The latest articles on Forem by PlasmatorGames (@plasmatorgamesstudio). https://forem.com/plasmatorgamesstudio https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3628844%2F79f699a2-0056-48a1-91e6-6b37a5a25395.png https://forem.com/plasmatorgamesstudio en PlasmatorGames Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:34:27 +0000 https://forem.com/plasmatorgamesstudio/terminal-micro-engine-a-tiny-dos-style-game-engine-401e https://forem.com/plasmatorgamesstudio/terminal-micro-engine-a-tiny-dos-style-game-engine-401e <p><strong>Terminal Micro Engine</strong> is a compact HTML/JS micro-engine for building retro terminal narrative games with an optional viewport . Fully JSON-driven, no JavaScript required.</p> <p><a href="https://plasmator-games.itch.io/terminal-micro-engine" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://plasmator-games.itch.io/terminal-micro-engine</a></p> <p><a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fd7f4g4xzcoyj5e336xw6.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"><img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fd7f4g4xzcoyj5e336xw6.png" alt=" " width="800" height="450"></a></p> <p>Lightweight JSON-driven narrative/systemic engine perfect for creating:</p> <p>Terminal-style games<br> Exploration simulators<br> Sci-fi / submarine / space stations<br> Horror micro-narratives<br> Puzzle room/sector-based adventures<br> Minimalist survival experiences</p> <p><em>EXAMPLE GAME VIEWPORT</em></p> <p><a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Ftd19av2sw9axhd0nphzp.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"><img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Ftd19av2sw9axhd0nphzp.png" alt=" " width="800" height="348"></a></p> <p><strong>Core Features</strong></p> <ul> <li>Terminal command parser (look, scan, movement, custom actions)</li> <li>Viewport system (static / tileset / setViewport / jumpscare)</li> <li>Room system + onEnter actions</li> <li>Global events (onCommand / timer)</li> <li>Flags/variables for branching logic</li> <li>JSON-based: GAME_DATA defines the entire game</li> <li>Complete user guide included!</li> <li>Included Editor</li> <li>Live terminal + viewport preview</li> <li>JSON editor + validator</li> <li>Auto-add Room / Event tools</li> <li>Local viewport override</li> <li>One-click ZIP export (HTML runtime) <strong>Export Output</strong> </li> </ul> <div class="highlight js-code-highlight"> <pre class="highlight plaintext"><code>index.html engine.js game_data.js style.css assets/ </code></pre> </div> <p>Terminal Micro Engine by Plasmator Games is marked CC0 1.0 and is completely open source!</p> <p><em>Another game example "Protocol Red"</em><br> <a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fmqgsza8ookrpad8ogwus.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"><img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fmqgsza8ookrpad8ogwus.png" alt=" " width="800" height="450"></a></p> programming software gamedev opensource