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Adventure Game Studio vs RPG Maker MV

Adventure Game Studio logo

Adventure Game Studio

Software

Create point-and-click adventure games

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RPG Maker MV logo

RPG Maker MV

Software

Create 2D RPGs with ease. The perfect tool for indie developers

From
$79.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Adventure Game Studio has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; RPG Maker MV the free version is a 30 day trial only
  • They diverge on capability: Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Adventure Game Studio and RPG Maker MV actually diverge.

Attributes where Adventure Game Studio and RPG Maker MV differ
AttributeAdventure Game StudioRPG Maker MV
Starting priceFree$79.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded19971945

Identical on both: platforms (Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web), 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 RPG Maker MV

  • Event-based system
  • Database editor
  • Tilemap editor
  • Sprite animations
  • JavaScript support
  • Plugin system
  • Built-in music library
  • NPC dialogue system

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios 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 RPG Maker MV
  • Shipping a commercial or freeware adventure game with no licence feenot RPG Maker MV
  • Scripting game logic in a Java or C# style language with a built-in debuggernot RPG Maker MV

RPG Maker MV

  • Making 2D role playing games and exporting to Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and HTML5not Adventure Game Studio
  • Beginner game development with bundled art, audio and a database driven editornot Adventure Game Studio
  • Side view battle system RPGs with mouse and touch inputnot 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

RPG Maker MV

  • The free version is a 30 day trial only
  • The licence restricts bundled company materials to games created with the software and prohibits distributing them independently or combined with other programs
  • Distributed games must indicate in attached documentation that they were created using the software and carry the Gotcha Gotcha Games statement of rights
  • Extracting or modifying the bundled programs or assets out of a released game is prohibited
  • Installing and using the software on three or more user devices is prohibited

Pricing, plan by plan

Adventure Game Studio

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

RPG Maker MV

$79.99/one-time
  • Standard$79.99/one-time
    • Full editor access
    • Unlimited projects
    • Asset library

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 RPG Maker MV if

  • You need event-based system.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want database editor.
RPG Maker MV review

Questions people ask

Is Adventure Game Studio or RPG Maker MV better?
Neither clearly leads. Adventure Game Studio starts at Free and RPG Maker MV at $79.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adventure Game Studio or RPG Maker MV?
Adventure Game Studio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Adventure Game Studio and $79.99/one-time for RPG Maker MV.
Does Adventure Game Studio or RPG Maker MV run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Adventure Game Studio for free?
Yes. Adventure Game Studio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RPG Maker MV starts at $79.99/one-time.
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 RPG Maker MV is typically brought in for.
What can Adventure Game Studio do that RPG Maker MV cannot?
Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, Room system, Sprite animation, Built-in scripting. RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system, Database editor, Tilemap editor, Sprite animations. Both handle GitHub, Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment.
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