Orx
What it is
Orx is an open-source, data-driven 2.5D game development engine for C and C++ programmers. Its configuration system can define objects and scenes, and changes can be made without recompiling. Rendering includes accelerated output, sprite batching, multiple cameras and viewports, custom shaders, off-screen rendering, and multiple render targets. The engine provides 3D sound and music, recording, audio filters, and controls for volume, pitch, and stereo balance. It also includes collision handling, rigid-body physics with joints, and input support for keyboard, joystick, mouse, and touch. Animation graphs and event management handle clocks, effects, input, physics, shaders, sound, spawners, and timelines. Localization can select distinct images, text, and sounds for different languages while a game runs. Orx supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Web/HTML5, Android, and iOS. Its plugin architecture allows extension and platform porting. The zlib license permits free use and modification in freeware and commercial projects. Learning materials include tutorials, examples, setup and beginner guides, and configuration information.
For and against
For
- Configuration changes do not require recompiling.
- Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, web, Android, and iOS.
- Includes physics, audio, input, animation, and localization.
- Zlib license permits commercial and freeware projects.
Against
- No multiplayer tools are listed.
- Free trial is not available.
The verdict
Orx combines configurable game data with rendering, audio, physics, input, animation, and localization systems. It is free to use under zlib terms, with web and mobile among its supported targets.
Who it suits
Orx suits C and C++ programmers building 2.5D games for desktop, web, or mobile platforms. Its configurable systems and plugin architecture may also suit developers who want to extend or port an engine.
Plans and prices
Orx
Free to use for any kind of project · freeware and commercial use permitted under zlib license
Read 7 Oct 2026 · orx-project.org
On the record
- Animation and events
- It includes data-driven animation graphs and event management for clocks, effects, input, physics, shaders, sound, spawners and timelines.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Audio
- Its audio system supports 3D sound and music, recording, audio filters, and control of volume, pitch and stereo balance.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Its templated data-driven configuration can create objects or scenes and be changed without recompiling.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- A plugin-based architecture allows users to port Orx to new platforms and extend or customize it with their own plugins.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Input
- Its abstract input system supports keyboard, joystick, mouse and touch input.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Learning resources
- The maker's learning wiki provides tutorials, examples, setup guides, beginner guides and configuration syntax information.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- License
- Orx is licensed under zlib and can be used or modified for free in freeware and commercial projects.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Localization
- Its localization system supports separate images, text and sounds for multiple languages with on-the-fly selection.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Mobile export
- Yesorx-project.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Multiplayer tools
- Noorx-project.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Physics
- It includes collision handling and rigid-body physics with joints support.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Orx is an open-source, data-driven 2.5D game development engine for C/C++ programmers.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Rendering
- It supports accelerated rendering, sprite batching, multiple cameras and viewports, custom shaders, off-screen rendering and multiple render targets.orx-project.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Scripting languages
- C,C++orx-project.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Source code model
- open_sourceorx-project.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Support
- The project directs users with questions, feedback or comments to its Discord community and GitHub issue tracker.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Target platforms
- Windows,Linux,macOS,Web/HTML5,Android,iOSorx-project.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Web build
- The project README lists Web/HTML5 builds using Emscripten among supported platforms.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
