CreateJS vs Phaser: What are the differences?

Introduction

CreateJS and Phaser are both popular game development frameworks that are used to create interactive games and animations for websites. While they have some similarities, there are key differences between the two frameworks that make them unique in their own way.

1. Coding Language: CreateJS is built using JavaScript, while Phaser is built using JavaScript and TypeScript. This means that Phaser offers additional features and advantages provided by TypeScript such as static typing, class-based programming, and improved code organization.

2. Support for Platforms: CreateJS primarily focuses on supporting web platforms, making it suitable for creating games for websites and web browsers. On the other hand, Phaser is a more versatile framework that supports multiple platforms including web, desktop, and mobile. This allows developers to create games that can be played on a wider range of devices and operating systems.

3. Game Physics: CreateJS provides basic support for game physics through the EaselJS library, allowing developers to add simple collision detection and movement effects to their games. In contrast, Phaser is equipped with a powerful physics engine called Arcade Physics, which provides advanced features such as gravity, acceleration, and velocity for more realistic and complex game physics simulations.

4. Community and Documentation: Phaser boasts a larger and more active community compared to CreateJS, resulting in a wealth of resources, tutorials, and plugins available for developers. The documentation for Phaser is extensive and well-maintained, making it easier for developers to understand and utilize its features. CreateJS, on the other hand, has a smaller community and documentation may be less comprehensive.

5. Ease of Use: CreateJS aims to provide an easier learning curve for game development beginners with its intuitive and simple API. It offers a set of modular libraries that can be used individually or together to create games. On the contrary, Phaser follows a more object-oriented and component-based approach, which may require a higher level of programming knowledge and understanding.

6. Animations and Effects: While both frameworks offer animation support, CreateJS is particularly known for its powerful animation capabilities through the TweenJS library. It provides a comprehensive set of easing functions and timeline-based animations, making it easier to create complex and smooth animations. Phaser also offers animation features, but they may be more focused on game-specific animation needs.

In summary, CreateJS and Phaser both offer game development capabilities for websites, but they differ in terms of coding language, platform support, game physics, community resources, ease of use, and animation features. Whether you choose CreateJS or Phaser would depend on your specific requirements, skill level, and desired platform compatibility.