Top Alternatives to GameMaker: Studio

Godot Engine is a free and open-source game engine for creating 2D and 3D games across multiple platforms. It offers a scene-based design, multiple scripting languages (GDScript, C#, C++), and a robust editor, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced developers.

Construct 2 is an HTML5 game engine designed for creating 2D games with no coding required. Its visual editor and event system make it ideal for beginners and rapid prototyping, enabling drag-and-drop game development for web, desktop, and mobile platforms.

GDevelop is a free and open-source game engine designed for everyone, enabling rapid game creation without prior coding knowledge. It leverages a visual programming system based on events, making game logic creation intuitive. Supporting 2D and 3D game development, it allows multiplatform export to web, desktop, and mobile devices.

Unreal Engine is a powerful, free-to-use 3D creation tool developed by Epic Games, empowering developers across gaming, film, architecture, and automotive industries. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for real-time rendering, simulation, and interactive experiences.

Scratch is a visual programming language and online community designed for beginners. It enables users, particularly children, to create interactive stories, games, and animations using a block-based interface, fostering computational thinking and creative expression without requiring prior coding knowledge.

Stencyl is an intuitive game creation toolkit that empowers individuals to design and publish 2D games across multiple platforms including desktop, web, and mobile, without requiring traditional coding expertise.

ClickTeam Fusion is a powerful, visual game and application creation tool that allows users to build software without writing traditional code. Leveraging an intuitive event editor and drag-and-drop interface, it simplifies the development process, making it accessible to beginners while offering depth for seasoned creators.

Cocos2d-x is a renowned open-source, cross-platform 2D game engine. Favored by mobile game developers for its efficiency and ease of use, it provides a robust framework for creating engaging 2D games with excellent performance across multiple devices and operating systems. Its flexibility and extensive feature set cater to both beginners and experienced developers.

ENIGMA is an open-source game development platform and compiler, coupled with the LateralGM IDE. It allows users to create 2D and 3D games using a flexible scripting language and visual programming tools, offering compatibility with existing Game Maker projects and supporting cross-platform deployment.

LibGDX is a robust, free, and open-source Java game development framework designed for creating 2D and 3D games across multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and web browsers.