TIC-80

TIC-80 is a free and open-source multi-language fantasy computer. Like PICO-8, it has all the tools necessary to create small, retro videogames. These videogames are then saved in a cartridge file and can be uploaded to the main website, or can be packed into a player for multiple platforms and distributed anywhere.

The TIC-80 icon which is used on the example Hello World cart and Config file.

Technical limitations

• Display: 240x136 pixels, 16 colors palette.
• Input: 4 gamepads with 8 buttons / mouse / keyboard.
• Sprites: 256 8x8 tiles and 256 8x8 sprites.
• Map: 240x136 cells, 1920x1088 pixels.
• Sound: 4 channels with configurable waveforms.
• Code: 64 kilobytes of characters.

Programming languages

TIC-80 uses Lua 5.3, with the standard library installed. It isn't just limited to Lua though, games can also be programmed using:

• Ruby
• Javascript
• Moonscript
• Fennel
• Squirrel
• Wren
• WASM (using a language that compiles to it)