Game Development · head to head
Cocos2d-x 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: Cocos2d-x cocos2d-x is MIT licensed with no commercial tier, and the vendor's own site directs users toward its newer engine, Cocos Creator, as the actively developed product, leaving Cocos2d-x without a first-party paid support or upgrade path.; 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: Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Cocos2d-x and Lumberyard actually diverge.
| Attribute | Cocos2d-x | Lumberyard |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux |
| Founded | 2010 | 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 Cocos2d-x
- 2D rendering
- Physics engine (Chipmunk)
- Particle effects
- Animation system
- Audio engine
- Touch input handling
- Tilemap support
- Sprite batching
Only in Lumberyard
- CryEngine foundation
- Lua scripting
- Flowgraph editor
- Advanced graphics
- Physics simulation
- AWS GameLift integration
- Multiplayer support
- VR capabilities
Both cover
- Visual Studio
- Local deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Cocos2d-x
- Mobile game developmentnot Lumberyard
- 2D gamesnot Lumberyard
- Lightweight gamesnot Lumberyard
- Cross-platform gamesnot Lumberyard
Lumberyard
- Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot Cocos2d-x
- Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot Cocos2d-x
- Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot Cocos2d-x
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Cocos2d-x
- Cocos2d-x is MIT licensed with no commercial tier, and the vendor's own site directs users toward its newer engine, Cocos Creator, as the actively developed product, leaving Cocos2d-x without a first-party paid support or upgrade path.
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
Cocos2d-x
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- MIT License
- Community support
Lumberyard
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- AWS integration
- Lua scripting
Which should you pick?
Choose Cocos2d-x if
- You need 2d rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
- You also want physics engine (chipmunk).
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 Cocos2d-x or Lumberyard better?
- Neither clearly leads. Cocos2d-x 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, Cocos2d-x or Lumberyard?
- Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free.
- Does Cocos2d-x or Lumberyard run on more platforms?
- Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- Can I use Cocos2d-x for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Cocos2d-x best used for?
- Cocos2d-x is most often used for mobile game development, 2d games, lightweight games, cross-platform games. Of those, mobile game development and 2d games are not what Lumberyard is typically brought in for.
- What can Cocos2d-x do that Lumberyard cannot?
- Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Particle effects, Animation system. Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. Both handle Visual Studio, Local deployment, Windows support.