FPSides

FPSides is a cross-platform, open-source framework for creating first-person shooter experiences, including games, simulations, and training tools. It provides a modular engine, a standardized workflow, and interoperable content pipelines, with an emphasis on rapid prototyping and reproducible results. The project is maintained by an international community of developers, researchers, and artists and is released under a permissive license.

Architecture and core features: FPSides provides a C++-based core engine with language bindings for scripting and automation. It supports client-server networking, physics, animation, and a scene graph. The engine emphasizes modular subsystems such as input handling, rendering, AI, and gameplay logic, allowing developers to swap implementations without altering game code. It includes tools for versioned asset management, level streaming, and debugging.

Gameplay and tools: The framework ships with a set of reusable gameplay templates and physics-based interactions, plus a suite of authoring tools for level design, telemetry, and performance profiling. It supports multiple rendering backends, cross-platform deployment to Windows, Linux, macOS, and select consoles, and virtual reality workflows. The scripting API enables rapid iteration without recompiling core engine code.

Development and reception: FPSides has seen adoption by indie studios and academic labs for rapid prototyping, as well as by communities exploring AI and networked multiplayer. While not a dominant commercial product, it has influenced other FPS toolchains through its emphasis on modularity and data-driven design. The project maintains a public repository with issue tracking and community contributions.

See also: First-person shooter, Game engine, Open-source software, Modding toolkit.