Developer(s) | The Vassal Team. |
---|---|
Initial release | 2002 |
Stable release | 3.7.12
/ May 4, 2024 |
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.[1][2] 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.[3]
Vassal began as VASL (Virtual Advanced Squad Leader), an application for playing Advanced Squad Leader.[4]
Vassal modules exist for over 1000 games.[5]
In September 2008, Games Workshop issued a cease-and-desist order regarding V40k to Tim Davis, the V40k module maintainer at that time.[6] The module is still played.
Games Workshop has also issued a cease-and-desist order regarding Space Hulk[citation needed].
Similar engines for making board games include ZunTzu[7] and Boardgame.io.[8]