RPG Paper Maker vs Stencyl

RPG Paper Maker is a game-making engine for building 3D games with 2D sprites and 3D objects, with a focus on J-RPGs. Its map editor supports floors, autotiles, walls, mountains, multiple sprite types, 3D objects, and map objects such as NPCs and chests. Objects and events can interact, including doors and treasures. The engine includes retro-inspired assets and accepts users’ own assets. Its 3D side-view battle system lets creators configure heroes, monsters, troops, animations, statuses, and elements. Users with programming or modeling knowledge can make or modify JavaScript plugins and import.obj models. Games can be exported for desktop platforms and web browsers. It is available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web. The free edition is for non-commercial use. Commercial publishing requires a license for each team member; the listed commercial edition costs $79.99, paid once and allows unlimited commercial games. The site says there are no other fees.

Stencyl is game creation software for making mobile, web, and desktop games with visual logic or custom code. Its drag-and-drop designer uses snapping blocks and includes hundreds of ready-to-use blocks. Creators can also make and share blocks, import libraries, extend the engine with code, and write Haxe classes that work with block-based Behaviors. The Scene Designer provides selection, zooming, grid-snapping, and flood fill; the Actor Editor adjusts appearance, behaviors, and physical properties. Stencyl targets iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, and HTML5. The free Starter edition publishes HTML5 games and lets users test games on paid target platforms, but cannot publish desktop, iOS, or Android games and displays Stencyl branding. Indie costs $99 a year and adds web and desktop publishing without watermarks. Studio costs $199 a year and includes publishing to iOS and Android, ads, leaderboards, in-app purchases, and third-party plugins. Publishing iOS games to the App Store requires an active Apple developer license and a Mac. Stencyl says it collects no royalties on games.