Lua is an easy language in which you can already assemble your first prototype today. Let's analyze two popular paths: Roblox (online worlds) and LÖVE2D / Love2D (freedom for 2D games).
Why Lua is a convenient start 🚀
Pros
📝 Minimum syntax — faster to the result.
⚡ High speed and small runtime.
🔌 Integrates into engines and frameworks.
What the first week will be enough for
Objects and simple collision logic.
Score counter and basic UI.
Saving progress and simple levels.
Roblox: you make your world — players come 🌍
Roblox Studio provides a visual editor, an out-of-the-box network part, and monetization. You focus on the gameplay, and the infrastructure is already ready.
🎯 Mini-example: creating a platform in the world
-- Script в Roblox Studio
local platform = Instance.new("Part")
platform.Size = Vector3.new(12, 1, 12)
platform.Position = Vector3.new(0, 10, 0)
platform.Anchored = true
platform.Material = Enum.Material.Metal
platform.Color = Color3.fromRGB(60, 120, 255)
platform.Parent = workspace
Idea for practice: add a timer — the platform disappears and appears every 3 seconds.
LÖVE2D (Love2D): freedom in 2D 🎨
Love2D is a lightweight framework: you draw sprites, process input and physics yourself. Full control over the game cycle and object behavior.
🧩 Mini-example: a ball and control
-- main.lua
local x, y, r = 200, 200, 20
local speed = 220
function love.update(dt)
if love.keyboard.isDown("left") then x = x - speed * dt end
if love.keyboard.isDown("right") then x = x + speed * dt end
if love.keyboard.isDown("up") then y = y - speed * dt end
if love.keyboard.isDown("down") then y = y + speed * dt end
end
function love.draw()
love.graphics.setLineWidth(2)
love.graphics.circle("line", x, y, r)
love.graphics.print("Arrows move the ball", 16, 16)
end
Idea for practice: add window borders and bounces.
Roblox vs LÖVE2D — which one to choose? 🤔
Criterion | Roblox | LÖVE2D |
|---|---|---|
Type of projects | Online worlds, co-op, UGC | 2D platformers, arcades, puzzles |
Start speed | Very fast - a lot of ready-made | Medium - write more yourself |
Monetization | Built-in ecosystem | Independently (itch.io, Steam, etc.) |
Control and freedom | Part is limited by platform rules | Almost unlimited |
Typical mistakes of beginners 🧯
⏭️ Immediately "big game". Start with one mechanic.
🔄 No frame rate in calculations. Always consider
dtin Love2D and events/timers in Roblox.📦 Chaos in files. Split the code into modules and folders (assets, scripts, ui).
🧪 No tests/runs. Every change is a short test run.
In the attachment Kodik — programming training There are mini-projects, step-by-step tasks and code analysis: from the first scripts to the publication of the prototype. The format is "let's do it together", without overloading with theory.
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