Build 2D/3D Games in PHP with Raylib Bindings – A Complete Guide

PHP‑Raylib Overview

PHP‑Raylib is a PHP binding for the Raylib game development framework, enabling developers to create 2D/3D games and graphical applications directly in PHP without switching languages.

Main Features

PHP language advantage : familiar to existing PHP developers; can combine with web, database, and other PHP strengths.

Full‑stack API compatibility : almost all Raylib core functions (window management, 2D/3D rendering, input handling, audio, resource loading) are exposed.

Cross‑platform support : works on Windows, Linux, macOS and, via Emscripten, WebAssembly.

Raylib Overview

Raylib is a lightweight, open‑source C library for game development, designed for simplicity and rapid prototyping. It provides 2D/3D rendering, input handling, basic physics (Box2D), audio, and resource management.

Typical Use Cases

Indie game prototypes (platformers, visual novels, puzzles).

Educational projects and graphics teaching.

Interactive tools, visualizations, and simulations.

Dependencies

PHP 7.4 or newer

FFI extension enabled

Supported OS: Windows, Linux, macOS

Installation

composer require kingbes/raylib

Enable the FFI extension in php.ini:

ffi.enable = true

Basic Example

<?php
require __DIR__ . "/vendor/autoload.php";

use Kingbes\Raylib\Core;
use Kingbes\Raylib\Text;
use Kingbes\Raylib\Utils;

// Initialise a window
Core::initWindow(800, 450, "Hello World");
Core::setTargetFPS(60);

// Define colours
$white = Utils::color(255, 255, 255);
$green = Utils::color(0, 255, 0);

// Main loop
while (!Core::windowShouldClose()) {
    Core::beginDrawing();
    Core::clearBackground($white);
    Text::drawText("Hello World", 190, 200, 20, $green);
    Core::endDrawing();
}
Core::closeWindow();

Custom Button Example

<?php
require __DIR__ . '/vendor/autoload.php';
use Kingbes\Raylib\Core;
use Kingbes\Raylib\Text;
use Kingbes\Raylib\Utils;
use Kingbes\Raylib\Shapes;

Core::initWindow(800, 450, "Custom Button");
Core::setTargetFPS(60);

$btnRect = Utils::rectangle(100, 100, 200, 50);
$btnColor = Utils::color(255, 0, 0, 255);
$btnText = "click me";
$white = Utils::color(255, 255, 255, 255);
$green = Utils::color(0, 255, 0, 255);
$gray = Utils::color(200, 200, 200, 255);

while (!Core::windowShouldClose()) {
    $mousePos = Core::getMousePosition();
    $isHovered = Shapes::checkCollisionPointRec($mousePos, $btnRect);
    if ($isHovered) {
        $btnColor = $gray;
        if (Core::isMouseButtonDown(0)) {
            $btnColor = Utils::color(0, 0, 255, 255);
        } elseif (Core::isMouseButtonReleased(0)) {
            echo "click
";
        }
    } else {
        $btnColor = Utils::color(255, 0, 0, 255);
    }

    Core::beginDrawing();
    Core::clearBackground($white);
    Shapes::drawRectangleRounded($btnRect, 0.5, 10, $btnColor);
    Text::drawText($btnText, $btnRect->x + 10, $btnRect->y + 10, 20, $green);
    Core::endDrawing();
}
Core::closeWindow();

PHP‑Raylib vs Native Raylib (C/C++)

PHP‑Raylib: higher development speed, simple syntax, no compilation needed (FFI).

Native Raylib: slightly better performance, suited for resource‑intensive applications, requires compilation.

PHP‑Raylib: ideal for rapid prototyping and integration with the PHP ecosystem.

Native Raylib: better for large‑scale games and low‑level optimisation.