ratatui

Pros of ggez/ggez

• ggez provides a more comprehensive set of features and functionality for game development, including support for 2D graphics, audio, input handling, and more.
• The ggez project has a larger and more active community, with more contributors and a wider range of available resources and documentation.
• ggez is designed to be more cross-platform, with support for Windows, macOS, and Linux, whereas Ratatui is primarily focused on the Linux platform.

Cons of ggez/ggez

• Ratatui is built on top of the Rust programming language, which may be more appealing to developers who prefer a more modern and type-safe language compared to the C-based approach of ggez.
• Ratatui's focus on the Linux platform may make it a better choice for developers who are primarily targeting that platform, as it may provide a more streamlined and optimized experience.
• The Ratatui project is generally more lightweight and minimalistic compared to the more feature-rich ggez, which may be a pro or a con depending on the specific needs of the project.

Code Comparison

Here's a brief comparison of the code for creating a simple window in both ggez and Ratatui:

ggez:

use ggez::event;
use ggez::graphics;
use ggez::Context;
use ggez::ContextBuilder;

fn main() {
    let (mut ctx, event_loop) = ContextBuilder::new("my_game", "ggez")
        .build()
        .expect("Failed to build ggez context");

    event::run(&mut ctx, event_loop, || {
        graphics::clear(&mut ctx, graphics::Color::WHITE);
        graphics::present(&mut ctx)
    });
}

Ratatui:

use ratatui::backend::CrosstermBackend;
use ratatui::Terminal;

fn main() {
    let stdout = std::io::stdout();
    let backend = CrosstermBackend::new(stdout);
    let mut terminal = Terminal::new(backend).unwrap();

    terminal.draw(|f| {}).unwrap();
}

Pros of Amethyst

• Amethyst is a more mature and feature-rich game engine, with a larger community and more extensive documentation.
• Amethyst provides a more comprehensive set of tools and utilities for game development, including a built-in asset management system and networking capabilities.
• Amethyst has a more modular and flexible architecture, allowing for easier customization and extension of the engine.

Cons of Amethyst

• Amethyst has a steeper learning curve compared to Ratatui, especially for developers new to game development.
• Amethyst may be overkill for smaller or simpler projects, as it can be more complex and resource-intensive than necessary.
• Amethyst's focus on 3D game development may not be as well-suited for 2D or casual game projects.

Code Comparison

Ratatui:

fn main() {
    let mut app = App::new();
    app.run();
}

Amethyst:

fn main() {
    let mut game = MyGame::default();
    let mut game_data = GameDataBuilder::default()
        .with_bundle(TransformBundle::default())?
        .with_bundle(RenderBundle::new(Pipeline::build()))?;
    let mut game_dispatcher = DispatcherBuilder::new()
        .with_thread_local(RenderSystem::new())
        .build();
    game.run(game_data, game_dispatcher);
}

Pros of Bevy

• Bevy is a modern, data-oriented, and highly performant game engine, making it a great choice for building complex and efficient games.
• The engine has a strong focus on ECS (Entity-Component-System) architecture, which promotes modularity and scalability.
• Bevy has a growing community and a wide range of plugins and resources available, making it easier to extend and customize.

Cons of Bevy

• Bevy has a steeper learning curve compared to Ratatui, especially for developers new to the ECS paradigm.
• The engine is still relatively young and may not have the same level of maturity and stability as some other game engines.
• The documentation, while improving, may not be as comprehensive as some developers would prefer.

Code Comparison

Bevy (main.rs):

fn main() {
    App::new()
        .add_plugins(DefaultPlugins)
        .add_system(player_movement_system)
        .run();
}

fn player_movement_system(
    mut player_query: Query<&mut Transform, With<Player>>,
    keyboard_input: Res<Input<KeyCode>>,
) {
    if let Ok(mut transform) = player_query.get_single_mut() {
        let mut direction = Vec3::ZERO;
        if keyboard_input.pressed(KeyCode::W) {
            direction += Vec3::Y;
        }
        // ...
        transform.translation += direction * PLAYER_SPEED * TIME_STEP;
    }
}

Ratatui (main.rs):

fn main() {
    let app = App::new()
        .with_theme(Theme::default())
        .with_state(AppState::default())
        .with_event_handler(event_handler)
        .run();
}

fn event_handler(state: &mut AppState, event: Event) {
    match event {
        Event::Input(input) => match input {
            InputEvent::Key(key_event) => {
                if key_event.code == KeyCode::Char('q') {
                    state.should_quit = true;
                }
            }
            // ...
        },
        // ...
    }
}

Pros of raylib

• Lightweight and cross-platform: raylib is a small, self-contained library that can be easily integrated into a wide range of projects, making it a versatile choice for game development.
• Extensive documentation and community support: raylib has comprehensive documentation and a thriving community, providing developers with ample resources and support.
• Supports multiple programming languages: raylib can be used with a variety of programming languages, including C, C++, D, Nim, Rust, and more, making it accessible to a broad range of developers.

Cons of raylib

• Limited GUI support: While raylib provides basic GUI functionality, it may not be as feature-rich or customizable as dedicated GUI libraries like ratatui.
• Steeper learning curve: Compared to ratatui, which is built on top of a well-established library (Crossterm), raylib may have a slightly steeper learning curve for developers who are new to game development.

Code Comparison

Here's a brief code comparison between raylib and ratatui:

raylib (C):

#include "raylib.h"

int main() {
    InitWindow(800, 600, "raylib");
    while (!WindowShouldClose()) {
        BeginDrawing();
        ClearBackground(RAYWHITE);
        DrawText("Hello, raylib!", 320, 240, 20, LIGHTGRAY);
        EndDrawing();
    }
    CloseWindow();
    return 0;
}

ratatui (Rust):

use ratatui::{
    backend::CrosstermBackend,
    widgets::{Block, Borders, Paragraph, Text},
    layout::{Constraint, Direction, Layout},
    Terminal,
};

fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
    let backend = CrosstermBackend::new();
    let mut terminal = Terminal::new(backend)?;
    terminal.draw(|f| {
        let size = f.size();
        let chunks = Layout::default()
            .direction(Direction::Vertical)
            .constraints([Constraint::Percentage(50), Constraint::Percentage(50)].as_ref())
            .split(size);
        let block = Block::default().title("ratatui").borders(Borders::ALL);
        f.render_widget(block, chunks[0]);
        f.render_widget(Paragraph::new(Text::raw("Hello, ratatui!")), chunks[1]);
    })?;
    Ok(())
}