# Libraries And frameworks For Game Development In Rust **URL:** \ **Category:** Tools & Scripts\ **Tags:** freebies\ **Created:** [August 11, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/libraries-and-frameworks-for-game-development-in-rust/288821 "2024-08-11T21:03:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Prometheus](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/prometheus/32/34950_2.png) [@Prometheus](https://onehack.st/u/Prometheus)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/libraries-and-frameworks-for-game-development-in-rust/288821/1 "2024-08-11T21:03:40Z")
# Libraries and frameworks for Game Development in Rust [![](https://github.com/dasifefe/rust-game-development-frameworks/raw/master/community-icon.png)](https://github.com/dasifefe/rust-game-development-frameworks/blob/master/community-icon.png) ## Join the [Game Development in Rust](https://discord.gg/yNtPTb2) Discord server This curated list is from the **Game Development in Rust** Discord server and prioritizes libraries and frameworks that have examples and are ready or almost ready for production. For a longer list of libraries and frameworks, see [Are We Game Yet?](https://arewegameyet.rs/). ## Rust basics - [Rust book](https://doc.rust-lang.org/book/). - [Standard library - Comprehensive guide to the Rust standard library APIs](https://doc.rust-lang.org/std/index.html). - [Edition guide - Guide to the Rust editions](https://doc.rust-lang.org/edition-guide/index.html). - [Cargo book - A book on Rust’s package manager and build system](https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/index.html). - [Rustdoc book - Learn how to make awesome documentation for your crate](https://doc.rust-lang.org/rustdoc/index.html). - [Rustc book - Familiarize yourself with the knobs available in the Rust compiler](https://doc.rust-lang.org/rustc/index.html). - [Compiler error index - In-depth explanations of the errors you may see from the Rust compiler](https://doc.rust-lang.org/error-index.html). ## Resources to understand ECS (Entity Component System) and DOD (Data-Oriented Design) ECS/DOD is quite a big deal in Rust. Here are some resources to understand the basics: - [Understanding data-oriented design for entity component systems - Unity at GDC 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Byw9UMn9g). - [CppCon 2018: Stoyan Nikolov “OOP Is Dead, Long Live Data-oriented Design”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy8jQgmhbAU) - Harsh title (ECS/DOD is not a silver bullet for every problem), but useful regardless. - [RustConf 2018 - Closing Keynote - Using Rust For Game Development by Catherine West](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKLntZcp27M) - A classic presentation already - Catherine West gives several examples, explain the problems with them, and shows the alternatives. - [“Data-Oriented Design” web book by Richard Fabian](https://dataorienteddesign.com/dodbook). ## Productivity tools for game development - [Blender](https://www.blender.org/) for 3D modeling. - [Krita](https://krita.org/en) for 2D image creation. ## Game engines ### 2D + 3D Recommended if you are going to work with 3D graphics, however, API changes still might happen in future releases. - [bevy](https://bevyengine.org/) Refreshingly simple data-driven game engine. - [ambient](https://docs.rs/ambient_api) Runtime for building high-performance multiplayer games and 3D applications, powered by WebAssembly, Rust and WebGPU. - [fyrox](https://docs.rs/fyrox) Feature-rich, production-ready, general purpose 2D/3D game engine written in Rust with a scene editor. Formerly known as `rg3d`. - [hotham](https://docs.rs/hotham) lightweight, high performance game engine for standalone VR headsets. ### 2D Recommended if you are going to work strictly with 2D graphics. - [emerald](https://docs.rs/emerald) - [macroquad](https://docs.rs/macroquad) - [ggez](https://docs.rs/ggez) - [tetra](https://docs.rs/tetra) - [oxygengine](https://docs.rs/oxygengine) ## Open-Source Games Some open-source games made in Rust: - [RecWars](https://github.com/martin-t/rec-wars) A multiplayer top-down tank shooter. Already has some basic gameplay and a playable browser version. - [RustCycles](https://github.com/rustcycles/rustcycles) A third person arena shooter that’s about movement, not aim. You have to be smart and think fast. - [Station Iapetus](https://github.com/mrDIMAS/StationIapetus) A third person shooter where you play as a task force agent on a space prison near Saturn’s satellite Iapetus. - [Flamegrower](https://github.com/m0lentum/flamegrower) Flamegrower is a 2D platformer revolving around physically simulated vines. In a solarpunk-inspired eco-futuristic world threatened by an invasive alien plant species, you control an android gardener tasked with killing it with fire. - [Digital Extinction](https://github.com/DigitalExtinction/Game) A 3D real-time strategy (RTS) game set in the near future when humans and AI fight over their existence. - [Oort](https://github.com/rlane/oort3) A space fleet programming game. - [One-Man-ggj21](https://github.com/Im-Oab/One-Man-ggj21) A 2D side scrolling shmup game for Global Game Jam 2021. It has 1 level and 3 enemy types. - [Egregoria](https://github.com/Uriopass/Egregoria) An indie city builder, where each individual has its own thought model, meaning every action has its importance and influences the environment. Egregoria is focused on the socio-economical aspect of a city, with a logistics element. - [automancy](https://github.com/sorcerers-class/automancy) A game about Automation, themed around Magic, based on Hexagons, and – there’s no Conveyor Belts. - [Mage Rush](https://github.com/schweller/vs-demake-lowrezjam2023) A very tiny vampire-survivors-like open-source game (playable: [iinacho.itch.io/mage-rush](https://iinacho.itch.io/mage-rush)). - [Sandbox](https://github.com/JMS55/sandbox) A sand simulation game. - [As the Wind Blows](https://github.com/ucsd-cse125-sp23/group-5) Set in a world of floating sky islands, this immersive battle game invites you and your friends to enjoy together. - [Just Join (来噻)](https://github.com/zzhgithub/just_join_v2) Voxel multiplayer game. - [Veloren](https://veloren.net/) Multiplayer voxel RPG inspired by games such as Cube World, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Dwarf Fortress and Minecraft. - [Hypermine](https://github.com/Ralith/hypermine) An experiment in 3D hyperbolic space, with multiplayer, infinite procedural terrain, and voxel editing. It is very easy to get lost. - [qffp](https://github.com/junelva/qffp) Queer folk farmpunk: farming on the moon demonstrates the possibility of creating animated pixel art games that run in a terminal. -[Space Frontiers](https://github.com/starwolves/space) online community multiplayer game that seeks to support a galaxy consisting of multiple sectors and spaceships. Active cooperative and PVP gameplay takes place in and around manned spaceships together with a foundation of Role-Playing-Game features. - [Qwy3](https://github.com/anima-libera/qwy3) Wanna-be Minecraft-like in Rust using Wgpu, very early stage. - [Zombie Shooter Game](https://github.com/aunmag/shooter-rs) Inspired by Crimsonland: eliminate hordes of zombies that relentlessly chase after you. - [ROOM - Rusty Doom](https://gitlab.com/flukejones/room4doom) Rewrite of Doom C in Rust. Where possible, the Doom behaviour is kept intact, while also making some improvements. - [Stellar Bit](https://github.com/stellar-bit) - [mirr/orb](https://github.com/Syn-Nine/mirrorb) Laser bouncing puzzle game made in Rust. - [FlappyTetra](https://github.com/foxloveseat/FlappyTetra) Game about a fish that has to jump through seaweed. ## Graphics-only - [wgpu](https://docs.rs/wgpu) Cross-platform, safe, pure-rust graphics api (Vulkan, Metal, D3D12, D3D11, OpenGLES, WebGPU). - [WebGPU specification here](https://www.w3.org/TR/webgpu). - [Learn WGPU - tutorial](https://sotrh.github.io/learn-wgpu). - [Learn WGPU - tutorial in video](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWtPciJ1UMuBs_3G-jFrMJnM5ZMKgl37H). - [rend3](https://docs.rs/rend3) Easy to use, customizable, efficient 3D renderer library. Built on top of `wgpu`. - [rafx](https://docs.rs/rafx) Multi-backend renderer that prioritizes performance, flexibility, and productivity. - [ash](https://docs.rs/ash) Low-level bindings to Vulkan. - [lyon](https://docs.rs/lyon) GPU-based 2D vector rendering. Built on top of `wgpu`. - [luminance](https://docs.rs/luminance) High level. Built on top of OpenGL. - [miniquad](https://docs.rs/miniquad) High-level. Focus on portability. Built on top of OpenGL, GLES 3 and WebGl1. - [golem](https://docs.rs/golem) Intermediate-level. Higher level wrapper built on glow. - [vulkano](https://docs.rs/vulkano) Intermediate-level. Safer wrapper for Vulkan. - [glow](https://docs.rs/glow) Low-level. Safer wrapper for OpenGL and WebGL. - [erupt](https://docs.rs/erupt) Low-level bindings to Vulkan. - [gl46](https://docs.rs/gl46) Low-level. Wrapper for OpenGL 4.6 (generated by Phosphorus). - [gl33](https://docs.rs/gl33) Low-level. Wrapper for OpenGL 3.3 (generated by Phosphorus). - [screen-13](https://docs.rs/screen-13) Screen 13 is an easy-to-use Vulkan rendering engine in the spirit of QBasic. - [sierra](https://docs.rs/sierra) Low-level control and high-level features. Built on top of `erupt`. I believe it is fair to say that if you use libraries built on top of WGPU, you will get wider support on modern platforms (Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS). ## Window creation and OS integration - [winit](https://docs.rs/winit) Rusty windowing framework. The _de facto_ standard in the Rust community. - [glfw](https://docs.rs/glfw) Rust wrapper for the C GLFW3 library. - [fermium](https://docs.rs/fermium) Rust wrapper for the C SDL2 library. Contains more than window creation features. - [sdl2](https://docs.rs/sdl2) Rust wrapper for the C SDL2 library. Contains more than window creation features. ## Frameworks for generational-arena (containers for entities and other objects) - [thunderdome](https://docs.rs/thunderdome) Generational arena inspired by generational-arena, slotmap, and slab. It provides constant time insertion, lookup, and removal via small keys returned from `Arena`. - [slotmap](https://docs.rs/slotmap) Container with persistent unique keys to access stored values. - [generational-arena](https://docs.rs/generational-arena) A safe arena allocator that allows deletion without suffering from the [ABA problem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA_problem) by using generational indices. ## Frameworks for ECS (containers for entities and other objects) - [hecs](https://docs.rs/hecs) Archetype-based. - [yaks](https://docs.rs/yaks) Add multi-threading to `hecs`. - [legion](https://docs.rs/legion) Archetype-based. - [shipyard](https://docs.rs/shipyard) Sparse-based. - [specs](https://docs.rs/specs) Bitset-based. See [this repository](https://github.com/SanderMertens/ecs-faq#what-are-the-different-ways-to-implement-an-ecs) for information on the different types of ECS (archetype, sparse, bitset). ## Frameworks for physics and linear math (for 2D and 3D programming) - [glam](https://docs.rs/glam) - [rapier2d](https://docs.rs/rapier2d) / [rapier3d](https://docs.rs/rapier3d) New 2D/3D physics framework from the creator of `nphysics2D`/`nphysics3D`. [2D demo](https://rapier.rs/demos2d/index.html) and [3D demo](https://rapier.rs/demos3d/index.html). - [cgmath](https://docs.rs/cgmath) - [nalgebra](https://docs.rs/nalgebra) - [ultraviolet](https://docs.rs/ultraviolet) - [vek](https://docs.rs/vek) ## Graphical user interface (GUI) - [yakui](https://github.com/LPGhatguy/yakui) Combines a layout model inspired by Flutter with the ease-of-use of an immediate mode UI library like Dear Imgui or egui. - [egui](https://docs.rs/egui/) Pure Rust cross-platform library. Many renderers already have an integration with `Egui`. - [iced](https://docs.rs/iced/) Pure Rust cross-platform library. - [imgui](https://docs.rs/imgui/) Bindings in Rust for the Dear ImGui C++ library. ## Font (parser and/or rasterizer) - [fontdue](https://docs.rs/fontdue) - [swash](https://github.com/dfrg/swash) - [rustybuzz](https://docs.rs/rustybuzz) Complete harfbuzz shaping algorithm port to Rust. - [ttf-parser](https://docs.rs/ttf-parser) High-level, safe, zero-allocation TrueType font parser. ## Space partitioning - [rstar](https://docs.rs/crate/rstar/) N-dimensional [r\*-tree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R*_tree) implementation - [bvh](https://docs.rs/crate/bvh/) Bounding Volume Hierarchy, built on top of [nalgebra](https://www.nalgebra.org/). - [kdtree](https://docs.rs/crate/kdtree/) K-dimensional tree in Rust for fast geospatial indexing and nearest neighbors lookup. - [ncollide 2D](https://docs.rs/crate/ncollide2d/) Bounding Volume Tree implementation [(2d documentation)](https://www.ncollide.org/rustdoc/ncollide2d/partitioning/struct.BVT.html). - [ncollide 3D](https://docs.rs/crate/ncollide3d/) Bounding Volume Tree implementation [(3d documentation)](https://www.ncollide.org/rustdoc/ncollide3d/partitioning/struct.BVT.html). - [spade](https://docs.rs/crate/spade/) Implements [r\*-tree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R*_tree) and [delaunay triangulation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delaunay_triangulation). - [flat\_spatial](https://docs.rs/crate/flat_spatial/) Simple flat structures such as a grid/hashmap of cells. - [acacia](https://docs.rs/crate/acacia/) Generic over the dimension of the partitioned space and thus supports binary trees, quadtrees, octrees, etc. ## Network - [tokio](https://docs.rs/tokio) Asynchronous TCP and UDP sockets. - [quinn](https://docs.rs/quinn) QUIC transport protocol implementation. Built on top of `tokio`. ## Audio - [oddio](https://docs.rs/oddio) Built on top of `cpal`. - [kira](https://docs.rs/kira) Built on top of `cpal`. - [rodio](https://docs.rs/rodio) Built on top of `cpal`. - [cpal](https://docs.rs/cpal) Low-level cross-platform library for audio input and output. - [alto](https://docs.rs/alto) Wrapper for OpenAL. - [openal](https://docs.rs/openal) Wrapper for OpenAL. ## Serialization-Deserialization - [redb](https://docs.rs/redb) Embedded key-value database in pure Rust. - [speedy](https://docs.rs/speedy) Fast, simple and easy binary serialization. - [serde](https://docs.rs/serde) Serialize and deserialize data structures efficiently and generically. - [serde-json](https://crates.io/crates/serde_json) Serialize and deserialize for **JSON format**. Built on top of `serde`. - [bincode](https://crates.io/crates/bincode) Serialize and deserialize for **binary format**. Built on top of `serde`. - [borsh](https://docs.rs/borsh) Implementation of the Borsh (Binary Object Representation Serializer for Hashing) binary serialization format. It is meant to be used in security-critical projects as it prioritizes consistency, safety, speed, and comes with a strict specification. ## Other utilities - [hexasphere](https://docs.rs/hexasphere) Subdivide 3D shapes (icosahedron, tetrahedron, square, triangle, cube) made of triangles. - [navmesh](https://docs.rs/navmesh/) Navigation mesh path-finder. - [density-mesh-core](https://docs.rs/density-mesh-core) / [density-mesh-image](https://docs.rs/density-mesh-image) Generate 2D mesh from images representing density/height map. - [image](https://docs.rs/image) Image encoding and decoding for many image formats. - [rayon](https://docs.rs/rayon) Introduce parallelism into existing code and guarantees data-race free executions. - [palette](https://docs.rs/palette) Linear color calculations. - [pathfinding](https://docs.rs/pathfinding) Multiple implementations of path-finding algorithms. - [salva2d](https://docs.rs/salva2d) / [salva3d](https://docs.rs/salva3d) Particle-based fluid dynamics. - [collider](https://docs.rs/collider) Continuous 2D collision detection. ## GitHub: [https://github.com/dasifefe/rust-game-development-frameworks](https://github.com/dasifefe/rust-game-development-frameworks)