ShiVa vs GameGuru

The free ShiVa Web version is limited to web publication, but otherwise has the same capabilities as the $200 ShiVa Basic. Upgrading to the $1000 ShiVa Advanced brings tools geared toward team development and professional releases, such as integrated SVN support and profiling tools. All versions are royalty-free.

All game logic can be scripted in Lua. ShiVa also provides a cross-compiler from Lua to C++, allowing Lua scripts to be further optimized and compiled to native code for performance.

In addition to the help forum, Basic and Advanced licensees have chat and direct email access to the developers.

Smaller platform specific executables, native code export, good FPS even for complex scenes. ShiVa has great advanced optimization features, including PVS and LOD, decreasing number of drawcalls even in complex level. Platform specific profiles allow developers to customize size and compression level for textures and test those settings directly in editor. Other engine features, like lightning baking, mesh combining and GPU skinning will boost performance too.

Simplicity and accessibility are the core design goals of FPS Creator Reloaded.

Users share ideas, help, and advice through the official forums. The community also provides a wealth of free assets, and the GameGuru Assets Store sees constant additions.

News and improvements are released on a monthly schedule. Interaction between The Game Creators and project backers is excellent.

Easily import your own 3D models with the built-in importer and create custom characters with the Character creator. Custom weapons are much more difficult, though.

The gamer creator forums have a large number of users, developing games, making models for sale and to give away for other users. They answer questions, help each other with problems in their games, and can make using this software so much more fun and easy.

Games you publish with GameGuru can be sold without any restrictions or commissions.

An easy 3D editor to create your own maps in seconds with drag-and-drop function.

Awesome friendly GUI, and quite easy to use.

Currently in development but already looking very good! Easily create big and customized buildings with default building blocks and share them with others.

Also very easy to use in the designer: The buildings are treated like entities but still directly available in the 'building editor mode'.

Uses Lua.

A store where you can buy various assets for your games like sounds, 3D models, weapons... Very good prices and a lot of assets are even free.

The Game Creators team frequent the forums and ask the community for feeback and suggestions both there and via an open poll on the website. They have a great history of reading suggestions, viewing screenshots, and generally working with the community.

The game engine is optimized for efficient use of memory.