diff --git a/mobile-2d-map-game-research.md b/mobile-2d-map-game-research.md deleted file mode 100644 index 30c0313..0000000 --- a/mobile-2d-map-game-research.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,182 +0,0 @@ -# Mobile 2D Map Game — Framework & Deployment Research - -*A practical guide for Linux users targeting Android + iOS* - ---- - -## The Problem - -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. - -**Key constraint:** Android builds work from Linux. iOS always needs macOS somewhere in the chain. - ---- - -## Framework Comparison - -| Framework | Language | APK Size | Learning Curve | 2D Map Support | Linux Build | iOS from Linux | -|-----------|----------|----------|----------------|----------------|-------------|----------------| -| **Defold** | Lua | 3–5 MB | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Built-in tilemap | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Needs macOS CI | -| **Phaser + Capacitor** | JavaScript | <5 MB | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent tilemap | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Needs macOS CI | -| **Godot 4** | GDScript | 36–77 MB | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best features | ✅ CLI | ⚠️ Needs macOS CI | -| **Solar2D** | Lua | 5–10 MB | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐ Basic | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Needs macOS CI | -| **Kivy/Buildozer** | Python | 15–30 MB | Easy (if Python) | ⭐⭐ Manual | ✅ Native | ❌ No iOS | -| **Flutter Flame** | Dart | 15–25 MB | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐ Growing | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Needs macOS | -| **Raylib** | C | 3–8 MB | Hard | ⭐ No built-in | ✅ | ❌ | -| **PWA (no wrapper)** | JS/HTML | <1 MB | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Via Phaser | ✅ | ✅ No build needed | - -### Tier 1: Best Options - -**Defold** — Smallest native APK (3–5 MB), built-in tilemap, Lua scripting, cloud builds available. Designed specifically for small mobile games. Free, no royalties. - -**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. - -**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. - -### Tier 2: Good but Heavier - -**Godot 4** — Best features, largest community, but 36–77 MB APK. Worth it if file size doesn't matter. - -**Kivy/Buildozer** — Python-native, but limited game features and no iOS. - -### Avoid - -- **React Native** — Not designed for games -- **Pygame Android** — Abandoned (2013) -- **Raylib** — No built-in tilemap, requires C/C++ - ---- - -## Deployment from Linux - -### Android (Fully Supported) - -```bash -# Option 1: Defold (recommended for smallest APK) -# Download Defold from defold.com → Export → Android Bundle - -# Option 2: Godot 4 CLI export -# Install Android SDK command-line tools + JDK 17 -godot --export-release "Android" game.apk - -# Option 3: Kivy/Buildozer (Python) -pip install buildozer -buildozer android debug -``` - -All three work headlessly on Linux. No Android Studio required. - -### iOS (Requires macOS Somewhere) - -| Approach | How It Works | Cost | -|----------|-------------|------| -| **GitHub Actions** | Free macOS runner, build IPA in CI | Free (2000 min/month) | -| **Codemagic** | Cloud CI with macOS builders | Free tier available | -| **MacStadium** | Rent a Mac in the cloud | ~$50/month | - -**Recommended:** GitHub Actions + macOS runner. Write the workflow once, build iOS from Linux. - -### Testing on Real Devices - -```bash -# Android (USB or WiFi) -sudo apt install adb -adb install game.apk - -# Android (WiFi, Android 11+) -adb connect :5555 -adb install game.apk - -# iOS -# Upload IPA → TestFlight → testers install via TestFlight app -``` - -### App Store Requirements - -| Store | Account Cost | New App Requirement | -|-------|-------------|---------------------| -| Google Play | $25 one-time | 12+ testers, 14 days closed testing | -| Apple App Store | $99/year | macOS build, stricter review | - ---- - -## Recommended Stack - -For a Linux user with Python experience, no game dev background, targeting mobile: - -### Option A: Fastest to Mobile (PWA) -1. **Phaser.js** — HTML5 game framework, learn via tutorials -2. **PWA** — Add manifest.json + service worker -3. **Deploy** — Host anywhere, share URL, installable on phones -4. **iOS support** — Works via Safari, no app store needed -5. **Size** — <1 MB - -### Option B: Smallest Native APK (Defold) -1. **Defold** — Download from defold.com -2. **Lua scripting** — Simple, Python-like syntax -3. **Built-in tilemap** — Perfect for 2D map games -4. **Android APK** — 3–5 MB, builds on Linux -5. **iOS** — Via GitHub Actions with macOS runner - -### Option C: Most Features (Godot 4) -1. **Godot 4** — Full game engine, best tooling -2. **GDScript** — Python-like syntax -3. **Android APK** — Builds on Linux via CLI -4. **iOS** — Via GitHub Actions with macOS runner -5. **Size** — 36–77 MB (largest option) - ---- - -## Quick Start: PWA Path (Zero Build Complexity) - -```bash -# 1. Install Node.js -sudo apt install -y nodejs npm - -# 2. Create Phaser project -npx create-phaser-game my-game -cd my-game - -# 3. Add PWA support -npm install -D vite-plugin-pwa - -# 4. Configure manifest.json with your app name/icon - -# 5. Build -npm run build - -# 6. Deploy to any web host (GitHub Pages, Netlify, Vercel) - -# 7. Share URL → users install from browser -``` - -**Total time to first playable:** ~2 hours with AI assistance. - ---- - -## APK Size Comparison - -| Framework | Empty APK | With 2D Map Assets | -|-----------|-----------|---------------------| -| **PWA** | N/A | <1–5 MB | -| **Defold** | 3–5 MB | 5–15 MB | -| **Phaser + Capacitor** | <5 MB | 5–15 MB | -| **Godot 4** | 36–50 MB | 40–80 MB | -| **Kivy** | 15–25 MB | 20–40 MB | -| **Flutter** | 15–25 MB | 20–40 MB | - ---- - -## Verdict - -**For a 2D map game targeting mobile:** - -- **PWA** is the simplest path — no build toolchain, works everywhere, instant updates -- **Defold** is the best native option — tiny APK, built-in tilemap, Lua is easy -- **Godot 4** is overkill unless you need advanced features - -**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. - ---- - -*Report generated by Hermes Agent — 2026-07-20*