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Cocos2d-x vs O3DE

Cocos2d-x logo

Cocos2d-x

Software

Open-source, lightweight 2D game engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
O3DE logo

O3DE

Software

Open 3D Engine - Professional game engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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.; O3DE minimum hardware is a quad-core 2.5 GHz x86 CPU with SSE 4.1, 16 GB RAM and a DirectX 12 or Vulkan GPU with 2 GB VRAM and Shader Model 6.2
  • They diverge on capability: Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, O3DE covers 3D graphics rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cocos2d-x and O3DE actually diverge.

Attributes where Cocos2d-x and O3DE differ
AttributeCocos2d-xO3DE
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, AndroidWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox
Founded20102021

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), 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 Cocos2d-x

  • 2D rendering
  • Physics engine (Chipmunk)
  • Animation system
  • Audio engine
  • Touch input handling
  • Tilemap support
  • Sprite batching
  • Visual Studio

Only in O3DE

  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Modular architecture
  • Physics engine
  • Audio system
  • Animation tools
  • Material system
  • Lighting system
  • Visual scripting

Both cover

  • Particle effects
  • Local deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Cocos2d-x

  • Mobile game developmentnot O3DE
  • 2D gamesnot O3DE
  • Lightweight gamesnot O3DE
  • Cross-platform gamesnot O3DE

O3DE

  • Building 3D games and simulations on an open source Apache-licensed enginenot Cocos2d-x
  • Robotics and industrial simulation using O3DE Gemsnot Cocos2d-x
  • Projects that need full engine source access with no royaltynot 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.

O3DE

  • Minimum hardware is a quad-core 2.5 GHz x86 CPU with SSE 4.1, 16 GB RAM and a DirectX 12 or Vulkan GPU with 2 GB VRAM and Shader Model 6.2
  • Raytracing features require Shader Model 6.3
  • Disk space required is 40 GB using the prebuilt installer and 100 GB or more when building from source
  • Building the engine from source needs 2 GB of RAM per build thread on top of normal system requirements
  • On Windows the editor requires Windows 10 version 20H2 or later plus Visual Studio 2019 16.11.x, 2022 17.3.x or 2026 18.0.x with the Game development with C++ workload
  • The only primary Linux distribution for the editor is Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, and Ubuntu on 64-bit ARMv8 is experimental
  • Linux builds need CMake 3.30.0 or later, which is newer than the 3.22 shipped by default with Ubuntu 22.04
  • Wayland support is experimental, requires building from source, and is limited to the Game Launcher with no editor support until O3DE moves to Qt6
  • Linux requires a long list of additional apt library packages to be installed before building

Pricing, plan by plan

Cocos2d-x

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine source
    • MIT License
    • Community support

O3DE

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Modular architecture
    • Cross-platform

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).
Cocos2d-x review

Choose O3DE if

  • You need 3d graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want modular architecture.
O3DE review

Questions people ask

Is Cocos2d-x or O3DE better?
Neither clearly leads. Cocos2d-x starts at Free and O3DE at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cocos2d-x or O3DE?
Cocos2d-x starts at Free and O3DE at Free.
Does Cocos2d-x or O3DE run on more platforms?
Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. O3DE runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox.
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 O3DE is typically brought in for.
What can Cocos2d-x do that O3DE cannot?
Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Animation system, Audio engine. O3DE covers 3D graphics rendering, Modular architecture, Physics engine, Audio system. Both handle Particle effects, Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support.
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