How ThicketScript compares
One language, one runtime, free to ship. Here's ThicketScript beside the tools game makers reach for most, side by side and as fairly as we can put it.
| Feature | ThicketScript | Adobe AIR | Unity | Godot | Haxe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A language and its runtime | A runtime and SDK | An engine with an editor | An engine with an editor | A language and cross-compiler |
| Scripting language | ThicketScript, with TypeScript-like syntax | ActionScript 3 | C# | GDScript or C# | Haxe |
| Types | Static; int, uint8, float32 and friends are real, checked types | Optional | Static | Optional in GDScript, static in C# | Static, with inference |
| Cost to make and sell games | Free. No royalties, no revenue cap | Free to start; paid licences unlock restricted features | Free under $200K revenue a year, then a paid Pro seat. No royalties | Free. No royalties | Free. No royalties |
| Splash screen required | No | Yes, without a licence | Optional on Unity 6 Personal | No | No |
| What you install | The ThicketScript runtime, thicket: run, check, debug, build and the language server | The SDK, an IDE and a 2D framework such as Starling | The Unity Editor and a code editor | The Godot editor (and the .NET SDK for C#) | The compiler, a framework such as Heaps or OpenFL, and a target such as HashLink |
| How scripts run | Bytecode on its own VM, made for games | On the AIR runtime | Mono (JIT) or IL2CPP (ahead of time) | GDScript on its own VM; C# on .NET | Compiled to JavaScript, C++, HashLink and more |
| 2D | Built in (willow), with UI and game-structure packages | Through a framework (Starling) | Built in | Built in | Through a framework (Heaps, OpenFL) |
| Visual editor | Optional: the editors on thicketcreator.com | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS and Linux at the first release | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Desktop, mobile, web, consoles | Desktop, mobile, web | Desktop, mobile, web, through its frameworks |
| Source | Closed; free to use | Closed | Closed | Open source (MIT) | Open source (compiler GPL, library MIT) |
Checked against each vendor's own pages in October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Report an issue.
Where each one shines
This site
ThicketScript
TypeScript-like code with real game types, one program from first run to shipped build, and no royalties or revenue cap.
Runtime
Adobe AIR
A mature ActionScript 3 platform with years of tooling, still maintained, shipping one codebase to desktop and mobile.
Engine
Unity
The biggest asset store and community, and strong reach on mobile and consoles from one editor.
Engine
Godot
Free and open source under MIT, a small download, and a scripting language made for its editor.
Language
Haxe
One typed language that compiles to many targets, with a fast compiler and powerful macros.
Why pick ThicketScript
- You already know the syntax. If you've written TypeScript, you can read a ThicketScript game today.
- The types fit games.
int,uint8,float32and structs are real, checked types, not hints. - One runtime, no toolchain to assemble. The ThicketScript runtime runs, checks, debugs and builds your game.
- Yours to sell. Free to use, with no royalties and no revenue cap. See the license summary.
Sources
- Adobe AIR: AIR SDK from Wipro, the move to Wipro (2026-03-03)
- Unity: pricing, the Runtime Fee cancellation, scripting backends
- Godot: license, FAQ, exporting for the web
- Haxe: the compiler, compiler targets, Heaps