Posts tagged “ipad” — Blog of independent game and app developer Matt Sephton. Featuring vintage Macintosh, game development, digital artwork, Japanese esoterica, video game reviews, hacks and tips, and much more. https://blog.gingerbeardman.com/tag/ipad/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:09:47 +0000 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:09:47 +0000 Jekyll v4.4.1 <p>I wondered how feasible it is to make Love2D games “on the go” (on a train, in bed, etc). Often I want to try a quick sketch, work up a prototype, or simply verify an algorithm. I’m happy to say it’s possible!</p> <hr /> <h2 id="runners">Runners</h2> <p><strong>Love2D Studio</strong></p> <ul> <li>Available since Jan 2024</li> <li>Free <a href="https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/love2d-studio/id6474188075">apps.apple.com/gb/app/love2d-studio/id6474188075</a></li> <li>this allows you to manage love files and run them on iPhone</li> <li>Love2D errors can even be copied to the clipboard!</li> </ul> <p><strong>Love2D Game Maker</strong></p> <ul> <li>Available since March 2024</li> <li>Paid <a href="https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/love2d-game-maker/id6476174098">apps.apple.com/gb/app/love2d-game-maker/id6476174098</a></li> <li>TestFlight <a href="https://testflight.apple.com/join/bCLmQKfQ">testflight.apple.com/join/bCLmQKfQ</a></li> <li>from the creator of LuaLu (see below)</li> <li>comes bundled with a handful of demo games</li> <li><a href="https://www.iamadman.com/products/love2d-gamemaker/love2d-game-maker-learn-to-create-the-classic-game-of-pong-in-10mins/">Pong tutorial</a></li> </ul> <hr /> <h2 id="editors">Editors</h2> <p><strong>Textastic</strong> (since 2010)</p> <ul> <li>Paid <a href="https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261">apps.apple.com/gb/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261</a></li> <li>text editor with autocomplete and function picker</li> </ul> <p><strong>Kodex</strong> (since 2017)</p> <ul> <li>Free <a href="https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/kodex/id1038574481">apps.apple.com/gb/app/kodex/id1038574481</a></li> <li>text editor with minimap</li> </ul> <p><strong>GoCoEdit</strong> (since 2016)</p> <ul> <li>Paid <a href="https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/gocoedit-code-text-editor/id869346854">apps.apple.com/gb/app/gocoedit-code-text-editor/id869346854</a></li> <li>text editor with autocomplete</li> </ul> <p><strong>Runestone</strong> (since 2022)</p> <ul> <li>Free, limited <a href="https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893">apps.apple.com/gb/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893</a></li> <li>text editor with clean user interface</li> </ul> <p><strong>Lua IDE</strong> (since Feb 2021)</p> <ul> <li>Free <a href="https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/lua-ide/id1549382090">apps.apple.com/gb/app/lua-ide/id1549382090</a></li> <li>this app provides QuickLook support for Lua files</li> <li>at some point you’ll need to check the contents of a Lua file in Files app</li> <li>it also features the full Lua docs (though I use a self-built version of Dash doc viewer)</li> </ul> <p><strong>LuaLu</strong> (since Apr 2013)</p> <ul> <li>Free <a href="https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/lualu-repl-learn-lua-coding/id638219114">apps.apple.com/gb/app/lualu-repl-learn-lua-coding/id638219114</a></li> <li>sometimes you just need a Lua <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read–eval–print_loop">REPL</a> prompt to figure out a formula or do a quick experiment</li> <li>features solid debugging support</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2 id="other-lua-ide">Other Lua IDE</h2> <p>If you’re into Lua but not into Love2D then you might try <a href="https://codea.io">Codea for iPad</a>.</p> by Matt Sephton Thu, 20 Feb 2025 07:37:00 +0000 https://blog.gingerbeardman.com/2025/02/20/making-games-on-iphone-ipad-using-lua-and-love2d/ https://blog.gingerbeardman.com/2025/02/20/making-games-on-iphone-ipad-using-lua-and-love2d/