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Open-source, MIT.
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Pros :
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3D-Capable: Designed for 3D but can be used in 2D (lock Z-axis). Easier transition later.
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High Performance: Multithreaded (job system) and SIMD-optimized for scalability.
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Modern Design: Written in C++17, focused on large worlds and complex collisions.
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Ragdoll/Bone Support: Built-in support for articulated bodies (useful for procedural animation).
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Used in AAA Games: Horizon Forbidden West used Jolt’s predecessor (Jolt is its open-source successor).
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Cons :
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Steeper Learning Curve: Fewer 2D-specific tutorials compared to Box2D.
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Heavier for 2D: Overkill if you’re only doing simple 2D games.
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Less "Batteries-Included": You’ll need to handle 2D abstractions yourself.
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Can Jolt be used as a physics engine for a 2D game in RayLib?
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Technically, yes, but with caveats:
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Jolt Physics is a 3D physics engine, primarily designed for rigid body simulations in 3D space.
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RayLib is a 2D/3D graphics library, often used for 2D games.
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While you can use Jolt in a 2D context by constraining movement to a plane (e.g., X/Y and freezing Z), this requires:
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Manually restricting all bodies and forces to a 2D plane.
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Filtering collisions and constraints accordingly.
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No native 2D API or optimizations.
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Should Jolt be used for a 2D game in RayLib?
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Advantages :
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High-performance and modern physics engine.
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Features like multithreading, deterministic simulation, and fine control over physics behavior.
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Good if you expect to migrate to 3D later or need advanced features.
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Disadvantages :
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Not designed for 2D: No 2D-specific APIs, optimizations, or collision shapes.
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Increased complexity: Requires workarounds to force 2D behavior.
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Memory and performance overhead for unused 3D capabilities.
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Alternative 2D engines exist that integrate more naturally with RayLib.
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Determinism :
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"The simulation runs deterministically. You can replicate a simulation to a remote client by merely replicating the inputs to the simulation. Read the Deterministic Simulation section to understand the limits."
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Jolt for 2D
Beam
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Early stage.
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Type: C#
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Inspiration: Jolt’s job system, but for .NET.
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Why Watch It?
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Could become a C# alternative to Jolt.
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