Solar2D (successor of Corona SDK)is a free and open-source game engine for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms, originated from the popular and widely utilized Corona SDK game engine, which is no longer receiving commercial support. It utilizes the Lua programming language, and is designed to prioritize simplicity and efficiency in the game development process.
As a powerful cross-platform game development framework, Solar2D enables software programmers to create stunning 2D mobile applications and games for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, and Web. Additionally, it also supports the development of desktop applications for Windows, Linux, and Mac, as well as connected TV applications for Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV.
Solar2D's comprehensive feature set includes physics, graphics, audio, networking, and touch input handling, providing developers with the essential tools to bring their game ideas to life. Its cross-platform compatibility ensures that games created with the framework can be effortlessly deployed across a wide range of devices and platforms, maximizing reach and accessibility.
Additionally, Solar2D's open-source nature allows developers to customize and extend its functionality, fostering a vibrant and supportive community of users and contributors. Whether you're a solo developer looking to create your first mobile game or a seasoned professional seeking a robust framework for your next project, it offers a compelling solution that empowers creativity and accelerates development.
Solar2D offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for developers to design, prototype, and deploy their applications quickly. With its intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, developers can easily create interactive user interfaces and animations without writing complex code. Additionally, Solar2D supports real-time testing, allowing developers to see their changes instantly on multiple devices simultaneously, making the debugging process more efficient.
Furthermore, Solar2D provides extensive documentation and a supportive community of developers who are always willing to help troubleshoot issues and share best practices. Even better, this framework is constantly updated with new features and improvements to ensure that developers have access to the latest tools and technologies. Overall, Solar2D is a versatile and reliable platform for creating mobile applications and games that stand out in the competitive app market.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
| Cross-platform | Develop for mobile, desktop, and connected TV devices with just one code base: iOS, tvOS, Android, Android TV, macOS, Windows, Linux or HTML5. |
| Build Fast | Update your code, save the changes, and instantly see the results in our instant-update Simulator. When you're ready to test on real devices, build and deploy your app just once and then see code/assets update automatically, all over your local network. It's like magic. |
| Plugins for all needs | Select from numerous plugins which extend the Solar2D core for features like in-app advertising, analytics, media, and much more. A vast variety of plugins is available via Solar2D free directory or third party stores, like Solar2D Marketplace and Solar2D Plugins. |
| Call any native library | If it’s not already in the core or supported via a plugin, you can call any native (C/C++/Obj-C/Java) library or API using Solar2D Native. |
| Production ready | Solar2D is official fork of Corona SDK, which has been in active development for over 10 years, and used by hundreds of thousands of apps and developers. |
| Lua-based | Lua is an open source scripting language designed to be lightweight, fast, yet also powerful. Lua is currently the leading scripting language in games and has been utilized in Warcraft ™, Angry Birds ™, Civilization ™ and many other popular franchises. |
| Completely free | No hidden fees, charges, or royalties. No matter if you are an indie developer or a large publisher, you will never pay for using the engine. |
| Privacy aware | Solar2D would not track your users. No anonymized data gathering, no server calls. Nothing. Games you build only make network requests you asked for. |
| Community | Join a vibrant community of thousands developers using Solar2D for live games on Forums or Discord chat. |
| Open Source | All source code and resources are available under MIT license. |
Related Links
Download URLs
| License | Version | Download | Size |
| Freeware | Latest |  |
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