While new hits like the eagerly-awaited GTA VI are already on the horizon, few people really know about the tools and software used to develop video games. Here are seven of the best available on the market, each with their advantages and disadvantages.
In this guide, you’ll also find out which are the best free video game creation tools, the easiest to learn, and the ones most commonly used by the big studios.
1. Unity
Originally developed as a tool for creating video games for Mac OS, Unity (which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year) is now available on a wide range of platforms, enabling the creation of PC, console, mobile and AR/VR games, whether in 2D or 3D.
The software is built around the C# programming language, which is easier to learn than C++, and has an easy-to-use, intuitive user interface. This is a definite advantage when you’re starting out creating video games, or working with small teams, as is the case with many independent projects. Unity also offers a free personal licence, so you can familiarise yourself with the tool without having to open your wallet. Unity’s very active community, its rich library of assets, and its use in a huge number of projects make it one of the game engines you absolutely must master.
On the downside, Unity has its limitations in terms of graphics and performance when you’re working on very ambitious projects, as well as the high cost of licences – over €2,000 per year per workstation, even for small studios.
2. Unreal Engine
Do you remember Unreal, the 3D FPS that created a buzz in 1998? It was around this first game that Epic Games developed Unreal Engine, now one of the market leaders in video game engines, with a unique business model: the software is free to use, and Epic Games makes its money through royalties (5%).
However, this mechanism is only triggered when revenues exceed one million dollars, allowing independent developers to make full use of the software at a lower cost.
Unreal is also one of the most advanced graphics engines on the market, incorporating powerful technologies such as ray tracing and (since v6) artificial intelligence tools to speed up the development of ambitious games.
Unreal Engine is also used in the cinema, for series such as The Mandalorian, and in animation for the most recent seasons of Miraculous.
3. Godot
Godot is to video games what Blender is to 3D animation: free, easy-to-use open-source software that lets you create 2D and 3D games quickly and efficiently. Made available to the public in 2014, it is a younger game engine than the first two mentioned, which can be a disadvantage because the community that uses it is smaller.
Nevertheless, its flexibility and its specific GDScript language, similar to the Python language, make it a very simple tool to use, and one that has already enabled many studios to successfully launch a number of independent video games. Recently, the American studio Mega Crit chose this engine to develop the sequel to its hit Slay the Spire, replacing the open-source editor libGDX.
4. CryEngine
Another big name in the history of video game engines, CryEngine is a game engine that uses the C++, Lua and C# programming languages to bring numerous games to life, notably the Far Cry series, for which the German studio Crytek originally developed this tool.
Today, it is still used in many fields, and has been adapted by a number of companies for their own needs. Ubisoft has developed its own version of the CryEngine, Dunia, which the company uses regularly and which was used to create the Far Cry sequels.
At the same time, Amazon (according to several sources) used this licensed game engine to develop its own tool, Lumberyard, in 2016.
In 2025, CryEngine is still a widespread game engine, with very advanced rendering capabilities and very useful for creating photorealistic environments. It is nevertheless considered less flexible than Unreal Engine, and requires a long apprenticeship before it can be fully mastered.
5. GameMaker Studio 2
The latest evolution of this game engine, created in 1999, GameMaker Studio 2 differs from other game engines in that it uses a drag-and-drop system, making it very easy to use and perfect for beginner teams. GameMaker also has its own scripting language, GML, which is used for more advanced games and is aimed at more experienced developers.
With these two options, GameMaker is the perfect tool for creating all kinds of games, without requiring any specific programming skills.
However, this engine will reveal its limitations if you try to use it for projects that are too ambitious, and the catalogue of assets is still fairly small. You should therefore prefer more powerful game engines such as those mentioned above, for industrial-level projects.
On the other hand, it is an ideal engine for creating small- and medium-scale 2D content, and a perfect tool for those just starting out in video game creation.
6. Gdevelop
Another open-source engine, Gdevelop is used mainly for developing PC, mobile and online games coded in HTML5.
By choosing to create a tool that does not require programming skills, Gdevelop’s creator Florian Rival deliberately targeted a very broad audience, a success since his engine is now very popular with schools, researchers and universities for the creation of serious games.
The gd.games platform also allows creators to post their games and assets directly on a community site, much of which is accessible free of charge. A godsend for fans of independent games, and an opportunity to have your projects tested by a large community of curious gamers.
But beware: Gdevelop has weaker graphics capabilities than other game engines, and the limited size of projects (especially for mobile games on Android) can also be a hindrance if you’re planning a respectable-sized game.
7. Adobe Animate
Finally, it’s hard not to mention Adobe Animate, the direct heir to Flash, which was a source of joy (or misfortune) for game developers in the 2000s.
Although this software, which is primarily designed for 2D animation, is not the most widely used for video game development, it can be very useful for creating games for the web.
One notable disadvantage: the cost of an Adobe licence is still high. But if you’re already using it for some of your activities, it might be worth exploring this software, which also has numerous tutorials and an active community.
What’s the best free video games software?
As you will have realised, there is not just one viable option for developing your video game for free, but several. Your choice will depend on your ambitions, but also on your skills and those of your team.
If you’re an experienced developer, and you have substantial human and financial resources at your disposal, working on Unreal Engine is undoubtedly the best option, because it’s the software that will give you the most accomplished rendering, without costing you a penny.
If, on the other hand, your technical knowledge is more limited and you only have a small team at your disposal, it might be wiser to turn to Godot, which is easier to access and quicker to learn.
Finally, Gdevelop is an ideal tool for solo developers or novice teams, which also allows you to have your project tested by the community and to gather valuable feedback from the very first phases of development.
. An undeniable advantage when you consider the importance of the user experience in a video game project.
Which software should you choose when starting out in video games?
As well as the easy-to-learn game engines mentioned above, such as Gdevelop, GameMaker Studio and Godot, there are other very easy-to-use software packages for getting started in video games. Tools such as Gamesalad, or Construct 3 for creating 2D games, are designed for beginners and offer numerous development possibilities for PC and mobile.
Finally, advances in generative artificial intelligence mean that complete games can now be created in just a few clicks, thanks to tools such as Rosebud AI.
However, you should bear in mind that these tools do not necessarily represent industry standards, and that the technical mastery you will acquire by using this software will not be a guarantee of professional integration in a highly competitive sector.
What will be the most widely used video game creation software in 2025?
In 2025, despite technological advances and the diversification of game engines, the industry standards are still Unity and Unreal Engine, the two market leaders for most multiplatform games. So if you want to build a career in video games, mastery of these programs is essential.
These are skills that you can acquire during your training at a school specialising in video games, and by working on student projects. It’s an opportunity to develop both your technical and artistic skills, while working as part of a collaborative process and developing your creative spirit. This is essential experience if you want to enter a sector where teamwork is essential to the success of your project, and where people play a crucial role.