Cocos Creator

Cocos Creator

Cocos Creator is an open-source game engine for building 2D and 3D games and apps. It uses JavaScript and TypeScript for scripting and has an integrated editor for scene management, asset pipeline, and debugging.
Cocos Creator image
2d 3d javascript typescript open-source game-development

Cocos Creator: Open-Source Game Engine

Open-source game engine for building 2D and 3D games and apps using JavaScript and TypeScript, with integrated editor for scene management and debugging.

What is Cocos Creator?

Cocos Creator is a free, cross-platform, game development engine and integrated development environment launched by Chukong Technologies in 2015. It allows developers to build 2D and 3D games as well as other graphical applications such as animations and presentations using JavaScript, TypeScript, or Lua as the scripting language.

Some key features and capabilities of Cocos Creator include:

  • Integrated development environment for managing game assets, scenes, scripts, prefabs and more
  • Supports both 2D and 3D content creation
  • JavaScript/TypeScript scripting engine
  • Built-in physics engine, particle system and skeletal animation support
  • Exports to multiple platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Web
  • Plugin system for extending engine capabilities
  • Active open source community on GitHub

Cocos Creator aims to simplify multi-platform game development by offering a unified workflow across different target platforms. Its editor component speeds up asset importing and management as well as scene creation. The scripting engine allows programmers to leverage their existing web development skills for game logic. And its cross-platform publishing enables reaching mobile, desktop and web-based audiences from a single codebase.

Cocos Creator Features

Features

  1. Visual editor for building scenes
  2. Integrated asset pipeline
  3. JavaScript & TypeScript scripting
  4. Multiplatform publishing
  5. 2D and 3D game support
  6. Component-based architecture
  7. Drag-and-drop workflow
  8. Live preview & debugging
  9. Extensible via plugins

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Easy to learn and use

Good performance

Active community support

Cross-platform support

Flexible and customizable

Cons

Limited 3D capabilities compared to engines like Unity

Less popular than some commercial options

Lacks some advanced features like cloud support

Documentation could be improved


The Best Cocos Creator Alternatives

Top Games and Game Engines and other similar apps like Cocos Creator


Unity icon

Unity

Unity is a cross-platform game engine developed by Unity Technologies that is primarily used to develop video games and simulations for computers, consoles, mobile devices, and websites. Some key features of Unity include:Integrated editor for scene creation, scripting, asset pipeline, and building gamesSupports both 2D and 3D game development with...
Unity image
Unreal Engine icon

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is a complete suite of creation tools designed for anyone working with real-time 3D. It provides a real-time 3D engine along with visual scripting tools to accelerate development across multiple platforms including consoles, mobile, PC, and VR. Originally developed for first-person shooters, Unreal Engine has expanded to many...
Unreal Engine image
Godot Engine icon

Godot Engine

Godot Engine is a feature-packed, cross-platform game engine designed for 2D and 3D game development. It is completely free and open source under the MIT license.Some key features and capabilities of Godot Engine include:Intuitive and easy-to-use interface for quick development iterationsComprehensive set of 2D and 3D nodes for crafting game...
Godot Engine image
GDevelop icon

GDevelop

GDevelop is an open-source, cross-platform 2D game engine and IDE. It allows users with no coding knowledge to quickly build and deploy games using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and behaviors system.Key features of GDevelop include:Visual scripting system using events and conditions rather than codeSupport for multiple platforms including Windows, Mac,...
GDevelop image
Construct 2 icon

Construct 2

Construct 2 is a flexible and intuitive 2D game creator optimized for building HTML5 games that can be played across browsers and mobile devices. It features a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to quickly assemble games without needing to write any code.Some key features and benefits of Construct 2 include:Visual...
Construct 2 image
CRYENGINE icon

CRYENGINE

CRYENGINE is a powerful 3D game engine originally developed by Crytek. First launched in 2004, CRYENGINE has been used to create visually stunning games like Far Cry, Crysis, Ryse: Son of Rome, and Hunt: Showdown.Some key features of CRYENGINE include:State-of-the-art graphics - CRYENGINE utilizes the latest graphics APIs like Vulkan...
CRYENGINE image
Castle Game Engine icon

Castle Game Engine

The Castle Game Engine is an open source, cross-platform game engine for 2D and 3D games. It is designed to be versatile and support many different game genres including RPGs, platformers, adventure games, simulations and more.Some key features of the Castle Game Engine:Supports both 2D and 3D games with features...
Castle Game Engine image
Atomic Game Engine icon

Atomic Game Engine

The Atomic Game Engine is an open source, cross-platform 2D and 3D game engine with a node-based visual editor. It supports development of games for Windows, Mac, Linux, Web, Android, and iOS using JavaScript or TypeScript.Some key features of Atomic include:Node-based visual editor for building game logic and content without...
Buildbox icon

Buildbox

Buildbox is a game development platform designed to allow anyone to create mobile games without coding. It features an easy drag-and-drop interface and a library of premade game templates and assets for building 2D games.Some key features of Buildbox include:Intuitive visual editing tools for placing sprites, building levels, and setting...
Buildbox image
LÖVE icon

LÖVE

LÖVE is an open-source framework for developing 2D games in the Lua programming language. It allows developers to create games and multimedia applications using the flexible Lua scripting language. Some key aspects of LÖVE include:High-performance 2D graphics rendering using OpenGLBindings to libraries like OpenGL, OpenGL ES, SDL and OpenGLSupport for...
LÖVE image
Wick Editor icon

Wick Editor

Wick Editor is a free and open-source visual programming tool for creating 2D animation and interactive stories. It features a node-based interface that allows users to build games, animations, and other interactive media without needing to write code.Some key features of Wick Editor include:Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for creating animations and...
Wick Editor image
Bevy Game Engine icon

Bevy Game Engine

The Bevy Game Engine is an open-source game engine written in Rust that is focused on usability, performance, and productivity. Some key things to know about Bevy:It utilizes the Entity Component System pattern which provides a flexible and extensible architecture for game development.Bevy is written in Rust which gives it...
Bevy Game Engine image
Visionaire Studio icon

Visionaire Studio

Visionaire Studio is a node-based visual programming environment designed specifically for interactive media installations, projections, and experiments. It features a flexible node workflow that enables rapid prototyping and development with real-time visual feedback.Some key features of Visionaire Studio include:Node-based visual programming for interactive graphics, video, VR, lighting, and moreSupport for...
Visionaire Studio image
Stride Game Engine icon

Stride Game Engine

Stride is an open-source MIT C# game engine built in modern C++ designed for high performance and ease of use. It utilizes cutting-edge graphics technologies like Vulkan, DirectX 12, and OpenGL for stunning visuals. Some key features of Stride include:Entity-component system for high performance and modular codeVisual scripting system for...
Stride Game Engine image
MANU Game Maker icon

MANU Game Maker

MANU Game Maker is a free and open source 2D game creation tool ideal for hobbyists, students, and indie developers. Built using the Godot game engine, MANU provides an easy-to-use visual editor to design and develop 2D games of all genres including platformers, shoot 'em ups, puzzle games, and more...
MANU Game Maker image
Spark Game Engine icon

Spark Game Engine

The Spark Game Engine is an open-source, cross-platform solution for creating high performance games and applications. With Spark, developers can rapidly build 2D and 3D experiences using an easy-to-use visual editor, without needing extensive programming knowledge.Some key features and benefits of Spark include:Intuitive visual editor for quick level design and...
Spark Game Engine image
Superpowers icon

Superpowers

Superpowers is an open-source, HTML5 2D and 3D game engine and visual editor. It features live coding and collaboration tools that allow teams to simultaneously edit games in real-time. Superpowers aims to make game development accessible for everyone through its easy-to-use interface.Some key features and capabilities of Superpowers include:Visual scene...
Superpowers image
NCine icon

NCine

nCine is a professional nonlinear video editing application developed by nablet for film, video, and multimedia content creators. It provides a complete editorial environment for video editing, compositing, motion graphics, visual effects, color correction, and audio post-production.Some key features of nCine include:Powerful timeline-based editing interface with support for multiple video/audio...
NCine image
Monkey X icon

Monkey X

Monkey X is a cross-platform programming language and game development environment designed for multi-platform game creation. It uses a syntax similar to BASIC, making it easy for beginners to learn while still providing advanced features for experienced developers.Some key features and capabilities of Monkey X include:Uses a BASIC-like syntax that...
Monkey X image
Cafu Engine icon

Cafu Engine

The Cafu Engine is an open-source, cross-platform 3D game engine and development framework written in C++. It is designed with a focus on moddability, expandability, and providing state-of-the-art graphics.Some key features of Cafu include:Support for advanced graphics features like global illumination, HDR rendering, shadows, and dynamic lightsA modular framework that...
Cafu Engine image
JMonkeyEngine icon

JMonkeyEngine

JMonkeyEngine (JME) is a robust, cross-platform, open-source game engine for developing 3D games in Java or Kotlin. Built on top of LWJGL and other libraries, JME provides a full-featured framework for building high-performance games targeting Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and the web via GWT.Some key capabilities and features of...
JMonkeyEngine image
Shiva icon

Shiva

Shiva is an open-source password security audit and recovery tool for Linux systems. It aims to help users and system administrators analyze the security of password policies and practices.Some key features of Shiva include:Password strength testing - It can check the strength of existing or newly created passwords against criteria...
Shiva image
Angel2D icon

Angel2D

Angel2D is an open-source, cross-platform 2D game engine and editor written in C++. It is designed to be lightweight, easy to use, and flexible for creating a wide range of 2D games.Some key features of Angel2D include:Fast 2D sprite rendering using hardware accelerationIntuitive scene and object hierarchy systemResource management for...
Build a Game Universe icon

Build a Game Universe

Build a Game Universe is a powerful worldbuilding and game design software that gives users the tools to create fully customized game environments, worlds, and narratives. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can easily build expansive 3D landscapes from stunning natural vistas to gritty urban cityscapes. Populate your world with...
Build a Game Universe image
Silent Walk FPS Creator icon

Silent Walk FPS Creator

Silent Walk FPS Creator is a powerful yet easy-to-use game creation tool specialized for first-person shooter games. With its visual editor, you can quickly build detailed 3D levels by dragging and dropping from a library of premade assets including textures, models, sounds, scripts, weapons, enemies, and more.A key feature is...