How can you find game design tools that offer extensive animation capabilities?

Finding a fitting software for your team is a very important step of a new game project, of course. Last year I participated in the Sofia Game Jam event in which we decided to challenge our selves with a development software that we have minimum experience with. Although we were successful in creating a game in the short time we have available in this fast paced event it did hinder our process quite a lot and we had to adapt a lot more than expected due to our limited knowledge and experience. It is important to first design the game and its details as much as possible, then define a deadline - with the circumstances in mind you can then decide and weight your options much better regarding your skills and knowledge.

Start by exploring industry-specific websites and forums such as Gamasutra, Polycount, and GameDev.net, where professionals discuss and review animation tools. Use comparison websites like Capterra or G2 to read user reviews and compare features of various software. Additionally, follow industry influencers and animation experts on social media platforms for recommendations and insights. Utilize search engines effectively with targeted queries to discover articles, blog posts, and videos that showcase the latest animation tools.

The easies and best way to decide what tool to use is by comparison with other games. If your game is based off of or inspired from another game you can always research what tools were used to achieve what you like in the game and even if that's not exactly the case you can still do the same thing - research games and animations that you find inspiring by finding out how, with what and why they were to find the tool that would best fit your goals. This is a bit philosophical but true: Life is about evolution - if you look around everything that is new is a reimagination of an already existing thing or idea. There's nothing bad in recreating something with your own style and flavor, if done with passion there will always be connoisseurs.

Start by identifying your specific animation needs, such as character rigging, motion capture, or real-time rendering. Look at leading tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and Spine, and list their features side by side. Pay attention to their animation workflows, ease of use, and integration with other software you might be using. Utilize comparison websites and read user reviews to get insights into each tool’s strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, many software providers offer trial versions, so take advantage of these to test the tools firsthand.

Many leading software providers offer free trials or demo versions of their tools, such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and Spine. Downloading and experimenting with these demos allows you to evaluate the tool’s interface, features, and overall usability. Focus on key animation aspects like rigging, keyframing, and real-time rendering to see how well the tool meets your needs. Pay attention to the learning curve and how intuitive the workflows are. Additionally, testing demos can help you assess the tool's compatibility with your existing pipeline and other software.

Join online forums and communities such as Polycount, CGSociety, and Reddit’s r/gamedev, where experienced designers discuss and recommend tools. Participate in discussions, ask questions, and read through threads to gather diverse opinions on various animation software. Follow industry experts and influencers on social media platforms for their recommendations and reviews. Additionally, watch tutorials and webinars where professionals showcase their workflows and preferred tools.

Look for reviews on reputable websites like Gamasutra, IGN, and Animation World Network, where industry experts provide in-depth analyses of various tools. These reviews often highlight key features, performance, usability, and how well the tools integrate into different workflows. Pay attention to the pros and cons mentioned, as well as any comparisons made with other tools. Additionally, many professional reviewers test the software extensively, providing insights into its strengths and potential drawbacks. By relying on these detailed, expert evaluations, you can make an informed decision about which animation tools will best meet your game design needs.

If we are talking about animation tools which can be converted or use as design for the Game, almost all the Game Engines provides support for animation plugins like Unity has Timeline, Unreal has Sequencer, etc. But they are not too extensive for the animations, I would go for Blender or Maya as dedicated Animation tools and then we can export the assets from it and import in any game development software and use it to make a complete game.