So, I see people saying that they consider frameworks to be acceptable, but game engines to be objectionable. It would help to specify the differences.

Is the use of a physics engine considered a framework or a game engine?

Automated systems, like terrain generation, are considered too much by some people. However, what about tilemap systems? Is a framework that accepts input from a tile editor, is this considered in the same way, or does it have to be 3D to cause upset?

Similarly, are there any aspects of audio that people find to be too much like cheating?

Do you think 3D graphics are a problem, especially if the engine/framework enables people to import complex 3D meshes, often with animation?

I’m surprised that some people consider Flixel to be such a ‘game engine’, as it’s mostly just an SDL style framework like Pygame, and requires very ordinary coding practice.

I don’t mean this to cause an argument, I’m more curious to figure out which parts of frameworks and engines that people object to. Then people can make a conscious decision to avoid using those services, or at least they’re able to choose when they design their game.

Please let us know in the comments.