Boardgame.io

Boardgame.io

Boardgame.io is an open-source JavaScript framework for building turn-based multiplayer board games and card games for the web, mobile, and desktop. It handles game state management, turn order, network synchronization, and provides graphics/AI/physics components out of the box.
Games Gaming Software
Boardgame.io image
board-games card-games multiplayer turnbased javascript framework
Boardgame.io alternatives ➤

Boardgame.io: Open-Source JavaScript Framework for Multiplayer Board Games

Boardgame.io is an open-source JavaScript framework for building turn-based multiplayer board games and card games for the web, mobile, and desktop. It handles game state management, turn order, network synchronization, and provides graphics/AI/physics components out of the box.

What is Boardgame.io?

Boardgame.io is an open-source JavaScript framework for building turn-based multiplayer board games and card games for the web, mobile, and desktop. It handles some of the most complex elements of building a multiplayer game:

  • Game state management - Boardgame.io manages the state of the game behind the scenes, letting developers focus on game logic.
  • Turn order - Handles whose turn it is, turns moving between players/AI, and turn timeouts.
  • Network synchronization - Multiplayer synchronization and remote procedure calls to connect players.
  • React integration - Comes with React bindings for building the UI without needing server roundtrips.

Some key capabilities Boardgame.io provides out of the box:

  • An immutable state management system based on Event Sourcing.
  • Networked multiplayer synchronization.
  • AI opponents and automatic exposure of gameplay metadata.
  • JavaScript client that runs web, mobile apps, desktop apps.
  • optional physics, graphics, sounds components.

Games made with Boardgame.io can be turned into native iOS, Android, and desktop apps using frameworks like React Native and Electron. The framework offers production-ready workflows to bundle the client code and deploy securely to app stores.

Boardgame.io Features

Features

  1. Manages game state
  2. Handles turn order
  3. Network synchronization
  4. Graphics, AI, and physics components

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Open source

Built for turn-based games specifically

Active community support

Good documentation

Cons

Limited to JavaScript/TypeScript

Steep learning curve

Not ideal for real-time games

Lacks some advanced game engine features

Official Links

Official Website
https://boardgame.io

The Best Boardgame.io Alternatives

Top Games and Gaming Software and other similar apps like Boardgame.io

Here are some alternatives to Boardgame.io:

Unity icon
Unity
Tabletop Simulator icon
Tabletop Simulator
Boardgame Lab icon
Boardgame Lab
Suggest an alternative ❐

Unity icon

Unity

Unity is a cross-platform game engine developed by Unity Technologies that is primarily used to develop video games and simulations for computers, consoles, mobile devices, and websites. Some key features of Unity include:Integrated editor for scene creation, scripting, asset pipeline, and building gamesSupports both 2D and 3D game development with...
Unity image
Tabletop Simulator icon

Tabletop Simulator

Tabletop Simulator is a video game that provides a physics sandbox environment for playing a wide variety of classic tabletop games. Developed and published by Berserk Games in 2015, Tabletop Simulator uses advanced physics mechanics to replicate the experience of gathering around a table playing games.Players have access to a...
Tabletop Simulator image
Boardgame Lab icon

Boardgame Lab

Boardgame Lab is a software suite designed specifically for board game designers and publishers. It provides a complete set of tools for creating and playtesting both physical and digital board games.Key features include:Intuitive board design with customizable spaces, snap-to-grid, and automatic edge wrappingTemplates for common components like cards, tokens, tiles,...
Boardgame Lab image