game_loop 0.9.2

The Game Loop for Dart

game_loop

==============

Introduction

All games require a main loop to drive the game forward. This main loop is responsible for processing inputs from keyboards, mice, gamepads, and time. Also, the main loop manages browser state, e.g., pointer lock and fullscreen. Finally, the main loop calls the game specific update routine. The game_loop library provides a main loop designed for games along with a powerful input subsystem.

If you are familiar with GLUT, game_loop provides that and more.

Features

• Main loop optimized for games.
• Keyboard input.
• Mouse input.
• Fullscreen management.
• Pointer lock management.
• Timers.

Why game_loop ?

1. Focus on your game not on the browser platform. A perfect main loop requires code which properly combines input, time, display, and state management. Writing this code is tedious, error prone, and ultimately, a waste of time.

Getting Started

1. Add the following to your project's pubspec.yaml and run pub install.

dependencies:
  game_loop:
    git: https://github.com/johnmccutchan/game_loop.git

2. Add the correct import for your project.

import 'package:game_loop/game_loop_html.dart';

OR

import 'package:game_loop/game_loop_isolate.dart';

Documentation

API

Reference Manual

Samples

1. test.html

Examples

1. Initialize a game loop:

main() {
  // Construct a game loop.
  GameLoopHtml gameLoop = new GameLoopHtml(canvasElement);
}

2. Hook your game update function up and start the main loop:

main() {
  // Construct a game loop.
  GameLoopHtml gameLoop = new GameLoopHtml(canvasElement);
  gameLoop.onUpdate = ((gameLoop) {
    // Update game logic here.
    print('${gameLoop.frame}: ${gameLoop.gameTime} [dt = ${gameLoop.dt}].');
  });
  gameLoop.start();
}

3. Hook your game render function up and start drawing:

main() {
  // Construct a game loop.
  GameLoopHtml gameLoop = new GameLoopHtml(canvasElement);
  gameLoop.onUpdate = ((gameLoop) {
    // Update game logic here.
    print('${gameLoop.frame}: ${gameLoop.gameTime} [dt = ${gameLoop.dt}].');
  });
  gameLoop.onRender = ((gameLoop) {
    // Draw game into canvasElement using WebGL or CanvasRenderingContext here.
    // The interpolation factor can be used to draw correct inter-frame
  	print('Interpolation factor: ${gameLoop.renderInterpolationFactor}');
  });
  gameLoop.start();
}

3. Add a timer to your game loop:

main() {
  // Construct a game loop.
  GameLoopHtml gameLoop = new GameLoopHtml(canvasElement);
  gameLoop.onUpdate = ((gameLoop) {
    print('${gameLoop.frame}: ${gameLoop.frameTime} [dt = ${gameLoop.dt}].');
  });
  gameLoop.start();
  // Add a timer which fires in half a second.
  var timer = gameLoop.addTimer((timer) => print('timer fired.'), 0.5);
}