Top 5 Tools To Make Games Without Coding

We’ve touched on a few of these tools in previous articles, but haven’t focused on them like we will here. There are plenty of non-programmers that wish to get into game design and care less about game programming. This article was written for the aspiring game designer wishing to do less programming and spend more time doing what they are better at. One of these 5 tools should help you do just that: create great games.

Unreal Engine

Unreal is one of the most popular 3D engines. It is an industry standard and has been used to develop many popular games.

Unreal supports visual scripting using Blueprints for non-programmers. Blueprints can do exactly what programming would be able to do, the only difference being optimization.

Unreal has a variety of sources including an answer hub, forum, video tutorials and more to help you get started.

Unreal is free to use and supports publishing to all major platforms, but will take a percentage after a certain amount of revenue is reached.

Construct 3

Construct 3 is a 2d game creator software that runs in your browser and works offline once loaded. Construct 3 is specifically built for those who do not want to code, but you can add JavaScript plugins to extend functionality to the engine.

They offer a free version that you can test out immediately since it runs on the browser, but they disable some features that are available in the paid version. If you want to export to any of there publishing options, you have to pay for the individual license.

Construct 2 is the precursor to Construct 3 and is still available to download, but there will be no more major updates and will only be maintained for bug fixes.

Construct 3 is supported in all major browsers.

Stencyl

Stencyl is a great start for beginning game design enthusiasts. This engine requires no programming skills and is a tool that get get you up and running quickly.

Stencyl comes with an asset archive to use from the start. Each asset includes pre-defined collision masks. You may also use your own assets if you wish and add your own behaviors.

Extended functionality is available by using the Haxe programming language. You can also use their code preview to see all the underlying Haxe code being generated while building your game.

The free version allows you to publish to the Web, but they also have desktop, iOS and Android publishing available with the paid versions.

GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2 (GMS2) is a game perfect for beginners who don’t want to code using their drag-and-drop (DnD) builder. Any 2D game made with code can also be done with their DnD builder.

GMS2 allows you to download their software free of charge to familiarize yourself with it for as long as you like and pay when you’re ready to publish. There are both 12-month and permanent licenses available. GMS2 publishing is available for all major platforms.

Buildbox

Buildbox is arguably the fastest way to make a game. No programming is required to use this engine and therefore is perfect for a beginner, game designer or artist. Buildbox is primarily a 2D visual scripting editor with multiple project templates to start with. This helps get you started with a nearly complete game with only the need to tweak the areas you want to customize.

Buildbox also comes with over 20,000 content assets for you to choose from to add to your game. You can also add your own custom assets if you prefer. Buildbox has been used to develop many hyper-casual hit titles.

Buildbox is not free and has 3 subscription plans with the first 2 being very restricted for what you can build, but the Pro version is has no restrictions.

Buildbox lets you publish to desktop, mobile, and Steam.

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