Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Battlegrounds: RPG Edition

battlegroundsgames.com

Free plan WindowsmacOS
Visit battlegroundsgames.com
Spec score 9.1 #4 of 28 in Virtual Tabletop Software

What it is

Battlegrounds: RPG Edition (BRPG) is downloadable virtual tabletop software for running pen-and-paper roleplaying games online or offline on macOS and Windows. It is designed to work with any RPG rules system or genre. Groups can use battle maps with optional square or hex grids, move digital miniatures and props, and reveal explored areas with Dynamic Fog of War that accounts for light and special vision. Its dice roller supports standard and polyhedral dice, while the configurable Turn Sequencer tracks turns and can keep character stats. Built-in text chat includes group and private conversations, in-character and out-of-character modes, aliases, macros, and exportable logs. Users can supply maps and artwork or use the maker’s free and commercial artpacks and digital game conversions. BRPG also supports LAN and online games, though users provide their own internet service. A free Demo has usage limits; one-time paid licenses start at 14.00 USD. The maker says the programs remain supported but are no longer being developed or updated.

Spec sheet

What it does
BRPG is a system-neutral virtual tabletop for running pen-and-paper RPG sessions online, over LAN, or offline.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Product
BRPG is downloadable virtual tabletop software for running pen-and-paper roleplaying games online or offline.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Platforms
The download page offers BRPG v1.8b demos for Windows and Mac OS X; the maker’s requirements page says modern Mac OS versions may not run BRPG without workarounds.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Integrations
BRPG supports LAN and online games, while users provide their own internet service.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Support
The maker's testimonials report fast, personal developer responses and strong customer care, but no formal service-level agreement is published.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
API and SDK
The maker's public product pages and downloads provide no API, SDK, plugin-development kit, or hosted integration documentation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Audio and visual aids
Game Masters can send visual aids and play music or sound effects during sessions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Cards
BRPG includes card-deck support and tools for creating custom decks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Chat
Text chat supports private and group conversations, in-character and out-of-character modes, aliases, macros, and exportable logs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Company headquarters
The official pages reviewed do not state a headquarters location, legal corporate name, founding year, employee count, or funding history.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Company identity
The product and store pages identify the maker as Battlegrounds Games, a virtual-tabletop software and digital-content publisher.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Content
Users can add their own artwork and maps, and the maker offers free and commercial artpacks and digital game conversions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Development status
The maker says both Battlegrounds programs remain supported but are no longer being developed or updated.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Dice
The virtual dice roller supports standard and polyhedral dice, and the maker says it supports most RPG mechanics without scripting.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Dice roller
The built-in roller handles standard and polyhedral dice and most RPG mechanics without scripting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Documentation
The maker publishes a 169-page v1.7 PDF manual, a four-page addendum, and a one-page quick-reference sheet.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Downloads
The downloads page offers BRPG v1.8b Demo archives for Windows and Mac OS X in ZIP and DMG formats.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Extensibility
Users can import their own maps and artwork, while the ecosystem includes free and commercial artpacks, game conversions, and downloadable adventures.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Fog of War
Dynamic Fog of War reveals explored areas using each token's light sources and vision capabilities.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Licence model
BRPG is distributed as proprietary GM, Player, and Demo clients with machine authorization and emailed unlock codes; no open-source licence is stated.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
License limits
The Player Client can join a GM-hosted game but cannot host one, change the map, deploy figures or props, send visual aids or audio, or access the Fog of War panel or Unit Manager.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Limit: automation
The Virtual DM found no game-mechanics automation and manual character creation or leveling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thevirtualdm.com
Limit: compendium
The Virtual DM reported no compendium or module integration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thevirtualdm.com
Limit: dynamic lighting
The Virtual DM reported Fog of War but no dynamic-lighting system and noted limited map size.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thevirtualdm.com
Limit: interactive character sheets
A 2016 Italian comparison described BRPG as feature-rich but cumbersome, with no interactive character sheets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · isolaillyon.it
Limit: interface criticism
A MacGameFiles reviewer called the interface rough, slow, and clunky, while another praised its feature set and support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · macgamefiles.com
Linux support
There is no native Linux version; the maker says users have reported success running BRPG inside a Windows VirtualBox VM.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Mac limitation
The requirements page lists Mac OS X 10.1.5 through 10.6 and says Rosetta is required on Intel Macs, so modern macOS compatibility is limited.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Map tools
The tabletop supports digital maps with optional square or hex grids, movable miniatures and props, zooming, and measurement.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Maps and tokens
Players use battle maps with optional square or hex grids and place and move digital miniatures and props.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Networking model
The GM Client acts as the peer-to-peer game server; players connect directly to the GM's session.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
News: BRPG v1.9 beta
Battlegrounds Games announced the BRPG v1.9 beta on September 27, 2016.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
News: current release listing
The downloads page still identifies BRPG v1.8b as the official release and lists v1.8c and v1.9 as beta downloads.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Other games
The maker says BRPG can also be used to play many boardgames and wargames.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Player restrictions
Player Clients cannot change maps, deploy figures, send visual aids or audio, or use the Fog of War and Unit Manager panels.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Praise: map and demo coverage
The Virtual DM praised the fully featured demo, map-building assets, interactive maps, tokens, and Fog of War.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thevirtualdm.com
Praise: system neutrality
The Virtual DM described BRPG as a solid product with a user base and highlighted its broad, rules-agnostic tabletop approach.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thevirtualdm.com
Rating on BoardGameGeek
8 out of 10 from 1 ratingRead 15 Oct 2026 · boardgamegeek.com
Rules coverage
The software does not enforce a game system and does not include system-specific character, spell, or monster data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Rules systems
The maker describes BRPG as system-agnostic and says it supports any RPG rules system and genre.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Security and compliance
The official pages reviewed publish no security architecture, compliance certifications, encryption statement, or trust center.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Session capacity
A GM-hosted session can accept up to 15 connected clients using any mix of Windows and Mac clients.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
System requirements
Published minimums include 256 MB RAM, 150 MB disk space, 24-bit color, 1024×768 resolution, and a 56K internet connection; LAN play needs a network card.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Token handling
Tokens can swap poses, flip counters, show portraits, carry notes, and display status information.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Turn sequencing
A configurable Turn Sequencer tracks initiative, turn order, phases, and selected character statistics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Turn tracking
The configurable Turn Sequencer tracks whose turn it is and can keep track of character stats.Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Updates
Minor updates and patches are described as free; a future major v2.0 would be a separate purchase with an upgrade discount for v1 owners.Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com

Plans and prices

Demo Free 45-minute session timeout · encounter saves/loads limited to 12 units · deployment-file loading disabled · media-bundle export disabled Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
BRPG Floating License $14, paid once Each; store also lists a 5-pack for $60.00 Allows one player to join a GM’s session using the free Demo Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
BRPG Player Client $14, paid once One-time license fee Joins sessions hosted by a GM Client · Cannot host sessions Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Floating License $14, paid once per license Lets one Demo user join a GM session Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Player Client $14, paid once one-time license Joins GM-hosted online or LAN games · cannot host · reduced controls Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
BRPG License Upgrade $16, paid once One-time upgrade fee Upgrades a Player Client license to a GM Client license Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Player-to-GM upgrade $16, paid once one-time upgrade Converts a Player Client license to GM Client Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
BRPG GM Client $28, paid once One-time license fee Hosts game sessions · Can also join another GM’s session Read 7 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
GM Client $28, paid once one-time license Hosts games · all BRPG features Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com
Floating License 5-pack $60, paid once one-time bundle Five Demo-user seats for a GM Client Read 15 Oct 2026 · battlegroundsgames.com

Every Battlegrounds: RPG Edition plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports any RPG rules system and genre.
  • Dynamic Fog of War accounts for light and special vision.
  • Chat logs can be exported.
  • Can also be used for many boardgames and wargames.

Limits

  • No native Linux support.
  • Demo has a 45-minute timeout with restrictions.
  • Player Client cannot host sessions.
  • Programs are no longer being developed or updated.

Who it suits

BRPG suits groups seeking a tabletop for varied RPG systems, including those who want configurable maps, fog of war, dice, chat, and turn tracking. Its different licenses distinguish players from game hosts.

Verdict

BRPG covers maps, dice, chat, and turn management, with a free Demo and one-time license options. Check the Demo limits and player-versus-GM license capabilities before choosing.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Battlegrounds: RPG EditionAll alternatives →