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Game Development · head to head

Stride vs Gamesparks

S

Stride

Game Development

Open-source 3D game engine with editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Gamesparks logo

Gamesparks

Game Development

Backend as a service for game development

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; Gamesparks aWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date
  • They diverge on capability: Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, Gamesparks covers Real-time features.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stride and Gamesparks actually diverge.

Attributes where Stride and Gamesparks differ
AttributeStrideGamesparks
Pricing modelfreeusage-based
PlatformsWindows, Linux, Playstation, XboxCross-platform
Founded20152006

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 Stride

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

Only in Gamesparks

  • Real-time features
  • Multiplayer support
  • User authentication
  • Data storage
  • Matchmaking
  • WebSocket support
  • Cloud integration
  • Analytics

What people use each for

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

Stride

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

Gamesparks

  • Multiplayer gamesnot Stride
  • Real-time gamesnot Stride
  • Cloud gamingnot Stride
  • Game analyticsnot 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

Gamesparks

  • AWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date

Pricing, plan by plan

Stride

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

Gamesparks

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 1M API requests
    • 1M CloudWatch logs
    • Free for first year
  • Pay-as-you-go$0.01/request
    • Unlimited API requests
    • Real-time multiplayer
    • CloudWatch integration

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 Gamesparks if

  • You need real-time features.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cross-platform.
  • You also want multiplayer support.
Gamesparks review

Questions people ask

Is Stride or Gamesparks better?
Neither clearly leads. Stride starts at Free and Gamesparks at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Stride or Gamesparks?
Stride starts at Free and Gamesparks at Free.
Does Stride or Gamesparks run on more platforms?
Stride runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox. Gamesparks runs on Cross-platform.
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 Gamesparks is typically brought in for.
What can Stride do that Gamesparks cannot?
Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Scene editor. Gamesparks covers Real-time features, Multiplayer support, User authentication, Data storage.
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