--- title: Awesome Free Software for Game Developers description: Game development can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be! Check out some of the amazing free software that could be useful to any game developers. image: https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/41128321101_0cd35ed8a0_b.jpg --- [![image-26](https://blog.uat.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing/Logos/image-26.png?width=99&name=image-26.png "image-26")](https://www.uat.edu/) ** - [Home](https://www.uattech.com) - [Majors](http://www.uat.edu/advancing-technology-degrees) - [About UAT](https://www.uat.edu/about-uat) - [Request More Information](https://www.uat.edu/request-info) [![Take a Virtual, Interactive Tour ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3455363/92ff0e66-7821-430b-88c3-a32c82c5bda2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3455363/92ff0e66-7821-430b-88c3-a32c82c5bda2) # What's happening on UAT's campus- A blog published by UAT Students. ALL CATEGORIES - [all Categories](https://blog.uat.edu) - [ Advancing Computer Science ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/advancing-computer-science) - [ Advertising Art ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/advertising-art) - [ Artificial Intelligence ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/artificial-intelligence) - [ Business Technology ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/business-technology) - [ Cyber Security ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/cyber-security) - [ Data Science ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/data-science) - [ Digital Maker and Fabrication ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/digital-maker-and-fabrication) - [ Digital Marketing ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/digital-marketing) - [ Digital Video ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/digital-video) - [ Game Studies ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/game-studies) - [ Human Computer Interaction ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/human-computer-interaction) - [ Robotics and Embedded Systems ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/robotics-and-embedded-sytems) - [ Software Engineering ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/software-engineering) - [ Virtual Reality ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/virtual-reality) - [ Alumni ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/alumni) - [ Behind the Bits Magazine ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/behind-the-bits) - [ Career and Work ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/career-and-work) - [ Competitions ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/competitions) - [ Events ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/events) - [ Geek411 Magazine ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/geek-411) - [ Graduate Studies ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/graduate-studies) - [ Military ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/military) - [ People, Places and Things ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/people-places-and-things) - [ Perimeter83 ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/Perimeter83) - [ Student Innovation Project (SIP) ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/student-innovation-project) - [ Student Work ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/student-work) - [ Technology News ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/technology-news) - [ UAT Life ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/UAT-life) - [ UAT News ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/UAT-news) [video game music](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/video-game-music), [Game Studies](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/game-studies)   |   7 Min Read ## Awesome Free Software for Game Developers ![Picture of Jordan Brown](https://yt3.ggpht.com/a-/AN66SAyfUZTcLcwrX3oZWSArJCgYBw0QOmI6-UtIQw=s900-mo-c-c0xffffffff-rj-k-no) [ Written by Jordan Brown ](https://blog.uat.edu/author/jordan-brown) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/smol_jordan) Game development can be expensive. Expensive software, licensing fees, publishing costs, etc. will eat up your money. So, to save as much money as you can, here’s some great free software that can be useful to [game developers](https://www.uat.edu/game-design-degree)! **Game Engines** ![41128321101_0cd35ed8a0_b](https://blog.uat.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/41128321101_0cd35ed8a0_b.jpg?width=1024&name=41128321101_0cd35ed8a0_b.jpg) There are plenty of free game engines out there, but I think the best three for most developers will be [Unity](https://unity.com/), [Unreal Engine](https://www.unrealengine.com/), and [GameMaker Studio 2](https://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker). Each of these engines has their own advantages and disadvantages, but they are all very powerful, free engines. A few others that may interest people are [LÖVE2D](https://love2d.org/), [Construct](https://www.scirra.com/), [Godot](https://godotengine.org/), and [Lumberyard](https://aws.amazon.com/lumberyard/).   **3D Art Programs** ![Former-U.S.-Army-Soldiers-Matt-Roberts-and-Ben-Day-along-with-Lead-Animator-Steve-Ross-are-suited-up-at-the-Army-Game-Studio](https://blog.uat.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Former-U.S.-Army-Soldiers-Matt-Roberts-and-Ben-Day-along-with-Lead-Animator-Steve-Ross-are-suited-up-at-the-Army-Game-Studio.jpg?width=640&name=Former-U.S.-Army-Soldiers-Matt-Roberts-and-Ben-Day-along-with-Lead-Animator-Steve-Ross-are-suited-up-at-the-Army-Game-Studio.jpg) Doing [3D art](https://www.uat.edu/game-art-and-animation-degree) for free can be a challenge as it may seem like all of the software required will empty your bank, but there are free programs out there! [Blender ](https://www.blender.org/)is the most known one and is a very powerful 3D modelling and animation program. [Sculptris ](https://pixologic.com/sculptris/)is another software useful for sculpting models as if they were clay.   **2D Art Programs** ![24299581265_f4ee4ca1d9_b](https://blog.uat.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/24299581265_f4ee4ca1d9_b.jpg?width=1024&name=24299581265_f4ee4ca1d9_b.jpg) 2D [digital art ](https://www.uat.edu/game-art-and-animation-degree)is a bit easier to do for free and there are plenty of programs out there. Heck, you could even use Microsoft Paint, although I wouldn’t recommend it. What I would recommend is [Paint.net,](https://www.getpaint.net/) [Piskel](https://www.piskelapp.com/), or [Gimp](https://www.gimp.org/). Piskel is an online pixel art editor great for creating pixel art and animations. Paint.net is actually not a website as you might think, but a free art program good for photo editing, or creating assets. Gimp is another option for 2D asset creation which is known for being a very powerful free art program.   **Sound Effect Design** ![computer_electronics_laptop_macro_mic_microphone_screen-1530947](https://blog.uat.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/computer_electronics_laptop_macro_mic_microphone_screen-1530947.jpg?width=1200&name=computer_electronics_laptop_macro_mic_microphone_screen-1530947.jpg) Sound effects are often overlooked in games, but they can be essential to making your game feel great. A great tool for many games to create original sound effects is [Bfxr](https://www.bfxr.net/). It’s a free program originally made for game jams that allows you to create original sound effects easily. The other option for SFX design is to record and edit your sounds in [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/). Audacity is a free audio editing program which is excellent for recording sounds and editing them to fit your needs. It’s one of the most versatile audio programs around and it’s completely free!   **Music Composition** ![27255287898_0cbbbe8209_b](https://blog.uat.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/27255287898_0cbbbe8209_b.jpg?width=1024&name=27255287898_0cbbbe8209_b.jpg) One of the most difficult things to do without paying for software is music. In many cases, your best option will be to use Audacity to record and edit your music acoustically. If, however, you want to digitally create your music your options are limited. [Milkytracker ](https://milkytracker.titandemo.org/)and [Famitracker ](http://www.famitracker.com/)are excellent software for creating chiptunes (8-bit music), but are limited to only creating chiptunes. The [FL Studio](https://www.image-line.com/flstudio/) Demo will allow you to create many sounds and patterns, or even an entire song, but since it is only the demo, you cannot reload projects once you close the program. Overall, I would recommend sticking to Audacity for acoustic music, or a tracker software for chiptunes.   So as you can see, games do not always have to be expensive to produce. You could make everything you need in a full game for free with the right tools and the right mindset! - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.uat.edu/awesome-free-software-for-game-developers&title=Awesome%20Free%20Software%20for%20Game%20Developers&picture=https://learn.uat.edu/hubfs/41128321101_0cd35ed8a0_b.jpg&description=Game%20development%20can%20be%20expensive,%20but%20it%20doesn't%20have%20to%20be!%20Check%20out%20some%20of%20the%20amazing%20free%20software%20that%20could%20be%20useful%20to%20any%20game%20developers.) - [** ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://blog.uat.edu/awesome-free-software-for-game-developers&text=Awesome%20Free%20Software%20for%20Game%20Developers) - [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.uat.edu/awesome-free-software-for-game-developers&title=Awesome%20Free%20Software%20for%20Game%20Developers&summary=Game%20development%20can%20be%20expensive,%20but%20it%20doesn't%20have%20to%20be!%20Check%20out%20some%20of%20the%20amazing%20free%20software%20that%20could%20be%20useful%20to%20any%20game%20developers.) - [** ](mailto:?subject=Awesome%20Free%20Software%20for%20Game%20Developers&body=Awesome%20Free%20Software%20for%20Game%20Developers%20https://blog.uat.edu/awesome-free-software-for-game-developers) ### Don't forget to share this post! - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.uat.edu/awesome-free-software-for-game-developers&title=Awesome%20Free%20Software%20for%20Game%20Developers&picture=https://learn.uat.edu/hubfs/41128321101_0cd35ed8a0_b.jpg&description=Game%20development%20can%20be%20expensive,%20but%20it%20doesn't%20have%20to%20be!%20Check%20out%20some%20of%20the%20amazing%20free%20software%20that%20could%20be%20useful%20to%20any%20game%20developers.) - [** ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://blog.uat.edu/awesome-free-software-for-game-developers&text=Awesome%20Free%20Software%20for%20Game%20Developers) - [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.uat.edu/awesome-free-software-for-game-developers&title=Awesome%20Free%20Software%20for%20Game%20Developers&summary=Game%20development%20can%20be%20expensive,%20but%20it%20doesn't%20have%20to%20be!%20Check%20out%20some%20of%20the%20amazing%20free%20software%20that%20could%20be%20useful%20to%20any%20game%20developers.) - [** ](mailto:?subject=Awesome%20Free%20Software%20for%20Game%20Developers&body=Awesome%20Free%20Software%20for%20Game%20Developers%20https://blog.uat.edu/awesome-free-software-for-game-developers) ### Comment ## Related Articles [Student Work](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/student-work) [Game Studies](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/game-studies) ### [Game Art & Animation Student Work Highlight: Ancient Environment](https://blog.uat.edu/game-art-animation-student-work-highlight-ancient-environment) UAT student Baylee Balsimo Ketelhut describes her process working through this Ancient Envinronment across two Game Art & Animation classes with UAT Professor Jorge Portillo. He stated "She made ... [![Picture of Baylee Balsimo Kettelhut](https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/UAT%20Logo%20-%20No%20shadow.jpg) Baylee Balsimo Kettelhut ](https://blog.uat.edu/author/baylee-balsimo-kettelhut) 7 Min Read [Student Innovation Project](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/student-innovation-project) [Game Studies](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/game-studies) ### [Student Innovation Projects in Game Programming and Game Design at UAT](https://blog.uat.edu/student-innovation-projects-in-game-programming-and-game-design-at-uat) The University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is proud to showcase the Spring 2024 Student Innovation Projects (SIPs) from the Game Programming and Game Design majors. These projects represent the ... [![Picture of Madison Robinson](https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/0523_Madison%20Robinson-8%202.jpg) Madison Robinson ](https://blog.uat.edu/author/madison-robinson) 7 Min Read [Student Ambassador](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/student-ambassador) [UAT Life](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/uat-life) ### [Leveling Up: The Life of Gaming Student, Katherine Ervin](https://blog.uat.edu/leveling-up-the-life-of-gaming-student-katherine-ervin) University of Advancing Technology (UAT) sat down with Student Ambassador, Katherine (Kat) Ervin to talk about her studies and how they intersect with her work and personal life. [![Picture of Stace Dixon](https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/Fabcom_UATPortraits20244199.jpg) Stace Dixon ](https://blog.uat.edu/author/stace-dixon) 7 Min Read [![UAT-Logo-new](https://blog.uat.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos,%20Buttons,%20Icons%20(Non%20UAT)/UAT-Logo-new.jpg?width=151&name=UAT-Logo-new.jpg "UAT-Logo-new")](https://www.uat.edu/) UAT Tech is a blog by the University of Advancing Technology - [** ](https://www.instagram.com/uatedu) - [** ](https://twitter.com/uatedu) - [** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/uatedu) - [** ](https://www.youtube.com/user/UATProductions) Want More? - [Learn More About UAT](https://www.uat.edu/request-info) - [Apply Now](https://uatfastapp.com/) - [Student Life Blog](https://blog.uat.edu/) Contact Us **Email: [ admissions@uat.edu ](mailto:admissions@uat.edu) **Phone: [ +1 800-658-5744 ](tel:+1%20800-658-5744) **Address: 2625 W Baseline Rd, Tempe, AZ 85283 Copyright @ 2026.The University of Advancing Technology. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jordan Brown", "url" : "https://blog.uat.edu/author/jordan-brown" }, "dateModified" : "2020-01-15T17:54:38.647Z", "datePublished" : "2019-12-19T20:00:02.000Z", "headline" : "Awesome Free Software for Game Developers", "image" : [ "https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/41128321101_0cd35ed8a0_b.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.uat.edu/awesome-free-software-for-game-developers", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/front%20no%20shadow-2.png" }, "name" : "University of Advancing Technology" } } ```