VASSAL Engine

VASSAL is a game engine for building and playing online adaptations of board games and card games. Play live on the Internet or by email. VASSAL Engine runs on all platforms and is free, open-source software.

VASSAL is a free engine for building and playing Internet-capable versions of turn-based, human-vs-human games. Players move and manipulate game pieces via the mouse while typing accompanying text. Moves can be recorded into a log file and stepped through one at a time for email play.

During live Internet play, all moves and text are automatically broadcast to other players in real-time. Combining a live VASSAL Engine session with a third-party Internet voice-chat tool (such as NetMeeting or TeamSpeak) allows you to play with people around the world at very close to the face-to-face pace.

What distinguishes VASSAL from other board gaming tools?

• Play in real-time over a live Internet connection or via email
• Switch between email and live play any number of times during the course of a game
• 100% Java application runs on any platform
• Intuitive drag-and-drop and menu-driven interface with many keyboard shortcuts
• Auto-report feature reports customizable messages automatically in response to every move
• Customizable maps: define the number of map windows, each with its own set of tools. Even define your own icons for the toolbar.
• Customizable counters: define a different right-click menu, with nested menus, for each counter. Define your own keyboard shortcuts.
• Customizable help files: define your own HTML-based online help pages. Define your own charts and tables for reference during play. Even write your own interactive tutorials.
• Advanced counter definitions: rotate to any number of facings, n-sided, combined layers, arbitrary shapes, text labels in customizable fonts and colors, property sheets.
• Limited information capability: pieces that hide their identity or turn completely invisible. Map windows can be hidden from other players.
• Import any GIF/JPG/PNG graphics file for your maps and counters
• Modular, extensible design with open-source Java codebase

VASSAL's interface is the simplest and most intuitive you'll find. To move a piece, simply click and drag. When connected to the server, you'll see your opponent's pieces move on your screen in real-time. You can also watch other people's games in progress without participating. Games with any number of players are supported.

VASSAL modules are highly customizable, allowing you to select exactly the features that make sense for your game. For example, you can organize the playing pieces into windows with any combination of tabs, pull-down menus, and scroll lists.

Game Pieces are the most customizable aspect of a VASSAL module. Each piece will have its own right-click menu of actions specific for that piece type with keyboard shortcuts for each entry. Import your own graphics from any source in standard formats. When defining your pieces, you choose from a comprehensive list of traits that can be combined in almost unlimited ways.

How to Use

• Launch the software and create a new user profile
• Download and install game modules for desired board games
• Open a module and start a new game or join an existing one
• Use the toolbar to move pieces and interact with the game board
• Save your progress and resume games later if needed
• Use chat and in-game features to communicate with players
• Customize preferences and settings for a better experience
• Refer to official documentation for advanced features
• Update VASSAL and modules regularly for the best performance

System Requirements

• OS: Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7
• Processor: 1 GHz or faster
• RAM: 2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)
• Storage: At least 200 MB free space
• Java: Requires Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 8 or later

PROS

• Supports a wide range of board games
• Free and open-source software
• Online and offline multiplayer support
• Customizable with user-created modules
• Lightweight and runs on most systems

CONS

• Outdated user interface design
• Requires Java installation
• Limited automation for complex games
• Some modules may lack official support

Note: Requires Java Runtime Environment JRE 8 or later. See the OS-specific notes below for how to get an appropriate JRE for your system.

Also Available: Download VASSAL Engine for Mac