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CryEngine vs Magic Leap 2

CryEngine logo

CryEngine

Software

Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Magic Leap 2 logo

Magic Leap 2

Software

Enterprise AR headset for transformative experiences

From
$3299/unit
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CryEngine has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE; Magic Leap 2 3.5-hour battery life limits all-day usage in professional environments without battery swaps or tethered power
  • They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Magic Leap 2 covers 70-degree FOV.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CryEngine and Magic Leap 2 actually diverge.

Attributes where CryEngine and Magic Leap 2 differ
AttributeCryEngineMagic Leap 2
Starting priceFree$3299/unit
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Playstation, Xbox, LinuxLuminOS, Web
Founded19992010

Identical on both: 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
  • Physics engine
  • AI system
  • Animation tools
  • Flow Graph visual scripting
  • C++ and Lua support
  • Entity component system
  • Sandbox editor

Only in Magic Leap 2

  • 70-degree FOV
  • Dynamic dimming
  • Segmented dimming
  • Eye tracking
  • Enterprise SDKs
  • Cloud services
  • Custom apps
  • Ar 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 Magic Leap 2
  • Developing with full engine source code accessnot Magic Leap 2
  • Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot Magic Leap 2

Magic Leap 2

  • VR Gamingnot CryEngine
  • AR Marketingnot CryEngine
  • Virtual Trainingnot CryEngine
  • 3D Visualizationnot CryEngine
  • Immersive Experiencesnot 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

Magic Leap 2

  • 3.5-hour battery life limits all-day usage in professional environments without battery swaps or tethered power
  • 70x55 degree field of view is narrower than competitors like Meta Quest (100+ degrees), creating tunnel vision effect
  • Limited app ecosystem compared to Windows Holographic alternatives like HoloLens 2
  • Waveguide display is transparent by design, unsuitable for fully immersive content experiences

Pricing, plan by plan

CryEngine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine access
    • Source code
    • Asset library

Magic Leap 2

$3299/unit

No published plan breakdown. See the Magic Leap 2 review.

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.
CryEngine review

Choose Magic Leap 2 if

  • You need 70-degree fov.
  • You work on LuminOS, Web.
  • You also want dynamic dimming.
Magic Leap 2 review

Questions people ask

Is CryEngine or Magic Leap 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and Magic Leap 2 at $3299/unit, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CryEngine or Magic Leap 2?
CryEngine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CryEngine and $3299/unit for Magic Leap 2.
Does CryEngine or Magic Leap 2 run on more platforms?
CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. Magic Leap 2 runs on LuminOS, Web.
Can I use CryEngine for free?
Yes. CryEngine has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Magic Leap 2 starts at $3299/unit.
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 Magic Leap 2 is typically brought in for.
What can CryEngine do that Magic Leap 2 cannot?
CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. Magic Leap 2 covers 70-degree FOV, Dynamic dimming, Segmented dimming, Eye tracking.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Magic Leap 2: What is the resolution of Magic Leap 2?

Magic Leap 2 features 1440 x 1760 pixels per eye resolution with approximately 70x55 degree field of view.

Source
Magic Leap 2: How long is the battery life on Magic Leap 2?

Magic Leap 2 offers up to 3.5 hours of continuous battery life on a single charge, limiting full-shift deployments without battery swapping.

Source
Magic Leap 2: What is the price of Magic Leap 2?

Magic Leap 2 costs approximately $3,299, positioning it as an enterprise-focused solution with no consumer market path.

Source
Magic Leap 2: What operating system does Magic Leap 2 run?

Magic Leap 2 runs LuminOS, an Android-based operating system that integrates with standard enterprise management tools.

Source
Magic Leap 2: What is the weight and form factor of Magic Leap 2?

Magic Leap 2 headset weighs 248 grams and uses a split-system architecture with a tethered compute pack, creating cable management considerations.

Source
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