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Software · head to head

Adventure Game Studio vs Pygame

Adventure Game Studio logo

Adventure Game Studio

Software

Create point-and-click adventure games

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pygame logo

Pygame

Software

Python library for game development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Pygame licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier
  • They diverge on capability: Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, Pygame covers Graphics rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Adventure Game Studio and Pygame actually diverge.

Attributes where Adventure Game Studio and Pygame differ
AttributeAdventure Game StudioPygame
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Android
Founded19972000

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 Pygame

  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio playback
  • Input handling
  • Sprite system
  • Collision detection
  • Font rendering
  • Animation support
  • Event system

Both cover

  • Open-source
  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Android 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 Pygame
  • Shipping a commercial or freeware adventure game with no licence feenot Pygame
  • Scripting game logic in a Java or C# style language with a built-in debuggernot Pygame

Pygame

  • 2D game developmentnot Adventure Game Studio
  • Game prototypingnot Adventure Game Studio
  • Educational gamesnot Adventure Game Studio
  • Learning game developmentnot 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

Pygame

  • Licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Adventure Game Studio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Built-in script editor
    • Room editor

Pygame

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • Python support
    • Graphics rendering

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.
Adventure Game Studio review

Choose Pygame if

  • You need graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
  • You also want audio playback.
Pygame review

Questions people ask

Is Adventure Game Studio or Pygame better?
Neither clearly leads. Adventure Game Studio starts at Free and Pygame at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adventure Game Studio or Pygame?
Adventure Game Studio starts at Free and Pygame at Free.
Does Adventure Game Studio or Pygame run on more platforms?
Adventure Game Studio runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Pygame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
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 Pygame is typically brought in for.
What can Adventure Game Studio do that Pygame cannot?
Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, Room system, Sprite animation, Built-in scripting. Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Audio playback, Input handling, Sprite system. Both handle Open-source, Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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