Table of contents
TIC-80
TIC-80 is a fantasy computer where you can make, play and share tiny games.
As TIC-80 is an open source project, you can find more
open source alternatives and stats
on LibHunt.
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.
TIC-80 is a well-regarded tool for hobbyists and indie game developers looking to create retro-style games. Its simplicity combined with a comprehensive feature set makes it an excellent choice for both learning game development and creating polished projects. If you enjoy the challenge and charm of retro game design, TIC-80 is a great option.
We have collected here some useful links to help you find out if TIC-80 is good.
Check the traffic stats of TIC-80 on SimilarWeb. The key metrics to look for are: monthly visits, average visit duration, pages per visit, and traffic by country. Moreoever, check the traffic sources. For example "Direct" traffic is a good sign.
Check the "Domain Rating" of TIC-80 on Ahrefs. The domain rating is a measure of the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It shows the strength of TIC-80's backlink profile compared to the other websites. In most cases a domain rating of 60+ is considered good and 70+ is considered very good.
Check the "Domain Authority" of TIC-80 on MOZ. A website's domain authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). It is based on a 100-point logarithmic scale, with higher scores corresponding to a greater likelihood of ranking. This is another useful metric to check if a website is good.
The latest comments about TIC-80 on Reddit. This can help you find out how popualr the product is and what people think about it.
Of course there are many others. The most prominent examples being Pico-8 and TIC-80. And these two are fine projects and wonderful things are done with and in them. The difference between them and Mini Micro would be in the terms they use to advertise themselves: console vs computer. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
You'll probably love [TIC-80](https://tic80.com/). - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
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 / almost 2 years ago
Like this maybe? https://tic80.com/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
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 / almost 2 years ago
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 / about 2 years ago
There are also "fantasy consoles". Most of them use Lua+their own api for dealing with the virtual console internals. - PICO-8 (paid, 8$) https://www.lexaloffle.com/pico-8.php - TIC80 (opensource, supports more langs like python, scheme, so on) https://tic80.com/ Have fun! - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
The Pico-8 is great, but https://tic80.com/ is really cool too. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
Or the more free TIC-80. I have paid for both, but never used either enough to be able to say one or the other has any significant advantages. https://tic80.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
Or its open source cousin TIC-80: http://tic80.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
I wish the community moved to an open source option like TIC-80[0]. 0. https://tic80.com/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
Main differences are: 16:9 aspect ratio, no cpu limits and many languages to tinker with: lua, js, squirrel, wren, janet, wasm, ... And just recently - a Python support was added. https://tic80.com. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
Try https://tic80.com/ instead of PICO-8, it's a free open-source alternative and still fun. Source: over 3 years ago
Tho personally I've come to prefer making my games in https://love2d.org and https://tic80.com. Source: over 3 years ago
Start by making some games imo, unless you already have a good project in mind. https://tic80.com or https://love2d.org. Source: over 3 years ago
In case you don't know, there's also the free education version of PICO-8. Many similar features are also available in the FOSS project TIC-80. Source: over 3 years ago
TIC-80 and PICO-8 are great for making quick games and learning. The limitations encourage a smaller scope and the simplicity of the tools make it easy to collab with young children on the development itself. Making a sprite is just coloring some squares after all :) Great moment to animate their little doodle on the screen and have it controlled by their input. Would recommend the book Mindstorms on using games... Source: over 3 years ago
Since you're comfortable with Javascript, then tic-80 can be an alternative. https://tic80.com/ But pico-8 has more resources. I also enjoyed the tutorials in the Get Coding books. https://getcodingkids.com/. Source: over 3 years ago
If you're _totally_ new to game programming (like me), I found tic80 [0] or pico8 [1] (I think the latter is more popular) a really nice introduction to game programming. They are simulated "fantasy consoles" that come with a whole wack constraints, so you're somewhat limited in what you can build, but it leaves a lot of room to grok core concepts that you could then take over to Unity or Unreal or the like.... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
I'm gonna echo the suggestion to make a video game; if you're a person who likes games this is by far the best way to go. Obviously love2d is brilliant but you might also take a look at https://tic80.com which is a little more all-in-one and easier to learn. Source: over 3 years ago
TIC-80 is very similar. I have both but did not explore them enough to say which one is better. I prefer the free license of TIC-80. Source: over 3 years ago
TIC-80, a compact and free open-source fantasy console, has gained attention as an attractive platform for budding game developers, enthusiasts, and educators aiming to introduce programming and game design concepts. This software provides a comprehensive toolset that spans code, maps, sprites, sound editors, and command lines, simulating the retro gaming development experience while supporting modern conveniences. Below, I encapsulate the public sentiment and opinions drawn from several sources:
A major highlight of TIC-80 is its open-source nature, positioning it as a cost-effective alternative to other fantasy consoles like PICO-8. This trait is frequently lauded, with users valuing the ability to access the tool without financial commitment, especially noted in educational contexts or for hobbyists exploring game development. Complementing this is its broad compatibility with various programming languages, including Lua, JavaScript, Python, and more niche ones like Fennel and MoonScript, thereby expanding its appeal to a wide array of developers. The support for such diversity empowers users to select the language they are most comfortable with or attempting to learn, enhancing TIC-80's utility as both a learning and development platform.
Compared to its closest rivals, the discussion often juxtaposes TIC-80 with PICO-8. This comparison generally revolves around the principles of accessibility and extensibility. While PICO-8 is acclaimed for its polished environment and resources, TIC-80 is celebrated for being open source and supporting a wider range of languages, which some developers and educators find more inclusive and versatile. Additionally, TIC-80's capacity to export games as cartridges that are integrable with websites is a frequently mentioned benefit, adding value in terms of shareability and community engagement.
The community aspect is integral to TIC-80's appeal. With mentions of vibrant support networks and an online marketplace to facilitate game sharing and discussion, TIC-80 fosters a collaborative environment where users can flourish. It serves as a suitable entry point for novices, particularly young learners or those new to coding, with its fantasy console model simplifying complex concepts. As a testament to its educational merit, TIC-80 is cited as fitting within educational frameworks, like those posited by Seymour Papert's "Mindstorms," encouraging engagement through constraints that aid understanding fundamental programming and design concepts.
User sentiment reflects a generally positive reception, appreciating the agile and unrestrictive nature of TIC-80. It maintains a reputation as an enjoyable and practical tool for creating simple, nostalgia-evoking games. However, some commentary notes that while TIC-80 offers freedom through its various language options and open-source license, resources and community-driven content are more abundant in other platforms like PICO-8, which may offer a more streamlined experience for some. Nonetheless, TIC-80 remains a favored choice, particularly among those who value flexibility, cost-free access, and a diverse learning path in game design and development.
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