godot vs unity vs unreal vs game maker for education

- unity or unreal doesn't use any python like language unity is C# unreal is c++ so if you don't want to teach a new language to them, choose Godot

- Godot is capable in the 3D area too, I think you don't want to create the next AAA game in the class, and I hope you don't want to force them to do something big, so again, Godot

- I have a backend developer background, I'm using python on daily basis, and I can convert anything written in python into Gdscript easily, so if they have any kind of python knowledge teach Godot

- everything is a node is an easy to learn concept

- godot is fully open source, and runs on low-end hardware too

Students might appreciate a small download too, I know Unity is massive and takes forever. You don’t even need to download it, there’s a version of the editor that runs in the browser!

Edit: Not sure if the browser version can export projects, though that just takes a download of the full editor (and export profiles, which take a few minutes)

I assume you are the instructor.

I agree with u/GammaGames and u/KenguruHUN.

The small download size makes Godot Engine perfect for classroom learning.

Godot Engine will work with almost any computer slow or fast. Linux, Windows, Web Browser.

Godot has great 2D and 3D capabilities. More than enough for a intro to game making class.

GDScript isn't python, but I'm willing to bet that a proficient GDScript programmer will be able to use their knowledge to learn other programming languages much easier. Since most of programming is learning how variables, functions, scope, loops work.

I would go for Godot, especially if the students already knows Python because how similar the GDscript is. Also due to the start-to-result speed which is unmatched.

When teaching, time is always an issue and you don't want to waste time setting things up or getting too complicated.

Godot is set up and ready to go in a matter of minutes while demanding next to nothing of the computer, which is perfect. Its also very easy to pick up quickly, which is also what you want for yourself and the students.

Unity and Unreal might be better in some aspects, but it comes with some extra time investment.

Godot is by no means bad though, and is very capable of doing almost anything the others can do, it just might not be the best at stuff like 3D. That said, anything you could possibly want to do with an engine during a game development course, you can do with Godot no problem.

Here is the thing though, regardless of what engine you use, the basics are the same, just go by different names. They all use the same math to do things, they all have assets, scripts, shaders, and so on. Any sprite or 3D model they make during this can also easily be applied elsewhere if they wish, it's not tied to the engine. Assuming they don't actually make them in the engine ofc, but even then it might be exportable.

So go for something simple like Godot to teach the core concepts and workflow. If or when they decide they need a better 3D engine or something else, a lot of what they have learned will transfer over, and its mostly a matter of changing language, learning what the different things are called and how they are structured in the new engine. You can even do C# in Godot to make the transfer to something like Unity even easier, which could be a great way to learn C# actually.

In agreement with everyone else.

Unreal is right out because if the editor closes or crashes for whatever reason, it'll take all day to load back up. Although people do seem to like blueprints in Unreal a lot more than other visual scripting options.

Unity has some decent visual scripting options, but I don't have any experience with them personally. It's probably about as good as Godot, just bulkier and with C#.

Game Maker has REALLY good visual scripting options, but if your students have already been exposed to python, it might be too simple for them. I recommend it for people who have never coded before because the linear nature makes more sense, but it may just end up confusing people who already have code experience.

Godot is the clear winner overall, installs in seconds, loads in less, and allows for exporting to whatever right out of the gate.

First of all, I would recommend asking this question in other places as well. Not that the answers provided thus far are in any way wrong, but being a subreddit dedicated to Godot there will obviously be some bias.

So, to play devils advocate a bit, here are some reason why you might not want to use Godot (or things you should at least consider before picking it):

- While I've never tried visual scripting myself, from what I've heard it's not nearly as robust as that of competitors, especially Unreal Engines blueprints, which are supposed to be really good (but then again, unless you want to exclusively use visual scripting that might not be the best option either, as Unreal uses C++ otherwise, which might be a bit daunting for teenagers that have only used Python thus far).

- The 3D is definitely decent, certainly if you're only looking to make simple projects, but it is also undoubtedly behind the other two, which are primarily 3D engines (though on the other hand, those two in turn aren't as suited for 2D development). The upcoming version 4.0 will likely even the playing field , but no one knows yet when that will come out. Supposedly it will release later this year, which would work out fine if your course only starts next year like you said, though if you want to start your preparations before that, be prepared to either relearn a lot of things, or to use the 4.0 alpha for the time being, which is unstable and not nearly as well documented.

- Speaking of documentation, while I wouldn't agree with the commonly held opinion that Godots documentation is poor, it is definitely true that the other two have a lot more helpful resources, such as youtube tutorials, available on the web. Not that Godot doesn't have any of those, but there are certainly less, which, depending on how much you want your students to independently work on solutions for their projects, this may or may not be a big deal.

Overall, despite the things I mentioned, I would still very much recommend Godot, mainly because of the reasons others have mentioned already: it is light, it uses a very Python-like and easy to learn language, and also, it's clean and intuitive interface just makes it a lot of fun to use, which I do think is important as well.

Your description sounds like all the right reasons to go with Godot. I think it's a perfect match!

The only thing Godot does not do well here is Visual Scripting. However if your students have a bit of Python background already, they will feel much more comfortable with GDScript anyway. There is only a slither of people using Visual Scripting in Godot, GDScript is just so much better. You won't be missing out.

Godot 3D does not look as nice as Unity or Unreal 3D by default. You can get there pretty close if you add a WorldEnvironment to the scene and do some adjusting. See the docs here: https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/3d/environment_and_post_processing.html