Software · head to head
CryEngine vs AppGameKit
CryEngine
Software
Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE; AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CryEngine and AppGameKit actually diverge.
| Attribute | CryEngine | AppGameKit |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos |
| Founded | 1999 | 2004 |
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 CryEngine
- Advanced graphics
- AI system
- Animation tools
- Flow Graph visual scripting
- C++ and Lua support
- Entity component system
- Sandbox editor
- Visual Studio
Only in AppGameKit
- BASIC-like scripting
- Visual sprite editor
- Sound and music
- Particle effects
- Tile support
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in debugger
- Visual Studio Code
Both cover
- Physics engine
- Local deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CryEngine
- Building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illuminationnot AppGameKit
- Developing with full engine source code accessnot AppGameKit
- Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot AppGameKit
AppGameKit
- 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot CryEngine
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot CryEngine
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot CryEngine
- Prototyping small games quicklynot CryEngine
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
AppGameKit
- Exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- The price is not shown on the product page and the product is sold through Steam
- The vendor describes it as their last outing for traditional programming languages before AI-driven development, which is a poor signal for long-term support
- appgamekit.com now redirects into the darkbasic.com site
Pricing, plan by plan
CryEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine access
- Source code
- Asset library
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
Which should you pick?
Choose CryEngine if
- You need advanced graphics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- You also want ai system.
Choose AppGameKit if
- You need basic-like scripting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- You also want visual sprite editor.
Questions people ask
- Is CryEngine or AppGameKit better?
- Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CryEngine or AppGameKit?
- CryEngine starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free.
- Does CryEngine or AppGameKit run on more platforms?
- CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- Can I use CryEngine for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is CryEngine best used for?
- CryEngine is most often used for building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illumination, developing with full engine source code access, sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get export. Of those, building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illumination and developing with full engine source code access are not what AppGameKit is typically brought in for.
- What can CryEngine do that AppGameKit cannot?
- CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, AI system, Animation tools, Flow Graph visual scripting. AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Sound and music, Particle effects. Both handle Physics engine, Local deployment, Windows support.