For beginners without any programming experience, several game engines cater to those who are new to game development and provide user-friendly interfaces and educational resources. Here are some recommended engines:
Unity with Bolt or PlayMaker: Unity is a widely-used game engine that also offers visual scripting tools like Bolt and PlayMaker, allowing users to create game logic without needing to write code. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners as it provides the opportunity to learn and experiment with game design concepts before delving into scripting.
Unreal Engine with Blueprints: Unreal Engine 4 and 5 have a powerful visual scripting system called Blueprints, which allows users to develop games using a node-based interface. Blueprints enable non-programmers to create complex game mechanics and systems, making it accessible for those who are not yet comfortable with traditional programming languages.
Godot with GDScript: Although Godot includes scripting with GDScript, which resembles Python and is comparatively easy to learn, it also features a visual scripting option similar to Blueprints. This flexibility makes Godot suitable for beginners who want to gradually transition from visual scripting to coding.
Construct: Construct is a 2D-focused engine built explicitly for non-programmers. It uses an event-based system to develop games through a drag-and-drop interface, making it ideal for those new to game development. Construct’s simplicity and extensive community support make it an excellent choice for beginners who want to create 2D games.
Scratch: Designed primarily for educational purposes, Scratch is a block-based coding platform suitable for younger audiences and complete beginners. While not a professional-grade game engine, Scratch introduces fundamental programming concepts in an easy-to-understand manner and is often used in educational settings to spark interest in programming and game design.
Choosing the right engine depends on the type of projects you are interested in and your preferred learning style. All these engines have supportive communities and ample tutorials, which are invaluable resources when starting your journey in game development without prior programming knowledge.
