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Simple Open Source 3D Game Engines?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the fun-for-personal-projects dept.

Zenitram asks: "I'm trying to find a good open source/free, 3D first/third-person game engines. I can write basic scripts and make basic programs in various programming languages, but when it comes to making 3D worlds I do not have the skill set. Most of the Open Source programs I've found are not for beginners. I've found some pretty good commercial programs, however the game I am making has no chance of ever making a profit. As such I don't really want to invest money on a personal project. Any advice?"

3 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. Panda3D by rrwood · · Score: 3, Interesting

    http://panda3d.org/what.php

    What is Panda3D?

    Panda3D is a 3D engine: a library of subroutines for 3D rendering and game development. The library is C++ with a set of Python bindings. Game development with Panda3D usually consists of writing a Python program that controls the the Panda3D library.

    Panda3D is unusual in that its design emphasis is on supporting a short learning curve and rapid development. It is ideal whenever deadlines are tight and turnaround time is of the essence.

    For example, in a class called Building Virtual Worlds at the Entertainment Technology Center, interdisciplinary groups of four students are asked to create virtual worlds in two weeks each. Screenshots of their projects are visible throughout this site. Panda3D is what makes this rapid turnaround possible.

    Panda3D was developed by Disney for their massively multiplayer online game, Toontown. It was released as free software in 2002. Panda3D is now developed jointly by Disney and Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center.

  2. Except that Blender does it by Animats · · Score: 2, Interesting
    You know you can't just pick up some tool and press 10 buttons to get a game; that's what beginners want to do. 3D Game Construction Kit doesn't exist because the dynamics of a 3D game are so HUGE.

    Except that Blender actually does have such a thing. You actually can build a game from scratch by pointing and clicking. It's not easy, but it's quite possible. Get the Blender Game Kit book with sample games and start from there. It's relatively easy to do something at the Marble Madness level, and a good driving game is possible.

  3. Game Engine vs. Graphics Engine by karthikkumar · · Score: 2, Interesting

    A game engine usually consists of many components including the graphics engine. While many people have pointed out Ogre as a game engine, it is to be noted that Ogre does not claim to be a game engine in itself. It only strives to do what it does best: Graphics.

    Yake, on the other hand, integrates Ogre and ODE (a physics engine)

    Ideally, today's games require that a game engine would need these components:

    1. Graphics engine
    2. Sound engine
    3. AI/Gameplay/Scripting engines
    4. Common Client/Server/Game framework
    5. Networking
    6. Physics (someone saw Novodex/PhysX coming? )
    7. Content Creation / Editing / Deployment Tools

    Optionally:
    8. Dedicated server (web apps) for multiplayer games

    So, if you've put all of them together .. you may call that a game engine. :)

    --
    -Karthik