Software · head to head
GameMaker Studio 2 vs Lumberyard
GameMaker Studio 2
Software
The fastest way to create games. For everyone.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Lumberyard
Software
Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GameMaker Studio 2 the free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99; Lumberyard aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product
- They diverge on capability: GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GameMaker Studio 2 and Lumberyard actually diverge.
| Attribute | GameMaker Studio 2 | Lumberyard |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux |
| Founded | 1999 | 2006 |
Identical on both: starting price (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 GameMaker Studio 2
- Drag-and-drop interface
- GML programming language
- Sprite editor
- Animation frames
- Sound editor
- Room editor
- Particle effects
- Physics system
Only in Lumberyard
- CryEngine foundation
- Lua scripting
- Flowgraph editor
- Advanced graphics
- Physics simulation
- AWS GameLift integration
- Multiplayer support
- VR capabilities
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Console deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
GameMaker Studio 2
- Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot Lumberyard
- Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Lumberyard
- Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Lumberyard
Lumberyard
- Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot GameMaker Studio 2
- Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot GameMaker Studio 2
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Lumberyard
- aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product
- The engine's successor is the Open 3D Engine, governed by the Open 3D Foundation rather than AWS, so migration means moving to a differently governed project
- No Lumberyard-branded documentation, download or support commitment remains at the original AWS product URL
Pricing, plan by plan
GameMaker Studio 2
Free- FreeFree
- Desktop game creation
- Community support
- Standard export options
- Pro$99/year
- All Free features
- Advanced export modules
- Mobile platforms
Lumberyard
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- AWS integration
- Lua scripting
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Lumberyard if
- You need cryengine foundation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- You also want lua scripting.
Questions people ask
- Is GameMaker Studio 2 or Lumberyard better?
- Neither clearly leads. GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GameMaker Studio 2 or Lumberyard?
- GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free.
- Does GameMaker Studio 2 or Lumberyard run on more platforms?
- GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch. Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- Can I use GameMaker Studio 2 for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is GameMaker Studio 2 best used for?
- GameMaker Studio 2 is most often used for building 2d games for desktop, web and mobile, indie game development with a drag and drop and gml scripting workflow, publishing to consoles under an enterprise subscription. Of those, building 2d games for desktop, web and mobile and indie game development with a drag and drop and gml scripting workflow are not what Lumberyard is typically brought in for.
- What can GameMaker Studio 2 do that Lumberyard cannot?
- GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. Both handle Local deployment, Console deployment, Windows support.