Top Game Engines for Online Board Game Development

The popularity of online board games has surged in recent years, driven by advancements in technology and the increasing demand for online entertainment. From classic board games like Ludo and Chess to even niche variants like The Game of Life and Cluedo, a plethora of online board games are available.

Whether you are an indie developer or a major gaming studio, it is crucial to choose the right game engine to build an engaging and seamless board game experience. But, how do you do that?

In this article, we will explore some of the top game engines available for online board game development, evaluating their features and flexibility for different project requirements.

Best Game Engines for Board Game Development

Here are the most popular game engines that are used to make a board game from scratch.

Unity

Unity is one of the most powerful and widely used game engines, offering extensive support for both 2D and 3D game development. It is the most commonly used game engine for creating cross-platform 2D/3D board games. It features a flexible C# scripting system, robust physics engine, and massive asset store, making it an excellent choice for developing online board games.

Key Features of Unity

Cross-platform Support

Built-in multiplayer support

Great asset store with pre-built assets and networking tools

High level of customization.

Unreal Engine

Developed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine is known for its photorealistic graphics and powerful physics engine. While Unreal is commonly used for AAA games, it features a Blueprint visual scripting system, making it accessible for board game developers without extensive coding knowledge. It is primarily used to create complex board games with high-end graphics and immersive environments.

Key Features of Unreal Engine

Real-time rendering

Photo-realistic Graphics

Blueprint visual scripting for non-programmers

Cross-platform support including PC, consoles, and mobile

Advanced networking options

Godot

Godot is an open-source game engine that has gained popularity for its simplicity, light weight, nature, and excellent 2D capabilities. It uses its own scripting language, GDScript, which is easy to learn and efficient for developing online board games. If you are looking for a free, open-source, and efficient engine for developing 2D online board games, Godot is an excellent choice.

Key Features of Godot

Free and open-source game engine

Lightweight and optimized for 2D games

Built-in networking features for multiplayer board games

Supports multiple programming languages, including GDScript, C#, and VisualScript)

Tabletop Simulator

Tabletop Simulator is a unique game engine designed specifically for online board games. It provides developers with the tools to create and test board games in a virtual environment with physics-based interactions. It is great for quick prototyping and tabletop game simulation, allowing developers to create and test board games without building an entire framework from scratch.

Key Features of Tabletop Simulator

Realistic physics for board game pieces and mechanics

Multiplayer support with built-in voice and text chat.

Extensive modding tools and Steam Workshop integration

Supports VR for immersive gameplay experience.

Phaser

Phaser is an HTML5-based lightweight game framework that is ideal for developing browser-based and mobile-friendly board games. It offers an easy-to-use JavaScript-based environment and supports both canvas and WebGL rendering. In fact, Phaser is an excellent choice for developers looking to make lightweight and accessible games that can be played on browsers and mobile devices.

Key Features of Phaser

Optimized for browser-based game development

Open-source with a large community and extensive documentation

Supports multiplayer functionality

Efficient asset management

PlayCanvas

PlayCanvas is a cloud-based game engine designed for 3D web game development. It provides an online editor, making it easy to collaborate on projects, and is optimized for high-performance browser-based experiences. If you are a developer who wants to create a web-based 3D board game, PlayCanvas offers an efficient, streamlined development experience.

Key Features of PlayCanvas

Web-based games. Do not require installations

Lightweight and fast-loading for browser-based games

Real-time multiplayer capabilities

Open-source with an active community

These are some of the most common and widely used game engines to create online board games from scratch. You can choose the one that suits your requirements. But how exactly do you do that? Let’s learn.

How to Choose the Right Game Engine?

When selecting a game engine for online board game development, consider the following factors:

Complexity of the game: If you need high-end graphics and physics, Unreal Engine or Unity might be the best choice. For simpler 2D games, Godot or Phaser are excellent options.

Platform Requirements: If your game needs to be accessible on multiple platforms, Unity and Unreal Engine offer extensive cross-platform support.

Multiplayer Capabilities: If your game relies heavily on online multiplayer features, ensure that the engine you choose has solid networking support (e.g., Unity offers seamless support with Photon)

Budget and Licensing: If you want a free solution, Godot and Phaser are great open-source alternatives, where Unreal and Unity may have licensing costs based on revenue.

Final Words

Developing an online board game requires careful consideration of the game engine to ensure smooth gameplay, accessibility, and an engaging player experience. Whether you are aiming for a high-fidelity experience with Unreal Engine, a lightweight 2D game with Godot, or a browser-based game with Phaser, there are plenty of options to choose from. By selecting the right engine based on your own project’s needs, you can create a compelling and enjoyable online board game for players worldwide.