bacontest/mobile-2d-map-game-research.md

Mobile 2D Map Game — Framework & Deployment Research

A practical guide for Linux users targeting Android + iOS

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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.

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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++

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Deployment from Linux

Android (Fully Supported)

# 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

# Android (USB or WiFi)
sudo apt install adb
adb install game.apk

# Android (WiFi, Android 11+)
adb connect <phone-ip>: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

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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)

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Quick Start: PWA Path (Zero Build Complexity)

# 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.

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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

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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.

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Report generated by Hermes Agent — 2026-07-20