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SPECIFICTION
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Archipelago

archipelago.gg

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Spec score 7.8 #5 of 24 in Game Randomizer Tools

What it is

Archipelago randomizes supported games and connects them in a shared multiplayer experience. An item found in one player's game can be assigned to another player and sent over the internet. Sessions may be synchronous, with everyone playing at once, or asynchronous, with players connecting at their own pace. Supported games can also be generated as single-player experiences through the website or installed generator software. Website generation uses an uploaded YAML configuration or ZIP of configuration files and the current Archipelago release. To host a game, users can upload a locally generated ZIP or multidata file, then provide a tracker and patch files to players. Race games are made without spoiler logs and use protections that vary by game, such as ROM encryption or cheat-mode removal. The project lists included games and provides guides, including instructions for macOS clients; it directs players and developers to Discord for questions. Archipelago is free and open source, with Linux, macOS, web, and Windows support. Its supported-games page also points to guides for custom worlds and other games.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Archipelago is a cross-game system that randomizes games and combines them into a unified multiplayer game where items can be sent between players’ games.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Product
Archipelago is a cross-game modification system that randomizes different games into a unified multiplayer game.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Support
The FAQ directs users to the Archipelago Discord, where it says people are available to answer questions.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Founded
2020Read 23 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Development
The project invites game implementation developers to use its GitHub code and documentation and ask questions in its Discord development channel.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Game generation
The website generates games by uploading a YAML config file or a ZIP containing config files, and uses the current Archipelago release.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Game support
The supported games page lists games included with the Archipelago software and directs users to setup guides for them.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Generation
The website generates games by uploading a config file or a zip file containing config files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Hosting
Users can upload a locally generated game ZIP or multidata file to host a game, get a tracker, and let players download patch files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Item sharing
Items found in one player's game can belong to another player and be sent to their game over the internet.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
macOS setup
The official guides include instructions for running Archipelago clients on macOS.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Multi-game play
Players can randomize different supported games and send items between them in one multiplayer environment.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Play styles
Multiworld sessions can be synchronous, with everyone playing at once, or asynchronous, with players connecting at their own pace.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Race games
Race games are generated without a spoiler log and have game-specific protections such as ROM encryption or cheat mode removal.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Race mode
Race games are generated without a spoiler log and have game-specific protections such as ROM encryption or cheat mode removal.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Release availability
The project’s GitHub releases page provides compiled Windows binaries, and its release notes mention Linux support and Linux build instructions.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Release system
A player who leaves early can release their game so items in that game belonging to other players are sent automatically.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Setup and support
The site provides setup guides, including a guide for running Archipelago clients on macOS, and directs users to Discord for questions.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Single-player
Supported games can be generated as single-player experiences on the website or with the installed generator software.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg
Supported games
The supported-games page lists games included with Archipelago software and directs users to guides for custom worlds and other games.Read 30 Sep 2026 · archipelago.gg

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source.
  • Supports synchronous and asynchronous sessions.
  • Items can move between players’ games.
  • Single-player game generation is available.
  • Windows, Linux, macOS, and web support.

Limits

  • Game support is limited to listed games and guides.
  • Race protections vary by game.

Who it suits

It suits players who want randomized multi-game sessions, whether playing together or asynchronously, as well as people generating supported games for solo play. Game developers can use the project’s code and documentation.

Verdict

Archipelago gives players a defined way to connect randomized games through shared items, with solo generation and different session paces. Check the supported-games guides for the games and setup instructions that apply.

Where Specifiction places it

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