Hardware requirements

Minimum Requirements for a 2D Game Written in Java 11 with LibGDX on Desktop

For a simple 2D game running at 640×480 resolution and 20 FPS, with basic sprite rendering to specific positions, the minimum requirements are quite modest:

Minimum Hardware Requirements

• Processor:
  • Single-core or dual-core processor (e.g., Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent) with a clock speed of around 1.5 GHz.
  • LibGDX is not CPU-intensive when using basic rendering features.
• RAM:
  • 512 MB to 1 GB.
  • Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and a simple LibGDX game typically use minimal memory.
• Graphics Card:
  • Integrated graphics (e.g., Intel HD Graphics 2000 or older) supporting OpenGL 2.0.
  • LibGDX leverages OpenGL for rendering, but basic functionality is lightweight.
• Storage:
  • A few tens of megabytes for Java Runtime Environment and the game itself.

Minimum Software Requirements

• Operating System:
  • Windows XP or later, macOS 10.10+, or Linux with Java support.
  • LibGDX is cross-platform, requiring minimal system resources.
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE):
  • Java 11 (or newer, if available). Use OpenJDK or Oracle JDK/JRE.
• LibGDX Library:
  • Version compatible with Java 11. Ensure your chosen LibGDX version supports your environment.

Additional Considerations

• Rendering Optimization:
  • Use a SpriteBatch for efficient batch rendering of textures.
  • Minimize the number of textures loaded and use a sprite atlas to optimize performance.
• Memory Efficiency:
  • For games with multiple sprites, consider using LibGDX’s TexturePacker to reduce texture switching during rendering.
• FPS and Smoothness:
  • A game running at 20 FPS has very low computational demands. Even older integrated GPUs should handle this effortlessly.

Example of Realistic Minimum Systems

• Older laptop or desktop:
  • Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2180 (1.8 GHz), 1 GB RAM, integrated Intel GMA 3100 graphics.
  • Operating System: Windows 7.
• Modern low-end device:
  • Raspberry Pi 4 (2 GB RAM) could run this game with an ARM-compatible build.