Platforms for Digital Board Game Creation

There are many advantages to digitizing your board game at any stage of its lifecycle:

• The ability to playtest and quickly iterate
• More exposure for the game in the global market
• The opportunity for players to try before they buy the physical version
• A method of easily demonstrating how your game works

This article lists multiple platforms for creating your own games digitally and I will return to update it regularly. I am classifying each by which operating system(s) they support, or if it runs in a web browser, the pricing model, and the learning curve.

As a special mention, Board Game Arena is a fantastic site for playing games.

Screentop.gg

A 2d web application for creating board games, featuring up to 9 screens/tables to support large games without using a ton of screen real estate. An account is required for making and sharing games, but not for playing them!

Runs on: Web Browser
Price: Free for 3 games, subscription for more
Learning Curve: Medium

Resources:

• Screentop 101 - YouTube Playlist by Jack Rosetree
• Screentop Guidance - YouTube Playlist by Xoe

PlayingCards.io

A simple and intuitive web interface for making games. No account required. Features automation buttons, spinners, and more.

Runs on: Web Browser
Price Model: Free
Learning Curve: Low

Tabletopia

The most cross-platform option.

Runs on: Web Browser, Windows, Mac
Price Model: Freemium (free but subscription to access premium games)  
Learning Curve: Low

Tabletop Simulator (TTS)

3-D tabletop environment with physics. It offers scripting and boasts a massive player base.

Runs on: Mac, Windows  
Price Model: Pay One Time  
Learning Curve: Medium (depends on features you use)

Tabletop Playground

3-D tabletop environment with physics. It is currently in Beta.

Runs on: Mac, Windows  
Price Model: Pay One Time  
Learning Curve: Low (depends on features you use)

Resources: Game Library

Dulst

Platform for creating and playing card games.

Runs on: Web Browser  
Price Model: Freemium (only pay for extended features)  
Learning Curve: Unknown

Resources: Dulst Wiki

untap.in

Browser-based simulated tabletop platform designed for play-testing Collectible Card Games (CCGs).

Runs on: Web Browser  
Price Model: Free  
Learning Curve: Unknown

Resources: untap.in Wiki

boardgame.io

Open source engine for turn-based games. Building games requires coding skills and it has extensive documentation.

Runs on: Linux Web Server, Web Browser  
Price Model: Free  
Learning Curve: High

Vassal Engine

Engine based on Java for building and playing Internet-capable versions of turn-based, human-vs-human games. Building games requires coding skills and it has extensive documentation.

Runs on: Web Browser, Mac, Windows
Price Model: Free  
Learning Curve: High

Resources: Vassal Engine Wiki

Was this guide helpful?