How to Update NW.js to Dramatically improve Game Performance!

KillerGin · 2020-12-31T07:20:34+0900

WARNING: This is a step by step guide for MV users to update their NW.JS to dramatically increase the performance of their game. (Updating NW.js for Mac may make RPG Maker MV compatible with OSX Catalina and Big Sur! OMG!) MZ users can use the ideas presented in this guide to update their NW.js from 44 to 50 if they like, but I'm not sure how much of a performance update this will be. (To update MV from 29 to 50 (or in my case 49.2) is a massive update!) It's actually easier to update MZ since the engine folders are structured much better. Just find the "Resource" folder, and replace the proper NW.js folder with the new downloaded versions and it should work just like that. Of course, I advise making backups, etc. (do NOT rename nw.exe to Game.exe) Have fun! I just updated my MZ to NW.js version 50, everything is working great. Deployed and test games run just fine. Do you guys want me to create a MZ section of this guide? ///////////////////////////////// Youtube Video Version! ///////////////////////////////// Upgrading your NW.js is a great way to massively improve your game performance, especially if you are using RPG Maker MV! NW.js (previously known as node-webkit) lets you call all Node.js modules directly from DOM and enables a new way of writing applications with all Web technologies. New way of writing native applications using web technologies: HTML5, CSS3, and WebGL. Full support for the features in the browser. ///////////////////////////////// Some Explanation: RPG Maker MV comes default with NW.js Version 29.4 RPG Maker MZ comes default with NW.js Version 44 So, a great way to GREATLY improve the performance of your MV Game is to upgrade the default NW.js version 29.4 to a higher version. You can easily use the same steps I’m going to outline below to get MVs NW.js to virtually any version. You can choose version 50 which is the newest, but I personally chose 49.2 (Higher than MZ) because this is the latest version that all three platforms PC, MAC, and Linux support STEAM integration with Orange Green works. (I’m not covering this in this guide) Also please note, there might be some small quirts with the NW.js version you choose. For example, before I upgraded to 49.2 (which works flawlessly) I upgraded to 33.3 which had a small text glitch (text sometimes showed up slowly). Just keep in mind these things may happen (I tried 33.3 because I thought that’s the highest version Orange Green works could use, I was wrong, its 49.2, but I digress). ///////////////////////////////// So to check what version of NW.js you are using, in the editor, when you are testing your game, press f8 (or function f8) to bring up the console. Type “process.versions” and press enter to see what version or Nw.js or just “nw” that you are running. (Example of when you update NW.js to 49.2 like I did!) ///////////////////////////////// So now that you are all caught up with a general idea of how it works and how to check we can get to the final details of how to get this upgraded! Keep in mind I will provide the PC and Mac instructions, I do not have a Linux Machine however I feel the process will be very similar to either the PC or Mac version of the update (they differ slightly) Here we go! ///////////////////////////////// 1) You need to be able to locate RPG Maker MV’s Local files. On STEAM, just RIGHT CLICK -> Properties -> Local Files -> Browse Else you will have to find the application folder on your PC. 2) You will see these two folders: a) nwjs-win (Windows platform) b) nwjs-lnx (Linux platform) c) nwjs-osx-unsigned (Mac platform, yes its zipped up, don’t worry about it) So if you want to update all 3 versions, you have to keep these folders in mind. (This is prob a great time to save a copy of these folders just in case you want to revert back, minus the zipped osx unsigned folder that we never touch) 3) Most likely since you are using a PC you will also see a “test” version of this folder. This is the folder used when you are testing the game in the editor. So a PC user will see a) nwjs-win b) nwjs-win-test 4) Now Download the version of NW.js that you want from the internet. This should work https://nwjs.io/downloads/ If you want an older build (If you want to integrate STEAM functionality with Orange Green Works I recommend 49.2, you can find older versions here: https://dl.nwjs.io/ (Scroll down) Get the SDK versions, minus the “symbol” listings, I would get all the 64 bit versions, so these minus the “win-ia32” version. (Or just the bottom “win-x64” version if you plan to just update the PC version, yes, the deployed and test version of rpg maker) 5) Now that you have everything you need. Now comes the hard part! But before we get too crazy. I would suggest saving all your work. Make a copy and back it up to the cloud just in case. (even though we are just updating RPG Maker MV itself lol). However, do keep in mind, at least for the STEAM version, if you want to revert back to default, you will have to del…

● ARCHIVED · READ-ONLY

Started by KillerGin Dec 30, 2020, 10:20 PM 273 posts Page 14 of 14 View original ↗

Dark_Ansem

#261 Oct 30, 2025, 10:32 PM Source

fizzly said:
If anyone else digging through this topic to find answer how to update for MZ & Windows:
- download NW.JS (SDK)
- delete everything from "nwjs-win" folder (RMMZ folder; remember to do the copy of that folder before!)
- extract the downloaded file and put everything from the folder to empty "nwjs-win" folder

That's it! No more.
Which version does it work mostly bug free? Some break steam achievements or greenworks
fizzly

#262 Oct 30, 2025, 10:38 PM Source

Dark_Ansem said:
Which version does it work mostly bug free? Some break steam achievements or greenworks
Oh...did not use steam achievements or greenworks, so no idea. Just updated with the newest one and works like a charm for now, at least for performance it's definitely a boost. But didn't exported my game yet, so no idea about that.
Dark_Ansem

#263 Oct 30, 2025, 10:39 PM Source

fizzly said:
Oh...did not use steam achievements or greenworks, so no idea. Just updated with the newest one and works like a charm for now, at least for performance it's definitely a boost. But didn't exported my game yet, so no idea about that.
Oh boy, exporting the game can be an issue?
fizzly

#264 Oct 30, 2025, 10:41 PM Source

Dark_Ansem said:
Oh boy, exporting the game can be an issue?
I hope not. In the worst case, I can go back to the "old" files.
Dark_Ansem

#265 Oct 31, 2025, 06:36 AM Source

just FYI for everyone, before claiming this process is an obstacle to deployment, remember that deployment can fail if you keep (like I do) unexpected files in your project directory
chris-cote

#266 Nov 3, 2025, 04:25 PM Source

Dark_Ansem said:
Which version does it work mostly bug free? Some break steam achievements or greenworks
Any version will work for steam achievements as long as it matches your greenworks version (each version of greenworks will say which versions of NWJS and Steamworks SDK it is compatible with). If you update NWJS, you also need to change your greenworks and SDK files (such as lib files etc.) to match. If they all match, it should work.

That said, not all versions of NWJS are proton/SteamDeck compatible. If SteamDeck compatibility is important to you, then the most recent version of NWJS you can use is 0.49.2, which is much harder to find a compatible greenworks file for and requires some extra work.
Dark_Ansem

#267 Nov 3, 2025, 04:58 PM Source

why thank you that's very helpful!
DrFreeman

#268 Nov 3, 2025, 06:10 PM Source

fizzly said:
If anyone else digging through this topic to find answer how to update for MZ & Windows:
- download NW.JS (SDK)
- delete everything from "nwjs-win" folder (RMMZ folder; remember to do the copy of that folder before!)
- extract the downloaded file and put everything from the folder to empty "nwjs-win" folder

That's it! No more.
Back in the .92 version, this didn't work. I tried the NW.JS 32-bit SDK and it goes through. My game uses 3D, so I have to wait until the 64-bit version works. It should work for everyone else and they will be pleased.
Serpent_Lord

#269 Dec 4, 2025, 11:13 AM Source

Heya I tried to update the MV nwjs with the latest version (10.5) it seems doesnt work, cause I can't even try to run the game on play test mode. This warning window shows up..., just a heads up
bass2yang

#270 Dec 4, 2025, 12:33 PM Source
Serpent_Lord said:
Heya I tried to update the MV nwjs with the latest version (10.5) it seems doesnt work, cause I can't even try to run the game on play test mode. This warning window shows up..., just a heads up
View attachment 354270
Open up your package.json and type in a name in the name field:
Code:
name: "project1", ...
Here is some info on name:
package.json | npm Docs
Serpent_Lord

#271 Dec 5, 2025, 06:30 AM Source
bass2yang said:
Open up your package.json and type in a name in the name field:

Code:
name: "project1", ...
Here is some info on name:
package.json | npm Docs
Wow it works like a charm, thank you
77skn

#272 Dec 6, 2025, 10:05 AM Source

KillerGin said:
d) Now delete the “chromedriver” file (this is simply not needed at all!)

You are DONE!!!! Type “process.versions” into the console and check your awesome new NW.js version!
Sorry if this was already asked, but does anyone know where to find the "chromedriver" file? I can't find it at all but then again it's an unneeded file, so would it matter that much? Secondly, where do I find the console? I have 0 idea what that means and theres no "console" in the RMMV contents. Any help appreciated!
Sarena

#273 Feb 11, 2026, 07:44 AM Source

77skn said:
Sorry if this was already asked, but does anyone know where to find the "chromedriver" file? I can't find it at all but then again it's an unneeded file, so would it matter that much?
It looks like the "chromedriver.exe" file is in the "nwjs-win" folder that you download in the updated version of the folder (it's not in the RPG Maker version, which is why you delete it).

77skn said:
Secondly, where do I find the console? I have 0 idea what that means and theres no "console" in the RMMV contents. Any help appreciated!
To access the console in RPG Maker, you'll press F8. This is when you playtest your game!