Experimenting with Game Engines

1 Sept

It can be easy to become overly focused on mastering one particular engine, but for emerging developers, the real skill is adaptability. Each engine brings its own constraints and affordances, and these limitations can spark new forms of creativity. By stepping outside the comfort of a single tool, developers gain a broader understanding of how games can be structured, built, and communicated.

Experimenting with multiple engines teaches you how to learn in unfamiliar environments. Developing curiosity, problem-solving strategies, and the confidence to adapt across platforms are transferable skills that serve game developers throughout their careers. This slidedeck highlights a range of engines—major, independent, and experimental—that you might explore to sharpen those abilities.

*Slidedeck describing a variety of game engines you can explore. Click through to find out more!*

Dr Alayna Cole

Dr Alayna Cole is a game studies lecturer and researcher, and has over a decade of industry experience across numerous roles. She has published many academic, journalistic, and creative works, which—though varied—are connected by her research interest in the intersections between marginalised identities and game development. Alayna was previously the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager at Sledgehammer Games, where she led initiatives that prioritised equitable labour practices and authentic game content for the Call of Duty franchise. Alayna has spoken about her work globally, including at a United Nations summit on gender-based violence.

http://alaynacole.com

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