Game development is one of the most enjoyable ways to learn programming and build creativity. Phaser.js, a leading JavaScript framework for creating browser-based games, build a tic tac toe game javascript provides all the tools needed to turn simple ideas into interactive experiences. One of the best ways to learn the basics of Phaser.js is by building a simple, classic game like Tic-Tac-Toe.
This project teaches how to handle user input, create game logic, manage scenes, and display graphics using Phaser.js. By the end of this guide, you’ll have not only a working Tic-Tac-Toe game but also a solid understanding of the core concepts of Phaser.js.
What Is Phaser.js?
Phaser.js is an open-source HTML5 game framework built for both desktop and mobile browsers. It allows developers to easily create 2D games using JavaScript or TypeScript. Phaser.js includes a rich library of features such as animation, sound, physics, input handling, and asset management, all wrapped in a user-friendly structure.
For beginners, it’s an excellent starting point because it simplifies many complex game development tasks. You don’t need to worry about low-level graphics programming — Phaser handles rendering, sprites, and event management so you can focus on gameplay.
Why Start with Tic-Tac-Toe?
Tic-Tac-Toe is a simple grid-based game that’s perfect for learning game design fundamentals. It helps you explore concepts like:
Setting up a game board
Detecting user clicks
Managing turns between players
Checking for win conditions
Displaying results
These are foundational ideas you’ll reuse in every other game you make. Even though the game is small, it provides the perfect structure for understanding how Phaser.js manages scenes, logic, and interaction.
Setting Up Your Phaser.js Environment
Before you start coding, you need a basic setup for your Phaser project. Follow these simple steps:
Create a Project Folder: Make a new folder, for example, tic-tac-toe-phaser.
Include Phaser: You can add Phaser.js by using a CDN link in your HTML file:
Now you have a simple grid drawn in your game window. Each square will represent one of the nine positions where players can place their marks.
Managing Player Turns
To keep the game interactive, you need to alternate turns between two players — traditionally X and O. You can use a variable to track whose turn it is.
let currentPlayer = 'X';
let board = ['', '', '', '', '', '', '', '', ''];
Whenever a player clicks a cell, you’ll record the move in the board array and draw the symbol.
Handling Player Input
Phaser allows you to listen for pointer (mouse or touch) events. You can capture a click anywhere on the grid and calculate which cell was clicked.
this.input.on('pointerdown', function (pointer) {
const x = Math.floor(pointer.x / 200);
const y = Math.floor(pointer.y / 200);
const index = y * 3 + x;
if (board[index] === '') {
board[index] = currentPlayer;
drawSymbol(this, x, y, currentPlayer);
checkWinner();
currentPlayer = currentPlayer === 'X' ? 'O' : 'X';
}
}, this);
This snippet divides the screen into 3 columns and 3 rows, calculates the index of the clicked cell, and updates the game state accordingly.