Recs.
Updated
App Game Kit 2.0 is an instant development engine for hobbyist and indie developers. You can code in AGK BASIC or C++ & XCode.
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro You only need to to pay for the license only
There is no charge for upgrades, or for extra platforms (the HTML5 version just appeared in the latest version), there are no subscription fees or other usage charges. If you publish onto either Apple or Google's stores you will have to pay their costs, of course, but the makers of AGK do not take a cut of this themselves.
Pro Easy basic programming
Program in tier 1 BASIC programming for every 3D game need.
Pro Raspberry Pi free version available
A Raspberry Pi version is available and free. Users just need to register with the developer and then they can download.
Pro Very fast compilation
It is a compilation based language, but the compilation is very fast. A project of about 1800 lines of code, for example, can compile almost instantly. (That's because it does not compile, it's an interpreter)
Pro Uses a powerful scripting language built for game development
Software produced with the App Game Kit is written in a language called AGK Script. This language has powerful inbuild commands including commands for 2D graphics, physics and networking. The commands make use of the platforms' native functions to improve performance. They are also designed to enhance code readability. The AGK Script commands have extensive online documentation.
Cons
Recommendations
Comments
Flagged Pros + Cons
Pro Free Raspberry Pi version
Just register with TheGameCreators and you can download a free version for Raspberry Pi.
Con No local documentation
If you need assistance, you will need to go surfing the web in order to find what you need. There isn't any helpful documentation included. Though there are help files for all commands for both the basic and c++ tiers. The help also includes advanced documentation on some of the more advanced concepts such as developing for different devices and resolutions.
Out of Date Pros + Cons
Con Not enough regression testing
AppGameKit, like most products from TGC, evolves too fast for the number of people working on it. Unfortunately, this makes it common for new releases to break working code, when some apparently innocuous change somewhere inside the engine code has repercussions elsewhere. Until TGC can improve in the regression testing, more seasoned developers probably would trade some of the innovation for code stability.
Con Few skilled developers and lots of bugs with very high turn-around on fixes
There are very few developers, even fewer who are working on AGK and not out marketing it as a working product, then out of those, few who seem to be skilled programmers.
There's no support for any type of sensors or GPS. The full API and even the compiler are riddled with bugs even at the time of this writing. For example the latest beta at the time of this writing, and years after initial release, you can corrupt compiles if you don't space function parameters just right, and HTTP calls simple don't function on some platforms. HTTP functions are early functionality.