Add mobile 2D map game framework & deployment research
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mobile-2d-map-game-research.md
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mobile-2d-map-game-research.md
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# Mobile 2D Map Game — Framework & Deployment Research
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*A practical guide for Linux users targeting Android + iOS*
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---
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## The Problem
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You want a 2D map-based mobile game. It should be lightweight, easy to implement, and as portable as possible. You're on Linux with Python experience and no game dev background.
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**Key constraint:** Android builds work from Linux. iOS always needs macOS somewhere in the chain.
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---
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## Framework Comparison
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| Framework | Language | APK Size | Learning Curve | 2D Map Support | Linux Build | iOS from Linux |
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|-----------|----------|----------|----------------|----------------|-------------|----------------|
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| **Defold** | Lua | 3–5 MB | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Built-in tilemap | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Needs macOS CI |
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| **Phaser + Capacitor** | JavaScript | <5 MB | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent tilemap | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Needs macOS CI |
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| **Godot 4** | GDScript | 36–77 MB | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best features | ✅ CLI | ⚠️ Needs macOS CI |
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| **Solar2D** | Lua | 5–10 MB | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐ Basic | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Needs macOS CI |
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| **Kivy/Buildozer** | Python | 15–30 MB | Easy (if Python) | ⭐⭐ Manual | ✅ Native | ❌ No iOS |
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| **Flutter Flame** | Dart | 15–25 MB | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐ Growing | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Needs macOS |
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| **Raylib** | C | 3–8 MB | Hard | ⭐ No built-in | ✅ | ❌ |
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| **PWA (no wrapper)** | JS/HTML | <1 MB | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Via Phaser | ✅ | ✅ No build needed |
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### Tier 1: Best Options
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**Defold** — Smallest native APK (3–5 MB), built-in tilemap, Lua scripting, cloud builds available. Designed specifically for small mobile games. Free, no royalties.
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**Phaser + Capacitor** — HTML5 game wrapped as native app. Phaser has massive community (40k+ GitHub stars), excellent tilemap support. If you know JavaScript, this is the fastest path.
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**PWA (no wrapper)** — Build with Phaser, add `manifest.json` + service worker. Installable from browser, no app store needed. Smallest possible size (<1 MB). Works on Android + iOS Safari.
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### Tier 2: Good but Heavier
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**Godot 4** — Best features, largest community, but 36–77 MB APK. Worth it if file size doesn't matter.
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**Kivy/Buildozer** — Python-native, but limited game features and no iOS.
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### Avoid
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- **React Native** — Not designed for games
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- **Pygame Android** — Abandoned (2013)
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- **Raylib** — No built-in tilemap, requires C/C++
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---
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## Deployment from Linux
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### Android (Fully Supported)
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```bash
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# Option 1: Defold (recommended for smallest APK)
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# Download Defold from defold.com → Export → Android Bundle
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# Option 2: Godot 4 CLI export
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# Install Android SDK command-line tools + JDK 17
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godot --export-release "Android" game.apk
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# Option 3: Kivy/Buildozer (Python)
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pip install buildozer
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buildozer android debug
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```
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All three work headlessly on Linux. No Android Studio required.
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### iOS (Requires macOS Somewhere)
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| Approach | How It Works | Cost |
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|----------|-------------|------|
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| **GitHub Actions** | Free macOS runner, build IPA in CI | Free (2000 min/month) |
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| **Codemagic** | Cloud CI with macOS builders | Free tier available |
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| **MacStadium** | Rent a Mac in the cloud | ~$50/month |
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**Recommended:** GitHub Actions + macOS runner. Write the workflow once, build iOS from Linux.
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### Testing on Real Devices
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```bash
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# Android (USB or WiFi)
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sudo apt install adb
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adb install game.apk
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# Android (WiFi, Android 11+)
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adb connect <phone-ip>:5555
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adb install game.apk
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# iOS
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# Upload IPA → TestFlight → testers install via TestFlight app
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```
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### App Store Requirements
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| Store | Account Cost | New App Requirement |
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|-------|-------------|---------------------|
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| Google Play | $25 one-time | 12+ testers, 14 days closed testing |
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| Apple App Store | $99/year | macOS build, stricter review |
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---
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## Recommended Stack
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For a Linux user with Python experience, no game dev background, targeting mobile:
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### Option A: Fastest to Mobile (PWA)
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1. **Phaser.js** — HTML5 game framework, learn via tutorials
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2. **PWA** — Add manifest.json + service worker
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3. **Deploy** — Host anywhere, share URL, installable on phones
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4. **iOS support** — Works via Safari, no app store needed
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5. **Size** — <1 MB
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### Option B: Smallest Native APK (Defold)
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1. **Defold** — Download from defold.com
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2. **Lua scripting** — Simple, Python-like syntax
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3. **Built-in tilemap** — Perfect for 2D map games
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4. **Android APK** — 3–5 MB, builds on Linux
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5. **iOS** — Via GitHub Actions with macOS runner
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### Option C: Most Features (Godot 4)
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1. **Godot 4** — Full game engine, best tooling
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2. **GDScript** — Python-like syntax
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3. **Android APK** — Builds on Linux via CLI
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4. **iOS** — Via GitHub Actions with macOS runner
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5. **Size** — 36–77 MB (largest option)
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---
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## Quick Start: PWA Path (Zero Build Complexity)
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```bash
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# 1. Install Node.js
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sudo apt install -y nodejs npm
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# 2. Create Phaser project
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npx create-phaser-game my-game
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cd my-game
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# 3. Add PWA support
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npm install -D vite-plugin-pwa
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# 4. Configure manifest.json with your app name/icon
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# 5. Build
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npm run build
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# 6. Deploy to any web host (GitHub Pages, Netlify, Vercel)
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# 7. Share URL → users install from browser
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```
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**Total time to first playable:** ~2 hours with AI assistance.
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---
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## APK Size Comparison
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| Framework | Empty APK | With 2D Map Assets |
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|-----------|-----------|---------------------|
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| **PWA** | N/A | <1–5 MB |
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| **Defold** | 3–5 MB | 5–15 MB |
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| **Phaser + Capacitor** | <5 MB | 5–15 MB |
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| **Godot 4** | 36–50 MB | 40–80 MB |
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| **Kivy** | 15–25 MB | 20–40 MB |
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| **Flutter** | 15–25 MB | 20–40 MB |
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---
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## Verdict
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**For a 2D map game targeting mobile:**
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- **PWA** is the simplest path — no build toolchain, works everywhere, instant updates
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- **Defold** is the best native option — tiny APK, built-in tilemap, Lua is easy
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- **Godot 4** is overkill unless you need advanced features
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**My recommendation:** Start with **PWA + Phaser**. If you need native app store presence later, wrap with **Capacitor** for Android or use **Defold** for the smallest possible APK.
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---
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*Report generated by Hermes Agent — 2026-07-20*
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