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Gamesparks vs libGDX

Gamesparks logo

Gamesparks

Software

Backend as a service for game development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
libGDX logo

libGDX

Software

Java-based game development framework

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; libGDX libGDX is a Java framework built on OpenGL ES, so projects are tied to the JVM toolchain
  • They diverge on capability: Gamesparks covers Real-time features, libGDX covers Java language support.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gamesparks and libGDX actually diverge.

Attributes where Gamesparks and libGDX differ
AttributeGamesparkslibGDX
Pricing modelusage-basedfree
PlatformsCross-platformWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded20062010

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 libGDX

  • Java language support
  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio engine
  • Input handling
  • Physics integration (Box2D)
  • Particle effects
  • Animation system
  • 2D and 3D rendering

What people use each for

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

Gamesparks

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

libGDX

  • Writing 2D or 3D games in Java from a single codebasenot Gamesparks
  • Publishing a Java game to desktop, Android, iOS and HTML5not Gamesparks
  • Rapid prototyping where an opinionated engine workflow is unwantednot 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

libGDX

  • libGDX is a Java framework built on OpenGL ES, so projects are tied to the JVM toolchain
  • Publishing targets are limited to Windows, macOS, Linux including Raspberry Pi, Android, iOS and HTML5
  • libGDX is a community-maintained Apache 2.0 project with no vendor and no paid support tier
  • libGDX ships as a framework rather than an editor, so there is no visual scene editor included

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

libGDX

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • Java support
    • Cross-platform

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 libGDX if

  • You need java language support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want graphics rendering.
libGDX review

Questions people ask

Is Gamesparks or libGDX better?
Neither clearly leads. Gamesparks starts at Free and libGDX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gamesparks or libGDX?
Gamesparks starts at Free and libGDX at Free.
Does Gamesparks or libGDX run on more platforms?
Gamesparks runs on Cross-platform. libGDX runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
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 libGDX is typically brought in for.
What can Gamesparks do that libGDX cannot?
Gamesparks covers Real-time features, Multiplayer support, User authentication, Data storage. libGDX covers Java language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Input handling.
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