Bevy vs MonoGame – Breaking Down the Pros and Cons

Bevy and MonoGame both serve as potent, if distinct, game development frameworks. If you’re targeting cross-platform performance and open to the Rust language, Bevy‘s data-driven design and feature-rich engine make it an enticing choice. However, for developers with a grasp of C# and an emphasis on control, MonoGame, with its multi-platform capabilities and XNA 4 API, can prove ideal.

Key Differences Between Bevy and MonoGame

• Programming Language: Bevy uses Rust, while MonoGame utilizes C#.
• Design: Bevy is data-oriented with an Entity Component System, while MonoGame is derived from Microsoft’s XNA.
• Platforms: Bevy currently lacks Android support, unlike MonoGame that supports all major platforms including gaming consoles.
• Community Support: Both frameworks encourage community contribution, but MonoGame has longer standing community support.
• Learning Curve: Bevy ensures an accessible API, whereas MonoGame requires basic C# knowledge and can be challenging for beginners.

What Is Bevy and Who’s It For?

Bevy is a data-oriented game engine built in Rust, specializing in offering a robust 2D and 3D feature set. It runs on a paradigm known as the Entity Component System (ECS), ensuring maximum flexibility for developers. Its functionalities include 2D and 3D rendering, sound loading, and UI establishment. It embraces major platforms like Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web, iOS with Android support on the horizon. In essence, Bevy targets indies and enthusiasts for now, yet holds a vision to allure larger studios in the long run.

Pros of Bevy

• Flexible Engine with 2D and 3D rendering
• Supports major platforms
• Fast compile time
• Free, open-source, and community-driven

Cons of Bevy

• Heavy reliance on Rust language improvements
• Potential for API-breaking changes in new versions

What Is MonoGame and Who’s It For?

MonoGame is an open-source C# framework admired by game developers for its multi-platform versatility. First introduced in 2009, the MonoGame Team has championed its capability to create games for platforms including iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. MonoGame is a Godsend for developers targeting multiple platforms and seeking control over the game development process. It rewards those with a grasp of C# programming and offers community-driven support.

Pros of MonoGame

• Multi-platform support
• In-depth control over game development process
• Open-source and community-driven
• Breadth of tutorials and lessons available

Cons of MonoGame

• Lack of high-level programming
• Not suitable for WYSIWYG environment
• Requires paid support for iOS and Android

Bevy vs MonoGame: Pricing

Both Bevy and MonoGame are accessible, open-source gaming technology platforms offered at no cost to users.

Bevy

Bevy is an open-source game engine licensed under the permissive MIT or Apache 2.0 licenses, implying no associated costs when utilising Bevy.

MonoGame

MonoGame, too, is a free, open-source C# framework. It’s maintained by the community of independent software developers, directly indicating that there are no expenses to use MonoGame.

Code Examples for Bevy & MonoGame

Bevy – Sprite Sheet Animation

This Bevy code example demonstrates a sprite sheet animation. It’s crucial to have suitable sprite sheet assets available. Let’s create a walking character.

//Resource & components setup
let sprite_handle = materials.add(sprite_sheet_handle.into());
let mut restart_timer = Timer::from_seconds(1.0, true);

//System that runs on every frame to animate character
fn animate_sprite_system(
    time: Res<Time>,
    sprite_handle: Res<Handle<ColorMaterial>>,
    mut restart_timer: ResMut<Timer>,
    mut query: Query<(&mut TextureAtlasSprite, &Handle<ColorMaterial>>)>,
) {
    for (mut sprite, material_handle) in query.iter_mut() {
        if *material_handle == *sprite_handle {
            sprite.index = ((time.seconds_since_startup() * 8.0) as u32) {66f7997927a862c9f57ec7dffc6a2fe6d405caee7001dff533b976d48fe118b1} 8;
        }
    }
    if restart_timer.tick(time.delta()).just_finished() {
        for (mut sprite, material_handle) in query.iter_mut() {
            if *material_handle == *sprite_handle {
                sprite.index = 0;
            }
        }
    }
}

MonoGame – Simple moving object

In this MonoGame example, you’ll learn how to create a simple moving object. Knowledge of object-oriented programming is crucial.

//Create a class for your moving object
public class MovingObject
{
    Vector2 postion, velocity;
    Texture2D texture;

    //Constructor
    public MovingObject(Vector2 position, Texture2D texture)
    {
        this.postion = position;
        this.texture = texture;
        velocity = new Vector2(1,0);
    }

    //Update the position
    public void Update()
    {
        position += velocity;
    }

    //Draw
    public void Draw(SpriteBatch spriteBatch)
    {
        spriteBatch.Draw(texture, position, Color.White);
    }
}

//In your main game class
MovingObject myMovingObject;
SpriteBatch spriteBatch;
Texture2D texture;

protected override void LoadContent()
{
    spriteBatch = new SpriteBatch(GraphicsDevice);
    texture = Content.Load<texture2d>("myTexture");
    myMovingObject = new MovingObject(Vector2.Zero, texture);
}

protected override void Update(GameTime gameTime)
{
    base.Update(gameTime);
    myMovingObject.Update();
}

protected override void Draw(GameTime gameTime)
{
    spriteBatch.Begin();
    myMovingObject.Draw(spriteBatch);
    spriteBatch.End();
    base.Draw(gameTime);
}
</texture2d>

The Battle of Game Engines: Bevy vs MonoGame

In the face of evolving gaming tech, the pivotal question is – Bevy or MonoGame? The verdict lies in audience specifics.

Indie Developers and Hobbyists

Choose Bevy if you value fast compile times, versatility and a community-inspired governance. Open-source, with an emphasis on data-driven architecture, Bevy offers 2D and 3D rendering and an easy-to-use API. Enjoy free access and continuous updates pushed by an active community.

Multi-platform Game Developers

MonoGame, known for its multi-platform game creation capabilities, is your superior choice. It is a battle-tested, indie-friendly, C# based engine with an extensive library making it ideal for mobile, console, and desktop apps.

3D Enthusiasts

If 3D modelling is your calling, Bevy wins the gold. Despite being a relatively new engine, Bevy displays a strong ambition to provide top-tier 3D functionality.

Beginners in Game Development

MonoGame shines in teaching greenhorns the ropes. Offering personalized courses, it ensures that fresh developers can quickly grasp game designing.

Bottom Line: Whether new or a multi-platform developer, MonoGame caters well. Bevy emphatically draws indie developers and 3D enthusiasts.