Heaps.io is an open-source, cross-platform game engine developed by Nicolas Cannasse, the creator of the Haxe programming language. Heaps.io is particularly known for its flexibility and performance in developing both 2D and 3D games. It’s lightweight yet powerful, making it a good fit for indie developers or those who prefer low-level control in their projects. The engine is designed to take full advantage of the Haxe language and supports a variety of export platforms.
Key Features
- Haxe Integration: Heaps.io is built to fully leverage the power and flexibility of the Haxe programming language.
- 2D and 3D Rendering: Built-in support for both 2D and 3D graphics, making it versatile for various game genres.
- Cross-Platform: Export to multiple platforms with minimal configuration changes.
- Lightweight and Efficient: Highly optimized for performance, especially useful for mobile and browser games.
- Shader and Material System: Customizable shaders for advanced rendering techniques.
- WebAssembly (WASM) Support: For running games directly in the browser.
- Open Source: Available under the MIT license, allowing developers to modify the engine as they see fit.
Development Platform Support
Development Programming Languages
Supported Platforms
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
- HTML5 (Web)
- Consoles (with additional configuration)
Ease of Use
Heaps.io offers a lot of power and flexibility but comes with a learning curve, especially for developers who are new to the Haxe language. While there is a growing community and good documentation, beginners may find it more difficult to use compared to engines with a visual scripting interface. However, for experienced programmers, especially those familiar with Haxe, it’s a strong option.
Licensing & Costs
Heaps.io is completely free and open-source, released under the MIT License, meaning there are no royalties or costs associated with using it for commercial or non-commercial projects.
Use Cases & Notable Games
Heaps.io is particularly useful for 2D and 3D indie games and small-scale projects. It has been used to create a variety of games, from mobile titles to web-based experiences.
Games to Check Out:
Example Use Cases
- 2D Action Games: Heaps.io's lightweight engine is great for 2D games with fast-paced action.
- 3D Exploration Games: Its 3D rendering and shader system allows for detailed environments and smooth performance.
- Web-Based Games: Thanks to WebAssembly support, Heaps.io excels at building web games that can run smoothly in a browser.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Powerful and flexible, especially for Haxe developers.
- Excellent performance across platforms, especially in 2D and WebAssembly.
- Open-source with no hidden costs or royalties.
- Supports both 2D and 3D game development.
- Used in several notable indie games, lending credibility to its capabilities.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for developers unfamiliar with Haxe.
- Smaller community compared to larger engines like Unity or Unreal.
- Fewer built-in tools or visual editors, requiring more manual coding and configuration.
- Some features, like console exports, may require extra configuration or third-party tools.
How to Get Started
Community and Support
