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Game Development · head to head

Lumberyard vs DragonBones

Lumberyard logo

Lumberyard

Game Development

Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
D

DragonBones

Game Development

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
  • They diverge on capability: Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, DragonBones covers Skeletal animation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lumberyard and DragonBones actually diverge.

Attributes where Lumberyard and DragonBones differ
AttributeLumberyardDragonBones
Pricing modelfreeopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Playstation, Xbox, LinuxEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator
Founded20062014

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 Lumberyard

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

Only in DragonBones

  • Skeletal animation
  • Mesh deformation
  • IK system
  • Texture atlas
  • Animation blending
  • Bone constraints
  • FFD
  • Multi-resolution

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 DragonBones
  • Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot DragonBones
  • Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot DragonBones

DragonBones

  • 2D skeletal animation for JavaScript and TypeScript game enginesnot Lumberyard
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Lumberyard
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot 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

DragonBones

  • JavaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)

Pricing, plan by plan

Lumberyard

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

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

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.
Lumberyard review

Choose DragonBones if

  • You need skeletal animation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
  • You also want mesh deformation.
DragonBones review

Questions people ask

Is Lumberyard or DragonBones better?
Neither clearly leads. Lumberyard starts at Free and DragonBones at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Lumberyard or DragonBones?
Lumberyard starts at Free and DragonBones at Free.
Does Lumberyard or DragonBones run on more platforms?
Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
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 DragonBones is typically brought in for.
What can Lumberyard do that DragonBones cannot?
Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.
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