# Godot Engine — Multi-Platform 2D and 3D Game Engine

> Godot is a free and open-source 2D and 3D game engine with a fully integrated editor, GDScript scripting language, C# support, visual scripting, and export to all major platforms. The community-driven alternative to Unity and Unreal.

## Install

Save the content below to `.claude/skills/` or append to your `CLAUDE.md`:

## Quick Use

Download from https://godotengine.org/download or:
```bash
brew install --cask godot                   # macOS
scoop install godot                         # Windows
flatpak install flathub org.godotengine.Godot  # Linux
```

GDScript example (attached to a node):
```gdscript
extends CharacterBody2D

const SPEED = 300.0
const JUMP_VELOCITY = -400.0

func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
    if not is_on_floor():
        velocity += get_gravity() * delta

    if Input.is_action_just_pressed("jump") and is_on_floor():
        velocity.y = JUMP_VELOCITY

    var direction := Input.get_axis("move_left", "move_right")
    velocity.x = direction * SPEED if direction else move_toward(velocity.x, 0, SPEED)

    move_and_slide()
```

Export:
- File -> Export -> Add preset (Android, iOS, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux)
- One-click build for all platforms

## Intro

Godot is a free and open-source game engine under the MIT license, developed by Juan Linietsky and Ariel Manzur since 2001, open-sourced in 2014. Godot 4.x brought a new Vulkan renderer, GDScript 2.0, improved 3D physics, and a modernized editor. After the Unity pricing controversy in 2023, Godot saw massive adoption growth and is now the go-to open-source alternative.

- **Repo**: https://github.com/godotengine/godot
- **Stars**: 109K+
- **Language**: C++
- **License**: MIT

## What Godot Does

- **2D engine** — sprites, tilemaps, physics, particles, animation
- **3D engine** — PBR rendering, GI, CSG, GridMap, animation trees
- **GDScript** — Python-like language designed for games
- **C# support** — Mono/.NET runtime
- **Visual scripting** — node-based (3.x, deprecated in 4.x)
- **Scene system** — composable, reusable scenes as nodes
- **Physics** — built-in 2D and 3D physics engines
- **Networking** — multiplayer API, ENet, WebSocket
- **Export** — Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web (HTML5)
- **Editor** — fully integrated, runs on all platforms

## Architecture

Scene tree: everything is a node. Nodes compose scenes, scenes compose other scenes. Root node types: Node2D, Node3D, Control (UI). Signals connect events between nodes. Main loop drives _process() and _physics_process() callbacks.

## Self-Hosting

Editor is a single self-contained binary. Export templates for each platform are downloadable from the editor.

## Key Features

- Fully open source (MIT)
- No royalties, no strings
- 2D and 3D in one editor
- GDScript + C# + GDExtension (C++, Rust)
- Scene/node composition
- Built-in animation system
- Export to 7+ platforms
- Vulkan + OpenGL renderers
- Lightweight editor (<100MB)
- Active community and asset library

## Comparison

| Engine | License | 2D | 3D | Scripting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Godot | MIT (free) | Excellent | Good | GDScript, C# |
| Unity | Proprietary | Good | Excellent | C# |
| Unreal | Royalty | Fair | Best | C++, Blueprints |
| Phaser | MIT | Excellent | No | JS |
| Bevy | Apache 2.0 | Good | Growing | Rust |

## FAQ

**Q: Can its 3D match Unity?**
A: Godot 4's 3D has improved significantly (Vulkan, GI, GPU particles), but it still lags in AAA-level rendering and tooling. Completely fine for indie games and medium-scale 3D.

**Q: Why not use C#?**
A: GDScript is lighter, more deeply integrated with the editor, and has faster hot reload. C# is suitable for teams with existing .NET experience. They can be mixed.

**Q: Free for commercial use?**
A: Completely free. The MIT license has no restrictions, no royalties, no splash screen requirements.

## Sources

- Docs: https://docs.godotengine.org
- GitHub: https://github.com/godotengine/godot
- License: MIT

---
Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/godot-engine-multi-platform-2d-3d-game-engine-65c0cac6
Author: Script Depot