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RPG Maker MV vs Adventure Game Studio

RPG Maker MV logo

RPG Maker MV

Software

Create 2D RPGs with ease. The perfect tool for indie developers

From
$79.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Adventure Game Studio logo

Adventure Game Studio

Software

Create point-and-click adventure games

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Adventure Game Studio has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: RPG Maker MV the free version is a 30 day trial only; Adventure Game Studio the AGS editor and IDE run only on Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11), even though built games run on Linux, macOS, Android and iOS
  • They diverge on capability: RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system, Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RPG Maker MV and Adventure Game Studio actually diverge.

Attributes where RPG Maker MV and Adventure Game Studio differ
AttributeRPG Maker MVAdventure Game Studio
Starting price$79.99/one-timeFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
Founded19451997

Identical on both: platforms (Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 RPG Maker MV

  • Event-based system
  • Database editor
  • Tilemap editor
  • Sprite animations
  • JavaScript support
  • Plugin system
  • Built-in music library
  • NPC dialogue system

Only in Adventure Game Studio

  • Point-and-click editor
  • Room system
  • Sprite animation
  • Built-in scripting
  • Inventory system
  • Dialog system
  • Audio support
  • Resolution scaling

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

RPG Maker MV

  • Making 2D role playing games and exporting to Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and HTML5not Adventure Game Studio
  • Beginner game development with bundled art, audio and a database driven editornot Adventure Game Studio
  • Side view battle system RPGs with mouse and touch inputnot Adventure Game Studio

Adventure Game Studio

  • Building point-and-click adventure games in a classic Sierra or LucasArts stylenot RPG Maker MV
  • Shipping a commercial or freeware adventure game with no licence feenot RPG Maker MV
  • Scripting game logic in a Java or C# style language with a built-in debuggernot RPG Maker MV

Where each one falls short

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

RPG Maker MV

  • The free version is a 30 day trial only
  • The licence restricts bundled company materials to games created with the software and prohibits distributing them independently or combined with other programs
  • Distributed games must indicate in attached documentation that they were created using the software and carry the Gotcha Gotcha Games statement of rights
  • Extracting or modifying the bundled programs or assets out of a released game is prohibited
  • Installing and using the software on three or more user devices is prohibited

Adventure Game Studio

  • The AGS editor and IDE run only on Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11), even though built games run on Linux, macOS, Android and iOS
  • The editor requires the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, and .NET Framework 4.5 on Windows 7 and Vista
  • Video playback supports only FLC and OGV (Ogg Theora) and is full-screen only; AVI and WMV support was dropped after version 3.6.0 and existed only on Windows builds
  • MSSCCI source control integration was discontinued in version 3.6.0
  • Graphics drivers are limited to Direct3D 9 and OpenGL
  • Audio format support is limited to OGG, MP3, WAV, MOD, XM and MIDI
  • Support is community-only through forums and Discord, with no vendor support channel

Pricing, plan by plan

RPG Maker MV

$79.99/one-time
  • Standard$79.99/one-time
    • Full editor access
    • Unlimited projects
    • Asset library

Adventure Game Studio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Built-in script editor
    • Room editor

Which should you pick?

Choose RPG Maker MV if

  • You need event-based system.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want database editor.
RPG Maker MV review

Choose Adventure Game Studio if

  • You need point-and-click editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want room system.
Adventure Game Studio review

Questions people ask

Is RPG Maker MV or Adventure Game Studio better?
Neither clearly leads. RPG Maker MV starts at $79.99/one-time and Adventure Game Studio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RPG Maker MV or Adventure Game Studio?
Adventure Game Studio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $79.99/one-time for RPG Maker MV and Free for Adventure Game Studio.
Does RPG Maker MV or Adventure Game Studio run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Adventure Game Studio for free?
Yes. Adventure Game Studio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RPG Maker MV starts at $79.99/one-time.
What is RPG Maker MV best used for?
RPG Maker MV is most often used for making 2d role playing games and exporting to windows, macos, android, ios and html5, beginner game development with bundled art, audio and a database driven editor, side view battle system rpgs with mouse and touch input. Of those, making 2d role playing games and exporting to windows, macos, android, ios and html5 and beginner game development with bundled art, audio and a database driven editor are not what Adventure Game Studio is typically brought in for.
What can RPG Maker MV do that Adventure Game Studio cannot?
RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system, Database editor, Tilemap editor, Sprite animations. Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, Room system, Sprite animation, Built-in scripting. Both handle GitHub, Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment.
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