VBR - Virtual Board Game Room

The virtual board game room (VBR) is a sandbox system that allows you to create board games and play them interactively with friends via a network. In addition to a variety of ready-made board game elements such as dice, playing cards and figures, it is also possible to load your own models and add textures. VBR is a sandbox system for players and developers alike. Create your own board games, share and play them with your friends or test your games in a simple way, without much material effort.

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VBR v0.11 - Silence Update

In preparation for new games that require new functions, the VBR update to v0.11 is coming quietly and without excitement.

Version Log v0.11:

Full Transparent Texture (hide objects)

Sky Panorama Texture

Physik improvement

Bugfixes

In addition to a few small improvements in the physics engine and the option to make objects completely invisible, the long-requested option of a panoramic background has also been added.

Visit VBR on Patreon

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Backgammon - Golden Birds

Backgammon belongs to one of the oldest board game families in the world, the dice table games, and has its origins in human history over 5000 years ago.

Despite the almost overflowing abundance of new, complex, exciting and elaborate game developments, such timeless classics continue to enjoy unbroken popularity. Like chess, Go or Reversi, backgammon is played and enjoyed by many hundreds of thousands of people around the world in their leisure time or in competition.

Although the game is mainly played with dice, it is not a game of chance. The simple but ingenious basic rules create a tactical and mentally challenging brain game from the group of two-person zero-sum games with perfect information.

The aim of the game is to roll your own pieces out of your home field. You have to make clever moves to prevent your opponent from capturing individual pieces and thus gaining a lead in terms of turns and time. This is because captured pieces must first be rolled back into play before you can make a regular move.

Over the course of time, hundreds of variants have developed, each with their own local characteristics. Additional rules, modified starting positions and different victory conditions also invite young people in all countries of the world to enjoy the fascination of backgammon.

All variants, no matter what they are called and which country they come from, have the game board with the characteristic triangular squares in common, even if other shapes exist.

I created an elaborately decorated version for the VBR, which was inspired by an exhibit in the Dresden Residenzschloss (permanent exhibition of the armory: "World view and knowledge around 1600").

Wikipedia - Backgammon

I call my creation "Backgammon - Golden Birds" and it is intended to be reminiscent of the arts and crafts of the 16th to 18th centuries, even if I am not aiming for a historical reference to a specific era.

You can find great physical versions of this game at the following link.

Buy Backgammon as real life Version

You can purchase the virtual game in the VBR store or download it for free as a "Lords of the Board".

Backgammon - Golden Birds - VBR Shop

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VBR v0.10

The performance has been improved and a lot of new functions have been added. A lot has also been done in the background, making VBR more user-friendly and graphically even more beautiful.

In addition, there are some really cool new elements with which you can fulfill your board game dream even more extensively.

Version Log v0.10:

Multi-Object-Throwing

Grid Maker to generate, load and save complex object formations

New special Element: Spinner

Smooth Normal Rendering Option

Textsize Change in Text Editor Form

Mesh Objects in Container Bug fixed

Many other bugfixes

Free for all members to Download

See YouTube Trailer Video here

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Jórvík

Profile:

Game Typ: Economic, good trading, auction game

Player: 2-5

Age: 10+

Play Time: 45-120 min

Autor: Stefan Feld

Publisher: Pegasus Spiele

Jórvík is a trading strategy game set in the world of the Vikings who settled in Britain and is a reinterpretation of the games "Kaispeicher" and "Die Speicherstadt".

The game is played over the four seasons, which offer an increasing number of incoming events to which the players must react. Depending on the number of players, cards are revealed from a deck and brought into play, in which players can express interest with their respective Viking figures according to a certain scheme.

These can be ships with valuable cargoes of goods, craftsmen who process the goods and thus generate victory points, merchants to sell goods, scalds, warriors, oracles, festivals and other elements, each of which has different abilities and meanings during the other phases of the game.

The aim is to gain the most victory points at the end. This can be achieved in many different ways. Fulfilling craft conditions, gaining a high level of power through warrior cards to successfully fend off attacks by the Picts, collecting multiplying feast cards or through the beguiling songs of skalds, which grant a high bonus for certain card constellations.

If a player was successful in the bidding phase, he can decide whether to buy a new card that has been brought into play and to which he is then entitled. If he can pay for it with the corresponding amount of coins, the respective card effect is triggered.  For example, he receives the goods loaded on ships and can then redistribute them to his advantage, or he receives new warriors for his defense, etc.

It is important to understand that you cannot get all the good cards.  This is because the other players will try to obtain a valuable card themselves by cleverly placing their pieces, or they will inflate the purchase price by feigning interest in their opponents.

The game is not particularly fast-paced and for the impatient there may be too little action, but in the last phases of the game, before the end, there can be dramatic turns. This means that players who have been relatively far behind so far can gain a lot of bonus points to turn the tide.

You should also have a relatively high frustration threshold, as you really don't always get the cards you want or can use for your game strategy. You should be flexible and possibly switch to a different victory condition if things don't go the way you thought they would.

For our VBR version, we have implemented some great Viking figures and also designed the goods attractively as 3D objects. This makes bidding, collecting and trading even more fun.

VBR on Patreon

--------------------------------Deutsch--------------------------------

Jórvík ist ein Handelsstrategiespiel, welches thematisch in der Welt der in Britannien siedelnden Wikinger verortet ist und stellt eine Neuinterpretation der Spiele "Kaispeicher" und "Die Speicherstadt" dar.

Gespielt wird über die vier Jahreszeiten, welche einen steigenden Grad  an eingehenden Ereignissen bieten, auf welche die Spieler reagieren  müssen. Je nach Anzahl der Spieler, werden aus einem Stapel Karten  aufgedeckt und ins Spiel gebracht, an denen Spieler mit ihren jeweiligen  Wikingerfiguren, nach einem bestimmten Schema Interesse bekunden können.

Das können Schiffe mit wertvoller Ladung von Waren sein, Handwerker,  welche die Waren verarbeiten und dadurch Siegpunktegenerieren, Händler  zum Verkaufen von Waren, Skalden, Krieger, Orakel, Feste und weitere Elemente, welche jeweils unterschiedliche Fähigkeiten und Bedeutungen während der anderen Spielphasen haben.

Ziel ist es am Ende, die meisten Siegpunkte zu erringen. Das kann auf  vielfältige Art passieren. Das Erfüllen von Handwerksbedingungen, das  Erlangen einer hohen Schlagkraft durch Kriegerkarten um Angriffe der  Pikten erfolgreich abzuwehren, durch das Sammeln von sich  multiplizierenden Fest-Karten oder durch die betörenden Gesänge von Skalden, welche für bestimmte Kartenkonstellationen einen hohen Bonus gewähren.

War ein Spieler der Bieterphase erfolgreich, so kann er sich  entscheiden, ob er eine neu ins Spiel gebrachte Karte, auf welche er  dann ein Anrecht hat, zu kaufen. Kann er sie mit der entsprechenden  Menge an Münzen bezahlen, wird der jeweilige Karteneffekt ausgelöst.  Z.B. erhält er die Waren, welche auf Schiffen geladen sind und kann  diese dann zu seinem Vorteil umverteilen, oder er erhält neue Krieger  für seine Verteidigung u.s.w.

Wichtig ist zu verstehen, das man nicht alle guten Karten erhalten kann.  Denn die anderen Spieler werden durch geschicktes Platzieren ihrer  Figuren versuchen, selbst ein Anrecht auf eine wertvolle Karte zu  erhalten, oder sie schrauben den Kaufpreis durch vorgetäuschtes  Interesse für die Gegner in die Höhe.

Das Spiel ist nicht besonders schnell und für Ungeduldige vielleicht mit  zu wenig Aktion unterlegt, aber in den letzten Spielphasen, vor dem  Ende, kann es noch einmal zu dramatischen Wenden kommen. So, das  Spieler, welche bisher relativ weit zurücklagen, noch einmal viele  Bonuspunkte erlangen können, um das Blatt zu wenden.

Auch sollte man eine relativ hohe Frustrationsgrenze haben, da man  wirklich nicht immer die Karten bekommt, welche man möchte oder für  seine Spielstrategie gebrauchen kann. Man sollte flexibel sein und  eventuell auf eine andere Siegbedingung wechseln, falls es nicht so läuft, wie man es sich gedacht hat.

Für unsere VBR Version haben wir ein paar tolle Wikingerfiguren implementiert und auch die Waren attraktiv als 3D Objekte gestaltet. So macht das Bieten, Sammeln und Handeln gleich noch einmal so viel Spaß.

VBR auf Patreon

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7 Wonders - Duel

7 Wonders: Duel is the two-player version of the well-known board game in which the aim is to construct 7 Wonders of the World by skillfully collecting, constructing and selling buildings and human achievements.

You can achieve victory in three different ways. In a military way, through scientific superiority or through a civilian victory. All three victory variants are well balanced and it is always very exciting to see who is striving for which victory.

The game is played over three ages during which the players take turns drawing building cards from a partially face-down pile and have to decide whether they want to build or sell. You should never lose sight of exactly which resources you need to build your wonders of the world and which properties can be combined to create powerful synergies.

At the end, guilds can once again turn the tension around and it is often open until the end which party can gain the upper hand.

Profile:

Game Typ: Economic development game

Player: 2

Age: 10+

Play Time: 30 min

Autor: Antoine Bauza & Bruno Cathala

Publisher: Repos Production

Find cheap physical versions of this game here. 

VBR on Patreon

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Jaipur

Jaipur is a small but exquisite economic game for two players in the atmosphere of an oriental bazaar from 1001 Nights. Created by Sébastian Pauchon.

The aim is to make high-quality deals by skillfully exchanging and selling trade goods and camels, which will earn you the most victory points at the end.

To do this, you take it in turns to buy goods on the market and then sell them at a profit and hoard rupees.

You always have to decide whether and how many goods you want to exchange for others, or whether you want to clear the bazaar for fresh, more lucrative goods by picking up all the camels on the market.

Pick the right time to sell as many of the same goods as possible at once, for which a high bonus awaits. But be careful! If your timing is bad, your opponent will snatch the best goods from you with smaller but tactically cleverly placed sales.

The game is played in two out of three fast-paced rounds. Only the player with the most excellence coins at the end is the overall winner.

There are already several editions from different publishers.

Look here to get an overview of the physical versions.

VBR on Patreon

Profile:

Game Typ: Trading card game

Player: 2

Age: 12+

Play Time: 30 min

Autor: Sébastian Pauchon

Publisher: GameWorks, Space Cowboys

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Bugersi

Bugersi is a Reversi or Flip'em variant, which more or less adheres to the corresponding rules. You can of course play with the little ladybugs however you like. There are no limits to your imagination. This game is fascinating not only because of its simple and easy-to-understand rules, but also because of its complex, strategic depth. It is not so easy to predict which constellation the beetles will take after two consecutive moves. It is easy to overlook a row which your opponent can then take for himself. If you are too greedy, you can be lured into traps and whoever masters the corner squares has a good chance of winning the overall game. World championships are held every year with the basic principle of capturing opposing stones by enclosing them horizontally, vertically or diagonally. In Japan in particular, it is as popular as Go. The game is created exclusively for the VBR and is free for all Lords of the Board 

Rule Inspiration Wikipedia (Deu) 

Rule Inspiration Wikipedia (Eng) 

Find the physical version to play with a partner outside in the sun in summer

See a little trailer on YouTube

VBR on Patreon

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Everdell

Everdell impresses with its complex but logical game mechanics, the loving drawings and the cute characters. A game that is known and loved  beyond the die-hard connoisseur circles.

It's a worker placement and city planning game with a favorite anthropomorphic animal theme.

The game is played in three seasons during which you have to mine resources and use them to expand your village community.

Each building and each character in the game has different abilities and effects, some of which significantly influence the player's strategy.

Should I rather collect more wood to convert it into victory points later, or should I save up for a building that gives me an advantage for all unique figures in my village? Can I fulfill the missions of the Evertree, is my village already full or do I have to discard cards with remaining workers in order to be superior to my opponents?

There are almost as many strategic ways to win as there are elements in the game itself. You are not under any external pressure from the other players. Everyone can experience and play their seasons at their own pace. Nevertheless, there are opportunities here and there to annoy others a little by placing rotten cards in their village, or occupying important worker spaces and waiting until a favorable time is reached to release them again.

Once the basic rules have been internalized after a few rounds, the manufacturer offers a variety of expansions to make the game even more exciting, complex and thrilling.

With Everdell, a game night will never be boring. If you haven't played it yet, it could be a real insider tip.

Find this game and many of its expansions in its physical form here

Visit VBR on Patreon

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Go

Go is one of the most complex games in the world, even if it doesn't look or feel like it at first glance, both in terms of the material and the rules.

Superficial players will find it difficult to penetrate the depths of the far-reaching strategic possibilities. But it may be worth risking a second or even third look.

If you're interested in chess and mental games in general, Go is a must-have in the gaming world.

Now you can also immerse yourself in this universe at VBR. With the new v0.9 you can experience Go in an appealing 3D world, take a close look at your opponent's positions and moves and get an impression of how Go can be played in the real world.

Go is now available in the store and is free for all Lord of the Boards. 

For all those who want to compete against a partner in the physical world, there is a large selection of different game boards and books on the subject of GO, which you can find here.

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VBR v0.8

Here comes version 0.9 of the virtual board game room. Many small bugs have been fixed, new functions and game elements have been added for an even more extensive board game experience on your PC.

Free for all members.

Download your version here. 

YouTube Video of v0.9 

Version Log v0.9:

Align objects (j, o+x, o+z, o+r)

Align rotation (k)

Image view window

Container menu with object list

New construction menu on the middle mouse button

Rotate and flip objects in the hand

New basic elements: lens figure, special element: one way wall

Coordinate system can be switched off for moving objects

Fixed scaling error of windows

Mirroring error fixed for some base object UV maps

Many other bugfixes

VBR on Patreon

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Hive

Hive is a fascinating puzzle game for two players. As soon as I internalized the basic rules, I felt like I was playing a futuristic version of chess. Just as complex and multi-layered, but completely different in many details and even in some basic game mechanics.

The aim of the game is to immobilize the opponent's queen bee. Each player has a number of pieces with different abilities and movement rules at their disposal. Some of the pieces can move around the hive that is created during the course of the game. Others can jump over pieces or even climb onto other pieces.

At the beginning, you take turns placing your pieces on the table according to certain rules. Then you decide whether to place more stones or move existing ones according to their movement possibilities in the hive. The tactical and strategic possibilities are almost unlimited and usually lead to new and exciting game sequences.

In addition to the basic game, further figures will be released to make the game even more exciting, complex and entertaining.

Here you can really let your head spin and ponder for hours over certain moves and their effects on the action. A must-have for fans of brain teasers.

Real life versions and extensions can be found here.

A small YouTube impression of the game. 

VBR on Patreon

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Patchwork

Patchwork is a great combination of puzzle and resource management game for two players.

The aim is to assemble as large and even a blanket as possible from a large number of patches of fabric under the pressure of a constantly advancing timeline and nibbling resources in the form of buttons.

On your turn, you have two options in each round. To buy a patch and puzzle it onto your blanket, or to generate buttons by advancing on the board.

The order in which you buy fabric patches from stock is not insignificant. This is because it is not necessarily your turn to take turns, but always the player who has more time available. This provides scope for really tricky, tactical maneuvers in which you can use the patches to force your opponent to make certain moves, which of course are not to his advantage.

At the end, the remaining buttons count, which are weighted with the missing pieces in your blanket.

Every round is different and you have to look carefully at how the pieces are placed in a row, when you generate buttons and when you should buy an expensive or a cheaper patch.

If you are interested in other games from Look Out Games, take a look at the publisher's website. 

You want to buy the game physically, then this link is the right one. 

VBR on Patreon

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Fairy Tale

I discovered this old game board from days long gone in a dusty corner of an attic. It's all too fitting that it takes up a fairy tale theme and embeds it in a beautifully drawn collage for a dice game.

It probably originated in the former GDR, or even earlier. Only the game board is still there and I have preserved it with the VBR and thus preserved it for the world.

The principle of the game is very simple: each player takes a turn and rolls the dice. They move their figure as many spaces as the dice shows eyes. If he reaches a special square marked by a circle, he reads the instructions on the side of the board out loud and then carries them out.

These short texts are lovingly narrated in the form of a story, always fit in thematically with the fairy tale depicted and usually move the player's figure to other spaces on the board, have them roll the dice again or sit out a round. There are a total of 100 squares and the winner is the one who reaches the last square and leads the princess, or the prince, home.

The figures and the environment were of course not there, I added them purely for the digital version to make it a bit more attractive.

Lord of the Boards can download the complete game here. 

Master of Dices preserve the texture of the game board.

VBR on Patreon

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Isis & Osiris

Isis & Osiris is a placement game with tactical and memorizing elements of "Gold und Silver Spiele". You can play it wonderfully with two, but also up to four people, whereby the course of the game can change considerably, as you then no longer take alternating turns.

When it's your turn, you have two options. Either you play one of your eight tiles on a free space, or you draw a random tile from a limited supply.

The tiles have a printed value from -4 to +4 and represent the victory points at the end of a round. If one of your own tokens is adjacent to a tile, you receive the points shown or have them deducted.

Please note that when you place a tile, you can only see its value for a short time and then the tile is placed face down on an empty space on the game board. Once all empty spaces have been filled, the round ends and the scoring begins.

It is a very entertaining game whose individual rounds can be played in around 10-15 minutes.

It is a very entertaining game whose individual rounds can be played in around 10-15 minutes. So it's always fun to get it out for a quick treat.

Maybe you are interested in the physical version of this game, then take a look here.

You can find a Let's Play video here to see what the game looks like in action.

VBR on Patreon

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Quoridor

Quoridor is a tactical labyrinth game for 2-4 players in which the aim is to cross the 9x9 playing field with your playing pawn and prevent the other players' pawns from doing so.

When it's your turn, you have two options. Move your figure one space or place one of the walls from your pool on the playing field according to certain rules.

This gradually creates a labyrinth that all players have to walk around and through in order to reach their goal.

The first player to reach the opposite row with their piece wins. The more cleverly you place your walls, the longer the opponents' path to this goal will be.

Here you can find the physical version of the game

A game in 10 minutes with the virtual board game room

VBR on Patreon

Let's Play Video here

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Halma

A classic strategy game that is neglected next to chess and Go. Yet the tactical and strategic possibilities in Halma are in no way inferior to other brain games.

Build so-called bridges to move your pieces from your starting area completely into the target zone. You can jump over both your own and your opponent's pieces in one move as often as you have the opportunity to do so.

Interfere with your opponent by blocking their paths and squares or by moving one of your pieces at the right moment by exactly the right position.

Get the game for VBR here.

Find the real life game here.

See it on YouTube. 

Virtual Board Game Room on Patreon

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Virtual Board Game Room Tutorial: Inventory

In this video we show you how to use the personal inventory of the virtual board game room.

Organize and manage your hand cards or hide items that other players should only see later in the game. 

Use an intuitive drag & drop mechanic to pick up game objects in your hand or play them out on the playing field.

Contents: 

Opening and closing the inventory shelf 

Moving game objects between the inventory and the playing field using drag & drop 

Aligning objects using the inventory 

Emergency emptying of the inventory

VBR on Patreon