In the ever-evolving world of game development, choosing the right game engine is crucial. Over the past 13 years, I’ve explored various engines, from Game Maker to Unity, and even dabbled in specialized tools like RPG Maker. However, Godot stands out as the engine that truly resonates with me. Here, I share my top ten reasons for making the switch to Godot, while acknowledging that this is a personal perspective and other engines have their merits too.
Godot is both free and open source, which is a significant advantage. This means that anyone can contribute to its development, ensuring a diverse range of ideas and improvements. The open-source nature fosters a community-driven approach, which I find particularly valuable.
Unlike some engines that impose licensing fees once you reach a certain revenue threshold, Godot remains free regardless of your financial success. This allows developers to support the engine voluntarily, without the pressure of mandatory payments.
Godot’s compact size, approximately 40 megabytes, makes it incredibly convenient to download and use directly from your desktop. This lightweight nature means you can get started quickly without lengthy downloads or constant sign-ins.
While Godot may not have as many tutorials as some other engines, the quality of available resources is high. The community is known for being supportive and eager to help, which is invaluable for both beginners and experienced developers.
Godot excels in both 2D and 3D game development. Although there have been concerns about 3D performance in Godot 3, the developers are actively addressing these in Godot 4.0. For lightweight 3D games, Godot’s implementation is intuitive and effective.
The node system in Godot allows for efficient reuse of objects, streamlining the development process. While there is a learning curve, mastering this system unlocks the full potential of the engine, leading to a more organized workflow.
Godot’s ability to run on lower-end hardware is a significant advantage. This lightweight nature means you can develop games without worrying about overheating or performance issues on less powerful machines.
GDscript, Godot’s native scripting language, is designed specifically for the engine, ensuring compatibility and performance. For those who prefer other languages, Godot also supports C++ and Kotlin, offering flexibility in development.
Godot integrates seamlessly with Git, facilitating online collaboration on projects. This feature has enhanced my ability to work with others, making teamwork more efficient and enjoyable.
Godot’s real-time asset updating feature saves time and effort, unlike some engines that require manual imports. This streamlined process enhances productivity and allows for quick iterations.
While Godot is not without its flaws, its continuous improvements and community-driven development make it an exciting choice for game developers. It’s important to remember that the best engine is the one that suits your needs. If you haven’t found the right fit yet, keep exploring the diverse options available. Most engines are free to try, so take the opportunity to discover what works best for you.
Feel free to share your favorite game engine and your reasons for choosing it. A special thanks to my Patreon supporters who make these insights possible. I look forward to our next game development adventure!
Engage with the Godot community by exploring its open-source contributions. Visit the Godot GitHub repository and identify a feature or bug that interests you. Try contributing by suggesting improvements or fixing a minor issue. This will help you understand the collaborative nature of open-source projects and the diverse ideas that shape Godot.
Conduct a cost analysis comparing Godot with other game engines that have licensing fees. Calculate potential savings over a year based on hypothetical revenue scenarios. This exercise will help you appreciate the financial benefits of using a free engine like Godot and understand the impact of licensing fees on game development budgets.
Join the Godot community forums or Discord channels and participate in discussions. Share your experiences or ask questions about game development challenges. This activity will enhance your understanding of the supportive community around Godot and provide you with valuable insights from experienced developers.
Create a simple game prototype using both 2D and 3D functionalities in Godot. Focus on understanding the differences in workflow and performance between the two. This hands-on project will help you grasp the versatility of Godot in handling different types of game development.
Participate in a coding workshop focused on GDscript, Godot’s native scripting language. Practice writing scripts for basic game mechanics and explore how GDscript integrates with Godot’s node system. This will enhance your scripting skills and demonstrate the efficiency of using a language designed specifically for the engine.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Today’s episode is brought to you by Squarespace. I want to express my appreciation for Godot. Over the last 13 years in game development, I’ve used various engines, from Game Maker to Unity, and even created a game for the Nintendo 3DS using Petit Computer, along with more specialized engines like RPG Maker. However, out of all the engines I’ve used, Godot is the one that truly resonates with me.
I realize I may come across as an unofficial spokesperson for Godot, but I want to clarify that I still enjoy using other game engines. With that said, today I want to share my top ten reasons for switching to Godot. Some points may overlap with other engines, and that’s perfectly fine. Ultimately, this is just my opinion. If you disagree, that’s your prerogative. Also, if you enjoy this video, please consider subscribing, as it really helps me out. Thank you!
So, without further ado:
**Number one** is that it’s free and open source. While the term “free and open source” is often used, it doesn’t always mean the software is good. In Godot’s case, its open nature allows for community involvement and modification, which I find truly special. The developers genuinely care about creating a great engine, and I think that’s fantastic.
**Number two** is no licensing fees. Many game engines, like Unity, require you to change your licensing after reaching a certain revenue threshold, which can become costly. While I believe in supporting engines I like, I prefer to contribute voluntarily rather than being obligated due to financial milestones.
**Number three** is the small file size. It’s incredibly convenient to download Godot from the website and have it run directly from my desktop, as it’s only about 40 megabytes. If you’re looking for a lightweight engine that doesn’t take ages to download or require constant sign-ins, Godot is a great choice.
**Number four** is the supportive community. While Godot may not have as many tutorials as other engines, the tutorials available are high quality and the community is very supportive and willing to help.
**Number five** is its 2D and 3D functionality. Although other engines have recently added 3D capabilities, I find Godot’s implementation to be more intuitive. There are concerns about 3D functionality in Godot 3, but I haven’t encountered significant issues, especially for lightweight 3D games. The developers are addressing these concerns in Godot 4.0, and I’ve found effective workarounds for performance issues.
**Number six** is better workflow. Depending on the engine, it can be easy to get cluttered quickly. Godot’s node system allows for efficient reuse of objects, and while there is a learning curve, mastering it reveals the true power of the engine.
**Number seven** is that it’s a lightweight engine. Godot can run on lower-end hardware, which is a significant advantage. In contrast, using more performance-intensive engines in the past has led to overheating issues on my laptop.
**Number eight** is GDscript. While some may criticize GDscript, I find that using a language developed specifically for Godot ensures better compatibility and performance. Additionally, there is support for other languages like C++ and Kotlin if you prefer them.
**Number nine** is great collaboration features. Godot works well with Git, making it easy to collaborate on projects online. I didn’t really engage in collaboration until I started using Godot, and it’s been a positive experience.
**Number ten** is fast importing. Unlike some engines that require manual image imports, Godot allows you to update assets in real-time, which saves a lot of time and effort.
Those are my top ten reasons for switching to Godot. While it’s not a perfect engine and does have its bugs, I’m excited about its future and the continuous improvements being made.
I want to emphasize that you don’t have to use Godot or consider it the ultimate engine for everyone. There are many engines out there, and it’s important to find one that works for you. If you haven’t found the right engine yet, keep exploring. Most game engines are free to try, so you can discover what suits you best.
Please share your favorite game engine and why you like it in the comments below. A huge shoutout to my Patreon supporters who make these videos possible. I hope you have a wonderful day, and I’ll see you next time for another game development adventure.
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This version maintains the original message while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Godot – A popular open-source game engine used for creating 2D and 3D games. – The development team decided to use Godot for their new indie game project due to its versatility and ease of use.
Engine – A software framework used by developers to build and run applications, especially games. – The Unreal Engine is known for its high-quality graphics rendering capabilities.
Open – Referring to software that is freely available for use, modification, and distribution. – The open nature of the Linux operating system allows developers to customize it to their needs.
Source – The human-readable code that is compiled into a program. – Reviewing the source code is essential for understanding how the software functions.
Community – A group of developers and users who contribute to and support a software project. – The Python community is known for its extensive libraries and active forums.
Workflow – A series of steps or processes used to complete a task in software development. – Implementing an efficient workflow can significantly reduce the time required for software deployment.
Lightweight – Describing software that requires minimal system resources to operate. – The lightweight text editor was preferred by developers for its speed and simplicity.
GDScript – A high-level, dynamically typed programming language used to create content within the Godot engine. – Learning GDScript is essential for developers who want to fully utilize the Godot engine’s capabilities.
Collaboration – The process of multiple people working together to achieve a common goal in software development. – Effective collaboration among team members can lead to more innovative solutions and faster project completion.
Development – The process of designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software applications. – Agile development methodologies have become popular due to their flexibility and iterative approach.
