BYOND

Website

secure.byond.com

Categories

#Game Development #Game Engine #3D Game Engine #2D Game Engine

Solarus Action-RPG game engine

Website

solarus-games.org

Categories

#Game Development #Game Engine #3D Game Engine #2D Game Engine

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  The graphics capabilities are relatively outdated compared to modern game engines, which can limit the visual appeal of games developed on the platform.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.

Solarus Action-RPG game engine features and specs

• Open Source
  Solarus is an open-source engine, which means developers have full access to the source code and can modify or extend the engine to suit their needs. This fosters a collaborative community and allows for customization.
• Zelda-like Experience
  The engine is specifically designed for creating games similar to the 2D Zelda titles, offering built-in support for action-RPG mechanics akin to classic Zelda games, which is advantageous for developers aiming to recreate that experience.
• Cross-Platform Support
  Solarus supports multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and macOS, which allows developers to distribute their games across a broad range of operating systems without needing major modifications.
• Active Community
  A supportive and active community surrounds Solarus, providing resources, tutorials, and assistance, helping newcomers to get acquainted with the engine and overcome development challenges.
• Integrated Map Editor
  Solarus includes an integrated map editor, allowing developers to build game worlds visually without needing an external tool, which can streamline the development process.

Possible disadvantages of Solarus Action-RPG game engine

• Niche Focus
  The engine's specialization in creating Zelda-like games might not be suitable for developers looking to create games outside of the action-RPG genre due to its limited scope and features tailored specifically for this style.
• Learning Curve
  Despite its focus, there can be a steep learning curve for those new to game development or to Lua scripting, which is the primary language used for development in Solarus.
• Limited 3D Support
  Solarus is heavily geared towards 2D game development with no native support for 3D graphics, which can be a limitation for developers wanting to incorporate 3D elements into their games.
• Performance Limitations
  While Solarus is robust for 2D games, there are performance limitations compared to more modern engines that utilize advanced optimization techniques or hardware acceleration, especially for complex scenes.
• Smaller User Base
  Compared to more popular game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, Solarus has a smaller user base, which might mean fewer tutorials, plugins, and third-party tool integrations.

My History with BYOND

More videos:

Solarus 1.6 Tutorial 1: Create A Quest