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Stride
What it is
Stride is a free, open-source C# engine for building 2D and 3D games and other interactive content for desktop and VR. Its Game Studio toolchain includes editors for assets, scenes, sprites, user interfaces and curves, alongside visual scripting. The engine also provides physics and navigation mesh systems for collisions, events and character pathfinding. Graphics features include physically based materials, light probes, particles, post effects and customizable shaders, with DirectX 12 and Vulkan among its supported graphics APIs. Stride supports C# 14 and .NET 10, asynchronous scripting, and hot reload for scripts and shaders. It has native Oculus and HTC Vive support, with VR preview available from the scene editor, and supports mobile export. The engine is free to use, modify and distribute under the MIT license. Development requirements list Windows 10 or 11, an x64 CPU, a Direct3D 10-or-newer compatible GPU, at least 4 GB RAM and 5 GB disk space. The project describes itself as community-driven, with no full-time developers dedicated solely to its advancement. Help resources include documentation, Discord, GitHub Discussions and tutorials.
For and against
For
- Free to use, modify and distribute under the MIT license.
- Includes visual scripting, physics and navigation meshes.
- Supports DirectX 12 and Vulkan.
- Offers native Oculus and HTC Vive support.
- Supports mobile export.
Against
- Development requires Windows 10 or 11.
- Requires at least 4 GB RAM and 5 GB disk space.
- The project has no full-time developers dedicated solely to advancement.
The verdict
Stride provides an open-source toolkit for game and interactive-content development, including visual scripting, physics and VR support. Developers should account for its stated Windows development requirements and community-driven project model.
Who it suits
Stride is intended for indie and AAA developers creating PC or VR games, training simulations, and architecture or engineering software. It may also suit developers who want an open-source engine with C# scripting.
Plans and prices
Stride Game Engine
Free to use, modify, and distribute under the MIT license
Read 9 Oct 2026 · stride3d.net
On the record
- Development requirements
- The listed development requirements include Windows 10 or 11, an x64 CPU, a Direct3D 10 or newer compatible GPU, 4 GB RAM minimum, and 5 GB disk space.doc.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Stride provides its manual in English and Japanese, beginner introduction videos, and intermediate scripting tutorials on YouTube.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Editor
- Game Studio includes tools for creating and managing game assets, scenes, sprites, and user interfaces.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Game Studio
- The included Game Studio toolchain lets users create, manage, and modify game assets, with editors for scenes, UI, sprites, and curves.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Graphics
- Stride offers physically based materials, light probes, particles, post effects, customizable shaders, and graphics APIs including DirectX 12 and Vulkan.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The site lists Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, and Rider as C# scripting environments for Stride.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site describes Stride as suitable for indie and AAA developers and for making PC and VR games, training simulations, and architecture or engineering software.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- Stride is free to use, modify, and distribute under the MIT license.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Mobile export
- Yesstride3d.net · read 24 Sep 2026
- Physics and navigation
- The engine includes physics and navigation mesh systems for collisions, events, and character pathfinding.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Product
- Stride is a free, open-source C# game engine for creating 2D and 3D games and other interactive content for desktop and VR.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Project model
- Stride describes itself as a non-profit, community-driven project with no full-time developers dedicated solely to its advancement.doc.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Scripting
- Stride supports C# 14 and .NET 10, asynchronous scripting, and hot reload for scripts and shaders.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Scripting languages
- C#stride3d.net · read 24 Sep 2026
- Source code model
- open_sourcestride3d.net · read 24 Sep 2026
- Support
- Users can seek help through the Discord community, GitHub Discussions, and the documentation.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Target platforms
- Windows is currently supported; Android, iOS, Linux, and macOS are listed as experimental, and the engine supports most popular VR devices.stride3d.net · read 9 Oct 2026
- Visual scripting
- Yesstride3d.net · read 24 Sep 2026
