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Game Development · head to head

LÖVE vs Lumberyard

LÖVE logo

LÖVE

Game Development

Framework for making 2D games in Lua

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lumberyard logo

Lumberyard

Game Development

Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LÖVE lOVE is a 2D-only framework, with no 3D pipeline; Lumberyard aWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only
  • They diverge on capability: LÖVE covers Graphics rendering, Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LÖVE and Lumberyard actually diverge.

Attributes where LÖVE and Lumberyard differ
AttributeLÖVELumberyard
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux
Founded20082006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 LÖVE

  • Graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Box2D)
  • Audio support
  • Input handling
  • File I/O
  • Vector math
  • Animation support
  • Lua

Only in Lumberyard

  • CryEngine foundation
  • Flowgraph editor
  • Advanced graphics
  • Physics simulation
  • AWS GameLift integration
  • Multiplayer support
  • VR capabilities
  • AWS services

Both cover

  • Lua scripting
  • Local deployment
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

LÖVE

  • Making 2D games in Luanot Lumberyard
  • Rapid prototyping of 2D gameplaynot Lumberyard
  • Shipping small 2D games to desktop and mobile from one Lua codebasenot Lumberyard

Lumberyard

  • Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot LÖVE
  • Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot LÖVE
  • Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot LÖVE

Where each one falls short

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

LÖVE

  • LOVE is a 2D-only framework, with no 3D pipeline
  • Games must be written in Lua, with no other supported scripting language
  • Supported platforms are limited to Windows Vista and later, macOS 10.11 and later, Linux, Android and iOS
  • The iOS build is distributed as source and libraries rather than a ready installer
  • There is no commercial support offering; help is through community forums, Discord and a subreddit

Lumberyard

  • AWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only
  • Production use requires pay-as-you-go costs that scale with usage
  • Exact pricing depends on specific AWS services consumed and usage levels

Pricing, plan by plan

LÖVE

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • Lua scripting
    • Cross-platform support

Lumberyard

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine source
    • AWS integration
    • Lua scripting

Which should you pick?

Choose LÖVE if

  • You need graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want physics engine (box2d).
LÖVE review

Choose Lumberyard if

  • You need cryengine foundation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
  • You also want flowgraph editor.
Lumberyard review

Questions people ask

Is LÖVE or Lumberyard better?
Neither clearly leads. LÖVE 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, LÖVE or Lumberyard?
LÖVE starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free.
Does LÖVE or Lumberyard run on more platforms?
LÖVE runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
Can I use LÖVE for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is LÖVE best used for?
LÖVE is most often used for making 2d games in lua, rapid prototyping of 2d gameplay, shipping small 2d games to desktop and mobile from one lua codebase. Of those, making 2d games in lua and rapid prototyping of 2d gameplay are not what Lumberyard is typically brought in for.
What can LÖVE do that Lumberyard cannot?
LÖVE covers Graphics rendering, Physics engine (Box2D), Audio support, Input handling. Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics, Physics simulation. Both handle Lua scripting, Local deployment, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lumberyard: Does AWS Lumberyard cost money?

AWS Lumberyard is not free for production use. The service offers a free tier for getting started, hands-on experience, and development. Production deployments use AWS's pay-as-you-go pricing model where costs scale with your usage.

Source
Lumberyard: How is AWS Lumberyard priced?

Lumberyard uses AWS's flexible consumption-based pricing. Customers can use the free tier to explore services, then pay for what they use in production. AWS also offers Savings Plans for lower prices on committed usage.

Source
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