Here we present links to other useful tools and resources to use with Battlegrounds: RPG Edition.
While we think you might find the information useful, the fact that a product or site is listed here does not necessarily mean that we endorse them or their products.
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MAPPING SOFTWARE
Dundjinni
Produces beautiful maps. Highly recommended.
Note: This software cannot currently be purchased, due to the DJ Store being offline.
http://www.dundjinni.com/
ProFantasy
The makers of Campaign Cartographer 2 & 3, and other mapping programs.
http://www.profantasy.com/
AutoREALM
http://sourceforge.net/projects/autorealm/
RPGMapMaker
Mac-only
http://fmteau.club.fr/rpgmapmaker/rpgmapmaker.htm
MapCrafter
http://www.empowergames.com/
DungeonForge
http://www.dungeonmapping.com/df/public_html/
MapMaker
http://www.demonspawn.net/games/map/default.htm
zMapper
http://www.zuggsoft.com/zmapper/zmapperinfo.htm
Benny's Dungeon Map Maker
http://www.sev.org/members/bmazur/dndminis/dmm.html
StoneSword.com
Free mapping software that works right in your browser.
http://www.stonesword.com/
Dungeon Tile Mapper
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20061121t
Dungeon Crafter 3
http://www.dungeoncrafter3.com/product.php
Hexmapper
Registration to the Yahoo Group is required to download the program.
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hexmapper_Haven/
HexDraw
http://www.hexdraw.com/
Hexographer
Free and commercial versions available.
http://www.inkwellideas.com/roleplaying_tools/hexographer/
Dungeon Demon
Coming soon. Windows-only.
http://www.rustyaxe.com/apps/dd/index.php
Grumble Mapper
Donation-ware. Cross-platform (Adobe AIR).
http://evanjacover.com/grumblemapper
Grid Mapper
Donation-ware. Windows-only.
http://www.superdan.net/gridmapper/
Dungeonographer
From the developer of Hexographer.
Free and commercial versions available.
http://www.dungeonographer.com/
Dungeon Painter
Free; runs in a browser.
http://pyromancers.com/dungeon-painter-online
FREE ART
RPGMapShare.com
A highly recommended repository of maps and artwork for RPGs. Be sure to set the Usage Rights for any artwork that you upload here, or it will be promptly deleted.
http://rpgmapshare.com/
Dundjinni Forums
An extremely friendly and helpful community that posts new artwork daily. You might even be able to request a specific prop that you need, and have it a few days later. All the artwork posted on these forums is free to download for personal use, and much of it can even be used commercially.
http://www.dundjinni.com/forums/default.asp
Dundjinni's Free Download of the Week
Discontinued.
http://www.dundjinni.com/art/dotw.asp
ROLEPLAYING AIDS
Hale Gaming
The new home of the CSUAC art archives (a treasure-trove of free artwork originally compiled from the Dundjinni forums, but perfect for use with BRPG).
http://www.halegaming.com/
CrystalBall3
Mac-only.
http://homepage.mac.com/crystalballmac/
PCGen
RPG character generator & maintenance program
Java-based (multi-platform).
http://pcgen.sourceforge.net/02_overview.php
RPG Patsy
A replacement for your pencil and paper character sheet
Java-based (multi-platform).
http://www.rpgpatsy.com/
Roleplaying Tips
A weekly newsletter/e-zine.
http://www.roleplayingtips.com/index.php
DA: The Roleplayer's Digital Assistant
A game-independent software toolset (Windows-only).
http://www.mjhkstudios.com/DA/Frameset.htm
Map Mage
Lots of different software tools (some free, most for sale, Windows-only).
http://www.mapmage.com/
Turn Watcher
An initiative tracker for GMs (Windows and Linux only)
http://www.turnwatcher.com/
On-Screen DM Screen
A handy online reference tool for d20 System.
http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/toolsScreen.html
Arr-Kelaan Software's RPG Tools
Lots of different software tools (free, for Windows 95 only).
http://home.paonline.com/zaikoski/ak/TOOLS.HTM
Treasure Tables
Advice, tips, ideas, and resources for GMs.
http://www.treasuretables.org/
MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS
The RPG SoundMixer
A tool specifically designed to create music and effect backgrounds for "Pen&Paper" RPG sessions.
http://www.rpgsoundmixer.com/
SoundDogs
The largest sound effects library on the internet.
http://sounddogs.com/
FindSounds
http://www.findsounds.com/
SoundBible
http://soundbible.com/
FreeSFX
http://www.freesfx.co.uk/
VOICE CHAT APPLICATIONS
Using these can significantly speed up play of online game sessions, but all users will probably need to have a broadband internet connection. Most of these are available in both Windows and Mac versions.
Skype
Also supports video conferencing (which is not free)
http://www.skype.com/
Ventrilo
Great push-to-talk feature
http://www.ventrilo.com/
Gizmo
http://www.gizmoproject.com/
Ineen
http://www.ineen.com/
YakForFree
http://www.yak.com/
TeamSpeak
(Note: the unofficial and unrelated "TeamSpeex" Mac client is still in beta)
http://www.goteamspeak.com/
Dolby Axon
Supports surround sound (but not in the free client, which is good for up to 5 users)
https://axon.dolby.com/
VIRTUAL TABLETOP (VT) PROGRAMS FOR RPGs
Below are links to every virtual tabletop program I could find, both free and commercial, so you can judge for yourself which tool best fits your needs.
Commercial Programs:
Battlegrounds: RPG Edition
That's what the rest of this site is about. I'm just including BRPG to make the list complete.
http://www.battlegroundsgames.com/nutshell.html
Fantasy Grounds
Windows-only. Many people like the look and feel of this app, and the 3D dice rolling.
http://www.fantasygrounds.com/
KloogeWerks
Java-based. Steep learning curve, but powerful.
http://www.kloogeinc.com/
ViewingDale
Windows-only. Great zoom feature.
http://www.viewing.ltd.uk/cgi-bin/viewingdale.pl?category=main&sx=1280
D20Pro
Java-based, 2-week free trial license.
http://www.d20pro.com/d20/index.php
ScreenMonkey
Only the GM must pay. Players play free, using their web browser. The GM app is Windows-only. A Lite version is available for free.
http://www.nbos.com/products/screenmonkey/screenmonkey.htm
GRiP
No longer developed, but some people still use it and there seems to be a user community that supports it.
Note: Link updated for GRiP v4.
http://www.rpgrealms.com/grip
iTabletop Pandoren (v2)
Browser-based (requires MS Silverlight, Adobe Flash, and 1 GB RAM) Windows or Mac OS X. Features built-in voice chat, and streaming video/webcam support.
http://www.itabletop.com/
EpicTable
Windows-only. Not yet released (still in beta).
http://www.epictable.com/
D&D Game Table
Windows and Mac OS X. Not yet released (still in beta).
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/26286405/The_Dungeons__Dragons_Virtual_Table
RPG Table
Mac OS X-only (v10.5.8 or greater). No online play in v1.0.
http://www.codechemistry.com/
weRole
Subscription-based. Features built-in webcam and voice chat.
http://www.werole.com/
Scene Grinder
Runs in browser. Subscription-based.
http://www.scenegrinder.com/
Free Programs:
OpenRPGProbably has the biggest user base of any VT app.
http://www.rpgobjects.com/index.php?c=orpg
OpenRPG+
This site hosts the development version of OpenRPG.
http://rpg.wikia.com/wiki/Installing_OpenRPG
MapTool
Java-based. Developers are actively enhancing this program regularly.
http://www.rptools.net/index.php?page=maptool
Gametable
Java-based.
http://gametable.mornproductions.com/Index
Online Pen & Paper World
Windows-only.
http://www.opnpw.com/
Tri Axe Dungeons & Dragons Chat
Windows-only.
http://www.triaxe.co.uk/
Interactive Dungeon
Windows-only
http://www.big12inch.com/id/ D20Map
Windows-only.
http://bd20map.runboard.com/
Dave's Flash Mapper
Possibly still in development.
http://www.csgmedia.com/files/david/fm/
RPG Manager
Windows-only. v2.0 is in development, and screenshots for it are now available.
http://www.rpgmanager.net/Home.htm
Playing Fields
Java-based.
http://gdiac.cis.cornell.edu/Projects/2006sp/PlayingFields/index.html
Dices
Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dices/files/dices/
RPGui
Windows-only. The site is no longer available.
http://www.togamario.com/
Battle Map v2.0
Flash-based, runs in your browser.
http://www.incend.net/treasure_trove/index.htm
RPG Tonight
Runs in your browser.
http://www.rpgtonight.com
Dungeon Helper
Windows-only.
http://dh.abomb.info/index.php
Avalomhilly
Windows-only.
http://www.avalomhilly.20m.com/
TTopRPG 2.0
Windows-only.
http://www.gamemodel.com/TTopRPG/index.htm
Rolistik
Windows & Mac OS X. In French.
http://rolistik.free.fr/
Virtual Tabletop
Windows-only. Note that the link below is a download link, not a website.
http://64digits.com/users/brighteyes/Virtual_Tabletop_v0.6_.zip
Virtual Game Table (VGT)
Windows-only.
http://www.siliconstorm.net/vgt/vgt.html
Irony Games' MapMagical Encounter Editor
Java-based, runs in a web browser.
http://pages.infinit.net/pdclarke/mmee/index.html
Map Maker (beta)
MS Silverlight app, runs in a web browser.
http://dnd.gudjonhrafn.com/mm/
Qex
Windows-only.
http://www.skyfire.ca/qex/
Masterplan
Windows-only. No online component
http://www.habitualindolence.net/masterplan/
Taulukko
Donation-ware.
http://www.taulukko.com.br/
Infrno
Unclear whether this is free for good, or free while-in-beta.
Windows & Mac OS; has video-conferencing feature.
http://infrno.net/base/welcome
RPGrounds
Unclear whether this will free when released, or just while-in-beta.
Will supposedly be a 3D VTT.
http://www.rpgrounds.com/
Live-Tabletop
Not even alpha yet.
Will support RPGs and boardgames
http://code.google.com/p/live-tabletop/
Tabletop Quest
Browser-based.
Unclear whether this will free when released, or just while-in-beta.
http://www.tabletopquest.com/
Diavida VTT
Runs in a web browser.
http://diavida.com/
Discontinued, Abandoned, or Unsupported Programs:
WebRPG
http://www.webrpg.com/gamesystem/
Note: The link above seems to be dead, which to me indicates that this is a discontinued product, but I've found a mirror site here, in case you still want to check this out.
Tabletop Mapper
Windows-only.
http://www.tabletopmapper.hpg.ig.com.br/
Interactive Adventures
Wizard of the Coast pulled the plug on this when they revoked their D&D license, so these are no longer available as of November 30, 2006.
http://www.codemonkeypublishing.com/
GhostOrb
There was never an official announcement that this was cancelled, but the website homepage hadn't been updated since December 2005, and now the site is gone entirely.
http://www.ghostorb.com/
Vellum
An abandoned project that looked promising.
http://vellum.berlios.de/
Battle Aide
Free. Windows-only.
http://www.drakevision.com/index.html
DNDMapper
Theoretically in development, but no updates since December 2005.
http://www.eeconsulting.net/tmp/
Online RPG Battle Tool
Presumed to be an abandoned project. Probably Windows-only.
http://home.comcast.net/~r.soult/
V-FORT
Windows-only. The site is no longer available.
http://v-fort.org/
BattlePawn
The site is no longer available.
http://www.battlepawn.com/
RolePlayingMaster
Windows-only.
http://www.enworld.org/RolePlayingMaster/
YumiChat
Windows-only server, Windows and Mac clients.
http://www.rabidcomics.com/yumichat/index.html
TRIS
Text-based only.
Note: This site seems to no longer be available.
http://trisrpg.bronzeforge.com/index.htm
AjaxVTT
Linux-only. Not for the technically-challenged.
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/GAMES-ENTERTAINMENT/RPG/AjaxVTT-18260.shtml#
Tabletop Mapper
Windows-only.
Note: This site is no longer available.
http://www.tabletopmapper.hpg.ig.com.br
GlitterComm
Windows-only.
http://glittercomm.com
RPGWorkbench
Runs in a web browser.
http://rpgworkbench.blogspot.com/2007/08/content.html
Virtual Battlemat
Runs in a web browser.
Note: This site is no longer available.
http://virtualbattlemat.com/
BYOND Tabletop Gaming
Presumably still in development, but no updates since August 2005.
http://shadowdarke.byondhome.com/tt/intro.html
You might wonder why a commercial VT site such as this one has links to every "competing" VT (both commercial and free). Many people have said (or at least thought) that I am nuts for doing this, but I want you to make an informed decision before purchasing my products (or choosing another VT), and while I believe Battlegrounds holds up very well when evaluated against other VTs, I also realize that no one program is going to appeal to everyone. Fortunately, gamers have lots of options when it comes to choosing which VT is right for them.
VIRTUAL TABLETOP PROGRAMS FOR WARGAMES, BOARDGAMES & CARD GAMES
Battlegrounds: RPG Edition (BRPG) and Battlegrounds Gaming Engine (BGE)
That's what the rest of this site is about. I'm just including the Battlegrounds software here to make the list complete.
http://www.battlegroundsgames.com/nutshell.html
Vassal
Free. Cross-platform (Java-based).
The most popular VT for wargaming, with a huge library of game modules available.
http://www.vassalengine.org/community/index.php
CyberBoard
PBEM-only. Windows-only.
http://cyberboard.brainiac.com/
ZunTzu
Free. Windows-only. Built-in voice chat.
http://www.zuntzu.com/
Aide de Camp 2 (aka ADC2)
Commercial app. Windows-only.
http://www.hpssims.com/pages/products/adc2/ADC2-Main.html
ACTSCommercial app. Windows-only.
http://www.hpssims.com/pages/products/adc2/ADC2-Main.html
Free. PBEM.
http://acts.warhorsesim.com/
Free. Windows-only.
http://www.octgn.net/
Taebl
MS Silverlight-based.
http://taebl.com/
Ditzie
Still in beta.
http://ditzie.com/
Still in beta.
http://ditzie.com/
FlexibleRules
Windows-only.
http://diuf.unifr.ch/pai/flexiblerules/index.php
Sleep Is Death (Geisterfahrer)
Cross-platform
http://sleepisdeath.net/
Windows-only.
http://diuf.unifr.ch/pai/flexiblerules/index.php
Sleep Is Death (Geisterfahrer)
Cross-platform
http://sleepisdeath.net/
Wildcard (alpha)
Mac OS X only.
http://www.blacktree.com/
Board Games Online (beta)
Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/boardgames/
Mac OS X only.
http://www.blacktree.com/
Board Games Online (beta)
Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/boardgames/
Virtual Card Table
Free. Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/vcardtable/
Free. Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/vcardtable/
However, more and more I am seeing my list reposted on various forums. I would rather people not do that, of course, but if you do, at least give credit where credit is due, and don't try to pass of the information as your own. Thanks.
Comparing and Choosing Virtual Tabletop Software:
Guide to Choosing a Virtual Tabletop
With so many VTs to choose from, it can be difficult to find the one that is right for you and your gaming group. This guide should help. To comment on the guide, please post here (forum registration not required).
(5-page PDF, 80 KB)
Link
VT Comparison Chart
This chart was originally hosted at the Four Ugly Monsters site. Now that FUM no longer exists, I have offered to host the VT comparison chart here. VT developers are encouraged to periodically email me updated information about their VT for inclusion in this chart.
Link
OpenRPG Wiki VT Comparison Chart
(Very outdated info, but includes VTs not shown on the chart above)
Link
Sites that cater to Virtual Tabletop Software users:
RPG Virtual Tabletop
A good source of information about many VTs, and content for VTs such as tokens, maps, and adventures.
http://www.rpgvirtualtabletop.com/
Four Ugly Monsters
Note: This site ceased to exist as of the end of September 2010. It was a great VTT-agnostic site, and will be sorely missed.
http://www.fouruglymonsters.com/
FUMcon (formerly known as iCon)
A virtual tabletop game convention, held once a year
Note: This site ceased to exist as of the end of September 2010
Visit the site
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