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RPG Maker MZ vs Adventure Game Studio

RPG Maker MZ logo

RPG Maker MZ

Software

The next generation RPG creation software

From
$99.99/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 MZ 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 MZ covers HTML5 rendering, Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where RPG Maker MZ and Adventure Game Studio differ
AttributeRPG Maker MZAdventure Game Studio
Starting price$99.99/one-timeFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, SteamWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded19451997

Identical on both: 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 MZ

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

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

What people use each for

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

RPG Maker MZ

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

Adventure Game Studio

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

Where each one falls short

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

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"

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 MZ

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

Adventure Game Studio

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

Which should you pick?

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

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 MZ or Adventure Game Studio better?
Neither clearly leads. RPG Maker MZ starts at $99.99/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 MZ or Adventure Game Studio?
Adventure Game Studio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99.99/one-time for RPG Maker MZ and Free for Adventure Game Studio.
Does RPG Maker MZ or Adventure Game Studio run on more platforms?
RPG Maker MZ runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam. Adventure Game Studio runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
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 MZ starts at $99.99/one-time.
What is RPG Maker MZ best used for?
RPG Maker MZ is most often used for making 2d tile based role playing games without programming, building games from bundled tilesets, sprites, music and a character generator, event driven game logic through menu based scripting. Of those, making 2d tile based role playing games without programming and building games from bundled tilesets, sprites, music and a character generator are not what Adventure Game Studio is typically brought in for.
What can RPG Maker MZ do that Adventure Game Studio cannot?
RPG Maker MZ covers HTML5 rendering, Event system, Database editor, Pixel art support. 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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