Guide to Game Development/Rendering and Game Engines

The tool/framework/engine that you're going to use to create the game.

Rendering engines/Framework

 * /DirectX/
 * A rendering engine that only works on Windows (as well as Modern), Windows Phone, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.


 * /OpenGL/
 * A rendering engine that works on all platforms, except for Windows Phone, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
 * This page contains many Sister Projects.


 * /WebGL/
 * A rendering engine based upon OpenGL designed to work on the web.


 * /Three.js/
 * A Javascript webrenderer.


 * /XNA/
 * Used to make games for Windows (as well as Modern).


 * /Allegro/


 * /Default programming language graphics renderer/
 * The default graphics system that you programming language uses to draw basic graphics to the screen (2D only, unless you're a mathematical bad-ass).

Extra tool libraries

 * /SDL/
 * Simple DirectMedia Layer - provides low level access to audio, input devices, and graphics hardware via OpenGL and Direct3D.

Game Engines

 * /GameMaker/
 * A tool for making games aimed at beginners that requires little to no programming.


 * /Scratch/
 * A tool for making games aimed at beginners of a young age that requires no programming.


 * /Unity/
 * A tool that allow for easy programming, allowing you to interact with public members with a visual interface.


 * Unreal Development Kit (UDK)
 * The engine used to make Unreal games such as Gears of War.


 * /Quake Engine/
 * The engine used to make Quake.


 * /Cry Engine/
 * The engine used to make Crysis, Far Cry and many more games.


 * /FPS Creator/
 * A simple first-person-shooter creator

Programming built-in languages
See Game-only programming languages.