Developing a game is not as simple today as it used to be in the beginning. Specialized hardware and software is essential to develop successful games. Platforms and tools are available for hobbyists to professionals. You may start learning using simple frameworks and move towards more complex and specialized environments. Here are some frameworks which you can use to develop beginner level games and some are mature enough that you can develop commercial games.
Tool/Framework |
Minimum Price |
Plugins/Components |
Target Platforms |
| Unity | Free (Limited Features) | Yes | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, Web, Flash, PS3, XBox 360, Wii U |
| kineticjs | Free/Open Source | N/A | HTML5 |
| craftyjs | Free/Open Source | Yes, a lot. | HTML5 Canvas, DOM |
| limejs | Free/Open Source | N/A | HTML5 |
| easeljs | Free/Open Source | N/A | HTML5 |
| impactjs | $99.00/Source Code | Level Editor+More | HTML5, iPhone, Android |
| box2d (physics engine) | Free/Open Source | N/A | HTML5 |
| coppercube | $138.03 | Editor | Flash, JS/WebGL, .exe, .app |
| gamequeryjs | Free/Open Source | Tile map editor | HTML/DOM manipulation |
| trafficcone | Free/Open Source | N/A | HTML5 |
| game-editor | Free/Open Source | Editor | Mac, iPhone, iPad, windows, Linux |
| thegamecreators | $31.99 | Editors+Multiple Tools | Mac, iOS, Android,BB, windows, MeeGo, bada |
| mobage | Free | APIs | iOS, Android |
| scratch, tutorial | Free | Editor, LEGO WeDo Connect | Java Applet |
| garagegames (Torque) | $128/Educational Suite | Tools, Genre Kits, Art Packs etc. | OSX, iOS, windows |
| gamesalad | Free(Basic), Pro $299/Yr | Tools, Add Ons, Kits, Art, etc. | OSX, iOS, windows, Android, HTML5 |
| spolder | Free | Genre Kits, Graphics | Flash |
| yoyogames | Free(Basic)/$49.99 | Editor | OSX, iOS, windows, Android, HTML5, NOOK |
| phrogram | $49.95 | Add-in libraries | Windows (DotNet) |
| rpgmakerweb | $89.99 | Range of Products, Music and Resource Packs | Windows |
| pygame (scripting) | Free/Open Source | Python modules | Portable to nearly any OS |
| alice | Free | Editor | OSX, Windows, Linux |
| yoyogames | Free(Basic$49.99 | Editor | OSX, iOS, windows, Android, HTML5, NOOK |
More Game Development Resources:
List of world class game engines used to develop famous games
DMOZ directory of Game Development_Tools
This article explains a Game Engine and lists some of them
A youtube video explaining game engines and introducing some of them
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