Godot vs. Unity: Marvel Snap creator bets big on game engine

In a strategic move that could reshape the game development landscape, Marvel Snap developer Second Dinner has announced a multi-year partnership with W4 Games, an Irish company formed by veteran contributors to the open-source Godot engine. This investment marks a significant shift towards Godot, a platform that has gained prominence following the controversial changes to Unity’s business model in 2023.

Why Godot?

Godot is an open-source game development platform that has steadily risen in popularity, particularly after Unity’s controversial switch from a per-seat fee to a per-install runtime fee, which sparked widespread backlash among developers. With its permissive MIT license, Godot offers an attractive alternative to Unity and Unreal, allowing developers to use the engine without the hefty fees associated with its competitors.

According to a recent press release, over 2,000 games were published using Godot last year, showcasing its growing influence in the industry. However, it has primarily been favored by smaller indie developers, with no major AAA titles to its name thus far.

Second Dinner’s bold move

Second Dinner, known for their hit game Marvel Snap, is looking to change that. With their investment in W4 Games, the studio plans to develop the largest game ever produced on the Godot engine. This ambitious project could serve as a significant milestone for Godot, potentially positioning it as a viable option for major game developers.

The move is seen as a calculated bet by Second Dinner, leveraging their reputation and resources to not only build a groundbreaking game but also contribute to the further development of the Godot engine. This, in turn, could attract a critical mass of developers to the platform, creating a virtuous cycle that propels Godot into the mainstream.

The bigger picture

With ongoing uncertainty surrounding Unity’s business model, many developers have been seeking alternatives. So this is very strategic timing on the part of Second Dinner. By investing in W4 Games and supporting Godot, Second Dinner is not only diversifying their portfolio but also positioning themselves at the forefront of a potential shift in the game development ecosystem.

However, there are questions remain about the long-term profitability of this investment – given that the Godot engine is open-source and non-profit. However, it is important to note that Second Dinner’s investment is actually in W4 Games, rather than directly in Godot.

A calculated risk

Building a game engine is notoriously challenging, and open-source projects come with their own set of difficulties. Yet, the potential payoff for Second Dinner — and for the broader game development community — could be substantial.

As the industry watches this space closely, one thing is clear: Second Dinner’s investment in W4 Games and Godot could signal a new era of competition and innovation in the game development world.

For game developers and marketers, this is a story worth following closely.