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Game Development · head to head

Lumberyard vs RPG Maker MZ

Lumberyard logo

Lumberyard

Game Development

Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RPG Maker MZ logo

RPG Maker MZ

Game Development

The next generation RPG creation software

From
$99.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Lumberyard has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Lumberyard aWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only; RPG Maker MZ the free version is a 30 day trial only
  • They diverge on capability: Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, RPG Maker MZ covers HTML5 rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lumberyard and RPG Maker MZ actually diverge.

Attributes where Lumberyard and RPG Maker MZ differ
AttributeLumberyardRPG Maker MZ
Starting priceFree$99.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Playstation, Xbox, LinuxWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam
Founded20061945

Identical on both: 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 RPG Maker MZ

  • HTML5 rendering
  • Event system
  • Database editor
  • Pixel art support
  • JavaScript plugins
  • Voice acting support
  • Touch controls
  • Cross-platform

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 RPG Maker MZ
  • Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot RPG Maker MZ
  • Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot RPG Maker MZ

RPG Maker MZ

  • Making 2D tile based role playing games without programmingnot Lumberyard
  • Building games from bundled tilesets, sprites, music and a character generatornot Lumberyard
  • Event driven game logic through menu based scriptingnot Lumberyard

Where each one falls short

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

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

RPG Maker MZ

  • The free version is a 30 day trial only
  • The software cannot be launched or used unless network authentication completes
  • Installation is limited to two user devices, and installing on three or more is prohibited
  • Company support is not offered to any user who has not completed user registration
  • The licence restricts bundled assets to games produced with RPG Maker MZ and prohibits distributing individual assets
  • Distributed games must state in attached documentation that they were made with the software and must display the notice "(c)Gotcha Gotcha Games Inc./YOJI OJIMA 2020"

Pricing, plan by plan

Lumberyard

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

RPG Maker MZ

$99.99/one-time
  • Standard$99.99/one-time
    • Modern HTML5 engine
    • Enhanced graphics
    • JavaScript plugins

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 RPG Maker MZ if

  • You need html5 rendering.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam.
  • You also want event system.
RPG Maker MZ review

Questions people ask

Is Lumberyard or RPG Maker MZ better?
Neither clearly leads. Lumberyard starts at Free and RPG Maker MZ at $99.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Lumberyard or RPG Maker MZ?
Lumberyard has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Lumberyard and $99.99/one-time for RPG Maker MZ.
Does Lumberyard or RPG Maker MZ run on more platforms?
Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. RPG Maker MZ runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam.
Can I use Lumberyard for free?
Yes. Lumberyard has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RPG Maker MZ starts at $99.99/one-time.
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 RPG Maker MZ is typically brought in for.
What can Lumberyard do that RPG Maker MZ cannot?
Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. RPG Maker MZ covers HTML5 rendering, Event system, Database editor, Pixel art support. Both handle 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
RPG Maker MZ: How much does RPG Maker MZ cost?

RPG Maker MZ pricing is not listed on the product overview page. The software can be purchased through the Official Store or Steam platform, both of which would display current pricing.

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
RPG Maker MZ: Does RPG Maker MZ offer a free trial?

Yes, RPG Maker MZ offers a free trial download option available on the product page.

Source
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