Buildbox Game Engine vs. GDevelop: Difference, Pros, and Cons

Buildbox game engine is a no-code engine that’s optimized for 2D mobile games, with 3D tools that allow for basic 3D game development. Buildbox’s tools are built specifically for mobile games. Monetization and AI tools make the engine accessible to complete beginners and entrepreneurs alike. The no-code approach in Buildbox does limit its ability to give users practice with game design since they aren’t able to experiment with complex mechanics and ideas.

GDevelop supports JavaScript, on the other hand, and is free and open-source so devs have flexibility with setting up their workflows. GDevelop’s toolset is varied as well, and paves the way into professional game development. There are explanations on which game engine is better, in general, and for 2D game development and beginners below. Keep reading to learn about the kinds of games that are made with Buildbox and GDevelop, which is in general better for 2D game development or beginners, their system requirements, and the pros and cons of each game engine.

Which is better: Buildbox vs. GDevelop?

Buildbox is better for beginners and hobbyists that want to make mobile games quickly without spending time on coding. GDevelop is better for students, indie devs, and professional devs that want the flexibility and scalability stemming from its open-source framework. The table below breaks down aspects to consider when choosing between Buildbox and GDevelop.

Buildbox is beginner-friendly but limited as it’s built for mobile game development mainly, whereas GDevelop is ideal for scripting with larger projects. Buildbox has a larger community, but they’re mostly mobile-focused devs and indie entrepreneurs. GDevelop’s community, though smaller in comparison, is more collaborative and supportive with active forums and plugins.

Which is better for 2D games: Buildbox or GDevelop?

Gdevelop is better for 2D games as it was designed and optimized for 2D game development, but it has a 3D editor as well. Gdevelop is free and open-source, with a large asset store that has both free and premium packs like pixel art and RPG templates. The visual editors have a steeper learning curve compared to Buildbox.

Buildbox is easier to use but subscription-based and ideal for fast prototyping and 3D experiments. Buildbox has a built-in asset store with templates, and users are able to enter AI prompts to generate scenes, objects, and assets to drag into their games. The AI makes it easy to generate the necessary assets and drag them in, but limits customization. Users that are going for a unique concept or theme with their game are likely to hit a wall with Buildbox.

What kinds of games are created using Buildbox and GDevelop?

The kinds of games created using Buildbox are casual games like endless runner and puzzlers that use simple, sprite-based mechanics. Games made with Buildbox are streamlined for quick publishing to mobile platforms like iOS, helped along by the drag-and-drop workflow and built-in monetization features. Casual titles like Color Switch and shooters such as Interstellar Strike have been created via Buildbox. The games rely on sprite systems and use simple camera angles with music from the templates in the asset store.

GDevelop has helped push out platformers like Katuba’s Poacher and arcade games such as Parking Jam. The games include customized sprites and text-based dialogue since the asset store and community plugins provide devs with freedom beyond casual games. GDevelop allows for exporting to web and desktop as well as mobile, adding to the platform reach.

Which is better for beginners: Buildbox vs. GDevelop?

Buildbox is better for beginners, specifically those that are completely new to game design, since it uses drag-and-drop tools with no coding. GDevelop is  well-suited to beginners as well with its event-based system, but users need to learn logic blocks. Starting with GDevelop isn’t as easy as with Buildbox, but GDevelop offers greater flexibility, so it’s better for professional game development.

Buildbox’s templates help streamline the process so users are able to focus on design instead of coding logic. The integrated AI adds to the ease of use since it lets users use prompts to create assets and scenes, and to add monetization. Buildbox is subscription-based, though, limiting  its accessibility for students and devs on a budget. Buildbox’s emphasis on AI tools and templates means users that want to learn complex systems and experiment with VR/AR are required to switch to a different game engine.

GDevelop uses scripting tools, so it’ll take time for beginners unused to programming to grasp the workflow. The engine has multiple editors for scenes, objects and events, which gives devs more flexibility and lets them experiment with complex mechanics. This paves the way for professional game development, aided by GDevelop being both open-source and free. The key takeaway is that Buildbox is better for beginners to start with but GDevelop is better for beginners that want to later go into professional game development.

What are the system requirements for Buildbox and GDevelop?

The system requirements for Buildbox at minimum are a Windows 7 OS with 4 GB of RAM and 200 MB disk space for the software installation. Buildbox runs on macOS 10.8 onward but GDevelop is compatible across Windows, macOS and Linux. The table below provides an overview of the minimum system requirements for Buildbox and GDevelop.

Buildbox runs on stronger hardware compared to GDevelop, and needs space for the Smart Assets and templates built into the engine. GDevelop’s own engine is comparatively lightweight, leaving room for the plugins, asset packs and open-source contributions from the community.

What are the pros and cons of Buildbox and GDevelop?

The pros and cons of Buildbox and GDevelop relate to their platform support, growth for professional development, and the scope of games they’re equipped for. Buildbox’s drag-and-drop workflow contributes to its ease of use, but the no-code approach limits flexibility for advanced devs. The table below provides an overview of the pros and cons of Buildbox.

GDevelop supports scripting which gives devs more flexibility but adds to the learning curve for beginners. The pros and cons of GDevelop are provided in the table below.