Variants and Launcher
Purpose
BGF supports multiple game variants from a shared framework. A variant is a packaged game configuration with its own branding, front-end scenes, content catalog, and progression setup.
Launcher Flow
At startup, the launcher:
- Chooses the active game variant
- Downloads the required game assets as encrypted PCK content
- Loads the selected BGF variant package
- Opens that variant's configured landing or lobby flow
This allows one framework to support multiple publicly distinct games while keeping the core systems shared.
What A Variant Can Change
A variant can define:
- its landing and lobby presentation
- which actors are available
- which campaigns are available
- which items and cards are used
- default starting content
- campaign summaries and other front-end scenes
- how a new run begins
What Variants Are Best Used For
Variants are best understood as packaging and branding layers, not as separate engines. They let the same BGF foundation power different game identities and content models.
Example
- Ash d'roid uses the framework for a ship-focused presentation with variant-specific hangar and armoury flow.
- Sylpets uses the same framework for a different front-end and story/campaign structure.