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LÖVR

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LÖVR's own site

What LÖVR is

LÖVR is a free, open-source Lua framework for creating 3D games and virtual-reality experiences. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, and supports Lua, LuaJIT, and Luau. Its VR APIs cover stereo rendering, controller input, hand tracking, haptics, spatialized audio, 3D physics, foveated rendering, and passthrough. OpenXR and Vulkan power the framework, with listed support for headsets such as HTC Vive, Valve Index, Quest, Pico, PSVR 2, and Magic Leap 2. A keyboard-and-mouse simulation lets you begin without a headset, while VR features can be disabled for regular 3D games. Projects can be folders containing code and assets, and a simple 3D scene can use three lines of Lua. LÖVR imports glTF and OBJ models, skeletal animation, and HDR textures, and includes rigid-body physics. Native plugins and external Lua libraries add capabilities. Stable and development builds are available, with documentation, examples, an FAQ, and Matrix community support.

Who it suits

LÖVR suits developers making VR or 3D games, tools, prototypes, educational projects, or game-jam entries. It also fits people who want Lua scripting, open-source code, and desktop VR simulation before buying hardware.

What it does well

  • Free and open-source framework
  • Runs on four listed platforms
  • Supports multiple Lua variants
  • Desktop headset simulation included
  • VR and regular 3D modes

What to know first

  • Flatscreen mobile apps are not supported
  • Nightly builds require GitHub login
  • VR hardware support varies by device

Verdict

LÖVR combines Lua development with broad VR APIs and regular 3D-game support. Its small, folder-based projects and desktop simulation lower the barrier to starting, while mobile flatscreen support remains unavailable.

Facts from LÖVR's own pages

Desktop simulation
LÖVR can simulate a VR headset with keyboard and mouse, so VR hardware is not required to get started. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
Documentation and support
The project README points users to guides, tutorials, examples, API documentation, an FAQ, and the Matrix community for discussion and support. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Downloads
The downloads page lists Windows 64-bit ZIP, macOS 11+ ARM64 DMG, Linux x86_64 AppImage, and Android ARM64 OpenXR APK builds. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan
Yes · lovr.org, 21 Sept 2026
Getting started
A project can be a folder of code and assets, and the site says a simple 3D scene can be made with three lines of Lua. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
Hardware and APIs
LÖVR is powered by OpenXR and Vulkan and lists support for devices including HTC Vive, Valve Index, Quest, Pico, PSVR 2, and Magic Leap 2. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
Hardware and VR
LÖVR is powered by OpenXR and Vulkan, supports listed headsets including HTC Vive, Valve Index, Quest, and PSVR 2, and can simulate a headset with keyboard and mouse. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
Import and physics
The project README lists imports for glTF and OBJ models, skeletal animation and HDR textures, plus 3D rigid body physics with seven collider shapes and six joint types. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Libraries
External Lua libraries can be imported into projects, and the documentation lists LÖVR libraries for game controllers, development, rendering, and shading. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
License
The project is permissively licensed; its GitHub repository identifies the license as MIT. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Lightweight
The site says the entire engine fits in a couple of megabytes and uses LuaJIT. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
Mobile export
Yes · lovr.org, 21 Sept 2026
Multiplayer tools
Yes · lovr.org, 21 Sept 2026
Nightly builds
Nightly builds require GitHub login; the page describes stable-branch builds as stable releases with bugfixes and dev-branch builds as unstable releases with new features. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
Non-VR use
The VR parts can be disabled so LÖVR can be used as a regular 3D game engine. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
Notable limitation
The FAQ says running flatscreen apps on mobile phones is not currently supported. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
Plugins
Native plugins can provide extra features and are loaded from libraries placed next to the LÖVR executable; listed examples include HTTP, JSON, speech recognition, and networking support. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
Scripting languages
Lua,LuaJIT,Luau · lovr.org, 21 Sept 2026
Source code model
open_source · lovr.org, 21 Sept 2026
Support
The project points users to documentation, a FAQ, and its Matrix community for discussion and support. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Target platforms
Windows,macOS,Linux,Android · lovr.org, 21 Sept 2026
Use cases
The framework can be used for game jams, commercial projects, tools, prototyping, and education. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
VR features
Its APIs include stereo rendering, controller input, hand tracking, haptics, spatialized audio, 3D physics, foveated rendering, and passthrough. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026
What it is
LÖVR is an open source Lua framework for building 3D games and VR experiences. · lovr.org, 11 Oct 2026

Where LÖVR stands on Freedom251

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