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libGDX vs Adventure Game Studio

libGDX logo

libGDX

Software

Java-based game development framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Adventure Game Studio logo

Adventure Game Studio

Software

Create point-and-click adventure games

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: libGDX libGDX is a Java framework built on OpenGL ES, so projects are tied to the JVM toolchain; 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: libGDX covers Java language support, Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which libGDX and Adventure Game Studio actually diverge.

Attributes where libGDX and Adventure Game Studio differ
AttributelibGDXAdventure Game Studio
Founded20101997

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web), 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 libGDX

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

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
  • Web deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

libGDX

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

Adventure Game Studio

  • Building point-and-click adventure games in a classic Sierra or LucasArts stylenot libGDX
  • Shipping a commercial or freeware adventure game with no licence feenot libGDX
  • Scripting game logic in a Java or C# style language with a built-in debuggernot libGDX

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

libGDX

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

Adventure Game Studio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Built-in script editor
    • Room editor

Which should you pick?

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

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.
Adventure Game Studio review

Questions people ask

Is libGDX or Adventure Game Studio better?
Neither clearly leads. libGDX 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, libGDX or Adventure Game Studio?
libGDX starts at Free and Adventure Game Studio at Free.
Does libGDX or Adventure Game Studio run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use libGDX for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is libGDX best used for?
libGDX is most often used for writing 2d or 3d games in java from a single codebase, publishing a java game to desktop, android, ios and html5, rapid prototyping where an opinionated engine workflow is unwanted. Of those, writing 2d or 3d games in java from a single codebase and publishing a java game to desktop, android, ios and html5 are not what Adventure Game Studio is typically brought in for.
What can libGDX do that Adventure Game Studio cannot?
libGDX covers Java language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Input handling. Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, Room system, Sprite animation, Built-in scripting. Both handle Open-source, Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Web deployment.
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