LOVE is a framework for programmers who want to build 2D games by writing Lua code rather than working in a visual editor. For Windows, the installer is fetched from the official github.com server, and version 11.5 is a 4 MB download.
A code-first answer to making 2D games
LOVE, developed by love2d.org, is a framework rather than a full engine with a graphical editor. You write Lua scripts and the framework runs them.
The tags on the entry are framework, gameengine and lua, and the category is game development.
What version 11.5 changed
Version 11.5 was released on December 3, 2023. Its notes cover fixes to threading, joystick gamepad mappings, audio timing in Source:tell, and running fused games on Windows when the executable is code-signed.
The release also updates LuaJIT to correct the behaviour of 'pairs'. These are changes for people already writing code against the framework.
Check before you install LOVE
The download is 4 MB and free, under the zlib/libpng License. The package ID is Love2d.Love2d.
If you want a visual editor, the alternatives include Godot Engine, GDevelop and Tiled.
What's new in 11.5
Version 11.5 fixes 'pairs' behaviour by updating LuaJIT and repairs running fused games on Windows when the executable is code-signed. It also fixes a race condition when a Thread is destroyed right after Thread:start.
LOVE pros and cons
Pros
- Free to download and use
- Small 4 MB download
- Written for 2D games in Lua
- zlib/libpng License
- Version 11.5 includes a Windows fix for code-signed fused games
Cons
- No preview of the interface
- Requires writing Lua code
- No visual editor
Is LOVE safe?
The file comes straight from github.com, where the developer love2d.org publishes it. LOVE is free under the zlib/libpng License. No scan result was recorded for this build, so run your own check on the file if that matters to you.
How to install LOVE
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start LOVE from the Start menu.
