Sigil, Wizards of the Coast's VTT, Officially Launches

Sigil, the 3D VTT developed by Wizards of the Coast and formerly known as Project Sigil, has officially launched on Window devices. Today, Wizards of the Coast announced that anyone with a D&D Beyond account (free or paid) can now access Sigil, provided they have a computer with Windows OS. Interestingly, the system's full functionality is based off of D&D Beyond's subscription tiers, with access to create multiplayer rooms and the ability to share and load maps tied to the Master Tier account. Master Tier subscribers also have access to builder kits, custom mini outfits, and unpainted minis. The Sigil client can be downloaded from D&D Beyond.

Sigil has been in development since at least 2023 alongside the launch of the One D&D initiative. One major concern about the new system, which uses Unreal Engine 5 to create 3D battle maps for D&D, was its pricing. At least for now, pricing seems to be tied directly to D&D Beyond subscriptions instead of pushing an additional monetization scheme onto players.

EN World saw a preview build of Sigil earlier this year, with a robust and relatively quick-to-implement map building system. One question that I kept asking while previewing Sigil involved exactly what Wizards wanted Sigil to be, as it functionally appeared to be a level or map builder with some basic D&D automation built into the game. The system doesn't include a full D&D revised 5E engine, but it does contain a significant amount of integration for the app to mimic some of D&D Beyond's dice rolling and resource management system has. It doesn't look like a bad VTT, although it's more appropriate for big set piece battles rather than standard "goblins attack the caravan" type encounters.

 

[Doc_Klueless]

My experience with VTTs is somewhat limited, but Roll20 and Owlbear Rodeo both allow to run games for free.

But it doesn't " handle rules/dice/etc," does it?

Honest question! Because I've been eyeballing Owlbear for all my VTT needs.

 

[Nikosandros]

But it doesn't " handle rules/dice/etc," does it?

Honest question! Because I've been eyeballing Owlbear for all my VTT needs.

No, it does not. Actually, I think there's a dice rolled, but TBH, I've never used it.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

There were digital tools being developed for release with both 3E and then later 4E . . . a 3D VTT was definitely a part of the package for 4E, and I think 3E too . . . but, heck it's all vapor ware.

I'm not aware of any 3D VTT for 3E, but that doesn't mean you're definitely wrong. It must have been pretty quiet though and I can't find any evidence online.

4E however definitely had a 3D VTT as you say, and it's fairly easy to find screenshots and so on of it. It never left beta though.

 

[DarkCrisis]

I have yet to install it but it's basically only used for online games and if everyone has it installed, yes?

 

[LordEntrails]

It’s only a basic function of every single vtt for over twenty years. Why change things now? Hell it only took them twenty years to be able to put a label on the map. I’m not really holding my breath.

Going to have to have someone else who knows other VTTs better than I do answer this, because it certainly sounds like hyperbole to me. It's never something I've ever wanted to do or ever heard any mention doing or seen any streams show off. I get that it's make or break for you. But apparently not for me.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

There were digital tools being developed for release with both 3E and then later 4E . . . a 3D VTT was definitely a part of the package for 4E, and I think 3E too . . . but, heck it's all vapor ware.

While it may have been vaporware either way (as I have been advised that other evidence indicates the project wasn't well-managed), it objectively didn't help that two of the most important people for that project died in a murder-suicide.

 

[Belen]

I have yet to install it but it's basically only used for online games and if everyone has it installed, yes?

Correct. I guess you could use it as a physical table but what would be the point?

 

[Belen]

Going to have to have someone else who knows other VTTs better than I do answer this, because it certainly sounds like hyperbole to me. It's never something I've ever wanted to do or ever heard any mention doing or seen any streams show off. I get that it's make or break for you. But apparently not for me.

It will be interesting once they add AI. If you can use voice commands to describe the map and setting, then it makes the tool very easy to use.

For me, I do not have the time or inclination to build elaborate maps. If I use them, and I stopped doing so years ago, then I just throw the players and enemies on a blank map and I may marks squares with a dry erase that are difficult terrain or inaccessible.

If they make it easy to describe the room and I can make a map in less than 5 minutes, then I may use it.

 

[darjr]

Of those who have used it for a full game, especially multiple sessions of the same campaign, how has it been?

 

[LordEntrails]

For me, I do not have the time or inclination to build elaborate maps. If I use them, and I stopped doing so years ago, then I just throw the players and enemies on a blank map and I may marks squares with a dry erase that are difficult terrain or inaccessible.

If they make it easy to describe the room and I can make a map in less than 5 minutes, then I may use it.

I totally get this. And though I often make my own 2D maps, I'm very leery of 3D just because of available assets and styles. For instance, I use CC3+ for my custom maps and I have something like 50k different assets and can create maps in all types of styles. Plus I can draw from another 10k maps or such I've bought and collected over the years and then I can Google for a million more.

The other VTTs I know it's simple to throw in a blank map or just a background like grass or stone etc and then sketch out like you would on a dry-erase mat. I don't see that yet in Sigil and kind of doubt they will ever allow that. But maybe some quick 3D "brushes" like walls.