compilers.
Genesis 3D
Genesis3D is a real-time 3D rendering environment for all of your
real-time 3D needs. With a large online community, free online forums,
and many links to Genesis3D developers...you will find all the support
and tools that you need to begin developing world-class, real-time 3D
applications today. If you are new to developing with Genesis3D, the
current version of the Software Developer's Kit is 1.1. Use the
tutorials found on our linked pages, and ask questions on our forum.
The engine is free to download and play with. Also make sure to
download GDemo1, an impressive example of Genesis3D in action. Please
read our license agreement regarding the creation of your own content
using the engine. If you modify the Genesis3D engine source, excerpt
any portion of it, or if you use a modified version of the engine
source, you must make your source code available for others to use
under the same terms that we have granted you. If you do not wish to
make your source code available you must obtain a separate paid license
from Eclipse.
Reality Factory
Reality Factory is a program that - in conjunction with other tools - allows you to create 1st and 3rd person perspective games without programming! Reality Factory is built on top of the powerful Genesis3D Open Source engine and supports all major 3D graphics cards.
Jet 3D
The newest version of the Genesis 3D engine.
The main feature I liked better about it than Reality Factory is that you can view lights that you place in rooms in real time.
Platform Studio
Create point and click platform games, or use a Vb style programming language
XNA Game Studio
A game engine for C# 2005 express
Rpg Toolkit
Engine for making "2.5D" Role play games.
Game Maker
One of the best 2d game engines on the net
If you're wanting to make 2D games, I recommend Game Maker.
001 Engine
A 2D game engine with features for making your own characters and works great for 2d shooters
Baja Engine
I've not used this engine much, however It seems to be pretty good.
Cipher Engine
Cipher is a 3D game engine offering everything from fast and visually
stunning graphics to support for compressed pak files. It allows
programmers to create state of the art games using a simple but
powerful SDK. Its range of powerful data driven tools also to help
improve artist workflow.
Unity Engine
Unity is a multiplatform game development tool, designed from the
start to ease creation. A fully integrated professional application
that just happens to contain the most powerful engine this side of a
million dollars.
3D Game Studio
It was never easier to
create 1st or 3rd person action games, role playing games,
side scrollers, flight and drive simulators, board games, sports games,
online games, real-time presentations, virtual exhibitions... or any other
2D or 3D project you can imagine!
Crystal Space 3D
free cross-platform software development kit for realtime 3D graphics, in particular games.
Blender
A free 3D modeling and animation program with support for making games
Dimension X
a freeware, open source software kit for developing and running multiplayer
adventure games.
Haaf's Game Engine
Fast and convenient development of high-quality small 2D games without knowing much about technology.
Irrlicht Engine
he Irrlicht Engine is a cross-platform high performance
realtime 3D engine written in C++. It is a powerful high level API
for creating complete 3D and 2D applications like games or scientific
visualizations. It comes with an excellent documentation
and integrates all the state-of-the-art features for visual representation
like dynamic shadows, particle systems, character animation, indoor
and outdoor technology, and collision detection. All this is accessible
through a well designed C++ interface, which is extremely easy to
use.
TrueVision 3D
Truevision3D is focused on building cutting edge development tools at an affordable price. Large studios, indie developers,
universities, and government agencies across the globe use our products for games, simulations, training, broadcast, and
more. What began as a hobby project in January 1999 has grown into a global company, supporting thousands of clients and
community users. As we continue to grow, we are committed to providing the best software, at prices that will continue to
further the growth of the independent development marketplace.
C4 Game Engine
The C4 Engine is one of the most technologically advanced 3D game engines
available today for the Windows and MacOS X platforms. Its architecture is the
product of many years of careful and clean design led by computer graphics
author Eric Lengyel, making it one of
the easiest and trouble-free engines to program.
GameByro Engine
mebryo 2.3 takes development to a new level with full-featured support
for Nintendo's Wii™ console and a Scene Designer that allows developers
to assemble new scenes, levels and worlds more quickly than ever. It's
all part of a pluggable tools framework that lets developers focus on
custom features, content and gameplay to make truly unique titles
HeroEngine
HeroEngine is an MMO development team's dream come true -- it streamlines
the entire process of building your MMO game. Artists, world builders, scripters,
game designers, producers, and customer service can all collaborate live, online,
in real-time. Create and update your game faster, with more time to focus on
the fun rather than waiting for code to crunch. Build the game and play it
at the same time to see instant results.
AGS
dventure Game Studio (AGS for short) allows you to create
your own point-and-click adventure games, similar to the early 90's Sierra and
Lucasarts adventures. It consists of an easy-to-use development environment, and
run-time engine.
Lite C
With
lite-C you can quickly and easily program graphics
or virtual reality applications - such as 2D or 3D computer
games - even without previous programming knowledge! Sounds,
images, movies, user interfaces, 2D and 3D models,
collision detection, rigid body physics, multitasking, and DirectX 9 functions
are already a native part of the language.
So you can immediately achieve results with a few lines
in lite-C that would require hundreds of source code lines
with normal C/C++ compilers.
notes: also has a free 3d model editor
Dark Basic
DarkBASIC allows you to create your own games, demos, slideshows, even
business applications using the easy to understand BASIC programming
language. Even if you've never coded before, just follow the in-depth
tutorials and you'll be generating results in minutes! Harness the
power of Direct X and make 3D objects come to life in just a few simple
commands.
Torque Game Engine
They have multiple engines at different prices, I've personally never tried them, but they look good.
DX Studio
A 3d modeling program and game engine all in one. I've tried it before, it looks good.
Golden T Studios
Golden T Game Engine (GTGE) is an advanced cross-platform game programming library written in Java language.
GTGE library provides a complete routines for making 2D game from low level routines such as hardware accelerated 2D graphics, mouse and keyboard input, audio support, game timing, to game specific routines such as sprite, background, collision detection.
Exo Engine
An open source C# 3D Engine for Microsoft .NET based upon OpenGL and NVDIA's Cg
QuickStart Engine
The
QuickStart Engine is an engine designed to allow a programmer to get a
3D game started in XNA Game Studio as quick as possible. The engine is
still in early development phase, and wouldn't technically meet the
definition of Engine at this point. You will need to download XNA in
order to use this engine. Be aware that XNA 2.0 has been released and
is being used for all versions 0.181 or later. Don't be afraid to
upgrade to XNA 2.0, it will not affect any XNA 1.0r projects you may
have, as XNA 1.0r remains installed along side of XNA 2.0.
EdgeLib Mobile Game Engine
EDGELIB is the most powerful, true multi-platform game engine for
mobile devices. EDGELIB, written from scratch in C++, enables you to
develop high-quality applications and high-performance games.
FlatRedBall
FlatRedBall is a 2.5D Game Engine using XNA and .NET technologies.
Games using FRB utilize 2-dimensional assets within 3-dimensional
space, creating a unique gaming environment that combines tradition
with innovation. The FlatRedBall Development Kit (FRBDK) consists of a
series of helper applications and core components to empower both
seasoned and novice programmers to develop great games.
PySoy
PySoy is a revolutionary cross-platform Python module which enables developers to easily build 3D games.
Java Monkey Engine
jME (jMonkey Engine) is a high performance scene graph based graphics
API. Much of the inspiration for jME comes from David Eberly's book 3D
Game Engine Design.
Rage 3D
Verge Engine
3D Modeling and Animation Programs
Truespace
trueSpace7.5
is a powerful tool for 3D presentation, design,
animation, games and art. It is also well suited
for content creation for distance learning and emerging
3D social networks.
Anim8or
A free 3d modeling program
Gmax
free version of 3DS Max for game modding and education use.
Definately the best free modeler out there, the only problem is that, due to the fact it is free, it doesn't support exporting standard file types such as .obj, .3ds, and .x, there are however, ways to get the files to these formats with other programs.
Nem's Terrain Generator
Nem's Mega 3D Terrain Generator is a relatively new terrain generator
that takes a step in a completely different direction. Unlike
traditional generators where the user must depend solely on the
generators generation abilities, this generator gives its users
complete 3D control over what their terrain looks like. Users start off
with a flat piece of landscape, then add to it with one, or a
combination of many powerful generation options. They then have several
tools at their disposal to literally grab the terrain and pull it as
they want it. The terrain can be saved as a .tgm file for latter use
and exported to a .map file for use in any map editing programs for
Quake engine based games such as Half-Life. Additionally terrain can be
exported as a .t3d for use in UnrealEd or a .rmf or .vmf file for use
in Hammer or any number of other supported formats.
David H. Smith.Net
This site has some really useful downloads and links including G-max plug-ins.
Image Editors
Gimp
GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a
freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and
image authoring. It works on
many operating systems, in many languages.
Paint Shop Pro
Corel® Paint Shop Pro® Photo X2 is
the ideal choice for any aspiring photographer's digital darkroom. It's
filled with easy automatic photo fixes and precision editing tools.
Plus, the NEW one-of-a-kind Express Lab helps you quickly view and fix
dozens of photos in the time it used to take to edit a few. Paint Shop
Pro Photo X2 even includes a built-in Learning Center to help you get
started, making it the easiest way to get professional-looking
photos—fast!
Programming Compilers
Visual Studio Express
you can get C++ express, VB express, C# express, and Visual Web Developer Express.
Dev C++
A free c++ compiler
Other Resources
DevMaster.net
A huge database of engines
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