Isometry

Write data, not code

Isometry is a single executable that loads campaigns defined entirely in YAML or JSON. Define maps, actors, skills, AI, items, and dialog as data, package them into a .zip, and the engine runs them — no programming required. Multiplayer is built in and driven from the command line, with secure, authenticated sessions.

There is no separate backend and no Docker: the game binary is the whole product. You change the game by changing the data.

What you get

• Isometric grid worlds — tile maps with layers, terrain, spawns, fog of war, and pathfinding.
• Data-defined actors & AI — stats, resources, skills, and goal-driven strategies, all as entities.
• 75 built-in action functions — damage, healing, movement, teleport, spawn, dialog, and more, composed from data.
• Multiplayer first — host, dedicated server, or client over the network; single-player is just a one-client session.
• Gamepad + keyboard with remappable keybinds, and themeable UI.
• 33 entity types — a small, composable vocabulary that describes a whole game.

A campaign is just data

The required entry point names the starting actor and map:

Main:
  demoMain:
    actor: heroActor
    map: demoMap

Entities reference each other by key, and the engine validates every reference before a campaign is allowed to run.

Where to next

• Download & install — get the engine for Linux, Windows, or macOS.
• Player Guide — install, join, host, and play campaigns.
• Developer Manual — build a campaign from scratch, end to end.
• Reference — every entity, action function, and CLI flag.
• Recipes — reusable patterns for plugins and campaigns.
• Updates — what's new (currently in open beta, v0.387).

Isometry is made by Dark Mode Games and licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.