License: GPL v2
Description: Birch is a platform for building games in a web browser.
Goal: To allow users to create a game on any device with a browser and be able to play that game on any other device with a browser. For example, a Birch game can be built on a tablet and played on another tablet, mobile phone, or desktop.
Architecture: Birch is comprised of a collection of integrated editors. Each editor focuses on creating a certain type of game component, such as an animation, character graphic, or logic. Each editor can integrate with another editor as needed. Birch keeps track of all of the content created by each editor.
The editors are modular. They can be added, removed and swapped out at any time. With this modular architecture, there is no one type of game that Birch is restricted to being capable of building. Users will be able to choose the editors they want.
The standard suite of editors are:
- Nouns: People, places and things
- Map editor
- Tile-based
- NPC editor (Non-playable character) — enemies and side characters
- Behaviors (logic)
- Characteristics (stats, types, associated assets)
- Item editor (weapons, treasure)
- Characteristics (stats, types, associated assets)
- Map editor
- Verbs: Actions
- Scenario editor
- Creates structure and flow of the game
- Logic editor
- Used by NPC and Scenario editors
- Simple JavaScript IDE with Birch JS framework integration
- Animation editor
- Create special effects and motions
- Scenario editor
- Look and feel
- Input
- Keyboard/controller/gesture mappings
- Assets
- Graphics
- Rudimentary editing capabilities, but can import from more robust graphic tools
- Audio
- Rudimentary editing capabilities, but can import from more robust audio tools
- Graphics
- Input
Inspiration: The main inspiration for Birch is RPG Maker, a game for the PSX. It was a high-level tool for for creating an RPG that could be played and shared with friends. Birch's goal it to support more than just RPGs, however.