3D Game Engine • Python Scriptable • C++ Core
Stop Fighting Other Engines. Start Creating Games.
Instant Iteration • Zero Royalties • Zero Shader Compilation
The easiest and fastest Python game engine for 3D.
Choose between lifetime license or subscription
Trusted by 300+ developers worldwide
From Zero to Playable in Seconds
Watch this 18-second clip showing the complete process: open Cave, create a new project, and hit play.
Instant Project Templates
Animated character, terrain, skybox, ui, enemies: all included!
No Setup Required
Start creating games immediately, no configuration needed
Production-Ready
Built by professionals, used in commercial games
How Cave Compares to Other Engines
See why developers are switching from Unity, Godot, and Unreal to Cave Engine
| Feature |
Cave Engine
|
Unity | Godot | Unreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shader Compile Time | Instant | 5-30 min | 1-10 min | 10-60 min |
| Code Compile Time | Instant | 2-10 min | 5-30 sec | 5-30 min |
| Iteration Speed | Instant feedback | Slow | Moderate | Very slow |
| Royalties | 0% Forever | 0%* | 0% | 5% after $1M |
| Hidden Costs | None | Asset Store, Cloud | None | Marketplace, Cloud |
| Scripting Language | Python | C# | GDScript | C++/Blueprints |
| Learning Curve | Very Easy | Moderate | Moderate | Steep |
| Engine Size | < 50 MB | 1-5 GB | 100-300 MB | 30-50 GB |
| 2D Bloat in 3D Projects | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Developer Support | Included | Community only* | Community only | Forum only* |
| Dev Team Uses Own Engine | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| You're Not a Test Subject | Production-proven | Public beta | Public beta | Production-proven |
* Unity & Unreal hidden costs: Asset Store dependencies ($$$), cloud build services ($$$), marketplace fees, and the massive opportunity cost of waiting for compilation.
* Unity pricing uncertainty: Unity announced runtime fees in 2023 (later partially reversed) - pricing uncertainty remains.
* Unity/Unreal support: Official support available at enterprise pricing ($$$).
Only Cave includes direct developer support in the base license.
Lifetime license or monthly subscription
Why Indie Developers Are Switching to Cave
Developers from Unity, Godot, and Unreal are making the switch. Here's why.
From Unity
Why Unity devs are leaving
- Tired of shader compilation waits
- Frustrated by C# complexity for simple tasks
- Concerned about future runtime fees
- Massive engine size and slow startup
- Switched to Cave for instant iteration and Python simplicity
The Pattern Is Clear
Developers aren't leaving Unity, Godot, or Unreal because those engines are bad, they're leaving because Cave respects their time, simplifies their workflow, and lets them keep their money.
Stop fighting your tools. Start creating games.
Meet Cave Engine
Intuitive interface, powerful Tools: see the Engine in Action
Watch Cave 1.4 in Action
See the latest Cave Engine release in this 20-minute deep dive into what makes Cave different
Why Developers Choose Cave Engine
Built by indie developers, for indie developers. Every feature designed to get you from concept to playable game faster.
⚡ Get 10+ Hours Back Every Week
While Unity devs wait for shaders to compile, you're already testing your game. Instant iteration = instant feedback = better games.
Real developers report: "I shipped 2 months faster with Cave."
🐍 Code Games Faster Than Ever
Python's simplicity + C++ performance. Prototype in minutes, not hours. Access Python's massive ecosystem while keeping performance high.
Easy to learn. Powerful to master.
💰 Keep 100% of Your Revenue, Forever
No royalties. No subscription fees. No runtime fees. Pay once, own forever. Every dollar your game earns stays in your pocket.
Unreal takes 5% after $1M. Cave takes $0.
🛠 Everything You Need. Nothing You Don't.
PBR rendering, physics, terrains, particles, animation, UI tools: all built-in. No bloat, no 2D features you'll never use. Just 3D game creation.
50MB engine vs Unity's 5GB+ download.
Cross-Platform
Windows & Linux
Game Templates
FPS, TPS, Racing & More
Modern Architecture
System based on Entity Component
Team Ready
Perfect for Small Teams
Battle-Tested by Real Developers
You're not a test subject. Every Cave Engine feature is actively used by our studio to create commercial games. We develop, test, and polish each release in real production before it reaches you. Everything just works because we use it ourselves every day.
Ship Your Game in 10 Seconds
Not minutes. Not hours. 10 seconds from project creation to shippable build.
Timed & Verified
Watch the timer: open engine → create project → export for Windows → done in 10 seconds. Then see the exported game running.
Just 20MB
The exported game? Only 20 megabytes zipped. No bloat, no unnecessary files. Just your game, ready to ship.
Stop waiting hours for builds. Ship faster, iterate faster, succeed faster.
Built for Performance
C++17 + OpenGL 4.3
Lightweight and optimized for max performance. No bloat, just speed. More rendering backends coming in the future.
Universal Asset Import
Drop in FBX, OBJ, DAE and more. No friction, no conversion hassles.
Bullet Physics Built-In
Realistic, robust physics simulation with zero setup required.
No royalties • Lifetime access
Sculpt Worlds in Real-Time
Watch this 11-second time-lapse showing real-time world editing: adjust lighting, sculpt terrain, and see instant results.
Adjust sun position and watch shadows update in real-time
Paint mountains, valleys, and landscapes with simple brush tools
Hit Play immediately to test your World: NO waiting!
Code Logic Your Way
This 9 second clip shows the complete workflow: select an Entity, edit its Template, create State Machines, and write Python scripts, all in one Editor.
Build complex AI behaviors with hierarchical state machines
Write game logic in Python with full API access and autocomplete
No external editors, no context switching, just Code!
What Developers Are Saying
Real feedback from real developers who switched to Cave Engine
Join hundreds of developers who've made the switch
Join the CommunityDirect developer support • No royalties
Join the Cave Community
See what developers worldwide are creating with Cave Engine. From game jam winners to commercial releases.
300+ Developers
Worldwide community of creators
Growing Community
Active community with helpful developers
Game Jam Winners
Cave games winning competitions
More Than Just an Engine
Direct developer support, complete documentation, and production-proven tools to help you ship games faster.
Exclusive Developer Support
Direct access to the engine developers. Get help with bugs, questions, or implementation challenges from the team that built Cave.
Complete Documentation
Full Python API documentation, detailed tutorials, and the comprehensive Cave Engine Book with everything you need to master the engine.
Proven in Production
See Cave Engine in action with our commercial games like CROW (Steam) and The Evil in I (Itch.io).
Made with Cave Engine
Commercial games developed by Uniday Studio using Cave Engine
The Evil in I
A atmospheric horror game showcasing Cave Engine's versatility, available on Itch.io.
View on Itch.ioChoose Your Access
Three ways to get Cave Engine, pick the option that works best for you.
Monthly
Pay as you go
$119.88/year
- Full access to Cave Engine
- No royalties
- Cancel anytime
- Requires internet
Yearly
Annual plan
- Full access to Cave Engine
- No royalties
- Cancel anytime
- Requires internet
Lifetime
One-time purchase
- Lifetime access to Cave Engine
- Pay once, never again
- All 1.x updates included
- No royalties - ever
- Works offline
Also available on Itch.io
From Idea to Prototype in Minutes
Start Building Your Game Today: Fast, Simple, Indie-Focused!
Join 300+ indie developers who chose the engine that respects your time and your revenue.
Direct developer support
No royalties forever
Choose lifetime or subscription
Flexible pricing options • Lifetime access available
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Cave Engine