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GameMaker Studio 2 vs Unreal Engine VR

GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Software

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Unreal Engine VR logo

Unreal Engine VR

Software

AAA-quality VR development with Unreal Engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Unreal Engine VR steep system requirements with demanding GPU and CPU for rendering high-quality VR experiences
  • They diverge on capability: GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, Unreal Engine VR covers Photorealistic rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GameMaker Studio 2 and Unreal Engine VR actually diverge.

Attributes where GameMaker Studio 2 and Unreal Engine VR differ
AttributeGameMaker Studio 2Unreal Engine VR
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, SwitchWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded19991995

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 Unreal Engine VR

  • Photorealistic rendering
  • Physics simulation
  • Blueprint scripting
  • Motion controllers
  • SteamVR
  • Oculus
  • OpenXR
  • PSVR

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 Unreal Engine VR
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Unreal Engine VR
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Unreal Engine VR

Unreal Engine VR

  • VR Gamingnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • AR Marketingnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Virtual Trainingnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • 3D Visualizationnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Immersive Experiencesnot 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

Unreal Engine VR

  • Steep system requirements with demanding GPU and CPU for rendering high-quality VR experiences
  • Only free with 5% royalty after $1 million in revenue, which may impact indie developers at scale

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

Unreal Engine VR

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Unreal Engine VR review.

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.
GameMaker Studio 2 review

Choose Unreal Engine VR if

  • You need photorealistic rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want physics simulation.
Unreal Engine VR review

Questions people ask

Is GameMaker Studio 2 or Unreal Engine VR better?
Neither clearly leads. GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Unreal Engine VR at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GameMaker Studio 2 or Unreal Engine VR?
GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Unreal Engine VR at Free.
Does GameMaker Studio 2 or Unreal Engine VR run on more platforms?
GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch. Unreal Engine VR runs on Windows, macOS, 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 Unreal Engine VR is typically brought in for.
What can GameMaker Studio 2 do that Unreal Engine VR cannot?
GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Unreal Engine VR covers Photorealistic rendering, Physics simulation, Blueprint scripting, Motion controllers.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Unreal Engine VR: Does Unreal Engine support VR and AR development?

Yes. Unreal Engine provides the highest-quality solution for creating augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) experiences, supporting development for VR, AR, gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices.

Source
Unreal Engine VR: Is Unreal Engine 5 free to use?

Unreal Engine 5 is free for most uses with no upfront cost. If a project earns over $1 million, a 5% royalty applies to future sales.

Source
Unreal Engine VR: What platforms does Unreal Engine support for VR development?

Unreal Engine supports macOS and Linux development with some limitations, though Windows 10 (64-bit) is the primary development platform. It supports VR development targeting various VR headsets.

Source
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