Game engine
Orx
Orx is a data-driven 2D engine. Config files describe the objects. C or C++ is the code.
Developer: orx-project
Data-driven 2DC and C++ teamsSmall runtimes
Overview
You declare objects, animations, and sounds in ini-style config. Code creates them by name and reacts to events.
The runtime is small and cross-platform. The learning material is the wiki and the bundled tutorials, not a visual editor.
Technical specifications
Specs checked 2026-10-05. Version lines move; the download link is the source of truth.
- Developer
- orx-project
- Version line
- Current release
- License
- Zlib
- Business model
- Orx is zlib licensed. Commercial games do not pay a royalty.
- Releases
- Releases are tagged on GitHub. Config and the library version should move together.
- Editor platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Export targets
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
- Languages
- C++
- 2D / 3D
- 2D
- VR
- No.
- AR
- No.
- Visual scripting
- No node graph. Objects, animations, and FX are described in config, then driven from C or C++.
- Beginners
- No. The config model is powerful and not a first-week editor.
- Learning curve
- Steep until the config files click. After that, data changes avoid recompiles.
- Graphics
- 2D sprites, FX, and cameras. Not a 3D renderer.
- Team size
- A programmer who owns the config, plus art dropped into folders.
- GitHub stars
- 1,773 · orx/orx
- Documentation
- https://orx-project.org/wiki
- Assets and examples
- https://orx-project.org/wiki
- Download
- https://orx-project.org
Where it fits
- Zlib license and a small runtime.
- Designers can change config without a full rebuild.
- 2D FX, cameras, and input are already in the engine.
Where it does not
- The config language is the product. It takes time.
- No 3D.
- The community is smaller than Godot or Unity.
Matching source
No sample projects are listed for this engine yet.
How does it compare?
Lua and an editor, still a small 2D runtime.
A general editor when config files are the wrong interface.
Questions
Is Orx free for commercial games?
Yes. The license is zlib.
Do I need an editor?
No. The workflow is config plus code.
Which language is it?
C or C++. The objects themselves live in config.
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