Built by jter · v1.10 current

Java, taken to a visual level.

Visual Java is an IDE / game development environment for building games and apps in Java, combining 2D/3D visual editors, Java/JVL code and an integrated runtime.

Build visually. Code in Java. Run instantly.

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1.10Current version

JVLVisual dialect of Java

2D / 3DScene editors

jterDevelopment team

Visual Java runtime window showing a running 2D scene

What it is

One environment, from empty project to running game

Visual Java bundles everything a small Java game or app needs into a single IDE: a project system, visual editors, a live runtime, and an API designed to read like plain English.

2DScene Editor 2D

Place rectangles, circles, triangles and images on a canvas, wire up an Inspector for transform, color, glow and physics, then hit Run — no boilerplate window setup.

3DScene Editor 3D

A JME-powered 3D workflow with a fly camera, transform gizmo, ambient and fog settings, and pixelation post-processing — new and steadily improving since 1.5.

The JVL language

Classes without boilerplate modifiers, event methods like @onUpdate, named parameters, and cross-class calls — compiled straight down to ordinary Java.

>_Code editor & console

Syntax highlighting, bracket matching, auto-completion, contextual suggestions and a live console that shows compile and runtime output as it happens.

⇄Live collaboration

Open the same project with a teammate and see their cursor, camera and edits in the scene in real time, over a lightweight background session.

Is this for you?

Who Visual Java is for

🟢 Visual Java is for

Java developers who want to make games
Beginners learning Java through games
Students
Minecraft plugin developers
Hobbyist game developers

🔴 Visual Java is not for

AAA production
Mobile development (not supported)
macOS/Linux (not available yet)
Teams needing a code-signed, audited installer today

The workspace

A project explorer, an inspector, a console — all in one window

Every Visual Java project keeps its .jvl sources under main/jvl, its assets under resources, and its settings in a single project.yml. The Explorer, Inspector and Console panels stay docked around the editor so you never lose the thread between code and scene.

See how a project is organized →

Write it your way

Plain Java when you want it, JVL when you don't

JVL compiles straight down to ordinary Java — it just trims the ceremony. Visual Java reads plain Java syntax too, so the two mix freely in the same project.

Java

public class Player {
    private int speed;

    public void update() {
        ...
    }
}

JVL

class Player {
    int speed = 5;

    @onUpdate
    void update() {
        ...
    }
}

Same Java underneath. Less boilerplate on top.

JVL files also accept plain Java syntax — write either style, or mix both in the same project.

Browse the API reference →

Behind the engine

Made by jter

Visual Java is developed by jter (Java Technology Engineering Research). The name "Visual Java" states the goal plainly: bring Java game and app development to a visual level with visual editors today, and block-based programming planned for the future.

More about the team →

jter focuses on Java tooling research: compilers, runtimes and editors that make Java approachable for game development, without giving up the language itself.