Open Source · MIT License · Java 17+

Build Retro Games
Blazing Fast

Transmute Core is a high-performance 2D pixel game engine for Java with custom rendering, fixed 60 FPS game loop, and zero reflection overhead.

terminal
$ transmute new my-game
Creating new Transmute Core project...
✓ Project created successfully!
60 FPS
Stable Performance
Java 17+
Modern Java
< 50ms
Startup Time
Open Source
MIT License

Everything You Need

Transmute Core comes packed with features to help you build retro-style 2D games quickly and efficiently.

Fixed Timestep Game Loop

Consistent 60 FPS game logic with delta time support for smooth gameplay.

Custom Pixel Rendering

Direct pixel manipulation using BufferedImage and DataBufferInt for maximum performance.

Sprite & Animation System

Built-in sprite sheet support with frame-based animations out of the box.

State Management

Stack-based state system for managing menus, gameplay, pause screens, and more.

Asset Management

Deferred loading system with automatic asset registration and batch loading.

Audio Support

Built-in audio playback for sound effects and background music in your games.

Simple & Powerful API

Get started with just a few lines of code. Transmute Core's API is designed to be intuitive and easy to learn.

java
1import TransmuteCore.core.TransmuteCore;
2import TransmuteCore.core.GameConfig;
3import TransmuteCore.core.Manager;
4import TransmuteCore.core.interfaces.services.IRenderer;
5import TransmuteCore.graphics.Context;
6import TransmuteCore.graphics.Color;
7
8public class MyGame extends TransmuteCore {
9    public MyGame(GameConfig config) {
10        super(config);
11    }
12
13    @Override
14    public void init() {
15        // Initialize your game
16    }
17
18    @Override
19    public void update(Manager manager, double delta) {
20        // Update game logic (60 times/second)
21    }
22
23    @Override
24    public void render(Manager manager, IRenderer renderer) {
25        Context ctx = (Context) renderer;
26        ctx.renderText("Hello, Transmute Core!", 50, 100,
27                      Color.toPixelInt(255, 255, 255, 255));
28    }
29
30    public static void main(String[] args) {
31        GameConfig config = new GameConfig.Builder()
32            .title("My Game")
33            .version("1.0")
34            .dimensions(320, GameConfig.ASPECT_RATIO_SQUARE)
35            .scale(3)
36            .build();
37
38        MyGame game = new MyGame(config);
39        game.start();
40    }
41}

That's it! You now have a working game window with custom rendering.

View Full Tutorial →

Get Started in Minutes

Create your first Transmute Core game with just three simple commands.

1

Install the CLI

Download and install the Transmute CLI tool

$ curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/transmute-games/transmute-core/master/scripts/install-cli.sh | sh
2

Create Your Project

Generate a new game project with the CLI

$ transmute new my-game
3

Run Your Game

Build and run your game instantly

$ ./gradlew run
Prerequisites: Java 17 or higher
View Full Guide
Start Building Today

Ready to Build Your Game?

Join developers worldwide using Transmute Core to create amazing retro-style 2D games. Open source, MIT licensed, and free forever.

Transmute Core is maintained by Transmute Games and the open source community.