SE
Stride Engine
Stride Engine is a free and open-source cross-platform C# game engine designed for creating 2D and 3D games, as well as other interactive content for desktop and VR.
Our verdict
Who it's for
A free, open-source C# game engine for 2D, 3D, and VR interactive content.
Who should look elsewhere
May have a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with C# or .NET.
Pros
- +Completely free and open-source with an MIT license.
- +Leverages modern C# and .NET 10 for powerful and familiar development.
- +Strong focus on next-gen graphics and performance with multi-threading and modern APIs.
- +Comprehensive toolchain and visual editors simplify game development.
- +Active community and extensive documentation available.
Cons
- −May have a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with C# or .NET.
- −Being open-source, support might be community-driven rather than dedicated enterprise support.
- −Newer engine compared to established alternatives, potentially smaller asset store or community resources.
Key features
- ✓Cross-platform 2D and 3D game development
- ✓VR ready with native Oculus and HTC Vive support
- ✓C# 14 scripting with .NET 10
- ✓Stride Game Studio with visual editors (UI, Scene, Sprite, Curve)
- ✓Nested prefab and archetype systems
- ✓Customizable rendering pipeline with Graphics Compositor
- ✓Physically-Based Rendering (PBR) materials
- ✓Light probes for indirect lighting
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Billing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | — | month | Cross-platform C# game engine; 2D and 3D games; Interactive content on desktop and VR |