Bostich.comboard and miniature gaming

Previously I had mentioned BrettSpielWelt as a great way to play boardgames online.  I neglected to talk about all the other forms of online gaming out there.  This time I’d like to talk about VASSAL.  VASSAL is a Java engine-based system for building, and playing board and card games.

As of this writing VASSAL is at version 3.1.14, is available for Windows, OSX, Linux, and has approaching 800 game modules.  While early games ported in to Vassal often included scans of the mapboard and pieces, newer versions use high resolution files and custom graphics.  Games are often now ported with the permission of the publishers: most notably GMT Games allows and supports many of their games for online play using Vassal.

When opening a module for the first time it is important to make sure you have read the corresponding instructions on the Vassal website.  Many modules have shortcuts and nuances in how they work.  Another great option is using a site like ConSimWorld or BoardGameGeek to find someone wiling to teach you how to use the module.

The best use of Vassal is in direct real time play with another person.  Add a service like Skype, and a headset to Vassal and you have everything you need (minus the actual rules to the game) to play.

For Play-by-Email (PBeM), Vassal is often used in conjunction with a service like the Automated Card Tracking System (ACTS).  ACTS handles the cards and most importantly the die rolling in a centralized location.  Vassal relies on honesty when playing by Email as you are sending the log file back and forth between players; the log file has no safeguards against tampering or even just playing a turn out again and again until you get the result you desire.  Now of course playing with someone you suspect of that kind of behaviour is another matter entirely, but it’s a wide world.