Developing games from scratch is a lengthy and costly affair, even with the plethora of platforms available. However, don’t be discouraged if you don’t have the required cash. There are also various cost-effective or free platforms that let you create games. Some of these platforms have helped develop hugely popular games, and some of them don’t even require code. Here are the top free platforms that let you create your own games

Unity
Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, Unity is a commercial cross-platform that lets users create quality 2D and 3D games. It was developed by Unity Technologies and provides various free resources that make accessing the platform easier for beginners. It lets you export the game you create to various other platforms, including operating systems, VRs, Facebook, and gaming consoles. The subscription plans for Unity range from $40 for a monthly subscription to $399 for an annual subscription per seat. Apart from that, Unity also has a learning program called Unity Learn Premium which gives one more than 750 hours of free live and on-demand content to learn from. This plan also provides certification at the end.

Unreal
Unreal was launched as a cross-platform gaming engine by Epic Games. The company launched the latest version, Unreal Engine 5, back in 2020, the full version of which is to be released in 2022. One of the most professional platforms that let users create games, Unreal comes with an extensive list of tutorials that make creating games easier. It can be used to create games irrespective of whether people know to code or not. It can be used across platforms including Windows, iOS, Linux, and Android. The free game development software uses a blueprint system and artificial intelligence that provides post-processing effects.

GameMaker
Among the top engines that lets you create games is GameMaker, which has GameMaker Studio 2 as the newest version. The easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface makes creating games feel like a cakewalk. However, you can just as conveniently decide to code your game if you wish to. Additionally, a major benefit of creating games using GameMaker is that you can export your games without making adjustments to the code. This feature however does not come with the free version of the platform. It is perfect for creating 2D games and its annual subscription starts at just $49.99. Built-in features of the platform include real-time analytics, image editors, shaders, in-app purchase additions, and more.

Godot
Godot Engine is an open-source platform that allows users to create games for free. The platform can be used on multiple operating systems, including Mac, Windows, and Linux. It is compatible with the creation of both 2D and 3D games with fewer bugs and glitches. The Godot Engine offers great features like live debugging, post-processing, source control, and numerous built-in editors. The game engine lets you create games by building what it calls ‘scenes,’ which is a combination of elements like sounds, scripts, and more. You can put together scenes to create bigger scenes. The platform is completely free and makes use of the GDScript language to create games, which is similar to Python.

RPG Maker
RPG Maker is an easy-to-use and amazing platform to create games. It is one of the top platforms that do not require learning or making use of code. RPG Maker, latest version RPG Maker MZ, lets you create various role-playing games with the help of its database and features like a character generator and map editor. You can also incorporate plugins if and when you want to make use of code. The assets that you can use off of the marketplace come with level designs, character sprites, and music. RPG Maker is available for free for a 30-day trial period and the export options are limited to Mac, Windows, and Android. If you wish to continue using the platform, you will have to purchase a license worth $80.

Construct
A great platform for people that do not know how to code, Construct allows you to create games with utmost ease. The platform, which has newly launched Construct 3, is constantly evolving and is a stellar pick if you want to create games in 2D. It uses development tools that are based on the drag-and-drop protocol. After completing the creation process you can go right ahead to exporting it to various operating systems and browser platforms without making even a slight adjustment in your game. Thanks to the platform’s huge user base, you can find numerous tutorials on the web, and these are aside from the ones that are already present on the website. Construct even lets you make marketplace purchases for assets like music, character traits, and/or animation. While the free trial comes with all the essential features, they are limited to a certain number of changes made. After that, you will have to purchase an annual subscription for $119.99.