Best Game Development Games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated game development games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free game development games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Last Remains
"Last Remains" is a highly challenging multiplayer zombie survival game. Players must survive in a city overrun by the undead, scavenging for food, arming themselves, avoiding zombies, searching for loot, plundering other survivors, and finding any possible way to escape.
Moral Dilemma: The Interview
A fourth-wall-breaking narrative adventure. It’s interview day, and you really need this job—enough to ignore the talking printer, the anomaly corridor, and the ridiculous life-or-death trials your interviewer keeps putting you in. But deep down, you know... something here is very, very wrong.
Pixel Art Academy: Learn Mode
Learn how to draw pixel art with a video game! Start from zero and develop real art skills in a relaxing way. Complete interactive tutorials, draw pixel art sprites, and play the games you create. Everyone can do this!
Smack Studio
A sandbox fighting game with built-in creation tools to create characters and stages. Animate pixel art characters using our 3D pixel art rotation technology, then battle with up to 8 players! Use our tools to export sprites for your own projects.
Arctic Eggs
Eggs: perfection in two parts. The simple whites. The sublime yolk. Each the lesser without its partner. Chorus and verse. A symphony of flavor. The catchy tune reminding us of warm baths and late-night movies. The elevator music to whatever lies beyond.
Braid, Anniversary Edition
Control the flow of time to solve puzzles in this new version of the indie classic, featuring fully repainted artwork, a new world of puzzles, and seriously in-depth commentary.
Resonite
Enter a novel digital universe with infinite possibilities. Whether you resonate with people around the world in a casual conversation, playing games and socializing or you riff off each other when creating anything from art to programming complex games, you'll find your place here.
Beam Eye Tracker
Turn your webcam into an AI-powered head & eye tracker and ditch the bulky tracking hardware. Enable gaming extensions like OpenTrack for immersive eye and head tracking. Gain insights and improve your gameplay using the eye tracking overlay or enhance your live streams.
TRY AGAIN
You're Benny, a test character trapped in an unfinished game by a figure called The Designer. She's up against a deadline for her publisher which means it's your last day as a test character. Navigate the facility, dodge game-dev chaos and defy expectations to become the main character.
Mad Games Tycoon 2
Start your own game development studio in 1976. Build your own offices, production facilities and server rooms. Develop the games of your dreams and produce the next next-gen console. Rise from a small garage company to a huge corporation.
GameGuru MAX
GameGuru MAX is a 3D game-maker that makes the creation of your game simple, quick and easy – no coding required! With all the tools and assets you need in one place you can start making your dream game in minutes! Dream it ∙ Build it ∙ Play it
Retro Gadgets
Retro Gadgets is a sandbox where you build, code, and customize gadgets inspired by old-school electronics.
Title_Pending
Congratulations! You've been hired by an up and coming Game Development Studio to play-test their New Game (which as of now does not have a title). Not only that, you'll get to talk with the Lead Developer of the project, Matthew Stanton, who will give insight on his team's creative process.
RPG Time: The Legend of Wright
It's time for an adventure! Once classes are over, RPG Time begins! Game master Kenta's notebook holds a handwritten RPG made just for you.
One Dreamer
Manipulate the world around you by editing source code in an adventure game about a burnt out indie game developer's quest to fulfill a lifelong dream.
"LIFE" not found;
This small Narrative Point & Click (Puzzle) game is about the mental health struggles of a adolescent high school dropout who's lost at life. Find out what they're struggling with, you might even recognize some things from your own life.
The Looker
You wake up, alone, on a strangely familiar island full of puzzles that will frustrate and annoy you.
DPET : Desktop Pet Engine
DPET is a desktop pet generation engine that can summon many virtual pets to decorate your desktop and create endless fun. For a streamer, DPET can also create virtual pet avatars for chatting viewers to promote their engagement and channel activity.
RPG in a Box
Bring your stories and ideas to life! RPG in a Box lets you create games and other interactive experiences in a fun and simple way!
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is an expanded re-imagining of 2013's The Stanley Parable. You will play as Stanley, and you will not play as Stanley. You will make a choice, and you will become powerless. You are not here to win. The Stanley Parable is a game that plays you.
Most played game development games on Steam
Take a look at the top game development games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 14th 2025.
1. Blender
Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. Free to use for everyone, for any purpose. Blender is a animation & modeling, software and design & illustration game developed and published by Blender Foundation. Released on April 24th 2015 has received 72,881 reviews of which 70,186 were positive and 2,695 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game development game, thanks to its 7,169 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.5
70,186
2,695
7,169
players
2. Aseprite
Aseprite is a pixel-art tool to create 2D animations, sprites, and any kind of graphics for games. Aseprite is a pixel graphics, design & illustration and animation & modeling game developed and published by Igara Studio. Released on February 22nd 2016 has received 21,818 reviews of which 21,620 were positive and 198 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. While seeing 4,558 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among game development games based on player count.
9.7
21,620
198
4,558
players
3. Godot Engine
Godot Engine is a feature-packed, cross-platform game engine to create 2D and 3D games from a unified interface. It provides a comprehensive set of common tools, so that you can focus on making games without having to reinvent the wheel. Godot Engine is a game development, utilities and software game developed and published by Godot Engine. Released on February 23rd 2016 has received 7,806 reviews of which 6,696 were positive and 1,110 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. While seeing 1,011 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among game development games based on player count.
8.3
6,696
1,110
1,011
players
4. RPG Maker MZ
You want to create an RPG, but every game making tool you have found was either too complex or too limited? RPG Maker MZ empowers you with simple tools to create your RPG right out of the box, yet is customizable enough to make the exact RPG you want! RPG Maker MZ is a rpg, game development and rpgmaker game developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games, KADOKAWA and Yoji Ojima and published by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Released on August 27th 2020 has received 1,882 reviews of which 1,600 were positive and 282 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 761 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played game development games.
8.1
1,600
282
761
players
5. RPG Maker MV
POWERFUL enough for a developer SIMPLE enough for a child VERSATILE enough for any platform!RPG MAKER MV allows you to make the RPG of your dreams! This latest version includes a host of new featuresand export options for MacOSX, Android, and iPhone! RPG Maker MV is a rpg, rpgmaker and game development game developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games, KADOKAWA and Yoji Ojima and published by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Released on October 23rd 2015 has received 8,290 reviews of which 7,542 were positive and 748 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 744 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played game development games.
8.8
7,542
748
744
players
6. GameMaker
GameMaker has everything you need to take your idea from concept to finished game. With no barriers to entry and powerful functionality, GameMaker is the ultimate 2D development environment! GameMaker is a game development, utilities and design & illustration game developed and published by YoYo Games Ltd.. Released on May 03rd 2022 has received 2,182 reviews of which 1,930 were positive and 252 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 356 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played game development games.
8.5
1,930
252
356
players
7. RPG Maker XP
RPG MAKER lets you create an original role-playing game without any prior specialized knowledge or training. RPG MAKER XP is full of the functions you've been asking for, including game data encryption and a scripting feature that lets you change the very heart of the RPG MAKER engine. RPG Maker XP is a game development, rpg and rpgmaker game developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games, KADOKAWA and Yoji Ojima and published by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Released on December 13th 2013 has received 1,755 reviews of which 1,653 were positive and 102 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 262 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played game development games.
9.0
1,653
102
262
players
8. RPG Maker VX Ace
RPG Maker VX Ace improves on every aspect of creating your very own epic adventure. An extremely powerful editor, Ace supports multiple tilesets, offers full control over autoshadow and has a very flexible features system. RPG Maker VX Ace is a game development, rpg and rpgmaker game developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games, KADOKAWA and Yoji Ojima and published by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Released on December 10th 2012 has received 4,869 reviews of which 4,568 were positive and 301 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 249 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played game development games.
9.0
4,568
301
249
players
9. Beam Eye Tracker
Turn your webcam into an AI-powered head & eye tracker and ditch the bulky tracking hardware. Enable gaming extensions like OpenTrack for immersive eye and head tracking. Gain insights and improve your gameplay using the eye tracking overlay or enhance your live streams. Beam Eye Tracker is a simulation, utilities and video production game developed and published by Eyeware Tech SA. Released on August 02nd 2023 has received 363 reviews of which 322 were positive and 41 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 157 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played game development games.
8.2
322
41
157
players
10. Mad Games Tycoon 2
Start your own game development studio in 1976. Build your own offices, production facilities and server rooms. Develop the games of your dreams and produce the next next-gen console. Rise from a small garage company to a huge corporation. Mad Games Tycoon 2 is a management, economy and game development game developed and published by Eggcode. Released on May 31st 2023 has received 7,041 reviews of which 6,607 were positive and 434 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 154 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played game development games.
9.1
6,607
434
154
players
Best deals on game development games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of game development games available on Steam right now, updated on June 14th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted game development games.
1. Game Character Hub
Game Character Hub is an art program that is focused on game asset creation, especially RPG Maker's. It provides a built-in generator for character and tileset creation. Game Character Hub is a design & illustration, utilities and rpgmaker game developed by Sebastien Bini and published by KOMODO. Released on May 23rd 2014 has received 328 reviews of which 226 were positive and 102 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Featuring a massive 97% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for game development category.
6.6
226
102
-97%
14.79€
0.46€
2. RPG Maker VX Ace
RPG Maker VX Ace improves on every aspect of creating your very own epic adventure. An extremely powerful editor, Ace supports multiple tilesets, offers full control over autoshadow and has a very flexible features system. RPG Maker VX Ace is a game development, rpg and rpgmaker game developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games, KADOKAWA and Yoji Ojima and published by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Released on December 10th 2012 has received 4,869 reviews of which 4,568 were positive and 301 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in game development games.
9.0
4,568
301
-94%
67.99€
4.20€
3. RPG Maker XP
RPG MAKER lets you create an original role-playing game without any prior specialized knowledge or training. RPG MAKER XP is full of the functions you've been asking for, including game data encryption and a scripting feature that lets you change the very heart of the RPG MAKER engine. RPG Maker XP is a game development, rpg and rpgmaker game developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games, KADOKAWA and Yoji Ojima and published by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Released on December 13th 2013 has received 1,755 reviews of which 1,653 were positive and 102 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 90% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in game development games.
9.0
1,653
102
-90%
24.50€
2.45€
4. RPG Maker 2003
For the first time ever, RPG Maker 2003 is officially available in English! This legendary game development engine is both highly affordable and easy to use, and it remains one of the most popular RPG Maker installments to date. RPG Maker 2003 is a game development, rpg and design & illustration game developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games, KADOKAWA and Yoji Ojima and published by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Released on April 24th 2015 has received 768 reviews of which 717 were positive and 51 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for game development games.
8.8
717
51
-90%
19.50€
1.95€
5. RPG Maker MV
POWERFUL enough for a developer SIMPLE enough for a child VERSATILE enough for any platform!RPG MAKER MV allows you to make the RPG of your dreams! This latest version includes a host of new featuresand export options for MacOSX, Android, and iPhone! RPG Maker MV is a rpg, rpgmaker and game development game developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games, KADOKAWA and Yoji Ojima and published by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Released on October 23rd 2015 has received 8,290 reviews of which 7,542 were positive and 748 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for game development games.
8.8
7,542
748
-85%
77.99€
11.69€
6. Pixel Game Maker MV
Use Pixel Game Maker MV to make your own 2D action games! The latest Maker title provides a simple, fun way to make games with zero coding! PGMMV: Powerful enough for pro developers, simple enough for beginners. Pixel Game Maker MV is a action, casual and game development game developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games and KADOKAWA and published by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Released on September 19th 2019 has received 575 reviews of which 399 were positive and 176 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 83% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for game development games.
6.7
399
176
-83%
82.99€
14.10€
7. GameGuru Classic
GameGuru Classic is a non-technical and fun game-maker. It allows you to build your own game world, using creative and enjoyable tools. Populate your game by placing down characters, weapons and other game items, then press one button to build your game, ready to play and share. GameGuru Classic is a game development, software and design & illustration game developed and published by TheGameCreators. Released on May 19th 2015 has received 2,086 reviews of which 1,517 were positive and 569 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for game development games.
7.0
1,517
569
-60%
19.99€
7.99€
8. Mad Games Tycoon 2
Start your own game development studio in 1976. Build your own offices, production facilities and server rooms. Develop the games of your dreams and produce the next next-gen console. Rise from a small garage company to a huge corporation. Mad Games Tycoon 2 is a management, economy and game development game developed and published by Eggcode. Released on May 31st 2023 has received 7,041 reviews of which 6,607 were positive and 434 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 56% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for game development games.
9.1
6,607
434
-56%
20.99€
9.29€
9. RPG Maker MZ
You want to create an RPG, but every game making tool you have found was either too complex or too limited? RPG Maker MZ empowers you with simple tools to create your RPG right out of the box, yet is customizable enough to make the exact RPG you want! RPG Maker MZ is a rpg, game development and rpgmaker game developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games, KADOKAWA and Yoji Ojima and published by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Released on August 27th 2020 has received 1,882 reviews of which 1,600 were positive and 282 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a 50% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for game development games.
8.1
1,600
282
-50%
77.99€
38.99€
Free game development games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play game development games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 14th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play game development games.
1. Blender
Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. Free to use for everyone, for any purpose. Blender is a animation & modeling, software and design & illustration game developed and published by Blender Foundation. Released on April 24th 2015 has received 72,881 reviews of which 70,186 were positive and 2,695 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 7,169 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free game development games on Steam.
9.5
70,186
2,695
7,169
players
2. Godot Engine
Godot Engine is a feature-packed, cross-platform game engine to create 2D and 3D games from a unified interface. It provides a comprehensive set of common tools, so that you can focus on making games without having to reinvent the wheel. Godot Engine is a game development, utilities and software game developed and published by Godot Engine. Released on February 23rd 2016 has received 7,806 reviews of which 6,696 were positive and 1,110 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 1,011, this game development game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free game development games on Steam.
8.3
6,696
1,110
1,011
players
3. GameMaker
GameMaker has everything you need to take your idea from concept to finished game. With no barriers to entry and powerful functionality, GameMaker is the ultimate 2D development environment! GameMaker is a game development, utilities and design & illustration game developed and published by YoYo Games Ltd.. Released on May 03rd 2022 has received 2,182 reviews of which 1,930 were positive and 252 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 356, this game development game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free game development games on Steam.
8.5
1,930
252
356
players
4. VTuber Maker
VTuber Maker is the #1 free, simplistic, and 3D Tool for VTuber Content Production, just with a webcam. VTuber Maker is a animation & modeling, video production and design & illustration game developed and published by Live3D. Released on August 07th 2020 has received 885 reviews of which 711 were positive and 174 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free game development games on Steam.
7.6
711
174
41
players
5. CopperCube 6 Game Engine
CopperCube is a full-featured 3D game engine. No programming needed! Create 3D games and apps quickly. Includes terrain editor, low poly modelling tools, 3D models, precreated game AI, effects and more. CopperCube 6 Game Engine is a animation & modeling, game development and design & illustration game developed and published by Ambiera e.U.. Released on July 13th 2018 has received 331 reviews of which 268 were positive and 63 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free game development games on Steam.
7.6
268
63
7
players
6. Fuse
Fuse is a standalone 3D character creator that enables you to make unique characters to use in your game. Fuse comes with 70+ body parts, 150+ clothing meshes, 42 dynamic texturing substances, Unlimited free Auto-Rigs and Animations through the Mixamo service (activated Adobe ID required). Important notice for Fuse 1.3 customers! Fuse is a animation & modeling and character customization game developed and published by Mixamo. Released on March 28th 2014 has received 2,240 reviews of which 1,462 were positive and 778 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free game development games on Steam.
6.4
1,462
778
7
players
7. Tabletopia
Tabletopia is a sandbox virtual table with high-quality board games and ready setups. Already 2,400+ games and counting! Play how you want with whom you want: guests don’t need accounts to play. Or make your own games, no programming skills required. Tabletopia is a sandbox, tabletop and free to play game developed and published by Tabletopia. Released on November 30th 2016 has received 1,590 reviews of which 998 were positive and 592 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free game development games on Steam.
6.1
998
592
6
players
8. Clickteam Fusion 2.5 Free Edition
Game and software creation has never been easier or quicker than with Clickteam Fusion 2.5! Discover the tool used by so many multimedia professionals, game creators, and creative people from all walks of life. Clickteam Fusion 2.5 Free Edition is a animation & modeling, utilities and web publishing game developed and published by Clickteam. Released on June 16th 2016 has received 322 reviews of which 246 were positive and 76 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free game development games on Steam.
7.2
246
76
3
players
9. RPG World - Action RPG Maker
RPG World – THE Action RPG Maker! Unleash your imagination with RPG World and create, share and play amazing 3D games with our growing community. Claim glory and treasure as you conquer magical worlds, alone or as a team. No coding required! RPG World - Action RPG Maker is a adventure, rpg and action game developed and published by RaveyLarge. Released on July 17th 2020 has received 544 reviews of which 381 were positive and 163 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free game development games on Steam.
6.7
381
163
1
players