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Gamesparks vs DragonBones

Gamesparks logo

Gamesparks

Software

Backend as a service for game development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Gamesparks aWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
  • They diverge on capability: Gamesparks covers Real-time features, DragonBones covers Skeletal animation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gamesparks and DragonBones actually diverge.

Attributes where Gamesparks and DragonBones differ
AttributeGamesparksDragonBones
Pricing modelusage-basedopen-source
PlatformsCross-platformEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator
Founded20062014

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 Gamesparks

  • Real-time features
  • Multiplayer support
  • User authentication
  • Data storage
  • Matchmaking
  • WebSocket support
  • Cloud integration
  • Analytics

Only in DragonBones

  • Skeletal animation
  • Mesh deformation
  • IK system
  • Texture atlas
  • Animation blending
  • Bone constraints
  • FFD
  • Multi-resolution

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Gamesparks

  • Multiplayer gamesnot DragonBones
  • Real-time gamesnot DragonBones
  • Cloud gamingnot DragonBones
  • Game analyticsnot DragonBones

DragonBones

  • 2D skeletal animation for JavaScript and TypeScript game enginesnot Gamesparks
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Gamesparks
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Gamesparks

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Gamesparks

  • AWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date

DragonBones

  • JavaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)

Pricing, plan by plan

Gamesparks

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 1M API requests
    • 1M CloudWatch logs
    • Free for first year
  • Pay-as-you-go$0.01/request
    • Unlimited API requests
    • Real-time multiplayer
    • CloudWatch integration

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Gamesparks if

  • You need real-time features.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cross-platform.
  • You also want multiplayer support.
Gamesparks review

Choose DragonBones if

  • You need skeletal animation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
  • You also want mesh deformation.
DragonBones review

Questions people ask

Is Gamesparks or DragonBones better?
Neither clearly leads. Gamesparks starts at Free and DragonBones at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gamesparks or DragonBones?
Gamesparks starts at Free and DragonBones at Free.
Does Gamesparks or DragonBones run on more platforms?
Gamesparks runs on Cross-platform. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
Can I use Gamesparks for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Gamesparks best used for?
Gamesparks is most often used for multiplayer games, real-time games, cloud gaming, game analytics. Of those, multiplayer games and real-time games are not what DragonBones is typically brought in for.
What can Gamesparks do that DragonBones cannot?
Gamesparks covers Real-time features, Multiplayer support, User authentication, Data storage. DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas.
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