githuganswered from live GitHub & Hugging Face data
free cool 3D games that you can modify completely without a game engine
gameplay3d/gameplayno license
MaintStale · 17mo ago
Stars4.9k
Releasev3.0.011.5y ago
Contrib100
Issues10 open
gdquest-demos/godot-3d-mannequinno license
MaintStale · 5y ago
Stars1.1k
Releasev0.4.06.2y ago
Contrib9
Issues14 open
If you're seeking free 3D games you can modify without the use of a traditional game engine, there are several open-source projects that might fit the bill. Here's a selection of promising candidates, each with unique features and licensing:
Top Open-Source 3D Games & Engines for Modification
| Project | Stars | Last Update | Maintenance | Language | License | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDevelop | ⭐️ 25,346 | Aug 4, 2026 | ✅ Healthy | JavaScript | NOASSERTION | A no-code, open-source platform for creating 2D & 3D games, focusing on intuitive design and modular behaviors. Ideal if you want a friendly interface without coding. |
| LumixEngine | ⭐️ 3,853 | Aug 3, 2026 | ✅ Healthy | C++ | MIT | A modern 3D game engine with features like an entity-component system and a rich editor. Actively maintained with community support. |
| MxEngine | ⭐️ 1,232 | Apr 6, 2024 | ⚠️ Caution | C++ | BSD-3-Clause | An educational C++ 3D game engine that supports OpenGL. While it's in a transition phase to a Vulkan backend, it offers a comprehensive feature set for development. |
| Gameplay3D | ⭐️ 4,886 | Feb 25, 2025 | ⚠️ Caution | C++ | Apache 2.0 | A cross-platform C++ framework for creating 2D/3D games, though it shows signs of stagnation as the last push was over 500 days ago. |
| Godot 3D Mannequin | ⭐️ 1,124 | Aug 4, 2021 | ⚠️ Caution | C# | NOASSERTION | A character controller for Godot 3D, useful for game development with a focus on character movement and animated models. |
Summary and Recommendations:
- GDevelop stands out as the friendliest entry point for non-programmers looking to create 3D games, thanks to its intuitive no-code environment.
- LumixEngine is perfect if you're comfortable with C++ and want a robust, actively maintained game engine with community support.
- If you're looking for a learning experience, MxEngine provides a solid educational foundation in C++ development for 3D games, though its updates may not be frequent.
- Gameplay3D offers a decent option, but it's important to note its maintenance status; consider it if you're okay with working on a potentially stagnant codebase.
- For those utilizing Godot, the 3D Mannequin project is beneficial for integrating character controls into your own games.
Final Thoughts:
Choose GDevelop if you're a novice or want quick results without deep coding; go for LumixEngine for more control and features in C++; and consider MxEngine if you're willing to contribute to its development.