Software · head to head
jMonkeyEngine vs Adventure Game Studio
The short version
- Each has a real cost: jMonkeyEngine jMonkeyEngine is a code-first Java library with no bundled editor; the engine itself ships no scene editor; Adventure Game Studio the AGS editor and IDE run only on Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11), even though built games run on Linux, macOS, Android and iOS
- They diverge on capability: jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering, Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which jMonkeyEngine and Adventure Game Studio actually diverge.
| Attribute | jMonkeyEngine | Adventure Game Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2003 | 1997 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 jMonkeyEngine
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Audio system
- Scene editor
- Material system
- Lighting and shadows
- Skeletal animation
- Particle effects
Only in Adventure Game Studio
- Point-and-click editor
- Room system
- Sprite animation
- Built-in scripting
- Inventory system
- Dialog system
- Audio support
- Resolution scaling
Both cover
- Open-source
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
jMonkeyEngine
- Writing 3D games in Java against a BSD-licensed open source enginenot Adventure Game Studio
- Using the engine as a plain Java library inside an existing Gradle or Maven buildnot Adventure Game Studio
- Building desktop 3D applications with LWJGL renderingnot Adventure Game Studio
Adventure Game Studio
- Building point-and-click adventure games in a classic Sierra or LucasArts stylenot jMonkeyEngine
- Shipping a commercial or freeware adventure game with no licence feenot jMonkeyEngine
- Scripting game logic in a Java or C# style language with a built-in debuggernot jMonkeyEngine
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
jMonkeyEngine
- jMonkeyEngine is a code-first Java library with no bundled editor; the engine itself ships no scene editor
- The optional jMonkeyEngine SDK is a NetBeans-based tool maintained separately from the engine, so it lags the engine release cycle
- Projects must be written in Java and wired up through Gradle, Maven or a hand-rolled build
- Choosing the DIY route means providing your own build, source layout, editor, runtime packaging and workflow
- Support runs through community Discussions and Discord rather than a vendor channel
Adventure Game Studio
- The AGS editor and IDE run only on Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11), even though built games run on Linux, macOS, Android and iOS
- The editor requires the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, and .NET Framework 4.5 on Windows 7 and Vista
- Video playback supports only FLC and OGV (Ogg Theora) and is full-screen only; AVI and WMV support was dropped after version 3.6.0 and existed only on Windows builds
- MSSCCI source control integration was discontinued in version 3.6.0
- Graphics drivers are limited to Direct3D 9 and OpenGL
- Audio format support is limited to OGG, MP3, WAV, MOD, XM and MIDI
- Support is community-only through forums and Discord, with no vendor support channel
Pricing, plan by plan
jMonkeyEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Java support
- 3D graphics
Adventure Game Studio
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Built-in script editor
- Room editor
Which should you pick?
Choose jMonkeyEngine if
- You need 3d graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- You also want physics engine (bullet).
Choose Adventure Game Studio if
- You need point-and-click editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want room system.
Questions people ask
- Is jMonkeyEngine or Adventure Game Studio better?
- Neither clearly leads. jMonkeyEngine starts at Free and Adventure Game Studio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, jMonkeyEngine or Adventure Game Studio?
- jMonkeyEngine starts at Free and Adventure Game Studio at Free.
- Does jMonkeyEngine or Adventure Game Studio run on more platforms?
- jMonkeyEngine runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. Adventure Game Studio runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use jMonkeyEngine for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is jMonkeyEngine best used for?
- jMonkeyEngine is most often used for writing 3d games in java against a bsd-licensed open source engine, using the engine as a plain java library inside an existing gradle or maven build, building desktop 3d applications with lwjgl rendering. Of those, writing 3d games in java against a bsd-licensed open source engine and using the engine as a plain java library inside an existing gradle or maven build are not what Adventure Game Studio is typically brought in for.
- What can jMonkeyEngine do that Adventure Game Studio cannot?
- jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Scene editor. Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, Room system, Sprite animation, Built-in scripting. Both handle Open-source, Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support.