Game engine
O3DE
O3DE is an Apache-2.0 3D engine from the Open 3D Foundation. It is a large install and a large toolset.
Developer: Open 3D Foundation
Overview
The editor, asset processor, and gems are separate pieces you turn on. A small prototype still pulls a lot of tooling.
Gameplay can start in Script Canvas. Engine changes and performance work land in C++.
Technical specifications
Specs checked 2026-10-05. Version lines move; the download link is the source of truth.
- Developer
- Open 3D Foundation
- Version line
- Current release
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Business model
- O3DE is Apache-2.0. There is no seat license. The cost is the size of the toolchain.
- Releases
- Stable releases are tagged on GitHub and o3de.org. Do not track the development branch for a game.
- Editor platforms
- Windows, Linux
- Export targets
- Windows, Linux
- Languages
- C++
- 2D / 3D
- 3D
- VR
- XR exists as gems. Confirm the current gem and device list before you design around a headset.
- AR
- No simple mobile AR checkbox.
- Visual scripting
- Yes. Script Canvas is the visual tool. C++ is the engine language.
- Beginners
- No. The install, the build, and the concepts are for experienced teams.
- Learning curve
- Steep. Budget time for the project setup before gameplay.
- Graphics
- High-end 3D: a full renderer, materials, and large scenes. It is built for that scale.
- Team size
- A team that can own a large C++ project.
- GitHub stars
- 9,727 · o3de/o3de
- Documentation
- https://docs.o3de.org
- Community
- https://discord.com/invite/o3de
- Assets and examples
- https://o3de.org
- Download
- https://o3de.org/download/
Where it fits
- Apache-2.0 and a full 3D editor.
- Built for large 3D scenes rather than a jam.
- Script Canvas plus C++ covers both designers and engine work.
Where it does not
- The download and the hardware bar are high.
- macOS is not an authoring platform.
- A one-person 2D game should not start here.
Matching source
No sample projects are listed for this engine yet.
How does it compare?
Another large 3D toolset, source-available under Epic's license.
A smaller MIT engine when O3DE is too much install.
Questions
Is O3DE free?
Yes. The license is Apache-2.0. The practical cost is disk, build time, and team size.
What was Lumberyard?
Amazon Lumberyard was a predecessor. O3DE is the open foundation project that followed.
Can a beginner use it?
Not as a first engine. Start somewhere smaller.