Freedom251 › Game Development Software
RPG Boss

What RPG Boss is
RPG Boss is a free, point-and-click editor and engine for making 2D role-playing games. Its desktop editor runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac and is based on libgdx. The project wiki explains how to create maps, events, NPCs, chests, and custom menus. Visual tools support RPG Maker VX autotiles and spritesets, plus tilesets built from 32×32 tiles. Iconsets can use any size when a tile size is specified during import, and windowskins use RPG Maker XP format. The repository states an AGPL3 license and includes automated tests intended to catch regressions. Build instructions use the included Gradle wrapper and list Git plus Java 6, 7, or 8, or specified OpenJDK versions. Packaging guidance covers Windows and tar.gz binaries with Launch4j, and the project can be imported into Eclipse or another IDE. The latest listed release is v0.9.8, marked pre-release; authored games are intended to run on mobile platforms eventually.
Who it suits
RPG Boss suits creators who want a desktop editor for 2D RPG maps, events, characters, and menus. It also fits developers comfortable building from source and following the project’s wiki and Gradle instructions.
What it does well
- Free AGPL3-licensed RPG editor
- Runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac
- Guides cover maps, events, NPCs, and menus
- Supports RPG Maker VX assets
- Automated tests included
What to know first
- Latest listed release is a pre-release
- Build requires Git and Java versions
- Authored mobile games are only intended eventually
Verdict
RPG Boss provides a documented desktop workflow for creating 2D RPG content with flexible asset support. Its pre-release status and build prerequisites matter for users who want a ready-made or mature release.
Facts from RPG Boss's own pages
- Assets
- The editor supports RPG Maker VX format autotiles and spritesets, and tilesets made from 32×32 tiles. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Automated tests
- The README says the project uses automated tests to check that changes do not break existing functionality. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Binary packaging
- The packaging instructions list launch4j as a prerequisite and show an example Windows executable and tar.gz output. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Build process
- The README says to run the included Gradle wrapper to build and run the program, with commands for Linux or Mac and Windows. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- The repository lists Git and Java 6, 7, or 8 (or specified OpenJDK versions) as build prerequisites. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Custom assets
- Iconsets can be any size, with the tile size specified during import; windowskins use RPG Maker XP format. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Desktop editor
- The editor runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The project wiki lists guides covering game creation, events, maps, assets, menus, and developer topics. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Editor platforms
- The editor runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Engine basis
- RPG Boss is based on libgdx. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Game creation
- The project wiki includes guides for creating maps, events, NPCs, chests, and custom menus. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Game platforms
- The README says authored games are intended to run on mobile platforms eventually. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Game runtime
- The project says authored games are intended to run on mobile platforms eventually. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The build instructions say the Gradle project can be imported into Eclipse or another IDE. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository states that RPG Boss is licensed under AGPL3. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Packaging
- The repository describes packaging Windows and tar.gz binaries using a shell script and Launch4j. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- RPG Boss describes itself as a point-and-click RPG game editor and engine. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The latest listed release is v0.9.8, marked as a pre-release. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The repository's Security and quality tab displays zero security advisories. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project provides a GitHub wiki with user and developer guides. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where RPG Boss stands on Freedom251
- Game Development Software#34 of 43