Phaser is an Open Source project which makes it easier to make online games using JavaScript. This toolkit is a create way to learn and to teach web coding. As part of my (Mick Chesterman) PhD, there is a FLOSS Manuals explaining how to get starting making a game with Phaser 2. A great starting point for learners young and old to learn how to code games, web projects and coding in general.
The manual itself is available online here:
https://3m-phaser.jammlabs.org.uk/
It includes a full web version, along with downloadable formats (PDF and EPUB), making it easy to use in different contexts, whether that’s self-study, workshops, or teaching.
The first chapter sets the scene by introducing Phaser as a lightweight, browser-based framework for making games with JavaScript. The emphasis is on getting started quickly, using simple tools and a practical workflow, rather than getting stuck in setup or theory.
From the outset, the manual positions game making as a way into coding that is creative and accessible. It focuses on building a working game early on, with small steps that combine coding, design, and play. This reflects the approach developed through workshops and sessions over the years, where learning happens through making and experimenting.
The structure of the manual supports this. It works as a step-by-step guide, but it also encourages variation and exploration. Learners are not just following instructions, they are invited to change things, try ideas, and develop their own versions of the game.
As with other FLOSS Manuals, it is fully open and remixable. The content can be reused, adapted, and built on, supporting both individual learners and group-based learning.