Game Development · head to head
Lumberyard vs AppGameKit
Lumberyard
Game Development
Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Lumberyard aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product; AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- They diverge on capability: Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Lumberyard and AppGameKit actually diverge.
| Attribute | Lumberyard | AppGameKit |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos |
| Category | Unknown | Game Development |
| Founded | 2006 | 2004 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).
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 Lumberyard
- CryEngine foundation
- Lua scripting
- Flowgraph editor
- Advanced graphics
- Physics simulation
- AWS GameLift integration
- Multiplayer support
- VR capabilities
Only in AppGameKit
- BASIC-like scripting
- Visual sprite editor
- Physics engine
- Sound and music
- Particle effects
- Tile support
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in debugger
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Lumberyard
- Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot AppGameKit
- Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot AppGameKit
- Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot AppGameKit
AppGameKit
- 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot Lumberyard
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot Lumberyard
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot Lumberyard
- Prototyping small games quicklynot Lumberyard
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
AppGameKit
- Exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- The price is not shown on the product page and the product is sold through Steam
- The vendor describes it as their last outing for traditional programming languages before AI-driven development, which is a poor signal for long-term support
- appgamekit.com now redirects into the darkbasic.com site
Pricing, plan by plan
Lumberyard
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- AWS integration
- Lua scripting
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose AppGameKit if
- You need basic-like scripting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- You also want visual sprite editor.
Questions people ask
- Is Lumberyard or AppGameKit better?
- Neither clearly leads. Lumberyard starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Lumberyard or AppGameKit?
- Lumberyard starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free.
- Does Lumberyard or AppGameKit run on more platforms?
- Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- Can I use Lumberyard for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Lumberyard best used for?
- Lumberyard is most often used for building 3d games with an aws-integrated engine, cloud-connected multiplayer game backends, twitch integration for streamed gameplay features. Of those, building 3d games with an aws-integrated engine and cloud-connected multiplayer game backends are not what AppGameKit is typically brought in for.
- What can Lumberyard do that AppGameKit cannot?
- Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Physics engine, Sound and music. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.