Game Development · head to head
Godot Engine vs Lumberyard
Godot Engine
Game Development
Free and open-source 2D and 3D game engine
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Lumberyard
Game Development
Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Godot Engine no royalties or licensing fees, but requires self-hosting and maintenance of the engine builds; Lumberyard aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product
- They diverge on capability: Godot Engine covers Scene system, Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Godot Engine and Lumberyard actually diverge.
| Attribute | Godot Engine | Lumberyard |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | free |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux |
| Founded | 2007 | 2006 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development).
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 Godot Engine
- Scene system
- GDScript language
- Visual shader editor
- 2D and 3D rendering
- Physics engine
- Built-in animation tools
- Debugging tools
- Asset library
Only in Lumberyard
- CryEngine foundation
- Lua scripting
- Flowgraph editor
- Advanced graphics
- Physics simulation
- AWS GameLift integration
- Multiplayer support
- VR capabilities
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Console deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Godot Engine
- 2D game developmentnot Lumberyard
- 3D game developmentnot Lumberyard
- Cross-platform game deploymentnot Lumberyard
- VFX and simulation projectsnot Lumberyard
Lumberyard
- Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot Godot Engine
- Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot Godot Engine
- Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot Godot Engine
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Godot Engine
- No royalties or licensing fees, but requires self-hosting and maintenance of the engine builds
- Console export support exists but requires additional SDK setup and licensing with each console manufacturer separately
Lumberyard
- aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product
- The engine's successor is the Open 3D Engine, governed by the Open 3D Foundation rather than AWS, so migration means moving to a differently governed project
- No Lumberyard-branded documentation, download or support commitment remains at the original AWS product URL
Pricing, plan by plan
Godot Engine
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Godot Engine review.
Lumberyard
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- AWS integration
- Lua scripting
Which should you pick?
Choose Godot Engine if
- You need scene system.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles.
- You also want gdscript language.
Choose Lumberyard if
- You need cryengine foundation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- You also want lua scripting.
Questions people ask
- Is Godot Engine or Lumberyard better?
- Neither clearly leads. Godot Engine starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Godot Engine or Lumberyard?
- Godot Engine starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free.
- Does Godot Engine or Lumberyard run on more platforms?
- Godot Engine runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles. Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- Can I use Godot Engine for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Godot Engine best used for?
- Godot Engine is most often used for 2d game development, 3d game development, cross-platform game deployment, vfx and simulation projects. Of those, 2d game development and 3d game development are not what Lumberyard is typically brought in for.
- What can Godot Engine do that Lumberyard cannot?
- Godot Engine covers Scene system, GDScript language, Visual shader editor, 2D and 3D rendering. Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. Both handle Local deployment, Console deployment, Windows support.