When comparing Loom SDK vs AppGameKit 2.0, the Slant community recommends AppGameKit 2.0 for most people. In the question“What are the best 2D game engines?” AppGameKit 2.0 is ranked 25th while Loom SDK is ranked 45th. The most important reason people chose AppGameKit 2.0 is:
The AppGameKit Basic can now export to HTML5.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Live reload of code and assets across multiple platforms
Loom can live update changes in realtime, allowing you to see them on multiple devices immediately.
Pro Powerful command line workflow
Loom Turbo ($5/mo) gives access to powerful command line tools. For example, "loom new" to make a new project, "loom run" to run it. Packaging, deploy, and live reload are done automatically for you.
Pro Open source
The Loom runtime and LoomScript compiler are open source, with code available on GitHub, allowing you to have the freedom to fix the bugs and add the features your game needs.
Pro Examples
Loom includes over 30 examples ranging from complete sample games to demos of single features.
Pro Familiar and powerful scripting
Loom's scripting language is immediately familiar if you know JavaScript, ActionScript, TypeScript, C#, or Java. Internally, it uses a proven VM technology with over 10 years of heavy use in games.
Pro Good support
Loom devs are helpful.
Pro Cross-platform
Loom can deploy to Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android (including Nook, Kindle Fire and Ouya). There are also custom port available for WP8, Blackberry and consoles.
Pro HTML5 support
The AppGameKit Basic can now export to HTML5.
Pro Cross platform
Supports developing games for Android, iOS, PC, Mac, Linux and now HTML5.
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 Plugin support for Windows
Plug-ins can now be added to the Windows platform. Create your own Tier BASIC commands and call them using the AppGameKit Basic script language style.
Pro Instant testing on multiple devices at once
AppGameKit supports instant testing on all connected devices. With the push of a button you can run your game on any device connected to the development machine.
Pro Excellent documentation
Every function is fully documented with examples and exercises. The Tutorial PDF is a full Introduction to 3D game programming with integrated references to every functionality and its most important usecases. The documentation is regulary updated.
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 Support
Informed, timely and intelligent feedback from the AGK forum.
Pro Fast development
There are plenty of functions which facilitate development and deployment. For example, the AGK player immediately plays the updated bytecode on Android devices then the online site helps with building an APK file for Google Play Store in minutes.
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.
Pro C++ and Basic, you have the choice.
It runs fast with BASIC but if you want more you can use C++, it's also easy to use.
Pro Can be used for advanced games programming in C++
Libraries which provide the same functionality are available for the five platforms, so you can code in C++
Pro Comes with an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
AGK comes with an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) based on the Code::Blocks IDE for writing AGK scripts. A key feature of the IDE is its ability to broadcast compiled programs to other devices for testing.
Pro Performance
Cons
Con Documentation is lacking
Con No visual tools support
There's no level editor, asset viewer or any other visual tools in Loom SDK. Everything has to go through command line. I think it's fine if you really like typing.
Con Restrictive virtual buttons
"AppGameKit" does not grant editing the very basic parameters of virtual buttons such as font and text size. The only method some people suggest is to use an image for every single "button".
Con Terrible scripting language
MS Basic from the 70's has more features. Procedural, no OO, inheritance, basic user defined types with overloading. Nothing. It even has GOSUB.
Con BASIC language
Even though it supports C++, it's mostly C++ mapped to BASIC without OOP.
Con Can almost only do trivial games
The editor is rather limited, not fully polished, and 3D is missing some key functionalities (3D is work in progress).