Battlegrounds: RPG Edition
Battlegrounds: RPG Edition (BRPG) is downloadable virtual tabletop software for running pen-and-paper roleplaying games online or offline on macOS and Windows.
What Battlegrounds: RPG Edition 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 different RPG rules systems and genres. Groups can use battle maps with square or hex grids, move digital miniatures and props, and reveal unexplored areas through Fog of War that accounts for light sources and special vision. A dice roller handles 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. BRPG can also be used for many boardgames and wargames. Users can add maps and artwork, and the maker offers free and commercial artpacks and digital game conversions. A free Demo is available, with limits on session length and some functions. The programs remain supported but are no longer being developed or updated.
Good
- Works with different RPG rules systems and genres.
- Map grids can be square or hex.
- Fog of War accounts for light and special vision.
- Chat supports aliases, macros, and exportable logs.
- Can host LAN or online games.
Watch out
- No native Linux support.
- Programs are no longer being developed or updated.
- Demo has a 45-minute timeout in some sessions.
- Player Client cannot host sessions.
Who it suits
BRPG suits groups looking for a desktop virtual tabletop that can accommodate different RPG rules and genres, as well as some boardgames and wargames. A GM who needs to host sessions will need a GM Client license; the Player Client cannot host.
Verdict
BRPG combines maps, dice, chat, and turn tracking for online or offline tabletop play. Check the license restrictions and the product’s development status before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From Battlegrounds: RPG Edition's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Demo | Free | 45-minute session timeout · encounter saves/loads limited to 12 units · deployment-file loading disabled · media-bundle export disabled |
| BRPG Floating License | $14, paid once | Allows one player to join a GM’s session using the free Demo · Each; store also lists a 5-pack for $60.00 |
| BRPG Player Client | $14, paid once | Joins sessions hosted by a GM Client · Cannot host sessions · One-time license fee |
| Floating License | $14, paid once | Lets one Demo user join a GM session · per license |
| Player Client | $14, paid once | Joins GM-hosted online or LAN games · cannot host · reduced controls · one-time license |
| Player-to-GM upgrade | $16, paid once | Converts a Player Client license to GM Client · one-time upgrade |
| BRPG License Upgrade | $16, paid once | Upgrades a Player Client license to a GM Client license · One-time upgrade fee |
| GM Client | $28, paid once | Hosts games · all BRPG features · one-time license |
| BRPG GM Client | $28, paid once | Hosts game sessions · Can also join another GM’s session · One-time license fee |
| Floating License 5-pack | $60, paid once | Five Demo-user seats for a GM Client · one-time bundle |
The facts
Each one read from Battlegrounds: RPG Edition's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API and SDK
- The maker's public product pages and downloads provide no API, SDK, plugin-development kit, or hosted integration documentation.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Audio and visual aids
- Game Masters can send visual aids and play music or sound effects during sessions.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Cards
- BRPG includes card-deck support and tools for creating custom decks.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Chat
- Text chat supports private and group conversations, in-character and out-of-character modes, aliases, macros, and exportable logs.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Content
- Users can add their own artwork and maps, and the maker offers free and commercial artpacks and digital game conversions.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Development status
- The maker says both Battlegrounds programs remain supported but are no longer being developed or updated.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Dice
- The virtual dice roller supports standard and polyhedral dice, and the maker says it supports most RPG mechanics without scripting.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Dice roller
- The built-in roller handles standard and polyhedral dice and most RPG mechanics without scripting.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The maker publishes a 169-page v1.7 PDF manual, a four-page addendum, and a one-page quick-reference sheet.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The downloads page offers BRPG v1.8b Demo archives for Windows and Mac OS X in ZIP and DMG formats.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Users can import their own maps and artwork, while the ecosystem includes free and commercial artpacks, game conversions, and downloadable adventures.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Fog of War
- Dynamic Fog of War reveals explored areas using each token's light sources and vision capabilities.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- BRPG supports LAN and online games, while users provide their own internet service.checked 7 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Limit: automation
- The Virtual DM found no game-mechanics automation and manual character creation or leveling.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: compendium
- The Virtual DM reported no compendium or module integration.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: dynamic lighting
- The Virtual DM reported Fog of War but no dynamic-lighting system and noted limited map size.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: interactive character sheets
- A 2016 Italian comparison described BRPG as feature-rich but cumbersome, with no interactive character sheets.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: interface criticism
- A MacGameFiles reviewer called the interface rough, slow, and clunky, while another praised its feature set and support.checked 15 Oct 2026
The company
- Company headquarters
- The official pages reviewed do not state a headquarters location, legal corporate name, founding year, employee count, or funding history.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Company identity
- The product and store pages identify the maker as Battlegrounds Games, a virtual-tabletop software and digital-content publisher.checked 15 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Linux support
- There is no native Linux version; the maker says users have reported success running BRPG inside a Windows VirtualBox VM.checked 15 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
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