Do you want to make your own video games because you’re just not pleased with the quality of games today? With the right tools, you can accomplish your goals without many problems. Some of these tools require you to be an expert at coding, while others, you just need to have a creative mind.
Before going forward, we should note that the tools here are free to download and use for the most part. You can use them to create complex games or simple mobile games that don’t require much thinking.
We have to say that game development has become much easier over the past two decades. Right now, anyone can get up and create their own games without having to rely on funding from big publishers who will eventually take full ownership of the title.
Free Game Development software to create your own games
Here are some of the best free Game Development software for beginners to make your own games on Windows PC:
- GameMaker Studio 2
- Construct 3
- Unity
- Unreal Engine 5
- Godot Engine
1] GameMaker Studio 2
We like GameMaker 2 because developers can simply create a game by taking advantage of the drag-and-drop interface. No knowledge of coding is required, but it also means your games will be limited in scope. However, for those who want more options, it is possible to use the Game Maker language, which is basically a C-like scripting language that comes with a lot of flexibilities.
Once you’ve completed your game, you can move to export it to several platforms such as Windows, Mac, Linux, HTML5, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation t, and more.
We should point out that the free version of this tool does not allow developers to export their work to any platform, which could be a game breaker for some.
2] Construct 3
If you’ve never written code in your entire life, but are eager to get your creative juices flowing, then we would like to recommend Construct 3. It is very similar to GameMaker Studio 2 in the sense that developers do not need to know how to code.
This program is 100 percent GUI-driven, so there is no option to use code. This will limit what the developer can do, but for amateurs, we doubt that’s a problem.
When it comes down to the export platforms Construct 3 support, there are quite a few. The likes of HTML5, Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, and Microsoft Store, are all supported, and that’s just a small number.
3] Unity Engine
Developers who prefer to code rather than rely on drag-and-drop interfaces will enjoy what Unity has to offer. This developer engine was first released back in 2005 as a mere 3D engine, then in 2013, official 2D support was added.
Fast forward to the future and Unity is now a matured video game development tool used by many in the industry. The company is even in partnership with Microsoft in several areas.
Now, the Unity tool works by using a component-based design. This makes it possible for developers to attach components to various objects, where each component has the power to control certain aspects of an object’s logic and behavior.
If you want to make full use of Unity, then you’ll need to understand C#. But there is nothing to worry about because tutorials are plentiful on the web, and that is due to the popularity of Unity.
4] Unreal Engine 5
Another great tool for aspiring game developers to take advantage of it is none other than Unreal Engine 5. This version of the popular video game rendering engine was announced first back in June 2020, and its full release was in April 2022.
What we have here is one of the most used game engines of all time. There are many titles that were created using Unreal Engine. From blockbuster titles to indie games, Unreal Engine is capable of bringing all ideas to life.
Out of all the engines on this list, we have to say that Unreal Engine is the most professional. It comes packed with all the necessary tools to create the game of your dreams.
The engine is so advanced that users can create entire games, even complex ones without ever having to fiddle with code. This is all due to the Blueprint system and how well it works. Fortunately, if you want to create your own code then go right ahead.
In terms of export, folks can export their games to all the major platforms, and that includes VR platforms as well.
5] Godot Engine
Not a lot of people have heard of the Godot Engine, so if you’re one of those folks, well, it’s new to you no longer. This engine focuses on creating games in both 2D and 3D, but we’ve realized that is mostly used by those who want to create 2D games.
The way Godot approaches game design is quite different from the others on this list. You see, everything is divided into scenes, which is basically a collection of elements like scripts, sounds, or scripts. It is also possible to combine multiple small scenes into a larger scene, and then that large scene combined with other large scenes to create ones that are quite massive.
From what we have read, Godot relies on its drag-and-drop system for preserving scene elements, but with built-in scripts, users can extend each element.
READ: Best Code Editors for Windows
Which software is best for making games?
There are many free tools designed for game development, and most of them are quite good. However, if we are to choose the best of the bunch right now, then it would have to be Unity and Unreal Engine. You cannot go wrong with either of these tools, so give them a test drive in order the find which is best for your needs.
How to create your own game for free?
You create your own game for free, you need to use a game development software. The good news is that there are many free apps for this purpose. For example, you can use Unity, Unreal Engine 5, Godot Engine, GameMaker Studio 2, etc. In case you don’t know about these tools, you can check the this article to learn more.
