The creative freedom given by Tabletop Simulator Workshop has led players to develop exciting games to be enjoyed by all.

Tabletop Simulator is a game that can be found on Steam. True to its name, it attempts to replicate the experience of sitting around a table to play a board game, complete with physics-based models, high levels of customization, and even a VR mode. The base game comes with several board games, and more are available through DLC purchases.

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One of Tabletop Simulator's biggest strengths is in the Steam Workshop where community-created mods can be found. There are thousands of add-ons, from small assets for use in larger games to complete games in their own right. These ten games are some of the highest-ranked on the workshop, standing above the rest as impressive examples of what can be done with the simulator program.

Gloomhaven is a tactical fantasy game combining simple RPG mechanics with a tile-based modular board. Players work together to explore dungeons, defeating the monsters that live there. It contains a branching story that responds to player actions, really pushing the boundaries of what a board game can be. This unofficial digital version faithfully replicates the physical version, which was created by Isaac Childres & Cephalofair Games. It uses Tabletop Simulator's script capabilities and UI to streamline a lot of the paperwork contained in the physical version.

While not necessarily a game in and of itself, The Mat Everyone Had will be instantly recognizable to thousands of TTS players. It simply imports an object bearing the classic road map rug found in many playrooms, dentist's offices, daycares, and anywhere else children could be found from the nineties onwards. Even though The Mat Everyone Had doesn't include any games, it's not hard to find something to do with this iconic map. It could be used as a map for a game like Gaslands, or even form the basis for a brand new game yet to be designed.

The classic board game HeroQuest has seen something of a resurgence recently, with a new version hitting shelves in 2021. This TTS item predates the new update, featuring digital versions of the old base game and its expansions. The iconic multi-colored board is set into a rocky plinth, while the GM's perspective is concealed behind a screen that will be instantly recognizable to any seasoned HeroQuest players. The miniatures come in painted, unpainted, and cardboard-cutout versions. The terrain pieces all have their old-school cardboard and plastic look.

Root already has a fantastic digital edition, also available on Steam, but the Tabletop Simulator version aesthetically hews a to the actual tabletop game.

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Players each take on the role of a different faction of woodland creatures vying for control of their forest environment. Root is a pretty complicated game, and it's best played by people familiar with the rules –  either from the official digital version or from having played it in person.

One of the biggest barriers to entry found in miniature wargaming is the cost. Miniatures sets can be extremely expensive, especially if one wants to get enough to build a decent army. Star Wars Legion on Tabletop Simulator solves this problem for anyone looking to try out the latest miniatures game set in the Star Wars universe. SWL features extremely detailed terrain, dozens of models, and a streamlined interface that keeps track of all the cards needed to play out Star Wars skirmishes.

Another game with an official digital release and unofficial Tabletop Simulator counterpart, Codenames is a party game of wordplay and deduction. Players must give each other clues to tie together certain words and help their allies guess the proper words before their opponents can do the same.

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This digital version has some perks, including the ability to create and browse custom decks created by other users. Codenames has a simple script that allows players to flip cards by voting. Cards are only flipped when all allied players have agreed on their vote.

Clank! is a hybrid deck-building board game that encourages players to push their luck by exploring a deep cavern without waking the dreadful dragon lurking below. This is one of several Clank! mods on the TTS workshop. This features a pared-down interface, scripts to automate setup, filling the buy row, drawing cards, and clearing played cards. Some of Clank!'s additional boards and expansions are supported, but the author has stated there are no plans to update.

Another experiment to see what Tabletop Simulator can do beyond board games, LEGO is a small collection of LEGO-style bricks. Using the grid and snap system, the author has done a good job replicating the feeling of building with the classic brick toy. The mod only includes a limited number of bricks, studs, and plates, but it's a fantastic proof of concept and a nice way to experiment with the physics engine of Tabletop Simulator.

3 Player Chess is pretty mind-bending at first glance. The six-sided board features three complete sets of chess pieces arrayed across from one another. 3PC plays just like any other chess game, with players taking turns moving pieces to threaten opponents and eventually attempting to capture the opposing kings.

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The author has included detailed diagrams illustrating how each piece moves across the somewhat flower-shaped board. Anyone looking for a challenge can check out their other mod, 5 Player Chess.

Make Your Own Animations! pushes the limits of what Tabletop Simulator is capable of. It features a simple workspace on which the player can draw and add new frames, then play them back at variable speeds to create simple animations. Using the game's variable colors, with other brushes and shapes, the player can design almost anything they can imagine. Make Your Own Animations! may not be a game, but it is a great example of how Tabletop Simulator can be used as a digital space to build other tools, even simple ones that are just for relaxing.

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Declan is a writer for Comic Book Resources and an independent game designer. They've been playing video and tabletop games since childhood and continue that love today. With a background in the performing arts, Declan is interested in how games approach their audiences as both passive consumers and active participants. Digital preservation and gaming history also occupy probably too much of their thoughts. Check them out on Twitter here