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Stride vs CryEngine

S

Stride

Software

Open-source 3D game engine with editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CryEngine logo

CryEngine

Software

Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Stride free and open source under MIT license, editor and runtime fully open source with no commercial tier; CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
  • They diverge on capability: Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, CryEngine covers Advanced graphics.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stride and CryEngine actually diverge.

Attributes where Stride and CryEngine differ
AttributeStrideCryEngine
PlatformsWindows, Linux, Playstation, XboxWindows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux
Founded20151999

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), 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 Stride

  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Bullet)
  • Audio system
  • Scene editor
  • Material system
  • Lighting and shadows
  • Skeletal animation
  • Particle effects

Only in CryEngine

  • Advanced graphics
  • Physics engine
  • AI system
  • Animation tools
  • Flow Graph visual scripting
  • C++ and Lua support
  • Entity component system
  • Sandbox editor

Both cover

  • Visual Studio
  • Local deployment
  • Console deployment
  • Windows support
  • Playstation support
  • Xbox support

What people use each for

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

Stride

  • 3D game developmentnot CryEngine
  • Console gamesnot CryEngine
  • Desktop gamesnot CryEngine

CryEngine

  • Building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illuminationnot Stride
  • Developing with full engine source code accessnot Stride
  • Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot Stride

Where each one falls short

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

Stride

  • Free and open source under MIT license, editor and runtime fully open source with no commercial tier

CryEngine

  • A royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
  • Royalties are waived only on the first USD 5,000.00 of Gross Receipts per year per game
  • Royalties are calculated at source on gross receipts before any publisher or platform deductions, so a developer receiving 70% of USD 100,000 still owes USD 4,750
  • Military projects, gambling, simulation, science, architecture and serious games are excluded from the standard licence and are not covered as Games
  • The licence forbids combining CRYENGINE with code from other game engine providers
  • Supported platforms are limited to those Crytek announces at its sole discretion, listed in the agreement as Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
  • Support is only provided against payment of a separate Support Fee that Crytek may change at its sole discretion
  • Crytek may modify the licence agreement at any time, with the only remedy for disagreement being to stop using CRYENGINE

Pricing, plan by plan

Stride

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • C# scripting
    • 3D graphics

CryEngine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine access
    • Source code
    • Asset library

Which should you pick?

Choose Stride if

  • You need 3d graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want physics engine (bullet).
Stride review

Choose CryEngine if

  • You need advanced graphics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
  • You also want physics engine.
CryEngine review

Questions people ask

Is Stride or CryEngine better?
Neither clearly leads. Stride starts at Free and CryEngine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Stride or CryEngine?
Stride starts at Free and CryEngine at Free.
Does Stride or CryEngine run on more platforms?
Stride runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox. CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
Can I use Stride for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Stride best used for?
Stride is most often used for 3d game development, console games, desktop games. Of those, 3d game development and console games are not what CryEngine is typically brought in for.
What can Stride do that CryEngine cannot?
Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Scene editor. CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. Both handle Visual Studio, Local deployment, Console deployment, Windows support.
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