Hercules is a data editing tool used to work with design and configuration data for games and other software projects.
Hercules manages data in a JSON-based document format stored in Apache CouchDB.
- Get Hercules installer at https://github.com/toadmaninteractive/hercules/releases/latest/download/hercules_setup.exe
- View the latest stable release at https://github.com/toadmaninteractive/hercules/releases/latest/
View documentation at https://toadman-hercules.readthedocs.io/stable/index.html
- Schema-powered rich data editing forms with input validation
- Highlighting of modified fields
- Source view for direct editing of JSON data
- Bulk document editing via summary tables
- Undo and Redo actions
- Quick recovering of deleted documents via trash bin
- Data importing from CSV, XLS, JSON, and Google Sheets
- Data importing and transformation using JavaScript
- Data exporting
- Customizable data search tool
- Document version control
- Exportable database history
- Synchronization of document data across databases
- Viewing and editing of diagrams
- API-powered scripting system for advanced data manipulation
- Universal data editor that works with all kinds of game design data
- Lightweight design cycle without technical routines: launching heavy engine editors, submitting changes to version control systems, making builds, performing installations, waiting for playtests to start, and receiving feedback
- On-the-fly design changes in single-player and multiplayer sessions
- Game backend server may be permitted to access documents
- Documents are similar to prefabs in Unity and blueprints in Unreal Engine
- Document categories define the different design objects in the game (characters, items, abilities, weapons, etc.)
- Ideal for rule-based games, data-driven designs, and massive multiplayer sessions yet less suitable for scripted and story-based games
- Compared to Unreal Engine 4 blueprint binary formats, JSON-based documents permit collaboration among multiple users
- Encourages creative user input with a possibility to experiment with game design in practice