Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

BYOND VS Polycode

Compare BYOND VS Polycode and see what are their differences

BYOND logo BYOND

BYOND is the premier community for making and playing online multiplayer games.

Polycode logo Polycode

Polycode is a C++ and Lua framework for building interactive applications.
  • BYOND Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • Polycode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-10

BYOND features and specs

  • Community and Collaboration
    BYOND has a strong community of developers and players which encourages collaboration and sharing of resources, ideas, and feedback.
  • Ease of Use
    The platform provides a relatively easy-to-use development environment with its proprietary programming language, DM (Dream Maker), making it accessible to beginners.
  • Multiplayer Support
    Built-in multiplayer support simplifies the process of developing networked multiplayer games, which is often a complex task in game development.
  • Resource Library
    BYOND offers an extensive library of resources, including tutorials, assets, and code snippets that can accelerate the game development process.
  • Free to Use
    The platform is free to download and use, lowering the barrier to entry for aspiring game developers.

Possible disadvantages of BYOND

  • Limited Graphics Capabilities
    The graphics capabilities are relatively outdated compared to modern game engines, which can limit the visual appeal of games developed on the platform.
  • Proprietary Language
    The use of the proprietary programming language, DM, may be a barrier for developers familiar with more widely-used languages like C++ or JavaScript.
  • Performance Issues
    Performance may degrade with more complex or graphically intensive games, making BYOND less suitable for high-performance game projects.
  • Platform Dependency
    BYOND games typically need to be played through the BYOND client, which can limit the reach and accessibility compared to standalone game executables.
  • Niche User Base
    The user base, while supportive, is relatively small and niche compared to larger game development communities, which can limit exposure and potential player base.

Polycode features and specs

  • Cross-Platform
    Polycode supports multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing developers to write code once and deploy it across different operating systems.
  • Open Source
    Polycode is available under an open-source license, which means that developers can freely use, modify, and distribute the engine's code.
  • Multi-language Support
    Polycode supports both C++ and Lua, giving developers the flexibility to choose the programming language that suits their project best.
  • Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
    Polycode comes with its own IDE, which provides a user-friendly interface for managing assets, writing code, and debugging.
  • 2D and 3D Graphics
    Polycode offers robust support for both 2D and 3D graphics, making it suitable for a wide range of game development projects.

Possible disadvantages of Polycode

  • Limited Documentation
    While Polycode has some documentation available, it is not as comprehensive as more established engines, which can make the learning curve steeper for new users.
  • Smaller Community
    Polycode has a smaller user base compared to more popular game engines, which can make finding tutorials, forums, and community support more difficult.
  • Development Activity
    The development activity of Polycode is less frequent compared to leading game engines, which can result in slower updates and fewer new features.
  • Limited Built-in Features
    Polycode may lack some of the built-in features and tools that are available in more mature game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity), requiring developers to implement certain functionalities on their own.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its less extensive documentation and smaller community, new users might find it harder to learn and master Polycode compared to other game engines.

Analysis of Polycode

Overall verdict

  • Polycode is a solid choice for developers interested in creating cross-platform games or applications who value flexibility, control, and the benefits of an open-source framework. However, due to its relatively niche community and possibly limited resources compared to more mainstream engines, it might not be ideal for complete beginners or projects requiring extensive support and community engagement.

Why this product is good

  • Polycode is a versatile and open-source framework that caters to real-time 2D and 3D game and application development. Its appeal lies in its flexibility and the ability to use both C++ and Lua for scripting, which makes it an excellent choice for developers who prefer a highly customizable environment. The framework includes features like a scene editor and scripting tools, which provide a robust platform for creative projects. Furthermore, being open-source allows developers to modify and improve the framework to better suit their specific needs.

Recommended for

    Polycode is recommended for intermediate to advanced developers who have some experience with C++ and Lua, and who are looking for an open-source, customizable framework. Itโ€™s particularly suitable for those who appreciate a hands-on approach in game and application development, and who are interested in contributing to and leveraging an open-source community.

BYOND videos

My History with BYOND

More videos:

  • Review - Byond B63 unboxing and review - dual core handset

Polycode videos

No Polycode videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to BYOND and Polycode)
Game Development
62 62%
38% 38
Game Engine
54 54%
46% 46
3D Game Engine
41 41%
59% 59
Gaming
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, BYOND seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

BYOND mentions (1)

  • "I have a great idea"
    I fell for this when I was a kid on Byond. The idea guy thought he was J. R. R. Tolkien. My sprite artist friend joined me. He was vague about what he wanted and even though we had been making everything he asked of us he brought another coder in, a couple years younger than me, I was a teen and he was 13. When he was given my code he called me boring and started throwing together some stuff. He ended up writing... Source: about 5 years ago

Polycode mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Polycode yet. Tracking of Polycode recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing BYOND and Polycode, you can also consider the following products

ct.js - ct.js is a 2D game editor (desktop app) based on web technologies.

Unreal Engine - Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

AppGameKit - AppGameKit is a game development platform for mobile devices.

GDevelop - GDevelop is an open-source game making software designed to be used by everyone.