Softwr

Software · head to head

Mudbox vs GameMaker Studio 2

Mudbox logo

Mudbox

Software

Digital painting and sculpting software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Software

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Mudbox a Mudbox subscription license may be installed on up to 3 computers (Internet Archive capture, 12 November 2023); GameMaker Studio 2 the free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • They diverge on capability: Mudbox covers Digital sculpting, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mudbox and GameMaker Studio 2 actually diverge.

Attributes where Mudbox and GameMaker Studio 2 differ
AttributeMudboxGameMaker Studio 2
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch
Founded19821999

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 Mudbox

  • Digital sculpting
  • Texture painting
  • Retopology
  • PTEX support
  • Layer system
  • Stencils
  • Stamps
  • GPU tessellation

Only in GameMaker Studio 2

  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • GML programming language
  • Sprite editor
  • Animation frames
  • Sound editor
  • Room editor
  • Particle effects
  • Physics system

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Mudbox

  • Character sculptingnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Texture creationnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Asset detailingnot GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2

  • Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot Mudbox
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Mudbox
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Mudbox

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Mudbox

  • A Mudbox subscription license may be installed on up to 3 computers (Internet Archive capture, 12 November 2023)
  • Sold as monthly, annual or 3-year subscription terms with no perpetual license option offered on the pricing page (Internet Archive capture, 12 November 2023)

GameMaker Studio 2

  • The free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • Console exports are available only on the Enterprise subscription, which is billed at $79.49 per month
  • Source code access is limited to the Enterprise tier
  • Older Creator and Indie subscriptions are no longer renewed when the licence expires
  • Owners of a permanent GameMaker Studio 2 licence get no discount toward current licences

Pricing, plan by plan

Mudbox

$29/month
  • Mudbox$85/month
    • Full sculpting
    • Texture painting
  • M&E Collection$2390/month
    • Mudbox + Maya + 3ds Max + more

GameMaker Studio 2

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Desktop game creation
    • Community support
    • Standard export options
  • Pro$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Advanced export modules
    • Mobile platforms

Which should you pick?

Choose Mudbox if

  • You need digital sculpting.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want texture painting.
Mudbox review

Choose GameMaker Studio 2 if

  • You need drag-and-drop interface.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
  • You also want gml programming language.
GameMaker Studio 2 review

Questions people ask

Is Mudbox or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. Mudbox starts at $29/month and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mudbox or GameMaker Studio 2?
GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Mudbox and Free for GameMaker Studio 2.
Does Mudbox or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
Mudbox runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
Can I use GameMaker Studio 2 for free?
Yes. GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mudbox starts at $29/month.
What is Mudbox best used for?
Mudbox is most often used for character sculpting, texture creation, asset detailing. Of those, character sculpting and texture creation are not what GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
What can Mudbox do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
Mudbox covers Digital sculpting, Texture painting, Retopology, PTEX support. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Both handle Windows support, Linux support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Mudbox

More on GameMaker Studio 2

Keep looking

Other head to heads