Software · head to head
CryEngine vs GameMaker Studio 2
CryEngine
Software
Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
GameMaker Studio 2
Software
The fastest way to create games. For everyone.
- 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; 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: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CryEngine and GameMaker Studio 2 actually diverge.
| Attribute | CryEngine | GameMaker Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (1999).
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
- Physics engine
- AI system
- Animation tools
- Flow Graph visual scripting
- C++ and Lua support
- Entity component system
- Sandbox editor
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
- Local deployment
- Console 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 GameMaker Studio 2
- Developing with full engine source code accessnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot GameMaker Studio 2
GameMaker Studio 2
- Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot CryEngine
- Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot CryEngine
- Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot 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
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
CryEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine access
- Source code
- Asset library
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 CryEngine if
- You need advanced graphics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- You also want physics engine.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is CryEngine or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
- Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CryEngine or GameMaker Studio 2?
- CryEngine starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free.
- Does CryEngine or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
- CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
- 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 GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
- What can CryEngine do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
- CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Both handle Local deployment, Console deployment, Windows support.