If the sound of game development interests you, you are in luck. Today, there are several game engines and platforms available that allow anyone with an idea to create and share their own games and experiences. With the advent of UEFN, UE5.2, and Fortnite Creative 2.0, one can easily be overwhelmed by their many choices. So what are the differences?
Unreal Editor for Fortnite(UEFN for short) and Fortnite Creative 2.0 are very similar, except that Fortnite Creative is used inside Fortnite while UEFN is a PC-based version that provides all the functionality of Fortnite Creative but offers much more powerful creation capabilities, including importing your own assets and the ability to write your own code with Verse, a new programming language. Although it's an engine for game development, it's not in the same class as Unreal Engine. Fortnite Creative, now with a dedicated developer tool, is more comparable to Core Games and Roblox where it's tailored towards Gamers than professional developers. The creations made within these tools are meant to be played within their respective games, while Unreal Engine and Unity are professional editors designed to make entire standalone games.
If you look into the details, some significant differences exist between Fortnite Creative, Core Games, and Roblox.
Monetization
One of the main differences between these platforms is the way they handle monetization. Epic Games is returning to its roots as an affiliate marketing program. Payouts (40% that's kept in reserve for creators) will be shared with island creators based on their maps' popularity and retention. Core Games, on the other hand, does not charge any royalties, but it does have a revenue share program for developers who create and sell premium content. They share revenue with creators in an even 50/50 split. Roblox charges a 30% fee on all developer earnings, including game sales and in-game purchases.
Player Base Sizes
Another important consideration when choosing a platform is the size of the player base. Fortnite Creative, being part of the popular Fortnite game, has a huge player base of millions of active players. Core Games, while still relatively new, has been growing rapidly and has attracted millions of players as well. Roblox, on the other hand, has an even larger player base with over 150 million monthly active users.
Asset Creation
All three platforms provide tools and resources for creating assets, but they differ in their approach. UEFN is a powerful game engine with robust tools for asset creation, but it requires more technical skill to use. Core Games has a simpler, more accessible toolset for asset creation, with a focus on user-friendly drag-and-drop interfaces. Roblox also provides an easy-to-use toolset, but its asset creation tools are more limited than the other platforms.
Tools and Integration
All three platforms offer a variety of tools and integrations, but they differ in their approach. Unreal Editor provides a full suite of tools for game development, including advanced physics engines, AI systems, and advanced scripting capabilities. Core Games provides an intuitive toolset that allows for quick prototyping and development, and it also integrates with third-party tools such as Maya and Photoshop. Roblox provides a variety of in-house tools and integrations, including its own proprietary programming language and a marketplace for purchasing pre-made assets.
In conclusion, there are several key differences between UEFN, Core Games, and Roblox. Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, and which one is best for you will depend on your goals and the type of game or experience you want to create. Unreal Editor is best suited for those with more technical skills who want to create complex, high-quality games. Core Games is best suited for those who want to prototype and develop simple multiplayer games quickly. Roblox is best suited for those who want to create family-friendly, social experiences with a large and active player base.
