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I'm looking to teach my kids programming, and it looks like I've narrowed it to two options:
I couldn't find any "current" comparisons, and so I thought I'd ask:
Which is better jME3+ or Unity4.3+ for Teaching Programming vs Engine Benefits?
I'm not a game developer, but as a corporate & control systems developer I have experience in both C# and Java.
I'm currently leaning towards Unity4.3+ because:
From a Programming perspective, I think C# is a little cleaner than Java, though this means little if the Engine Coding & Object model encourage poor programming
Engine Benefits: Unity4.3+ will "supposedly" have upcoming support for both XBox One & PS4
Note: in fairness to jME, I will make note of this "pre-alpha state" iOS option for jME which is better than a marketing "supposed" perhaps: (http://hub.jmonkeyengine.org/wiki/doku.php/jme3:ios)
If they are equal in all other regards, which one has better Service integration?
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Unity Engine uses С# as a primary scripting language. This language has a great community, a low entrance level, and a smooth learning curve. But at the same time, it is pretty strict and has many powerful features to write stable and effective code. All this makes it perfect for beginners and mature programmers.
We choose Unity because it's the best game engine for beginner game developers. Discover nine reasons why: At Mastery Coding, the Unity engine is our standard for game development education. Our game development and professional development tracks put emphasis on project-based learning with Unity.
Is Unity a good engine for 3D games? Unity 3D is the most popular game engine in the market because it works across multiple platforms and is highly user-friendly to both beginners and experts. It allows users to build 2D and 3D games, as well as a variety of other benefits for gamers all around the world.
If you want to make a small game quickly, Unity is a really good engine for it. It will render stuff in its own way and maybe you'll use certain plugins, but you won't go too low level. It provides you with lots of tools but you can't change the fundamental parts of it.
Glad that you interesting in JME3.
I’m also working for a project that target making education programs (youngs and adults) in gaming enviroment.
If you going to let your children learn programming via game developing, it’s a good idea. But both JME3 and Unity are far more complicated to start with ( I assume your children are still young )… There are also few projects suitable for children to learn programming visually.
Greenfoot ww.java.com/en/java_in_action/alice.jsp
Alice ww.greenfoot.org/door
Kojo ww.kogics.net/sf:kojo
Those things (languages come with IDEs) have short learning curve and easy to get with, require minimum knowledge and suitable for children and starter. That’s the education side.
For the engine side. [This is my personal opinion]
I prefered JME. I’m also left Unity ( did about 4-5 commercial games in unity my self) to go to JME. Before Unity, i also worked in Ogre, UDK, Torque and a lot other engines ( 10 more). I also worked with commercial engine in daytime job in C++, which code dirty as hell but run extremely smooth and cost millions dollar.
The reason is: Those engine tied you up with its limitation and pre-made sollutions. Of course that’s also half of the reason why you choose and engine at first. But when you hit that limitation, for example the license fee or the closed technologies. You will hate them as much as i did.
So that’s why i come to JME in a search of “complete” game developing and entertaining technology.
If you are an experienced Java and C#, in association with JME and Unity developer, i will name you a few things that can be *strong text*compared between the two:
License : free open source vs free / commercial
** The based technolgy:**
Note that i still usually using Unity and JME3 at the same time, for my job and for my hobby. I used Unity 4 with fancy mecanim animation, sub stance material … at day, and using JME3 for research and improve it at night. IMO, JME3 is the game engine which worth to learn, and it will rocks and shine in the future!!!
Hope this help!
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It's hard to make a comparison when I have never actually used Unity. I have seen demo's and it's interface however. But having used the jMonkeyengine for about 2 and a half years, I can say I am a happy customer :).
Unity probably has a bit more of everything: developers, users, bells and whistles, but there is a cost associated to that.
Similarities between the 2: - Big communities (Unity is bigger) - Many free tutorials - Rapid development (here's a link to a couple ludum dares I've been involved with using jME http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-28/comment-page-3/?action=preview&uid=16152, http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-24/comment-page-1/?action=preview&uid=16152) - Easy to distribute to Windows/Mac/Linux/Android
The jMonkeyEngine is completely free and all open source (New BSD License). So you can see all the inner workings of the engine, and even change it if you do not like something (of course you are welcome to commit the changes back :)). So you will learn a lot more by delving into the jME source code.
C# and Java is a debate that can go on for ages, but I don't think it should be a defining factor, they are very similar in nature. There doesn't exist a usable iOS version in jME, and I don't think there is any immediate plans for Xbox One and PS4, so Unity will win there.
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