Engines

What is a Game Engine?

A game engine is a software framework designed to simplify and streamline the process of creating video games. It provides developers with reusable components for common tasks like rendering graphics (2D or 3D), handling physics simulations, managing audio, scripting gameplay logic, input controls, networking for multiplayer, and more. Essentially, it's the "backbone" of a game, allowing creators to focus on unique content—like levels, characters, and stories—rather than building everything from scratch. This is especially valuable for fan games and indie titles, where hobbyists or small teams use accessible engines to bring ideas to life without massive resources. For example, engines like Unity or Godot handle cross-platform deployment (e.g., PC, mobile, consoles), making it easier to share projects with communities. Open-source engines encourage modification, aligning with the DIY spirit of fan development. If you're new to this, think of it like a toolkit: You get pre-built tools (e.g., a collision detection system) that you assemble and customize for your project.

Brief History of Game Engines

Game engines have evolved alongside video games themselves, starting from basic tools in the 1980s and becoming sophisticated platforms today. In the early days, before dedicated engines, developers coded games from the ground up, often for specific hardware. The 1980s saw the rise of 2D game creation systems for independent development, like Pinball Construction Set (1983), Adventure Construction Set (1984), Garry Kitchen's GameMaker (1985), and Shoot-'Em-Up Construction Kit (1987). These allowed hobbyists to build simple games without deep programming knowledge. The term "game engine" emerged in the mid-1990s with the boom of 3D graphics and first-person shooters. Pioneers like id Software's id Tech 1 (from Doom, 1993) separated core tech from game content, enabling reuse and licensing. This era also featured engines like Build (Duke Nukem 3D) and early Quake engines, which influenced modding and fan creations. In the 2000s, accessible engines democratized development for indies and fans. Unity (2005) became a go-to for its ease-of-use, cross-platform support, and free tier, powering hits like Hollow Knight and Cuphead. Unreal Engine (1998, made free in 2015) offered high-end tools for AAA-like quality in fan projects, seen in games like Hyper Light Drifter ports. Flash (1990s-2000s) sparked the first indie explosion with browser games. The 2010s and beyond saw open-source rises: Godot (2014) gained popularity for being free and lightweight, ideal for 2D indies like Celeste-inspired projects. RPG Maker (1998 onward) specialized in JRPGs, while GameMaker Studio (1999) suited platformers and ROM hack tools. Today, engines like these continue to evolve, with AI integration and better mobile/VR support, making fan and indie development more inclusive than ever. Notable popular engines for indie and fan games include:

• Unity: Versatile for 2D/3D, huge asset store, used in thousands of indies.
• Unreal Engine: Powerful for high-fidelity graphics, blueprint scripting for non-coders.
• Godot: Free, open-source, node-based system great for beginners.
• GameMaker: Drag-and-drop for 2D, used in Undertale and Hyper Light Drifter.
• RPG Maker: Tailored for role-playing games, with built-in assets.
• Clickteam Fusion: No-code tool for retro-style games.

These have shaped the scene by lowering barriers, fostering communities, and enabling preservation through remakes and hacks.

Browse Engines

Explore our collection of game engines used in fan games, indies, ROM hacks, and more:

• Engines by Platform - Organized by supported platforms.
• Engines by Company - Organized by the developing company or organization.
• Engines by License - Organized by licensing model.