Engine technology comparisons

 OpenGL:

OpenGL is an Operating System interface (API) that operates on a low level. This allows you to write code and determine the best way to control the hardware, such as the sound card or video card.

(OpenGL + OpenCL  can be a full alternative to Unity for creating your own games.)

This can be considered a more complex approach.

ü  More control (particularly over hardware)

ü  OpenGL’s libraries can be good for figuring out  good ways to do what you are asking the hardware to do.

ü  Free.

-      Does not do as much as Unity.

-      Less productive.

-      Higher learning curve

Unity (AKA UDK)

Game engine. It lays on top of libraries like OpenGL or DirectX.
If you are working in Unity, you should know C# or JavaScript, too.

ü  All in one tool

ü  Rapid prototyping. (drag & drop editing etc)

ü  A whole development suite, not just a library of parts to put together or a framework to help make sure they all fit. You can create the whole game in Unity.

ü  Helps simplify as possible to create games. (easy for beginners)

ü  Better geared for beginners (good starting point for game development)

ü  Unity does far more than OpenGL. For example, it can handle game levels and inputs in addition to figuring out how to render your backgrounds and play music.

ü  Large amounts of documentation and tutorials available.

ü  Free version if earning less than $100,000

ü  Personal version allows distribution to multiple platforms.

-      Less control or specifics.

-      Runs on it’s own VM

-      Large game file sizes. (A minimum of 9mb due to bundling Mono with every build)

-      Shaders not great in free version

C# or JS in Unity –

js in unity is unique (unityscrpt) – more flexible but potentially slower

slightly more common in forums

can be slow!

C# - less flexible, strictly typed.

but always runs at JavaScript’s top speed. (fast)

More access to tools and advanced techniques.

Other programs use c# - good for learning overall.

Monkey X PRO

ü  Programming language for easily creating multi platform apps . It translates “Monkey code” to other languages at compile time – (C++, C#, Java, JS and Actionscript).

ü  Has a number of built in modules

ü  Doesn’t run on its own VM (unlike unity / corona)

ü  Rapid prototyping

ü  Easy to learn object oriented language.

-      Not well documented

-      Limited asset store

-      Learn a new language, that is somewhat limited

libGDX

ü  Fast development via desktop deployment (no need to deploy to android every time.. test straight from desktop)

ü  Free and open-source (open source under apache 2.0 license)

ü  Doesn't force a specific design (design any way you wish.. customisable)

ü  Interfacing with platform specific code

-      Java dependency leading to performance issues.

-      Low level engine difficult for inexperienced programmers

-      Limited documentation

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Given all of the above, Unity3d appears to be the most appropriate in terms of effort required to get started, stability and available information.