John Rockwell

orange-ya glad this isn't a tailwind site?

if you want to chat, send me an email.

Pinscher Engine

Pinscher is a 3D game engine designed to build scalable games and targets a wide range of hardware across all major operating systems.

Pinscher Editor - Main View

Dependency	Description	Link
C++20	Engine, editor, game client, and dedicated server	cppreference
CMake 3.24+	Cross-platform build system	cmake.org
Windows, macOS, Linux	Desktop clients and dedicated servers	Windows, macOS, Linux
SDL3	Windowing, input, and platform audio output	libsdl.org
OpenGL 4.1 Core	Primary rendering API	khronos.org
glad 2	Generated OpenGL 4.1 bindings	github
glm	Math library for vectors, matrices, and transforms	github
Jolt Physics	Character movement, collision, and simulation	github
Valve GameNetworkingSockets	Reliable and unreliable multiplayer transport	github
OpenSSL, protobuf, zlib	Secure networking and GNS dependencies	OpenSSL, protobuf, zlib
cpp-httplib	HTTP client for online services	github
IXWebSocket	WebSocket channels for real-time online services	github
cgltf	glTF / GLB model loading	github
ufbx	FBX intake for character and animation import	github
stb	Image decode and utility helpers	github
dr_libs	Audio decode for WAV / PCM pipelines	github
nlohmann/json	Maps, manifests, settings, and UI documents	github
Dear ImGui (docking)	Editor panels and debug overlays	github
ImGuizmo	Viewport transform gizmos	github
Steamworks SDK + SteamPipe	Identity, overlay, friends, and Steam distribution	SDK, SteamPipe

Feature	Description
Modern Desktop Runtime	Fast startup, responsive windowing, and a competitive input loop
Cross-cutting Infrastructure	Logging, crash reporting, and online hooks without fragile one-offs
Flexible Identity	Dev logins for local work, Steam identity for real players
Steam-ready Distribution	Steamworks integration and SteamPipe scaffolding for private playtests and public release

Feature	Description
Physically Based Rendering	Materials and Lighting on OpenGL 4.1
Dynamic Lighting and Shadows	Point, directional, and spot lights with scalable shadow quality
Atmosphere Tools	Skyboxes, fog volumes, and volumetric fog for readable scenes and mood
Decals	Mesh-projected and volume decals for wear, marking, and environmental detail
Reflections	Screen-space reflections and authored reflection probes
Baked Global Illumination	Irradiance volumes with in-editor lighting builds for stable indoor bounce
First-person Presentation	Dedicated viewmodel pass
Cinematic Post-process	Bloom, exposure, tonemapping, color grading and LUTs, vignette, FXAA, AO, and optional depth of field
Scalable Graphics	Quality tiers to support a wide range of hardware

Feature	Description
Full Level Format	Save, validate, cook, and package maps as first-class project assets
Rich Entity Toolkit	Meshes, brushes, terrain, lights, volumes, effects, audio, and gameplay markers in one scene
Fast Blockout	FPS-friendly floors, walls, cover, primitives, and brushes for rapid scene layout
Advanced Geometry	CSG, splines, terrain sculpting, and parametric brush pieces
Prefab Workflow	Build once, place many — edit live instances or stamp unique copies
Asset Import	Bring in models, textures, PBR sets, and audio with batch-friendly tooling
Character Intake	gLTF and FBX-friendly animation packs bound to character definitions
Dependency Tracking	Find references and ship complete content packs without missing assets
Map Collaboration	Per-level git workflows for sharing and iterating on maps

Feature	Description
Production Physics	Jolt-backed simulation for solid movement and collisions
Competitive Character Movement	Predictable controllers shared between client and server
Gameplay Queries	Traces, overlaps, and spawn selection with team and side awareness
Possession and Spectating	Clean handoff between playing and watching

Feature	Description
Skeletal Animation	Full skinned characters with clip playback and blending
Locomotion Systems	State machines and blend spaces for natural movement
Combat Animation	Montages, bone masks, hit reactions, and death ragdolls
Weapon Integration	Grip sockets and attachment IK so weapons sit correctly in hand
Retargeting	Reuse animation across humanoid skeletons
First- and Third-person Support	Viewmodels for the local player, full-body presentation for opponents

Rigged Models and Animations.

Feature	Description
Sound Mixer	Dedicated buses for SFX, music, VO, and UI
Context-aware Mixes	Snapshots that automatically rebalance within their context window
World Audio	Spatial sources, soundscapes, occlusion, and reverb for immersive scenes
Efficient Formats	High-quality WAV with optional ADPCM compression for ship size

Feature	Description
Dedicated-server Networking	GameNetworkingSockets transport built for authoritative multiplayer
Competitive Feel	Client prediction, reconciliation, and remote interpolation tuned for WAN play
Fair Melee	Lag-compensated rewind so actions read correctly under latency
Replication and Events	Snapshot sync plus a gameplay event channel for reliable game feedback
Session Resilience	Reconnect budgets and server lifecycle hooks for real multiplayer scenarios
Flexible Join Paths	Direct connect for LAN and development, online matchmaking seams for service-backed queues

Feature	Description
Data-driven Interface System	Author menus and HUDs as documents with themes and safe-area scaling
Full Widget Library	Buttons, sliders, lists, tabs, inputs, keybinds, prompts, and more
Game-ready HUD Foundation	Built to support health, energy, abilities, feeds, and match chrome

Feature	Description
Professional Level Editor	Docked layout, command palette, shortcuts, and persistent workspaces
Dual Viewports	3D and 2D views for placement and precise blockout
Content Studios	Material, texture, FX, animation, prefab, sound, and UI tools in one app
Play-in-editor	Instant playtests, including local multiplayer sessions
Ship Pipeline	Validate, build, and package maps for testers or install builds
Authoring Safety	Layers, hide and isolate, autosave, and crash recovery
Lighting Build Tools	Bake global illumination and refresh probes from the editor

Project Browser - Create a new level or load an existing one by title. Supports automated sync with git.

Feature	Description
Content CLI Utilities	Sound compression and ORM texture packing for production assets
Deep Debug Tooling	Console, profiler overlays, debug draw, and performance visibility

Pepper, unofficial QA lead and Pinscher mascot.