Adventure Game Studio
adventuregamestudio.co.uk
What it is
Adventure Game Studio is a free, open-source IDE and engine for creating and running point-and-click adventure games in the style of classic Sierra and LucasArts titles. Its editor is supported only on Microsoft Windows or Windows emulators such as WINE, while games can target Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. The Editor includes a component for preparing Android builds, and AGS Player runs compatible games on Android. The runtime engine also has ports for iOS and a web version that runs in a browser when served from a web server. Plugins can add game functionality, but a compatible plugin build is needed for each target platform. AGS was created in 1999, became open source in 2011, and is developed by contributors under the Artistic License 2.0. Its terms say the software is provided as-is without warranty and prohibit charging money for AGS without written permission from its authors. The manual recommends community forums for development help.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Adventure Game Studio is an IDE and engine for creating and running adventure games.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Free plan
- YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Security
- The software terms provide it as-is without warranty.Read 8 Oct 2026 · adventuregamestudio.github.io
- Support
- The manual recommends using the community forums for additional development help.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The Editor and Engine are licensed under Artistic License 2.0.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Founded
- 1999Read 28 Sep 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Android builds
- The Editor includes an Android build component for preparing games for Android.Read 8 Oct 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Android player
- AGS Player is available for running compatible AGS games on Android.Read 8 Oct 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Console export
- NoRead 24 Sep 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Editor features
- AGS 3.6.1 added a log panel, script-name navigation, and improved room-editor panning and zoom controls.Read 8 Oct 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Editor platform
- The AGS Editor is supported only on Microsoft Windows and Windows emulators such as WINE.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Engine performance
- The 3.6.1 release reports improved script, overlay, and graphics-rendering performance.Read 8 Oct 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Engine plugins
- AGS supports plugins that add functionality to games, and plugins may need separate builds for each target platform.Read 8 Oct 2026 · adventuregamestudio.github.io
- Game compatibility
- AGS 3 supports importing and running games made with AGS 2.50 and later, with possible compatibility issues in very old games.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Game style
- AGS is intended for creating point-and-click adventure games like classic Sierra and LucasArts games.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Mobile export
- YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Multiplayer tools
- NoRead 24 Sep 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- No software charge
- The terms state that no money may be charged for Adventure Game Studio without written permission from its authors.Read 8 Oct 2026 · adventuregamestudio.github.io
- Open source
- AGS was open-sourced in 2011 and is developed by contributors.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Origin
- Chris Jones created AGS in 1999, and it became open source in 2011.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Plugin limitation
- A game that requires an engine plugin may not load on a platform without that plugin or a platform-independent replacement.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Runtime platforms
- The runtime engine has ports for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows; the project also documents a web port.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Scripting languages
- AGS ScriptRead 24 Sep 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Source code model
- open_sourceRead 24 Sep 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Source control
- The 3.6.1 release discontinued the editor's source-control integration functionality.Read 8 Oct 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Support and contributions
- The project accepts code contributions through GitHub pull requests and recommends filing an issue before proposing larger features.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Target platforms
- Windows,Linux,macOS,AndroidRead 24 Sep 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Video limitation
- Since AGS 3.6.0, the Windows engine does not play AVI or MPG video; the project suggests converting these videos to OGV.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Visual scripting
- NoRead 24 Sep 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
- Web port
- The Emscripten port runs in a web browser when served by a web server.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Web runtime
- The AGS engine has a web version that can run games on a web server for play in a browser.Read 8 Oct 2026 · adventuregamestudio.co.uk
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open source under Artistic License 2.0
- Targets Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android
- Android build component included in the Editor
- Web runtime can run games in a browser
Limits
- Editor supported only on Windows or Windows emulators
- No visual scripting or multiplayer tools
- Charging for AGS requires written permission
- Software is provided without warranty
Who it suits
AGS suits creators making point-and-click adventure games who are comfortable using AGS Script. Its editor is for Windows or Windows emulators, with game targets including desktop platforms and Android.
Verdict
Adventure Game Studio is a focused option for script-based point-and-click adventure development, with multiple game runtime targets. Check editor platform limits and plugin compatibility for each target before planning a project.
Where Specifiction places it
- Game Development Software#1 of 439.1
- Game Engine Software#21 of 928.7