
Factsheet
Developer:
Justin Arnold
Based in the US
Initial Release:
June 6, 2015
Early Access Release:
August 12, 2019
1.0 Release:
May 10, 2022
Website:
https://www.rpginabox.com
Press / Business Contact:
justin@rpginabox.com
Social Links:
Discord
Twitter
Reddit
YouTube
Mastodon
Platforms:
Steam
itch.io
Humble Store
Other Links:
Trello Board
Patreon
FAQ
What is RPG in a Box?
RPG in a Box lets you easily create 3D grid-based, voxel-style RPGs, adventure games, and more! As its name suggests, it contains every tool necessary for turning your ideas into games, all packaged together "in a box". The software is designed with a beginner-friendly approach as to not require any programming or modelling knowledge, while still providing a wide range of customization and openness. RPG in a Box is for everyone!
History of RPG in a Box
Justin began the development of RPG in a Box about 7 years ago. It's somewhat of a spiritual successor to RPG Toolset, an older project of his from the mid-2000s. In 2004, before RPG Toolset, he worked on a small game prototype fittingly named "Untitled RPG", which was what influenced him the most to pursue the creation of a tool for easily making 3D RPGs. When he first began working on "Untitled RPG" he had the intent to create an actual game, but after building a map editor he quickly realized that he enjoyed making the tools for the game much more than the game itself! A couple of years later, he started the development of RPG Toolset. He worked on a few different iterations of it over the years, and then finally rebooted it as RPG in a Box at the beginning of 2015. RPG in a Box is a continuation of his original vision and has the same basic concept as RPG Toolset, but with voxels! Justin believes that voxels are a key component of his vision, a missing puzzle piece of sorts, as they provide a way for users to easily build and animate their own 3D models directly within the software.
Major Features
- Voxel Editor: Build tiles, objects, and characters from 3D pixel blocks (i.e. voxels) and easily animate them with the editor's frame-based, stop-motion animation system. Importing from MagicaVoxel (.vox) and Qubicle (.qb) is also supported.
- Map Editor: Create grid-based worlds with the tiles you've built, then bring them to life by adding interactive NPCs and objects using the intuitive navigation and interaction system.
- Visual Scripting: Set up and trigger in-game events with the visual, node-based script editor. Simply drag and drop the desired actions (no programming knowledge required), or manually code "quick scripts" using Bauxite, the engine's custom scripting language.
- Dialogue: Write conversations for your NPCs using a visual, flowchart approach. Branching dialogue is supported via player choices and condition checking.
- Camera System: Choose from three available camera presets (standard, isometric, and first-person) or tweak the settings to create a custom camera. Stage dynamic cutscenes for your game using the engine’s flexible camera scripting system.
- Sound FX Generator: Generate fun, retro-style sound effects using the built-in tool based on Dr. Petter’s SFXR.
Videos
1.0 Release Trailer YouTube
Community Showcase YouTube
Playthrough of Built-In Example Game YouTube
Kenney 1-Bit Starter Project YouTube
Simple Puzzle Mechanic (Dungeon in my Pocket) YouTube
Moving Tile Platforms (Dungeon in my Pocket) YouTube
Preview of Tactical Turn-Based Combat YouTube
Teaser for UPGRADE (First-Person Shooter) by BurningLazers YouTube
Castle of Bread by Altair-x YouTube
Images
Logo & Icon
Testimonials
- "I love this engine. It's like my new favorite game that I play all the time except I can make games."
- LazerBurns - "RPG in a Box is some kind of sorcery - it somehow convinced me to work ten hours on the weekend to make a wall set, lol. It was just as enjoyable as playing a game, but more satisfying."
- The Shortest Viking - "I'm in love with it... since 2019. Used it over 1k hours. Do I regret one minute of it? NOPE."
- callme-jk
Additional Links
Trello Board
If you'd like to get an idea of what's planned for RPG in a Box for both the near future and long term, or if you'd just like to follow along with its development, please check out the Trello board.
Godot Showcase Interview
If you're interested in learning about Justin's experience developing RPG in a Box and using Godot to create an "engine within an engine", please check out his Godot Showcase interview.
FAQ
For a list of answers to questions that are commonly asked by the community, please see the FAQ.
Team
Justin Arnold
Developer
presskit() by Rami Ismail (Vlambeer) - also thanks to these fine folks