A randomizer is a modification of a game which reorganizes the items required to progress through that game. A normal play-through might require you to use item A to unlock item B, then C, and so forth. In a randomized game, you might first find item C, then A, then B.
This transforms the game from a linear experience into a puzzle, presenting players with a new challenge each time they play. Putting items in non-standard locations can require the player to think about the game world and the items they encounter in new and interesting ways.
While a randomizer shuffles a game, a multiworld randomizer shuffles that game for multiple players. For example, in a two player multiworld, players A and B each get their own randomized version of a game, called a world. In each player's game, they may find items which belong to the other player. If player A finds an item which belongs to player B, the item will be sent to player B's world over the internet. This creates a cooperative experience, requiring players to rely upon each other to complete their game.
While a multiworld game traditionally requires all players to be playing the same game, a multi-game multiworld allows players to randomize any of the supported games, and send items between them. This allows players of different games to interact with one another in a single multiplayer environment. Archipelago supports multi-game multiworld. Here is a list of our Supported Games.
Yes. All of our supported games can be generated as single-player experiences both on the website and by installing the Archipelago generator software. The fastest way to do this is on the website. Find the Supported Game you wish to play, open the Settings Page, pick your settings, and click Generate Game.
We have a Getting Started guide that will help you get the software set up. You can use that guide to learn how to generate multiworlds. There are also basic instructions for including multiple games, and hosting multiworlds on the website for ease and convenience.
If you are ready to start randomizing games, or want to start playing your favorite randomizer with others, please join our discord server at the Archipelago Discord. There are always people ready to answer any questions you might have.
As randomizers and multiworld randomizers have been around for a while now, there are quite a few common terms used by the communities surrounding them. A list of Archipelago jargon and terms commonly used by the community can be found in the Glossary.
There are two different play-styles that are common for Archipelago multiworld sessions. These sessions can either be considered synchronous (or "sync"), where everyone connects and plays at the same time, or asynchronous (or "async"), where players connect and play at their own pace. The setup for both is identical. The difference in play-style is how you and your friends choose to organize and play your multiworld. Most groups decide on the format before creating their multiworld.
If a player must leave early, they can use Archipelago's release system. When a player releases their game, all items in that game belonging to other players are sent out automatically. This allows other players to continue to play uninterrupted. Here is a list of all of our Server Commands.
The randomizer has many strict sets of rules it must follow when generating a game. One of the functions of these rules is to ensure items necessary to complete the game will be accessible to the player. Many games also have a subset of rules allowing certain items to be placed in normally unreachable locations, provided the player has indicated they are comfortable exploiting certain glitches in the game.
The best way to get started is to take a look at our code on GitHub:
Archipelago GitHub Page.
There, you will find examples of games in the worlds folder:
/worlds Folder in Archipelago Code.
You may also find developer documentation in the docs folder:
/docs Folder in Archipelago Code.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask in the #ap-world-dev channel on our Discord.