Game Development · head to head
AppGameKit vs Lumberyard
Lumberyard
Game Development
Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform 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; 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: AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AppGameKit and Lumberyard actually diverge.
| Attribute | AppGameKit | Lumberyard |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux |
| Founded | 2004 | 2006 |
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
- Physics engine
- Sound and music
- Particle effects
- Tile support
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in debugger
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.
AppGameKit
- 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot Lumberyard
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot Lumberyard
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot Lumberyard
- Prototyping small games quicklynot Lumberyard
Lumberyard
- Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot AppGameKit
- Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot AppGameKit
- Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot 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
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
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
Lumberyard
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- AWS integration
- Lua scripting
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 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 AppGameKit or Lumberyard better?
- Neither clearly leads. AppGameKit 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, AppGameKit or Lumberyard?
- AppGameKit starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free.
- Does AppGameKit or Lumberyard run on more platforms?
- AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos. Lumberyard 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 Lumberyard is typically brought in for.
- What can AppGameKit do that Lumberyard cannot?
- AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Physics engine, Sound and music. Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.