Alright, I know this is probably going to come across as horrible for asking something that's been asked before 100s of times and recently a thread was created about engines to use for indie developers. I'm just really REALLY having a tough time figuring out what to go for.

To start off, I've worked with the Unity engine, UDK, and Source. I've looked around at other engines, what they're capable of, what I'm looking for in them specifically, and if I can even actually use it.

So far the biggest challenge I've come across isn't so much a technical issue, but a licensing one. Unity is free for both commercial and non-commercial use, but comes at the cost of being limited with what you can actually do with it. Since the pro version is essentially out of the question for me, I'm limited to using its free version. It is a wonderful engine in that while limited it's incredibly flexible, and cross platform. Though it still lacks dynamic lighting, video playback, and a load of other features.

With Unreal 4 having been released, I was very excited that it would be out, support Linux\more platforms, and be all around better, but it requires a subscription... UDK is an absolute powerhouse, and has an excellent editor and interface. However, UDK is only UE3, doesn't have Linux support, and thus dwindles my interest.

Source... it's cross platform, it works, but license fees... Bugs... built on an ancient engine... Enough said... Sadly it's likely the engine I have the most experiences with, and I like it for having programs with their own set of functions, and not that whole all in one type deal.

I kind of would like to go a homebrew engine route as then I'd be limited purely by the libraries I use, and I'd learn a lot along the way, like how I'd much rather have a big budget engine. XD

I had a look at CryEngine 3, but, well, licensing! I was kind of interested in testing out the Blender game engine as I'm familiar with it as a model editor, however, I'd need to learn Python and it doesn't seem like a well fledged engine, nor do I know its potential licensing debacle. Really it seems like my own best bet is Unity, but is that really it? I've looked at other engines, but it seems like everywhere I look there's always a wall somewhere whether it be license or limitation.

I apologize for the multi-paragraph essay, but I'm just banging my head against the wall. All I want is a simple flexible engine that's cross platform, that isn't binding or limiting. That's probably asking way too much, but I figured I'd give it a shot!

Almost all of us have this conundrum at some point.

All that you mentioned is essentially why Unity is so popular. Worst case, you can upgrade later if it looks like you really have something, and it will cost you less than licensing in other engines. Of course, that depends in part on your goals as a game developer. If you're going commercial, you may be able to afford the hit in the long run.

For commercial game production, there are three important considerations:

1. How much will this engine cost in the long run?

2. How much time will it save you in development? Time = Money. Convert this to cost.

2.5 How much time and effort will this save you in recruitment and training? Don't underestimate familiarity with the technology for new hires.

3. Potential opportunity cost: If we're talking next-gen technology, and you developed your own engine, there is an outside chance of licensing it if it turns out really good. This is where a lot of engines ultimately come from (things developed in-house which produced a smash game and show off some advanced tech, which execs decided might be marketable).

If you're not making something innovative and really top notch (and you don't have millions to budget), you can probably forget #3, unless you're very very niche (like a tower defense engine that competes well with the alternatives).

So, you really just need to consider the trade off of #1&2.

For Unity, it's well worth it for most studios, even very small ones with low budgets.

...Unless they're making a very unusual sort of game, or just dealing with 2d, in which case it may be less helpful.

Tell us more about your game, and we may be able to give you more specific advice for your particular situation.

I have to ask the question - if you really want this, why is $19/month a huge deal to come by? That's less than $5/week. If at any point you prioritise casual consumption expenditures (a new TV, a coke and chocolate bar, a fancy coffee from Starbucks), then you need to reframe your expenditure on your tools. They are your tools, just as a carpenter doesn't complain about having to buy a hammer or fuel for his vehicle, as developers we should find value in paying for the tools of our trade. And $19/month isn't that much really.

If licensing is your biggest hurdle, you'll want to check out the C4 engine by Terathon. It just had it's licensing model changed, there was a post about this on this forum here. No royalties, single payment of $88, 1 year of free updates. It doesn't get any better than that.

Definitely go for UE4. It's so easy to make quick and comprehensive prototypes with the visual scripting. Like Hodgman said, you can just drop $19.99 for the current version then cancel the sub AND continue to use it. If you do publish a game after the sub expires, you do owe them 5%, but that's not the worst thing in the world for a cheap AAA engine license. Plus you can always re-sub in a few months and get the current version once more!

If you want to try my beginner friendly engine then I can help you getting started. It is targeting independent developers by being free (ZLIB open source) and made for rapid development languages like Visual Basic and C#. It usually takes one year of intense testing before I find another bug in the engine because I am not adding new features and therefor no new bugs.