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Creating games is one of the most exciting ways to bring coding to life.  How to Build a Tic Tac Toe Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics of JavaScript or a developer exploring game frameworks, Phaser.js is one of the best tools to start with. It allows you to build engaging 2D games that run smoothly in web browsers. One of the simplest yet most enjoyable games to create is Tic-Tac-Toe, a classic that’s easy to understand but offers endless possibilities for creative design and logic.

In this guide, we’ll explore the complete process from code to game — showing how to build Tic-Tac-Toe using Phaser.js, step by step. By the end, you’ll understand how to set up the game environment, design the grid, manage player turns, detect wins, and make the game both fun and visually appealing.

What Is Phaser.js?

Phaser.js is a fast, open-source HTML5 game framework designed to help developers build 2D games that can run on both desktop and mobile browsers. It uses JavaScript and provides an easy-to-use API for managing graphics, animations, physics, input, and sound.

For beginners, Phaser.js is an excellent choice because:

1. It simplifies complex game development tasks.

2. It works directly in web browsers — no extra installations needed.

3. It has built-in tools for sprites, scenes, and interactivity.

By using Phaser.js, you can turn simple coding ideas into interactive experiences. And Tic-Tac-Toe is a perfect example to start learning these fundamentals.

Setting Up the Project

Before writing the logic, you need to set up your development environment. Here’s a basic setup process:

1. Create a Project Folder
   Make a new folder on your computer called phaser-tic-tac-toe. Inside it, create three files:

   • index.html

   • game.js

   • style.css

2. Include Phaser.js
   You can link the Phaser library in your index.html file. This allows you to use its features without needing to install anything complicated.

    

   <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/phaser@3/dist/phaser.js"></script> <script src="game.js"></script>

3. Set Up the Game Canvas
   Phaser uses a game configuration object to define the canvas size and scenes. In your game.js file, begin with:

    

   const config = { type: Phaser.AUTO, width: 600, height: 600, backgroundColor: '#f0f0f0', scene: { preload: preload, create: create, update: update } }; const game = new Phaser.Game(config);

This initializes the game window and prepares Phaser to render everything you’ll build.

Designing the Tic-Tac-Toe Grid

The grid is the foundation of Tic-Tac-Toe. It has nine cells — three rows and three columns. You can easily create this layout by drawing lines or using rectangles in Phaser.

This code draws the 3×3 grid. Each cell is now ready to hold either an X or O.

Handling Player Turns

Next, you’ll create logic for two players — one using “X” and the other using “O”. You can handle clicks on the game board and alternate between turns.

This block handles clicks on the grid, places marks, checks for winners, and switches turns.

Drawing X and O on the Board

Each time a player clicks an empty cell, the game should display their mark. In Phaser, you can draw shapes or text to represent these symbols.

Now, every move visually appears on the board.