Codeless Game Engines -- Engines with Visual Programming Languages

In this video we look at the options for Visual programming languages in game engines. We will look at both 2D and 3D game engines that support a visual programming language, be it a node/graph based approach like Blueprints, or a spreadsheet style approach like GDevelop.

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[squirrelsanstv]

I started coding when I was 9, and I can say 100% that scratch is amazing for beginners and children.

[ChipsMattGaming]

as an artist that struggles to keep awake to the subject to coding and that wants to rough out a game concept so i could pay someone else to code the game based on that original concept, having something visual is crucial since i am a visual learner and I really want to make a particular game.

[DNU]

some people, like yours truly, it's more visual and having these codeless options make easier to understand the inner workings of the code, then when you need something more complex, you already grasped the basics without even knowing it

[creativityshark]

Me: Dang, I wish there was an engine like scratch, since I’m familiar with it- *the clouds part as stencil descends from the heavens*

[youreperfectstudio]

About Visual Script in Godot … Where its good is if you have traditional programmers creating custom, high level, nodes for it. For example our current project uses the Visual Scripting in Godot to create node-based dialog trees that the writers can easily use - we have nodes like "show character" and "change expression", "read lines", "offer choices" and so forth that writers can just string together - then in the backend it goes through the localization system, matches voice over audio to text, and so forth keeping that invisible to the writer.

I think there are also like 2-3 GSoC students working on improving visual script in godot right now too :-)

[EXTREMEKIWI]

Media Modecule's Dreams is a game currently in early access, exclusive to PS4, and it's one of the easiest to learn visual game engines out there. There's node-based editing and pseudo coding, all through visuals. It is capable of very advanced logic systems and it even has a digital audio workstation. It's a 3D modeller, a music DAW, a CG film creator, and a game engine all in one. Capable of 3D and 2D.

You cannot export games. The create mode is more of a tool for people who are newer to coding and want to dive into practicing the logic without the coding languages, or it can be used as a notebook to prototype ideas quickly. Local multiplayer is supported for playing stuff, but online multiplayer and local/online coop create is planned for the future, but not guaranteed. You can play other peoples' published creations and you can even supply others with or use other people's assets to make your own projects. You are not required to make anything, you could potentially just play other people's stuff and/or never publish your own works. The game has an interesting art style, given that everything is made with particle effects.

If you would like to learn more, check out the Dreams video on Ceave Gaming's YouTube channel.

[serhiid]

Gdevelop looks like the top of the list. For 2D, i mean.

[tengkuizdihar]

"just type some numbers lol"
- some programmer probably -

[painterpaw]

I love the concept of visual scripting, but non of them seem to be able to make it simpler.
Well, 3D specifically. I'm a visual learner, but I fail to see how godot/unreal even makes scripting more visual besides for noodles going everywhere.

[susgaming]

This is perfect for me! I focus more on the visual side of imagination then the intimidating programming side so I'm glad that engines like these exist!

[kap]

wow, an amazing review! unbiased but providing real feedback instead of "everything is awesome!"

[zalk_games]

Gamefactory, Klik&Create and click and play are predecessors to Click Team Fusion and they represented the best years my teen-hood, and I did have a lot of fun with Construct 2.0 a couple of years ago as it follows the exact samelogic, but honestly don't know the difference between it and version 3.0, Stencyle&GDevelop are on my todo list, thanks for the amazing content and keep up the good work.

[xboydubose]

GDevelop is the best one at least that I've found. It's like Construct 3 but almost everything Construct can do GDevelop can do for free.

[JohnCharGaming]

I actually learned to program using Blueprints. And at one point I found c# harder than blueprints. I think they are one of the best ways to learn coding.

[vangelis.gavalakis]

I second "001 Game Creator" is a good one :)

[aianomaly]

I love Pixel Game Maker MV and have used it to make 'Dickie A Cumming', 'Pension Day' and 'Someone Cloned The President' - all available on Steam. I have tried most of the engines you mentioned and this one is the only one I have been able to get to grips with so far. Despite trying to work through tutorials for Clickteam Fusion 2.5, I just find it confusing. The same goes for Gamemaker Studio. It is very odd but it's like PGM MV was made just for me!

[Petsofwarcraft]

Visual Scripting for Unity has been pushed back to 2020. Thank god for Bolt.

[ferdinandkasangati]

we can say, Unity and Unreal are the beast of Game Engines,
CryEngine has also some really High Quality Optimized rendering system,
But it has no many fans

[fhccardoso]

Man, you are a legend!!!!
Please, keep the content coming 😀

[StiekemeHenk]

I liked construct 2 but making it browser based ruins it for me.
Using godot to start learning code but ill try GDevelop to fall back a bit. (Prototype maybe?