Question: How do I install Love2D on my system?

Answer

Installing LÖVE (Love2D) is straightforward and depends on the operating system you are using. Below are instructions for Windows, macOS, and Linux:

Windows

1. Go to the LÖVE website.
2. Click on the download link for Windows.
3. Choose either the 32-bit or 64-bit .exe file according to your system's architecture.
4. Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

macOS

1. Visit the LÖVE website.
2. Click on the download link for macOS.
3. Drag the LÖVE application into your Applications folder.

You can also install LÖVE using Homebrew:

brew install --cask love

Linux

The installation method varies by distribution. Here are common methods for Ubuntu and Arch Linux:

Ubuntu

For Ubuntu, you can install LÖVE from the official PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bartbes/love-stable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install love

Arch Linux

Arch Linux users can find LÖVE in the Community repository:

sudo pacman -S love

For other distributions, you might need to compile from source or find a suitable package. Refer to your distribution's package management tools and documentation.

Testing the Installation

After installing, you can test if LÖVE is working correctly by typing love in your terminal or command prompt. If installed properly, the LÖVE window should pop up displaying the no-game screen, which is a LÖVE logo with version information.

Running Your First Love2D Game

To run a LÖVE game, you can drag and drop the game folder (which must contain a main.lua file) onto the LÖVE application icon or use the terminal like so:

love /path/to/game/directory

This will open the game in the LÖVE window.

Remember that the procedures may change with new versions of LÖVE, always check the official documentation for the most up-to-date instructions.