How does ezEngine compare to Godot for indie game development?

ezEngine offers a more modular, C++-focused foundation with deep customization, while Godot provides a more out-of-the-box experience with built-in 2D/3D support and a larger community. ezEngine is better for developers wanting to build on top of core systems, whereas Godot suits those needing rapid prototyping with less coding.

How to build and run ezEngine on Windows?

Clone the repository, run the GenerateWin64vs2022.bat script to set up the Visual Studio solution, then build and launch the Editor project from VS. Detailed steps are in the README, but be prepared for a multi-step process that requires Visual Studio and compilation time.

Can ezEngine be used for mobile game development?

Partially, as non-rendering functionality compiles on Android, but full engine features with rendering are Windows-only. For mobile projects, you might need to rely on the core systems or wait for Vulkan support, limiting immediate out-of-the-box usability.

What rendering APIs does ezEngine support?

Currently, ezEngine primarily uses Direct3D 11 for rendering on Windows, with ongoing work to port to Vulkan. There's no support for OpenGL or Metal, so cross-platform rendering is limited until the Vulkan port is complete.

Is visual scripting in ezEngine powerful enough for complex logic?

Yes, the visual scripting system allows for rapid prototyping and integration with custom C++ code, but for highly complex or performance-critical logic, you may need to extend it with C++, as the engine emphasizes flexibility over pre-built solutions.

How active is the development and community around ezEngine?

Development is ongoing with a focus on modular improvements, but releases are infrequent, and the community is smaller compared to engines like Unity. Contributions are welcome, but expect to rely more on documentation and self-help for support.

Open-Awesome

ezEngine

MITC++release-26.3

An open-source, modular C++ game engine with a feature-rich editor and visual scripting.

Visit Website GitHub

1.9k stars241 forks0 contributors

What is ezEngine?

ezEngine is an open-source C++ game engine that provides a modular and flexible foundation for game development. It includes a feature-rich editor, visual scripting capabilities, and supports both full engine usage and selective integration of components. The engine is designed to be efficient and easy to use, with a focus on allowing developers to build custom solutions on top of its core systems.

Target Audience

Game developers and engineers looking for a modular, open-source C++ game engine, particularly those who want to customize or extend engine functionality or integrate specific features into their own projects.

Value Proposition

Developers choose ezEngine for its modular architecture, which allows them to use only the components they need, and its strong emphasis on a solid, efficient foundation. The included editor and visual scripting tools enable rapid prototyping and development.

Overview

An open source C++ game engine.

Use Cases

Best For

Building custom game engines with modular components
Rapid prototyping using visual scripting and an integrated editor
Developing games on Windows with Direct3D 11 rendering
Integrating specific engine features like physics or sound via plugins
Cross-platform game development for non-rendering functionality
Educational projects or research in game engine architecture

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring full engine functionality with rendering on non-Windows platforms (e.g., Linux or macOS)
Teams that prefer pre-built binaries and frequent, stable releases without compiling from source
Developers needing a large ecosystem with extensive third-party assets and plugins, like Unity's Asset Store

Pros & Cons

Pros

Modular Architecture

Allows users to pick individual features or use the entire engine, with larger functionalities like physics and sound implemented as plugins, enabling high customization as described in the design philosophy.

Feature-Rich Editor

Includes an editor for rapid prototyping, visual scripting, and integration with custom C++ code, which speeds up development cycles according to the documentation.

Cross-Platform Core

Non-rendering functionality compiles on Windows, Android, Linux, and macOS, providing flexibility for multi-platform projects, as noted in the supported platforms section.

Solid Foundation

Emphasizes ease of use and efficiency, making it suitable for building custom engines on top of its core systems, as highlighted in the design philosophy.

Cons

Limited Rendering Support

Full engine functionality is currently only available on Windows due to Direct3D 11 usage, with Vulkan port ongoing and experimental Linux port not productive, restricting cross-platform development.

Build Complexity

Releases are infrequent, and users are generally expected to build the engine themselves from source, which can be a barrier for quick onboarding and maintenance.

Smaller Ecosystem

Compared to mainstream engines, ezEngine has a smaller community and fewer third-party resources, which may limit support, tutorials, and asset availability for complex projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

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