This page collates animation digital content creation (DCC) software used in the creation of video games. Only software with animation functionality is included.
Note: GAME ANIM is not affiliated with any of the software listed.
3D Animation Software
Below are the most commonly-used 3D animation software by professionals and hobbyists alike, as well as recommended tools to aid animation creation.
| Name | OS | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maya | M W | Free* | 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software |
| 3DS Max | M W | Free* | 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software |
| Blender | M W | Free | Open-source 3D creation |
| Studio Library | M W | Free | Manage poses and animation in Maya |
| Animbot | M W | $$ | Powerful toolset for Maya Animators |
| Maya ART | M W | Free | Complete skeletal creation for Maya |
2D Animation Software
2D animation software for games is generally less expensive than 3D. Many professional 2d & pixel art games art made with these DCCs.
| Name | OS | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aseprite | M W | $ | Animated sprite editor & pixel art tool |
| Pro Motion | W | $$ | Professional pixel animation |
| Pyxel Edit | M W | $ | Tilesets, levels and animations |
| Adobe Photoshop | M* W | $$$ | Widely-used all round 2D art & animation |
| Clip Studio Paint | M W | $$$ | Drawing-focused art & animation |
| Piskel | Web | Free | Accessible online-only pixel editor |
| GraphicsGale | W | Free | Easy to use graphics & animation software |
| GrafX2 | M W | Free | Retro-style 2D pixel art and animation |
| Krita | M W | Free | Open source 2D art & animation |
| Spine | M W | $$$ | Modular animation for games |
| Spriter | M W | $$ | Animation for 2D games |
| Hexels | M W | $$ | Grid-based 2D art & animation |
| Procreate | iPad | $ | Fully-featured mobile art & animation |
| Adobe Animate | M W | $$$ | Interactive animation for games |
| Pixel Studio | M* W | Free | Light-weight pixel editor |
| Pixaki | iPad | $$ | Pixel art app for iPad |
Game Engines
With the exception of Unity and Unreal, the below engines specialise in 2D development without all the bloat of a multi-purpose engine so are a simpler entry point.
| Name | OS | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreal | M W | Free | Fully-functioning 2D/3D game engine |
| Unity | M W | Free | Fully-functioning 2D/3D game engine |
| Game Maker | M W | $$ | Versatile 2D-only engine |
| RPG Maker | M W | $$ | RPG-specific game engine |
| Godot | M W | Free | Free entry-level 2D/3D engine |
| Construct | Web | $$ | Online-only game editor |
| Buildbox | M W | $$$ | No-code game creation |
| Pico-8 | M W | $ | Minimalist virtual console & editor |
| GB Studio | M W | Free | Gameboy-like 2D game engine |
Game Content Creation Tools
Various content creation tools useful for smaller indie titles
| Name | OS | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texture Packer | M W | $ | Sprite-sheet optimiser |
| Free Texture Packer | M W | Free | Free sprite-sheet optimiser |
| Level Design Toolkit | M W | Free | Free 2D level editor |
| OGMO Editor | M W | Free | Free 2D Level Editor |
| Blockbench | M W | Free | A low-poly 3D model editor |
| Crocodile 3D | M W | $ | A tile-based 3d modeling editor |