Disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list, nor does it get into all the nuances of the ones mentioned.
JS game engine using Canvas.
- Easy collaboration
- Nice level editor
- Easy deployment to:
- Web
- Additional deployment with Cocoon JS (or other service) to:
- Apple AppStore (iOS)
- Google PlayStore (Android)
- Amazon AppStore (Android)
- Ouya (Android)
- Chrome Web Store
- Pokki
- Commercial (Although I already have a license)
- Reliant on 3rd party services for deployment options
- Is best used for limited game styles/types.
- Performance limitations
- Possible platform limitations
- No 3D
- Relatively easy collaboration
- Free
- Open Source
- Deploys to:
- Windows
- Mac
- Linux
- Additional deployment with Xamarin to:
- iOS
- Android
- Additional deployment with Xamarin costs money
- Xamarin Store
- $300 /dev/platform/year for indie license
- $1,000 /dev/platform/year for business license
- $1,900 /dev/platform/year for enterprise license
- Best suited for 2D games, 3D part is relatively new
- Graphical level/world editor
- Free (with limitations)
- Deploys to:
- Everywhere
- Commercial, pay for additional features (and platforms?)
- Unity Store
- Subscription model starts at $75 /month/dev
- $1,500 for pro version
- Additional $1,500 for each mobile platform
- Additional $500 for Team License
- Collaboration issues? (I've heard from multiple sources that collaboration can be painful with Unity)
Newer open source JS game engine using Canvas. Created by well known HTML5/JS dev (Photo Storm).
- Open Source
- Easy collaboration
- Easy deployment to:
- Web
- Additional deployment with Cocoon JS to:
- Apple AppStore (iOS)
- Google PlayStore (Android)
- Amazon AppStore (Android)
- Ouya (Android)
- Chrome Web Store
- Pokki
- Very new, unproven
- Is best used for limited game styles/types.
- Performance limitations
- Possible platform limitations
- No 3D
phonegap.com
build.phonegap.com
Mobile development using HTML and JS, along with a compilation step or use of the PhoneGap Build service (currently free). Not really a game engine, but could be used for menu driven games (Word games, choose your own adventure, stats, etc.).
- Easy collaboration
- Web Development skills transfer
- Free for now
- Deployment to:
- iOS
- Android
- Windows Phone
- Blackberry
- HP Web OS
- Symbian
- Not really a game engine
- Free for now
- Reliant on 3rd party services for deployment options