Game Development · head to head
CryEngine vs jMonkeyEngine
CryEngine
Game Development
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; jMonkeyEngine jMonkeyEngine is a code-first Java library with no bundled editor; the engine itself ships no scene editor
- They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CryEngine and jMonkeyEngine actually diverge.
| Attribute | CryEngine | jMonkeyEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android |
| Founded | 1999 | 2003 |
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 CryEngine
- Advanced graphics
- Physics engine
- AI system
- Animation tools
- Flow Graph visual scripting
- C++ and Lua support
- Entity component system
- Sandbox editor
Only in jMonkeyEngine
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Audio system
- Scene editor
- Material system
- Lighting and shadows
- Skeletal animation
- Particle effects
Both cover
- 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 jMonkeyEngine
- Developing with full engine source code accessnot jMonkeyEngine
- Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot jMonkeyEngine
jMonkeyEngine
- Writing 3D games in Java against a BSD-licensed open source enginenot CryEngine
- Using the engine as a plain Java library inside an existing Gradle or Maven buildnot CryEngine
- Building desktop 3D applications with LWJGL renderingnot 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
jMonkeyEngine
- jMonkeyEngine is a code-first Java library with no bundled editor; the engine itself ships no scene editor
- The optional jMonkeyEngine SDK is a NetBeans-based tool maintained separately from the engine, so it lags the engine release cycle
- Projects must be written in Java and wired up through Gradle, Maven or a hand-rolled build
- Choosing the DIY route means providing your own build, source layout, editor, runtime packaging and workflow
- Support runs through community Discussions and Discord rather than a vendor channel
Pricing, plan by plan
CryEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine access
- Source code
- Asset library
jMonkeyEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Java support
- 3D graphics
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 jMonkeyEngine if
- You need 3d graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- You also want physics engine (bullet).
Questions people ask
- Is CryEngine or jMonkeyEngine better?
- Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and jMonkeyEngine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CryEngine or jMonkeyEngine?
- CryEngine starts at Free and jMonkeyEngine at Free.
- Does CryEngine or jMonkeyEngine run on more platforms?
- CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. jMonkeyEngine runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- 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 jMonkeyEngine is typically brought in for.
- What can CryEngine do that jMonkeyEngine cannot?
- CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Scene editor. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.