Game Development · head to head
Armory3D vs CryEngine
Armory3D
Game Development
Open-source 3D game engine integrated with Blender
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
CryEngine
Game Development
Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Armory3D compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch; CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
- They diverge on capability: Armory3D covers Blender integration, CryEngine covers Advanced graphics.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Armory3D and CryEngine actually diverge.
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 Armory3D
- Blender integration
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Audio system
- Haxe scripting
- Particle effects
- Skeletal animation
- Material system
Only in CryEngine
- Advanced graphics
- Physics engine
- AI system
- Animation tools
- Flow Graph visual scripting
- C++ and Lua support
- Entity component system
- Sandbox editor
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Armory3D
- 3D game developmentnot CryEngine
- Blender-based gamesnot CryEngine
- Web gamesnot CryEngine
CryEngine
- Building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illuminationnot Armory3D
- Developing with full engine source code accessnot Armory3D
- Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot Armory3D
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Armory3D
- Compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch
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
Armory3D
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Blender integration
- 3D graphics
CryEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine access
- Source code
- Asset library
Which should you pick?
Choose Armory3D if
- You need blender integration.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android.
- You also want 3d graphics rendering.
Choose CryEngine if
- You need advanced graphics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- You also want physics engine.
Questions people ask
- Is Armory3D or CryEngine better?
- Neither clearly leads. Armory3D 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, Armory3D or CryEngine?
- Armory3D starts at Free and CryEngine at Free.
- Does Armory3D or CryEngine run on more platforms?
- Armory3D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android. CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- Can I use Armory3D for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Armory3D best used for?
- Armory3D is most often used for 3d game development, blender-based games, web games. Of those, 3d game development and blender-based games are not what CryEngine is typically brought in for.
- What can Armory3D do that CryEngine cannot?
- Armory3D covers Blender integration, 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system. CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.