Battlegrounds: RPG Edition

Battlegrounds: RPG Edition is a downloadable virtual tabletop for running pen-and-paper games online or offline. It suits groups that bring their own rules and maps and want a dedicated GM host; its one-time licenses are practical, but the restricted Demo, lack of Linux support and stopped development are significant trade-offs.

Overview

BRPG is system-agnostic: it is intended to work with any RPG rules system and genre instead of supplying a built-in rules compendium. It can also handle many boardgames and wargames. Sessions work over a LAN or online, with users providing their own internet service.

Groups can import their own artwork and maps, while the maker offers free and commercial artpacks and digital game conversions. That makes BRPG adaptable for homebrew campaigns, but less suitable for anyone wanting a large, integrated rules-and-content library.

Key features

Maps, visibility and turns

Battle maps accept square or hex grids, and digital miniatures and props can be placed and moved during play. Dynamic Fog of War reveals territory as the party explores, taking light sources and special vision into account. The configurable Turn Sequencer shows whose turn it is and can track character statistics, giving a GM useful encounter control without tying the software to one ruleset.

Dice, chat and campaign play

The virtual roller handles standard and polyhedral dice and is designed to cover most RPG mechanics without scripting. Built-in chat supports group and private conversations, in-character and out-of-character channels, aliases, macros and exportable logs. Campaign tools are included, although there is no rules compendium. There are no built-in video or audio features, so groups needing integrated voice or video must use another service.

Licensing roles

A GM Client can host sessions, while a Player Client can join another GM but cannot host. Player-only access also excludes changing the map, deploying figures or props, sending visual aids or audio, and using the Fog of War panel or Unit Manager. The free Demo can join a GM-hosted game when a Floating License is available, but it is not a full substitute for a host license.

Pricing

The Demo costs nothing. It times out after 45 minutes unless connected to a GM Client with an available Floating License; saving and loading encounters is limited to 12 units, and deployment loading and media asset bundle export are disabled. It is useful for trying player access, not for unrestricted campaigns.

A BRPG Floating License costs 14.00 USD once, with a 5-pack for $60.00. It lets one player join a GM session using the free Demo, making it the economical way to outfit occasional players. A BRPG Player Client is 14.00 USD as a one-time license fee and joins GM-hosted sessions but cannot host them. The BRPG License Upgrade costs 16.00 USD once and converts a Player Client to a GM Client.

The BRPG GM Client costs 28.00 USD as a one-time license fee. It hosts games and can also join another GM's session, so it is the appropriate purchase for a campaign organizer or anyone who may run games. These are perpetual one-time terms rather than subscriptions, but both programs remain supported without further development or updates.

Platforms

BRPG has downloadable versions for macOS and Windows. There is no native Linux support; although some users report running it in a Windows virtual machine, that is not an official platform. Mobile apps are not offered.

Who it's for

Choose BRPG if your group needs system-neutral maps, visibility control, dice, chat and turn management, especially when a GM wants local-network or online hosting and a one-time license. It is also a plausible tool for boardgame and wargame sessions. Look elsewhere if Linux or mobile access is essential, if integrated voice and video matter, or if you expect active feature development and a built-in rules library.

Pros and cons

• Pro: System-agnostic design accommodates different RPG genres and mechanics without scripting.
• Pro: Fog of War, grids, tokens and turn sequencing give a GM detailed encounter control.
• Pro: One-time GM and player licenses avoid recurring subscription charges.
• Con: The Demo's 45-minute timeout and 12-unit encounter limit make it unsuitable for independent full sessions.
• Con: Player licensing removes key GM functions, so a host must own the GM Client or provide a Floating License.
• Con: No native Linux, mobile, video or audio support narrows where and how groups can play.
• Con: The maker says development and updates have ended, reducing its long-term appeal.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of options, see Virtual Tabletop Software.

Alchemy RPG is a better fit when you want freemium access across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows, with a Free Unlimited plan that includes unlimited games, characters, universes, and voice and video chat.

Pick Roll20 for a web-based option with Linux support, a free tier, 100MB storage and ads, or its Pro plan with 10GB upload storage.

D&D Beyond Maps suits groups focused on D&D-style hosted maps, with Android, iOS and web access, six free character slots and a free trial.

Choose Fantasy Grounds if you need free Game Master and player functionality on Windows, macOS and Linux, with unlimited campaigns and cloud connectivity.

Let's Role is an alternative with Android, iOS and web apps, a free Basic plan with 125MB storage, and a $2.00-per-year Explorer tier.

Owlbear Rodeo offers browser and mobile access, including a free Nestling plan with two rooms.

GameScape is a free Android, iOS and web option.

MapTool is a free, open-source, community-contributed alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows.

Verdict

BRPG is best for a GM-led group that values system-neutral map control and wants to pay once for hosting. Choose the GM Client when you need to run sessions, or a Player Client/Floating License for participants. Look elsewhere if your group depends on Linux or mobile apps, built-in voice and video, or a product that is still receiving updates.