Learn LOVE2D with Real Code Examples

-- main.lua
local count = 0

function love.load()
    font = love.graphics.newFont(40)
end

function love.update(dt)
end

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.setFont(font)
    love.graphics.print("Count: " .. count, 100, 100)
    love.graphics.print("Press UP to +, DOWN to -", 100, 200)
end

function love.keypressed(key)
    if key == "up" then
        count = count + 1
    elseif key == "down" then
        count = count - 1
    end
end

A simple Love2D Lua script that increments and decrements a counter displayed on screen.

-- main.lua
local x, y = 100, 100
local speed = 200

function love.update(dt)
    if love.keyboard.isDown("up") then y = y - speed * dt end
    if love.keyboard.isDown("down") then y = y + speed * dt end
    if love.keyboard.isDown("left") then x = x - speed * dt end
    if love.keyboard.isDown("right") then x = x + speed * dt end
end

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", x, y, 50, 50)
end

Move a rectangle using arrow keys.

-- main.lua
local x, y = 100, 100
local dx, dy = 200, 150
local radius = 20

function love.update(dt)
    x = x + dx * dt
    y = y + dy * dt
    if x - radius < 0 or x + radius > love.graphics.getWidth() then dx = -dx end
    if y - radius < 0 or y + radius > love.graphics.getHeight() then dy = -dy end
end

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.circle("fill", x, y, radius)
end

A bouncing circle within the window boundaries.

-- main.lua
local player = {x=200, y=200, speed=150}

function love.update(dt)
    if love.keyboard.isDown("w") then player.y = player.y - player.speed * dt end
    if love.keyboard.isDown("s") then player.y = player.y + player.speed * dt end
    if love.keyboard.isDown("a") then player.x = player.x - player.speed * dt end
    if love.keyboard.isDown("d") then player.x = player.x + player.speed * dt end
end

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", player.x, player.y, 40, 40)
end

Player controlled with WASD keys.

-- main.lua
local timer = 10

function love.update(dt)
    timer = timer - dt
    if timer < 0 then timer = 0 end
end

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.print("Time left: " .. math.floor(timer), 100, 100)
end

Countdown timer displayed on screen.

-- main.lua
local player = {x=200, y=300, vy=0, onGround=true}
local gravity = 500

function love.update(dt)
    player.vy = player.vy + gravity * dt
    player.y = player.y + player.vy * dt
    if player.y >= 300 then player.y = 300; player.vy = 0; player.onGround = true end
end

function love.keypressed(key)
    if key == "space" and player.onGround then
        player.vy = -300
        player.onGround = false
    end
end

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", player.x, player.y, 50, 50)
end

Simple jump mechanics with gravity.

-- main.lua
local bgX = 0
local speed = 100

function love.update(dt)
    bgX = bgX - speed * dt
    if bgX <= -800 then bgX = 0 end
end

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", bgX, 0, 800, 600)
    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", bgX + 800, 0, 800, 600)
end

Scrolling background effect.

-- main.lua
local player = {x=400, y=300}
local enemy = {x=100, y=100, speed=100}

function love.update(dt)
    local dx = player.x - enemy.x
    local dy = player.y - enemy.y
    local dist = math.sqrt(dx*dx + dy*dy)
    if dist > 0 then
        enemy.x = enemy.x + dx/dist * enemy.speed * dt
        enemy.y = enemy.y + dy/dist * enemy.speed * dt
    end
end

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", player.x, player.y, 50, 50)
    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", enemy.x, enemy.y, 50, 50)
end

Enemy moves towards player automatically.

-- main.lua
local player = {x=200, y=200}
local items = {{x=400, y=200}, {x=500, y=300}}
local score = 0

function love.update(dt)
    for i=#items,1,-1 do
        local item = items[i]
        if math.abs(player.x - item.x) < 25 and math.abs(player.y - item.y) < 25 then
        table.remove(items, i)
        score = score + 10
        end
    end
end

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", player.x, player.y, 50, 50)
    for _, item in ipairs(items) do
        love.graphics.circle("fill", item.x, item.y, 20)
    end
    love.graphics.print("Score: " .. score, 100, 50)
end

Player collects items to increase score.

-- main.lua
local ps

function love.load()
    ps = love.graphics.newParticleSystem(love.graphics.newImage("particle.png"), 100)
    ps:setParticleLifetime(1, 2)
    ps:setEmissionRate(50)
    ps:setSpeed(100, 200)
end

function love.update(dt)
    ps:update(dt)
end

function love.draw()
    love.graphics.draw(ps, 400, 300)
end

Simple particle system example.