Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

TIC-80 VS ct.js

Compare TIC-80 VS ct.js and see what are their differences

TIC-80 logo TIC-80

TIC-80 is a fantasy computer where you can make, play and share tiny games.

ct.js logo ct.js

ct.js is a 2D game editor (desktop app) based on web technologies.
  • TIC-80 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-20
  • ct.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-11

TIC-80 features and specs

  • Portability
    TIC-80 can run on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even web browsers. This allows for a wide range of accessibility and convenience.
  • Integrated Development Environment
    TIC-80 offers an all-in-one IDE with code editor, sprite editor, map editor, sound and music editors. This integrated environment simplifies the development process by keeping all the necessary tools in one place.
  • Retro Aesthetic
    It provides a nostalgic development experience with its retro-style visual and audio capabilities, appealing to fans of old-school gaming.
  • Free Version Availability
    A free version is available with most features accessible, making it easy for beginners and hobbyists to get started without any initial cost.
  • Community and Resources
    TIC-80 has an active community and a growing number of tutorials and resources, which can be very helpful for new developers to get support and learn new tricks.

Possible disadvantages of TIC-80

  • Limited Resources
    Due to its retro hardware constraints, TIC-80 has limitations on resources such as memory and performance, which can be a restricting factor for more complex or resource-intensive projects.
  • Learning Curve
    While it is beginner-friendly in many aspects, the environment and API have unique characteristics that may require some time and effort to get used to, especially for those unfamiliar with retro-style development.
  • Feature Restrictions in Free Version
    Although a free version exists, it comes with some feature limitations compared to the Pro version, which might be necessary for more advanced projects.
  • Niche Audience
    The focus on retro-style game development may not appeal to everyone, particularly those looking for modern development tools or more powerful engines.
  • Limited Market Share
    Compared to more established game development platforms, TIC-80 has a smaller user base and market share, which might limit exposure and collaboration opportunities.

ct.js features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Ct.js offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that is accessible for beginners. It enables users to create their games without extensive coding knowledge, thanks to a visual editor and an organized layout.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Games made with ct.js can be exported to multiple platforms, including HTML5, Windows, MacOS, and Linux. This makes it versatile for developers aiming to reach a broad audience.
  • Modular System
    Ct.js uses a modular system that allows users to add various predefined modules to their projects. This fosters a customizable development environment, supporting a range of functionalities without the need for external plugins.
  • Active Community and Support
    Ct.js has an active community and provides ample support through forums, documentation, and tutorials. This helps new users quickly get up to speed and resolve issues efficiently.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source tool, developers can inspect, modify, and contribute to the ct.js source code. This transparency fosters innovation and continuous improvement in the tool’s capabilities.

Possible disadvantages of ct.js

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While ct.js is great for beginners and small to medium-sized games, it may lack some advanced features and tools found in more established engines like Unity or Unreal. This can be limiting for more complex projects.
  • Performance Constraints
    As a JavaScript-based engine, ct.js can experience performance issues, particularly with larger and more resource-intensive projects. It may not be as optimized for performance as some other engines.
  • Steeper Learning Curve For Complex Features
    Although the basics are easy to grasp, some more complex features may still have a steeper learning curve and require a deeper understanding of JavaScript and game development principles.
  • Smaller Ecosystem
    The ecosystem around ct.js is smaller compared to major game engines. There are fewer third-party plugins, assets, and community contributions available, which can limit resources for developers.
  • Limited Professional Use
    Ct.js might not be widely recognized or adopted in professional game development environments. For developers aiming for a career in larger studios or high-budget projects, proficiency in more mainstream engines might be preferred.

TIC-80 videos

RetroArch TIC-80 Core | Let's Play

More videos:

ct.js videos

Ct.js -- An Awesome 2D Game Engine/Editor (That's Open Source & Cross Platform!)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to TIC-80 and ct.js)
Game Engine
61 61%
39% 39
Game Development
49 49%
51% 51
Graph Databases
100 100%
0% 0
3D Game Engine
42 42%
58% 58

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare TIC-80 and ct.js

TIC-80 Reviews

16 Scratch Alternatives
TIC-80 is an online marketplace based on an open source network through which users can quickly get help regarding building, sharing, and playing numerous games. This platform lets its users get the complete development tools, such as code, maps, sprites, sound editors, command lines, and much more. It can even permit clients to have the cartridge file at the end to easily...

ct.js Reviews

16 Scratch Alternatives
Anyone who wants to learn the programming languages to make some 2D-based games in a much more entertaining environment can check out one of the leading platforms known as Ct.js. This platform lets its users get the enhanced visual editor and the massive library enclosed with the coding documents for ease. It can even permit its clients to have the modern development...
20 Best Scratch Alternatives 2023
A significant difference between Ct.js and Scratch is that with Ct.js, you work with codes. Nevertheless, the code editor is intuitive with editable examples and demo codes.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, TIC-80 seems to be a lot more popular than ct.js. While we know about 72 links to TIC-80, we've tracked only 3 mentions of ct.js. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

TIC-80 mentions (72)

  • RPG in a Box
    You'll probably love [TIC-80](https://tic80.com/). - Source: Hacker News / 13 days ago
  • Antirez/load81: SDL based Lua programming environment for kids similar to Codea
    And TIC-80 (https://tic80.com/). It can be used with "lua, ruby, js, moon, fennel, scheme, squirrel, wren, wasm, janet or python". - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • X11-Basic (1991-2020)
    Like this maybe? https://tic80.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • The Fennel Programming Language
    You'll always need to deal with a bit of Lua afaik. If you like fantasy consoles, you can use TIC-80[1] to not have to deal with any Lua. [1] https://tic80.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Ask HN: What's the most fun you've had developing for an older gaming system?
    Not 100% retro but I've had a lot of fun doing Tiny Code Christmas[1] the last couple of years on TIC-80 [2] For actual retro system. 68000 assembler on the Atari ST is fun or for a slightly different challenge the Amiga [1] https://tcc.lovebyte.party/ [2] https://tic80.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
View more

ct.js mentions (3)

  • Web Game – Squirrel shoots nuts
    Mainly ct.js an awesome 2D game editor (https://ctjs.rocks/). Source: over 3 years ago
  • My Windows 11 NordTheme Setup
    The taskbar icons are from niivu's Nord dock icons (they come in .png and .ico formats so you can set your taskbar icon's to those .ico files!), Some taskbar icons, like the ct.js and dragonbones icons are my own edits of the original icon files extracted from the executables! Source: over 3 years ago
  • Blog about gamedev and ct.js, a javascript modern 2D game engine.
    Since 2019, I have a lot of fun with ct.js, so I want to share. : ). Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing TIC-80 and ct.js, you can also consider the following products

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.

PICO-8 - Lua-based fantasy console for making and playing tiny, computer games and programs.

BYOND - BYOND is the premier community for making and playing online multiplayer games.

LOVE 2D - Hi there! LÖVE is an *awesome* framework you can use to make 2D games in Lua.

RPG Maker - Make your own PC game with RPG Maker. Our easy to use tools are simple enough for a child, and powerful enough for a developer. Try it free today!

LÖVR - Virtual Reality for Lua