Game Development · head to head
AppGameKit vs CryEngine
CryEngine
Game Development
Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target; CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
- They diverge on capability: AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, CryEngine covers Advanced graphics.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AppGameKit and CryEngine actually diverge.
| Attribute | AppGameKit | CryEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux |
| Founded | 2004 | 1999 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development).
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 AppGameKit
- BASIC-like scripting
- Visual sprite editor
- Sound and music
- Particle effects
- Tile support
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in debugger
- Visual Studio Code
Only in CryEngine
- Advanced graphics
- AI system
- Animation tools
- Flow Graph visual scripting
- C++ and Lua support
- Entity component system
- Sandbox editor
- Visual Studio
Both cover
- Physics engine
- Local deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
AppGameKit
- 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot CryEngine
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot CryEngine
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot CryEngine
- Prototyping small games quicklynot CryEngine
CryEngine
- Building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illuminationnot AppGameKit
- Developing with full engine source code accessnot AppGameKit
- Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot AppGameKit
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
AppGameKit
- Exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- The price is not shown on the product page and the product is sold through Steam
- The vendor describes it as their last outing for traditional programming languages before AI-driven development, which is a poor signal for long-term support
- appgamekit.com now redirects into the darkbasic.com site
CryEngine
- A royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
- Royalties are waived only on the first USD 5,000.00 of Gross Receipts per year per game
- Royalties are calculated at source on gross receipts before any publisher or platform deductions, so a developer receiving 70% of USD 100,000 still owes USD 4,750
- Military projects, gambling, simulation, science, architecture and serious games are excluded from the standard licence and are not covered as Games
- The licence forbids combining CRYENGINE with code from other game engine providers
- Supported platforms are limited to those Crytek announces at its sole discretion, listed in the agreement as Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
- Support is only provided against payment of a separate Support Fee that Crytek may change at its sole discretion
- Crytek may modify the licence agreement at any time, with the only remedy for disagreement being to stop using CRYENGINE
Pricing, plan by plan
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
CryEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine access
- Source code
- Asset library
Which should you pick?
Choose AppGameKit if
- You need basic-like scripting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- You also want visual sprite editor.
Choose CryEngine if
- You need advanced graphics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- You also want ai system.
Questions people ask
- Is AppGameKit or CryEngine better?
- Neither clearly leads. AppGameKit starts at Free and CryEngine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, AppGameKit or CryEngine?
- AppGameKit starts at Free and CryEngine at Free.
- Does AppGameKit or CryEngine run on more platforms?
- AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos. CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- Can I use AppGameKit for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is AppGameKit best used for?
- AppGameKit is most often used for 2d and 3d game development from a single codebase, cross-platform mobile game builds for ios and android, learning game programming in a basic-derived language, prototyping small games quickly. Of those, 2d and 3d game development from a single codebase and cross-platform mobile game builds for ios and android are not what CryEngine is typically brought in for.
- What can AppGameKit do that CryEngine cannot?
- AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Sound and music, Particle effects. CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, AI system, Animation tools, Flow Graph visual scripting. Both handle Physics engine, Local deployment, Windows support.