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Game Development · head to head

GameMaker Studio 2 vs Lumberyard

GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Game Development

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

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: GameMaker Studio 2 the free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99; Lumberyard aWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only
  • They diverge on capability: GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GameMaker Studio 2 and Lumberyard actually diverge.

Attributes where GameMaker Studio 2 and Lumberyard differ
AttributeGameMaker Studio 2Lumberyard
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, SwitchWindows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux
Founded19992006

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 GameMaker Studio 2

  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • GML programming language
  • Sprite editor
  • Animation frames
  • Sound editor
  • Room editor
  • Particle effects
  • Physics system

Only in Lumberyard

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

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Console deployment
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

GameMaker Studio 2

  • Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot Lumberyard
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Lumberyard
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Lumberyard

Lumberyard

  • Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot GameMaker Studio 2

Where each one falls short

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

GameMaker Studio 2

  • The free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • Console exports are available only on the Enterprise subscription, which is billed at $79.49 per month
  • Source code access is limited to the Enterprise tier
  • Older Creator and Indie subscriptions are no longer renewed when the licence expires
  • Owners of a permanent GameMaker Studio 2 licence get no discount toward current licences

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

GameMaker Studio 2

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Desktop game creation
    • Community support
    • Standard export options
  • Pro$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Advanced export modules
    • Mobile platforms

Lumberyard

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

Which should you pick?

Choose GameMaker Studio 2 if

  • You need drag-and-drop interface.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
  • You also want gml programming language.
GameMaker Studio 2 review

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

Questions people ask

Is GameMaker Studio 2 or Lumberyard better?
Neither clearly leads. GameMaker Studio 2 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, GameMaker Studio 2 or Lumberyard?
GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free.
Does GameMaker Studio 2 or Lumberyard run on more platforms?
GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch. Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
Can I use GameMaker Studio 2 for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GameMaker Studio 2 best used for?
GameMaker Studio 2 is most often used for building 2d games for desktop, web and mobile, indie game development with a drag and drop and gml scripting workflow, publishing to consoles under an enterprise subscription. Of those, building 2d games for desktop, web and mobile and indie game development with a drag and drop and gml scripting workflow are not what Lumberyard is typically brought in for.
What can GameMaker Studio 2 do that Lumberyard cannot?
GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. Both handle Local deployment, Console 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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