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Adventure Game Studio vs Steam

Adventure Game Studio logo

Adventure Game Studio

Software

Create point-and-click adventure games

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Steam

Software

The ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games

From
On request
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; Steam publishing a game requires developers to pay a non-refundable $100 Steam Direct fee per title, recouped only once the product earns $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Adventure Game Studio and Steam differ
AttributeAdventure Game StudioSteam
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWeb
Founded1997Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Steam

Nothing recorded that Adventure Game Studio does not also cover.

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 Steam
  • Shipping a commercial or freeware adventure game with no licence feenot Steam
  • Scripting game logic in a Java or C# style language with a built-in debuggernot Steam

Steam

No use cases recorded yet. See the Steam review.

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

Steam

  • Publishing a game requires developers to pay a non-refundable $100 Steam Direct fee per title, recouped only once the product earns $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue
  • Core purchases and library are tied to a single Steam account with no vendor-stated official resale or transfer mechanism for owned games

Pricing, plan by plan

Adventure Game Studio

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

Steam

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Steam review.

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 Steam if

Nothing in the data separates Steam from Adventure Game Studio on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Steam review

Questions people ask

Is Adventure Game Studio or Steam better?
Neither clearly leads. Adventure Game Studio starts at Free and Steam at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adventure Game Studio or Steam?
Adventure Game Studio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Adventure Game Studio and On request for Steam.
Does Adventure Game Studio or Steam run on more platforms?
Adventure Game Studio runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Steam runs on Web.
Can I use Adventure Game Studio for free?
Yes. Adventure Game Studio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Steam starts at On request.
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 Steam is typically brought in for.
What can Adventure Game Studio do that Steam cannot?
Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, Room system, Sprite animation, Built-in scripting.
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