Software · head to head
Adventure Game Studio vs Lumberyard
Lumberyard
Software
Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Adventure Game Studio the AGS editor and IDE run only on Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11), even though built games run on Linux, macOS, Android and iOS; Lumberyard aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product
- They diverge on capability: Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Adventure Game Studio and Lumberyard actually diverge.
| Attribute | Adventure Game Studio | Lumberyard |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux |
| Founded | 1997 | 2006 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Adventure Game Studio
- Point-and-click editor
- Room system
- Sprite animation
- Built-in scripting
- Inventory system
- Dialog system
- Audio support
- Resolution scaling
Only in Lumberyard
- CryEngine foundation
- Lua scripting
- Flowgraph editor
- Advanced graphics
- Physics simulation
- AWS GameLift integration
- Multiplayer support
- VR capabilities
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Adventure Game Studio
- Building point-and-click adventure games in a classic Sierra or LucasArts stylenot Lumberyard
- Shipping a commercial or freeware adventure game with no licence feenot Lumberyard
- Scripting game logic in a Java or C# style language with a built-in debuggernot Lumberyard
Lumberyard
- Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot Adventure Game Studio
- Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot Adventure Game Studio
- Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot Adventure Game Studio
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Adventure Game Studio
- The AGS editor and IDE run only on Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11), even though built games run on Linux, macOS, Android and iOS
- The editor requires the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, and .NET Framework 4.5 on Windows 7 and Vista
- Video playback supports only FLC and OGV (Ogg Theora) and is full-screen only; AVI and WMV support was dropped after version 3.6.0 and existed only on Windows builds
- MSSCCI source control integration was discontinued in version 3.6.0
- Graphics drivers are limited to Direct3D 9 and OpenGL
- Audio format support is limited to OGG, MP3, WAV, MOD, XM and MIDI
- Support is community-only through forums and Discord, with no vendor support channel
Lumberyard
- aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product
- The engine's successor is the Open 3D Engine, governed by the Open 3D Foundation rather than AWS, so migration means moving to a differently governed project
- No Lumberyard-branded documentation, download or support commitment remains at the original AWS product URL
Pricing, plan by plan
Adventure Game Studio
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Built-in script editor
- Room editor
Lumberyard
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- AWS integration
- Lua scripting
Which should you pick?
Choose Adventure Game Studio if
- You need point-and-click editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want room system.
Choose Lumberyard if
- You need cryengine foundation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- You also want lua scripting.
Questions people ask
- Is Adventure Game Studio or Lumberyard better?
- Neither clearly leads. Adventure Game Studio starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Adventure Game Studio or Lumberyard?
- Adventure Game Studio starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free.
- Does Adventure Game Studio or Lumberyard run on more platforms?
- Adventure Game Studio runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- Can I use Adventure Game Studio for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Adventure Game Studio best used for?
- Adventure Game Studio is most often used for building point-and-click adventure games in a classic sierra or lucasarts style, shipping a commercial or freeware adventure game with no licence fee, scripting game logic in a java or c# style language with a built-in debugger. Of those, building point-and-click adventure games in a classic sierra or lucasarts style and shipping a commercial or freeware adventure game with no licence fee are not what Lumberyard is typically brought in for.
- What can Adventure Game Studio do that Lumberyard cannot?
- Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, Room system, Sprite animation, Built-in scripting. Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.