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Gamesparks vs Stride

Gamesparks logo

Gamesparks

Software

Backend as a service for game development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Stride

Software

Open-source 3D game engine with editor

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; Stride free and open source under MIT license, editor and runtime fully open source with no commercial tier
  • They diverge on capability: Gamesparks covers Real-time features, Stride covers 3D graphics rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gamesparks and Stride actually diverge.

Attributes where Gamesparks and Stride differ
AttributeGamesparksStride
Pricing modelusage-basedfree
PlatformsCross-platformWindows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox
Founded20062015

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 Stride

  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Bullet)
  • Audio system
  • Scene editor
  • Material system
  • Lighting and shadows
  • Skeletal animation
  • Particle effects

What people use each for

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

Gamesparks

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

Stride

  • 3D game developmentnot Gamesparks
  • Console gamesnot Gamesparks
  • Desktop gamesnot 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

Stride

  • Free and open source under MIT license, editor and runtime fully open source with no commercial tier

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

Stride

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • C# scripting
    • 3D graphics

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 Stride if

  • You need 3d graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want physics engine (bullet).
Stride review

Questions people ask

Is Gamesparks or Stride better?
Neither clearly leads. Gamesparks starts at Free and Stride at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gamesparks or Stride?
Gamesparks starts at Free and Stride at Free.
Does Gamesparks or Stride run on more platforms?
Gamesparks runs on Cross-platform. Stride runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
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 Stride is typically brought in for.
What can Gamesparks do that Stride cannot?
Gamesparks covers Real-time features, Multiplayer support, User authentication, Data storage. Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Scene editor.
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