FREE · OPEN SOURCE · INSTANTLY PLAYABLE
DIRSCHL Games – Browser Games as a Modular WordPress Plugin.
Seven different games, a shared catalog, and full control within your own WordPress installation.
DIRSCHL Games brings HTML5 browser games to Gutenberg, Divi, Elementor, and other shortcode-enabled themes, without requiring iframes. Manage modules, display games individually or as a gallery, save high scores, and evaluate usage locally – without a DIRSCHL account or license key.
Version 0.1.11 · WordPress 5.8+ · PHP 7.4+ · GPL-2.0-or-later
Download plugin for freePlay all games liveInstall via DIRSCHL Hub
A Game Suite Instead of Seven Individual Solutions
From Quick Website Games to Interactive Campaigns.
The shared core keeps the catalog, modules, high scores, daily statistics, CSS, updates, logs, and backups together in one place. Each game remains an independent module with its own mechanics and shortcode. This allows you to start with a gallery and later integrate individual games specifically into landing pages, event pages, or editorial content.
The plugin and the included games are free. Custom company games, custom branding, campaign logic, sweepstakes integrations, or specially developed game mechanics are separate development services.
The Shared Games Core
- Central module overview for all installed games
- Responsive game catalog as a gallery or list
- Individual game shortcodes for freely selectable pages
- Local high scores in your own WordPress database
- Local daily analytics without an external tracking service
- Centralized frontend CSS customization
- Updates, logs, and documentation directly in the Games menu
- JSON backup and restoration of options, high scores, and analytics
For Websites, Campaigns, and Events
- Keep visitors on your website longer with a playable activity
- Enhance trade fair and event pages with a competition
- Build community activities with leaderboards
- Implement learning content as a quiz, challenge, or reaction game
- Bring corporate brands to life through custom-developed game worlds
All included modules run in the browser and adapt responsively to smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
Seven games are already included
| Game | Game Concept | Live Demo |
|---|---|---|
| Artemis | Tactical space game with its own visual game world. | Play Artemis |
| Divion | Configurable reaction and arcade experience with its own media management. | Play Divion |
| Meteor Blitz | Fast-paced space shooter game for short, repeatable sessions. | Play Meteor Blitz |
| Pixel Battle | Multiplayer challenge with host, lobby, and join views. | Open Pixel Battle |
| Quickman | Compact skill and reaction game. | Play Quickman |
| ThinkTank | Interactive team game with host, participant view, and Hall of Fame. | Open ThinkTank |
| ZIGZAG | Quiz and knowledge game with interchangeable theme packs. | Play ZIGZAG |
The page /games/ is the public game world with the live versions currently available on DIRSCHL.com. By contrast, this plugin page explains installation, management, and integration into your own WordPress website.
Quick Start: Get Your Game Gallery in Minutes
- Download the plugin ZIP and install it under Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
- Activate DIRSCHL Games. The new Games menu will appear in the backend.
- Under Games → Modules, check which game modules are available.
- Create a WordPress page and insert the shortcode
[dirschl_games]. - Optionally, adjust the order, short names, catalog display, and CSS in the Games menu.
The shortcode works in a Gutenberg Shortcode block, a Divi Code/Text module, an Elementor Shortcode widget, and in classic WordPress templates.
Installation and Updates via the DIRSCHL Hub
- Install the free DIRSCHL Hub.
- In the WordPress backend, open DIRSCHL → Hub.
- Under Free Plugins, install and activate DIRSCHL Games.
- Check for and update future releases centrally in the Hub.
Neither a customer account nor a license key is required for installation. The direct ZIP download remains available in parallel.
Fine-Tune Your Catalog Shortcode
The short form displays all games configured in the catalog as a responsive gallery:
[dirschl_games]For a fixed three-column grid with a complete card:
[dirschl_games show="1111" layout="gallery" columns="3"]For a reduced list without image and description:
[dirschl_games show="1001" layout="list" link_text="Play Now"]All Catalog Parameters
| Parameter | Values | Effect |
|---|---|---|
show |
four 0/1 digits | Controls the heading, image, description, and link in this order. 1111 shows everything. |
layout |
gallery or list |
Selects grid or list view. |
columns |
1 to 6 | Sets the number of columns for the gallery. If no value is set, the grid adjusts automatically. |
link_text |
any text | Replaces the default label „Play“ for the card link. |
size |
small, medium, large or pixel value |
Limits the card width; numeric values are limited to a sensible range. |
The alias [dirschl-games] is also supported. For new pages, we recommend the spelling [dirschl_games].
Embed Specific Games
In addition to the shared catalog, each module provides its own shortcodes. Use these for focused landing pages or separate host/participant views:
| Module | Current Shortcodes |
|---|---|
| Artemis | [games_artemis] |
| Divion | [games_divion] |
| Meteor Blitz | [games_meteor_blitz] · [games_meteor_blitz_teaser] |
| Pixel Battle | [pixel_battle_host] · [pixel_battle_lobby] · [pixel_battle_join] |
| Quickman | [games_quickman] |
| ThinkTank | [thinktank_host] · [thinktank_join] · [thinktank_hall_of_fame] |
| ZIGZAG | [games_zigzag] · [zigzag_game] |
Individual modules may offer additional settings and parameters. The currently installed plugin version documents these directly under Games → Docs or in the module administration.
Local Data, No External Tracking Requirements
- High scores are stored in your own WordPress database.
- Core Analytics aggregates permitted game events locally per day.
- The Games Core does not require an external analytics service or the DIRSCHL Cloud.
- REST requests for scores and analytics are protected by WordPress nonces.
- Options, high scores, and analytics can be backed up as JSON and restored in a controlled manner.
Important: Before productive use, please review each activated game module, your retention policies, and the privacy policy. Individual modules may have additional media, multiplayer functions, or optional integrations.
Transform a free plugin into your company game
For a standard WordPress website, you can use and customize DIRSCHL Games directly for free. If the game is intended to be part of a campaign, a trade fair presence, or an employer branding concept, we will develop a customized version based on the plugin.
- Corporate design, custom characters, sounds, and game worlds
- Custom rules, levels, quiz packages, and learning content
- Contest, CRM, or newsletter integration after technical review
- Event mode, team play, leaderboards, and campaign periods
- Custom modules for industries, products, and internal training
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DIRSCHL Games really free?
Yes. The plugin core and the included modules do not require a DIRSCHL license and are licensed under GPL-2.0-or-later. Individually developed company games and campaigns are separate services.
Can I use the games with Divi, Gutenberg, or Elementor?
Yes. The catalog and individual game modules are integrated via shortcode and therefore work in Gutenberg, Divi, Elementor, and other shortcode-enabled themes or page builders.
Are player and analytics data transmitted to DIRSCHL?
The Games core stores high scores and daily analytics locally in your own WordPress database. For each additionally activated module, please check whether optional external functions are used.
Can I display only a single game?
Yes. Each included module has its own shortcode. Alternatively, you can configure the order and display of the shared catalog.
Can I customize colors and appearance?
Yes. The core features central frontend CSS management. Modules can also offer their own branding and game settings.
Are custom company or campaign games possible?
Yes. Branding, custom game mechanics, content, and integrations can be implemented as individual development services. The free plugin provides a modular technical basis for this.
How do I back up high scores and settings?
Under Games → Backup, plugin options, high scores, and daily analytics can be exported as JSON, and selected areas can be restored later.
No license, no account, no external game host.
Install, insert shortcode, and play instantly.
Get started with the free suite and test all games live. For a custom company game, we develop mechanics, design, and integration tailored to your project.
Download DIRSCHL Games for FreeOpen Live GamesRequest a Custom Company Game
100% Free & Open Source
DIRSCHL Games can be used, reviewed, customized, and further developed for your own projects under the terms of the GPL-2.0-or-later without a DIRSCHL license. There are no paid feature locks and no required DIRSCHL account.
Developed by Johann Dirschl. Would you like to develop your own WordPress plugins with Cursor AI or Codex, or automate workflows? The DIRSCHL Academy offers B2B training for AI-assisted Development and WordPress Automation.
Download Plugin for FreeInstall in DIRSCHL HubDIRSCHL Academy