4. Virtual Prototyping
Virtual prototype platforms are a must in today’s age of game design. The ability that virtual platforms afford designers to quickly iterate on projects without needing to print, cut, or purchase materials is an incredible asset to game design. Many playtest groups operate completely online, so becoming familiar with the platforms out there is an important step in game design.
My Recommendation - Screentop.gg
Screentop is my top recommendation for virtual platforms. It is a top-down platform that is free, snappy, and user friendly, despite a small learning curve when getting started. It’s a very minimalist platform, which limits some functionalities, but makes it very simple to use and iterate with. Screentop has a built-in tutorial, but several more detailed tutorials can be found online.
Other Options
Tabletopia is another free online option for game design. It’s less user friendly than Screentop and can be a little funky to work with. It does, however, offer more utility than Screentop and is a 3D platform.
Tabletop Playground
Tabletop Playground is a paid platform accessed through Steam. It is a robust, 3D platform for game prototyping and does have a learning curve associated with it (although it is not overly complex).
Tabletop Simulator
Tabletop Simulator is similar to Tabletop Playground in that it is a paid platform accessed through Steam with similar functionality. Tabletop Simulator is an older platform with a larger player base than Playground.