Pros of Godot

• Fully open-source and free to use, with a more permissive MIT license
• Integrated development environment (IDE) with visual editor
• Supports multiple programming languages (GDScript, C#, C++)

Cons of Godot

• Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Cocos2d-x
• Less optimized for mobile platforms, especially for complex 3D games

Code Comparison

Godot (GDScript):

extends Sprite

func _ready():
    position = Vector2(100, 100)
    scale = Vector2(2, 2)

Cocos2d-x (C++):

auto sprite = Sprite::create("image.png");
sprite->setPosition(Vec2(100, 100));
sprite->setScale(2.0f);
this->addChild(sprite);

Both engines offer simple ways to create and manipulate sprites, but Godot's GDScript provides a more concise syntax. Cocos2d-x uses C++, which may be more familiar to some developers and potentially offers better performance. Godot's scene-based structure allows for more modular development, while Cocos2d-x follows a more traditional object-oriented approach.

Pros of libGDX

• Cross-platform development with a single codebase (Java)
• Extensive documentation and active community support
• Flexible and modular architecture, allowing for easy customization

Cons of libGDX

• Steeper learning curve for developers new to Java
• Less optimized for mobile platforms compared to Cocos2d-x
• Limited built-in UI tools and editors

Code Comparison

libGDX:

public class MyGame extends ApplicationAdapter {
    @Override
    public void create() {
        // Game initialization code
    }
}

Cocos2d-x:

class MyScene : public cocos2d::Scene {
public:
    static cocos2d::Scene* createScene();
    virtual bool init();
};

Summary

libGDX offers cross-platform development with Java, extensive documentation, and a flexible architecture. However, it has a steeper learning curve and less optimization for mobile platforms compared to Cocos2d-x. libGDX uses Java for game development, while Cocos2d-x primarily uses C++. Both frameworks have their strengths, and the choice between them depends on the developer's preferences and project requirements.

Pros of raylib

• Lightweight and easy to learn, with a simple API
• Cross-platform support for desktop, web, and mobile
• No external dependencies, making it easier to set up and deploy

Cons of raylib

• Less comprehensive feature set compared to Cocos2d-x
• Smaller community and ecosystem
• Limited support for advanced 2D game development features

Code Comparison

raylib:

#include "raylib.h"

int main(void)
{
    InitWindow(800, 450, "raylib [core] example - basic window");
    while (!WindowShouldClose())
    {
        BeginDrawing();
            ClearBackground(RAYWHITE);
            DrawText("Congrats! You created your first window!", 190, 200, 20, LIGHTGRAY);
        EndDrawing();
    }
    CloseWindow();
    return 0;
}

Cocos2d-x:

#include "cocos2d.h"

class HelloWorld : public cocos2d::Scene
{
public:
    static cocos2d::Scene* createScene();
    virtual bool init();
    CREATE_FUNC(HelloWorld);
};

bool HelloWorld::init()
{
    if (!Scene::init()) return false;
    auto label = Label::createWithTTF("Hello World", "fonts/Marker Felt.ttf", 24);
    label->setPosition(Vec2(origin.x + visibleSize.width/2, origin.y + visibleSize.height - label->getContentSize().height));
    this->addChild(label, 1);
    return true;
}

Pros of SFML

• Simpler and more lightweight, making it easier to learn and use
• More flexible and customizable, allowing for greater control over low-level operations
• Better suited for 2D game development and multimedia applications

Cons of SFML

• Less comprehensive feature set compared to Cocos2d-x
• Smaller community and ecosystem, resulting in fewer resources and third-party tools
• Limited support for mobile platforms and cross-platform development

Code Comparison

SFML example:

#include <SFML/Graphics.hpp>

int main() {
    sf::RenderWindow window(sf::VideoMode(800, 600), "SFML Window");
    sf::CircleShape shape(100.f);
    shape.setFillColor(sf::Color::Green);
    
    while (window.isOpen()) {
        // Event handling and drawing logic
    }
    return 0;
}

Cocos2d-x example:

#include "cocos2d.h"

class MyScene : public cocos2d::Scene {
public:
    CREATE_FUNC(MyScene);
    bool init() override {
        if (!Scene::init()) return false;
        auto sprite = cocos2d::Sprite::create("sprite.png");
        this->addChild(sprite);
        return true;
    }
};

Pros of Pygame

• Simpler learning curve, especially for Python beginners
• Extensive documentation and community support
• Lightweight and easy to set up

Cons of Pygame

• Limited built-in features compared to Cocos2d-x
• Performance may be slower for complex games
• Less suitable for cross-platform mobile development

Code Comparison

Pygame example:

import pygame

pygame.init()
screen = pygame.display.set_mode((800, 600))
running = True
while running:
    for event in pygame.event.get():
        if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
            running = False

Cocos2d-x example:

#include "cocos2d.h"

class MyScene : public cocos2d::Scene {
public:
    static cocos2d::Scene* createScene();
    virtual bool init();
    CREATE_FUNC(MyScene);
};

Pygame is more straightforward for simple 2D games, while Cocos2d-x offers a more comprehensive framework for complex, cross-platform game development. Pygame is Python-based, making it accessible for beginners, whereas Cocos2d-x uses C++, providing better performance but with a steeper learning curve. Cocos2d-x excels in mobile game development and offers more built-in features, while Pygame is better suited for quick prototyping and educational purposes.

Pros of LÖVE

• Simpler and more beginner-friendly
• Lightweight and faster to set up
• Cross-platform with a single codebase

Cons of LÖVE

• Less feature-rich compared to Cocos2d-x
• Limited to 2D game development
• Smaller community and ecosystem

Code Comparison

LÖVE (main.lua):

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.print("Hello World!", 400, 300)
end

Cocos2d-x (HelloWorldScene.cpp):

bool HelloWorld::init() {
    if (!Scene::init()) return false;
    auto label = Label::createWithTTF("Hello World", "fonts/Marker Felt.ttf", 24);
    label->setPosition(Vec2(origin.x + visibleSize.width/2, origin.y + visibleSize.height - label->getContentSize().height));
    this->addChild(label, 1);
    return true;
}

LÖVE uses Lua, which is more concise and easier to read, especially for beginners. Cocos2d-x uses C++, offering more control but with increased complexity. LÖVE's simplicity allows for quicker prototyping, while Cocos2d-x provides more advanced features and better performance for larger projects.