Archipelago

C tier on Game Randomizer ToolsScore 6.7 · #6 of 24

Android app: Not listed
Free plan: No
Runs on: Linux, Mac, Web, Windows

archipelago.gg

Summary

Archipelago randomizes supported games and connects them in a shared multiplayer session. An item found in one player’s game can be assigned to another player and sent to that player’s game over the internet. Sessions can be synchronous, with participants playing at once, or asynchronous, with players connecting at their own pace. Supported games can also be generated for single-player use through the website or installed generator software. For online generation, users upload a YAML configuration or a ZIP of configuration files; the site uses the current Archipelago release. To host a game, users can upload a locally generated ZIP or multidata file, then provide players with a tracker and patch files. Race games omit spoiler logs and apply protections that vary by game, such as ROM encryption or cheat-mode removal. The project provides guides for supported games, including instructions for macOS clients, and directs players and developers to Discord for questions. Archipelago is free and open source, with support for Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. The supported-games page lists games included with its software and points to guides for custom worlds and other games.

Who it is for

Archipelago suits players who want to randomize supported games together and exchange items across games. It also accommodates single-player generation and asynchronous sessions for players who connect at different times.

What is good

Free and open source.
Supports synchronous and asynchronous play.
Items can pass between players’ games.
Single-player generation is available.
Game hosting includes a tracker and patch files.

What to know first

Online generation requires a YAML configuration or ZIP.
Multiplayer depends on supported games and their setup guides.

Verdict

Archipelago brings supported games into shared randomizer sessions while also offering single-player generation. Its guides and multiple session styles serve players with different setups and schedules.

Compared on game randomizer tools

Randomization scope: multi-scopearchipelago.gg
Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, and supported game platformsarchipelago.gg
Logic randomization: Yesarchipelago.gg
Seed sharing: Yesarchipelago.gg
Multiworld support: Yesarchipelago.gg
Customization level: advancedarchipelago.gg

Facts

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