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Armory3D vs Pico-8

Armory3D logo

Armory3D

Software

Open-source 3D game engine integrated with Blender

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pico-8 logo

Pico-8

Software

A fantasy console for making, sharing and playing tiny games

From
$14.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Armory3D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Pico-8 extremely limited display resolution of 128x128 pixels with 16-colour palette
  • They diverge on capability: Armory3D covers Blender integration, Pico-8 covers Pixel art editor.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Armory3D and Pico-8 actually diverge.

Attributes where Armory3D and Pico-8 differ
AttributeArmory3DPico-8
Starting priceFree$14.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Html5, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi
Founded20162005

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 Armory3D

  • Blender integration
  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Bullet)
  • Audio system
  • Haxe scripting
  • Particle effects
  • Skeletal animation
  • Material system

Only in Pico-8

  • Pixel art editor
  • Music composer
  • Lua scripting
  • Built-in palette
  • Sprite system
  • Map editor
  • Code editor
  • Game cartridges

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Armory3D

  • 3D game developmentnot Pico-8
  • Blender-based gamesnot Pico-8
  • Web gamesnot Pico-8

Pico-8

  • Retro-style indie game developmentnot Armory3D
  • Educational game programmingnot Armory3D
  • Game jam participationnot Armory3D
  • Pixel art game creation with strict creative constraintsnot 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

Pico-8

  • Extremely limited display resolution of 128x128 pixels with 16-colour palette
  • Cart size capped at 32 kilobytes
  • Only 256 sprites of 8x8 pixels available
  • Map limited to 128x32 tiles
  • Monophonic sound synthesis with 4-channel chip synthesis only
  • Lua programming language exclusively; no other language support

Pricing, plan by plan

Armory3D

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Blender integration
    • 3D graphics

Pico-8

$14.99/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Pico-8 review.

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.
Armory3D review

Choose Pico-8 if

  • You need pixel art editor.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi.
  • You also want music composer.
Pico-8 review

Questions people ask

Is Armory3D or Pico-8 better?
Neither clearly leads. Armory3D starts at Free and Pico-8 at $14.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Armory3D or Pico-8?
Armory3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Armory3D and $14.99/one-time for Pico-8.
Does Armory3D or Pico-8 run on more platforms?
Armory3D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android. Pico-8 runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi.
Can I use Armory3D for free?
Yes. Armory3D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pico-8 starts at $14.99/one-time.
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 Pico-8 is typically brought in for.
What can Armory3D do that Pico-8 cannot?
Armory3D covers Blender integration, 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system. Pico-8 covers Pixel art editor, Music composer, Lua scripting, Built-in palette. Both handle Local deployment, Web deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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