 | |
| Developer(s) | The Vassal Team. |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2002 (2002) |
| Stable release | 3.7.15 / November 7, 2024 (2024-11-07) |
| Repository | |
| Written in | Java |
| Operating system | Any |
| Platform | Cross-platform |
| Available in | Multilingual (English and 6 other languages) |
| Type | Game engine |
| License | GNU LGPLv2+ |
| Website | vassalengine.org |
The Vassal Engine is a game engine for building and playing online adaptations of board games, tabletop games and card games. It allows users to play in real time over a live Internet connection, and also by email (PbeM). It runs on all platforms, and is free, open-source software. For example, there is a Star Wars Miniatures module, where players can play with up to three others in a digital replica of the table-top game.
It is written in Java and the source code is available from GitHub under the LGPL open source license.
History
Vassal began as VASL (Virtual Advanced Squad Leader), an application for playing Advanced Squad Leader.
Available modules
Vassal modules exist for over 1000 games.
Copyright and licensing
In September 2008, Games Workshop issued a cease-and-desist order regarding V40k to Tim Davis, the V40k module maintainer at that time. The module is still played.
Games Workshop has also issued a cease-and-desist order regarding Space Hulk.
Similar projects
Similar engines for making board games include ZunTzu and Boardgame.io.
References
- Geryk, Bruce (August 2007). Green, Jeff (ed.). "Line of Attack: Your monthly guide to hard-core wargaming" (Print Magazine). Games for Windows (9). Ziff Davis Media: 92. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- Ardwulf's Lair (7 October 2015). Exploring the Vassal Engine for Online Boardgaming and Wargaming. Retrieved 22 Jul 2021.
- "Official Vassal Website". Archived from the original on 2021-07-22. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
- R.Flaibani (14 December 2010). "The Master and His Vassal". Archived from the original on 31 March 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- "Category:Modules - Vassal". vassalengine.org. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- "GW V40k Legal Action". Archived from the original on 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- "ZunTzu - the Online Boardgaming Platform". Archived from the original on 2019-01-26. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
- "Boardgame.io - Open-Source Game Engine for Turn-Based Games". Archived from the original on 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
