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GameMaker Studio 2 vs Wwise

GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Software

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wwise logo

Wwise

Software

The most advanced audio middleware for games

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; Wwise tier eligibility is set by production budget: the free Indie plan requires a production budget under $250K
  • They diverge on capability: GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, Wwise covers Wwise Authoring.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GameMaker Studio 2 and Wwise actually diverge.

Attributes where GameMaker Studio 2 and Wwise differ
AttributeGameMaker Studio 2Wwise
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, SwitchWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Consoles
Founded19992000

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Wwise

  • Wwise Authoring
  • Interactive music
  • 3D audio
  • Spatial audio
  • Ambisonics
  • Profiling
  • Plugin architecture
  • SoundSeed

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios 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 Wwise
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Wwise
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Wwise

Wwise

  • Authoring interactive and adaptive game audio outside the game enginenot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Managing large sound banks and per-platform audio buildsnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Profiling runtime audio memory and voice counts on console targetsnot 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

Wwise

  • Tier eligibility is set by production budget: the free Indie plan requires a production budget under $250K
  • A production budget between $250K and $2M requires the Pro plan, starting at $8,000 US
  • A production budget above $2M requires the Premium plan, starting at $27,000 US, or Platinum starting at $52,000 US
  • Licence pricing is per title and per platform rather than a flat studio fee, and the headline figures are starting prices
  • Premium plug-ins and the Wwise DLC licence are optional paid add-ons on Pro and Premium rather than included
  • Source code access is only available with a support package
  • On the free Indie plan there is no paid support option at all, only community Q and A
  • Royalty-free status is optional rather than automatic on the Pro plan

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

Wwise

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 500 media assets
    • All features
    • Non-commercial use
  • Commercial$750/platform
    • Unlimited assets
    • Commercial use
    • Priority support

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 Wwise if

  • You need wwise authoring.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Consoles.
  • You also want interactive music.
Wwise review

Questions people ask

Is GameMaker Studio 2 or Wwise better?
Neither clearly leads. GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Wwise at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GameMaker Studio 2 or Wwise?
GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Wwise at Free.
Does GameMaker Studio 2 or Wwise run on more platforms?
GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch. Wwise runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Consoles.
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 Wwise is typically brought in for.
What can GameMaker Studio 2 do that Wwise cannot?
GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Wwise covers Wwise Authoring, Interactive music, 3D audio, Spatial audio. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.
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