Website profiles · Technology insights · Alternatives

dungeonfog.com Paid content

Categories: Games & Board Games

Unleash creativity with DungeonFog - the ultimate TTRPG map-making tool. Design custom battle and world maps for Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Cthulhu, and more. Craft epic adventures now!

Visit website

Updated: 2026-09-28 02:58 Language: English (default) Access: Normal

Profile views 0 Outbound visits 0
DUNGEONFOG Full homepage screenshot
Editorial Review

Website Review

What is DUNGEONFOG?

DUNGEONFOG is a browser-based battle map editor for tabletop roleplaying games. You draw dungeons, buildings and overland terrain in a vector-based editor, decorate them with assets, then either play inside the tool or export the finished map for screen or print.

What you actually do with it

The workflow on the site is three steps: create a map, place assets, export and play. The asset library is described as over 3,000 items spanning different time periods and settings, with new packs released monthly as part of premium content. That breadth matters if your campaign moves between, say, a medieval town and a sci-fi facility without you switching tools.

Who it suits

  • Game masters who want custom encounters rather than pre-made maps, especially for D&D, Pathfinder and Call of Cthulhu-style games named on the site.
  • Groups playing online who need a map on screen, and groups at a table who want to print one.
  • Anyone who prefers drawing over hunting through map packs.

It is less obviously aimed at people who want a fully automated virtual tabletop with rules, character sheets and combat tracking — the pitch here is map creation and play, not running the whole game system.

What to weigh

The editor is free to sign up for, and premium membership exists for content and features, with Fastspring handling payments and a marketplace alongside it. The site does not state prices on the pages summarised here, so check the pricing page before committing.

A practical next step: open the editor, draw one small encounter room, and export it at the size you would use at your table. If the export looks right on your screen or printer, the tool fits your workflow. If you find yourself wanting rules automation instead, look at a full virtual tabletop such as Roll20 or Foundry Virtual Tabletop, and treat DUNGEONFOG as the map-making layer beside them.

How do I create a battle map in DUNGEONFOG?

Creating a battle map in DUNGEONFOG follows three broad steps: build the map, decorate it with assets, then export or play in it.

1. Create the map layout

DungeonFog uses a vector-based editor, which means you draw rooms, corridors, buildings, and overland terrain as shapes rather than painting pixel by pixel. Draw the dungeon or area outline first, then refine walls, floors, and terrain. Starting with the room layout before decoration keeps the map readable and makes later changes easier.

2. Place assets

Decorate the map from the asset library, which the site describes as over 3,000 assets spanning different time periods and settings. Search by theme to match your campaign, then place and layer props to fill rooms with life. New asset packs are released monthly as part of the premium content subscription, so the library is a moving target rather than a fixed set.

3. Export and play

You can play with others inside DungeonFog, or export and print the map. For tabletop play, exporting to a virtual tabletop or printing at the right scale for miniatures are the two common paths. For online play, keeping the map inside DungeonFog avoids conversion work.

A practical first map

A useful next step is to open the free editor and draw a single encounter location, such as a small crypt or tavern, rather than a whole campaign. This lets you test the vector tools, the asset search, and the export options before committing to a large map.

Decisions worth making early

  • Grid and scale: decide whether the map is for miniatures, a screen, or a virtual tabletop, since that affects sizing.
  • Detail level: print maps reward higher detail; screen maps can stay simpler.
  • Free vs. premium: the free tier covers map creation, while premium adds monthly asset packs and marketplace content. Check DUNGEONFOG for current plan details.

If you already use a virtual tabletop, compare export formats there before building, since that choice shapes how you structure the map from the start.

Can DUNGEONFOG maps be exported to virtual tabletops like Roll20 or Foundry?

Yes. DUNGEONFOG is built around a create-then-export workflow: you draw the map, decorate it with assets, then either play inside DUNGEONFOG or export it for use elsewhere. The site's own description of the process ends with "Export and play," and mentions maps made for on-screen use or printing — which is the same route you'd use to bring a map into a virtual tabletop.

In practice, that usually means exporting a flat image file (commonly a JPG or PNG) at a grid-friendly resolution, then uploading it to your VTT as a map layer or scene background. Roll20 and Foundry both accept image files this way, so the export itself is rarely the obstacle.

What to check before you commit

  • Grid alignment. Export at a resolution where one square equals a clean pixel count (for example 100 px per square). This avoids scaling guesswork when you set the grid in your VTT.
  • File size limits. Very large, high-detail maps can hit upload caps or slow load times for players. Export at the resolution you actually need rather than the maximum.
  • Walls and lighting. A flat image carries no wall, door or light data. If your VTT uses dynamic lighting, you'll redraw those elements inside the VTT after import.
  • Layered formats. If you want to keep tokens, props and terrain on separate layers, check whether the export options support that; otherwise bake everything into one image and place tokens in the VTT.

A practical example

A GM preparing a dungeon crawl for Foundry might export the finished map as a PNG at 100 px per square, import it as a scene background, set the grid to match, then trace walls for dynamic lighting. The same file drops into Roll20 as a map layer with minimal adjustment — the export is portable, even though the automation isn't.

For a quick confirmation of current export formats and any VTT-specific guidance, check the tutorials section on DUNGEONFOG.

What features are included in the DUNGEONFOG premium subscription?

DUNGEONFOG's premium tier is best understood as a content and export subscription layered on top of a free browser-based map editor. From the site's own description, the editor is vector-based and works with a library of high-resolution assets, letting you draw dungeons, buildings, or overland terrain and then use the maps on screen or in print.

What the page confirms about premium

  • New asset packs are released monthly as part of the premium content subscription, adding to a library the page describes as over 3,000 assets spanning different periods and settings.
  • Premium memberships and marketplace purchases are handled through FastSpring, which the site lists under essential cookies as its payment provider.
  • The site maintains a dedicated pricing page, so exact tier limits, storage, and export entitlements should be read there rather than assumed.

What is not specified

The supplied page evidence does not list which individual features sit behind the paywall versus the free account. It does not state export formats, resolution caps, map limits, or whether commercial use rights are included. Treat any claim about those as unverified until you check the pricing page directly.

Practical way to decide

If your group plays online and you mainly need custom battle maps, the free editor plus the asset library may already cover you, and premium becomes worthwhile when the monthly asset drops match your campaign's setting. If you print maps at a table, confirm the print and export terms on the pricing page before subscribing, since that is the feature most likely to determine value for you.

A useful first step: sign up for the free account, build one map for your current campaign, and note which assets or export options you reach for but cannot access. That list tells you more about whether premium fits your table than any feature comparison.

Is DUNGEONFOG suitable for in-person tabletop games with printed maps?

Yes. DUNGEONFOG is explicitly built for both screen and print use: its vector-based editor and high-resolution asset library are intended to produce detailed maps you can export and print for tabletop play. If your group meets around a physical table and you like handing out or laying down printed battlemaps, it fits that workflow.

Why it suits printed play

  • Print-oriented output. The editor is described as producing maps "for use on screen or print," so printing is a first-class use case rather than an afterthought.
  • Vector-based editing. Vector graphics scale without turning blurry, which matters when you enlarge a dungeon to a usable tabletop size.
  • Large asset library. Over 3,000 assets across periods and settings let you decorate maps without hunting for third-party art.
  • Battlemap focus. Dungeons, buildings and overland terrain are the core output, which matches typical encounter-scale printing.

Where it may not fit

If you want a purely physical, no-computer workflow, or you need pre-printed poster maps with zero setup, a digital editor adds a prep step. Printing also shifts costs and effort to you: paper, ink, tiling and cutting. A practical compromise many groups use is printing only key encounter areas and sketching the rest on a mat.

A practical next step

Pick one upcoming encounter, build just that room or cave complex, and export it at the size you actually play at. Print a single test page first to check scale against your miniatures before committing to a full map. If the test page lines up with your grid and figures, the tool is a good match for your table; if you find yourself fighting the print scale, consider whether screen-based play or a simpler hand-drawn map suits your group better.

For pricing and membership details, check the official pricing page: DUNGEONFOG Pricing.

How does DUNGEONFOG compare to other TTRPG map-making tools like Inkarnate?

DUNGEONFOG is a browser-based TTRPG map editor aimed at building detailed battle maps for play on screen or in print, while Inkarnate is better known for fast, art-forward regional and world maps. The choice usually comes down to whether you prioritize tactical encounter maps with precise vector control or quick, painterly overviews.

Where they differ

Aspect DUNGEONFOG Inkarnate
Primary strength Battle maps and dungeon/terrain layouts Regional, world and stylized overview maps
Editing approach Vector-based editor with a large high-resolution asset library Brush-and-stamp painting with a broad art style range
Asset library Over 3,000 assets across eras and settings, with new premium packs monthly Large built-in art library, much of it included in subscription
Output Play inside the tool or export and print Export at set resolutions for VTTs and printing
Best for GMs who want grid-accurate, reusable encounter maps GMs who want evocative maps of towns, kingdoms or continents

Practical scenarios

  • Running a weekly dungeon crawl: DUNGEONFOG's vector tools make it easier to redraw walls, resize rooms and keep a consistent grid, so you can prep several encounter maps from one template.
  • Mapping a homebrew continent: Inkarnate's brushes and texture blending tend to get you to a finished-looking world map faster.
  • Printing at the table: DUNGEONFOG explicitly supports print output, which matters if you want large-format battle maps rather than screen-only images.

A useful next step

Decide which map type you make most often. If it's tactical interiors, try DUNGEONFOG's free tier and rebuild one room from your current campaign; if it's overworld or town maps, do the same test in a competing tool. Compare how long each takes and whether the export fits your VTT or printer.

Two related tools worth checking for comparison are Inkarnate and World Anvil, the latter because DUNGEONFOG notes third-party integration with it for campaign worldbuilding.

Related questions

More questions →
What Is Kenney and How Can Its Free Game Assets Help You Build a Game?

Kenney is a game asset and tool provider that offers thousands of completely free game assets, plus open source Starter Kits for learning game development. You can download individual free assets, buy an all-in-one package that bundles everything with free updates, or use Kenney's tools to create 3D models without deep knowledge of complex software or frameworks. It fits best if you need ready-made art and quick-start project templates for common game engines, and you want to spend your time on game logic rather than asset creation.

What Kenney actually provides

Kenney's site organizes its offering into a few clear categories:

  • Games – finished or experimental game projects.
  • Tools – software for creating assets, including 3D model creation aimed at people without complex software or framework knowledge.
  • Assets – the core offering: thousands of completely free game assets you can use in your projects.
  • Starter Kits – free and open source project templates covering various game genres, designed to help you kickstart your next game.

The site also mentions a Knowledge Base and Support section, which is where you'd look for troubleshooting and usage guidance.

Free assets vs. the all-in-one package

The most important distinction for a new user is between the free downloads and the paid bundle.

Option What you get Best for
Free assets Download assets individually at no cost Trying specific asset packs or filling a single gap in your project
All-in-1 package Everything at once, plus free updates Building multiple games or wanting a complete library without picking files one by one
Kenney Club Early access to new creations, goodies, and club channel entry, while supporting asset creation People who want new assets first and want to support ongoing creation

The site states plainly that there are "thousands of completely free game assets for you to use," and separately offers the all-in-one package for downloading everything at once with free updates. If you only need a handful of sprites or models, start with the free downloads. If you expect to work on several projects, the all-in-one route saves repeated searching and downloading.

Using a Starter Kit to begin a project

Learning game development can be a daunting task, which is the problem the Starter Kits are built to solve. They are free and open source, and they cover various game genres.

A practical workflow looks like this:

  1. Pick a genre close to your idea – the Starter Kits are organized by genre, so choose the one that matches the game you want to build.
  2. Download the kit – it's free and open source, so you can inspect and modify it.
  3. Open it in your engine – the assets are intended to work with most game engines, so you can bring the kit into the engine you already use.
  4. Replace or extend the assets – swap in other Kenney assets or your own art as your project grows.
  5. Verify – run the kit as-is first to confirm your engine and project setup work before changing anything.

The expected result is a running project skeleton in your chosen genre, so you spend your early time on mechanics and level design instead of building a project structure from scratch.

Compatibility and tools

Kenney states that its tools let you create 3D models without knowledge of complex software or frameworks, and that results "can be used in most game engines." That phrasing matters: the assets and tool output are positioned as engine-agnostic rather than tied to one platform. Before committing to a large asset set, confirm the file formats your engine accepts and test one asset end to end.

The tools are described as available "at a very affordable price," which indicates they are a paid product separate from the free assets. The site does not list specific prices in the material available here, so check the Tools page directly for current pricing.

Where to get help

If something doesn't work as expected, the site points to two resources:

  • Knowledge Base – for documented answers and guidance.
  • Support – for direct help.

There is also a newsletter you can subscribe to for updates on new assets and releases.

How to decide if Kenney fits your project

Choose Kenney's free assets if you need a broad, no-cost art library and want to prototype quickly across genres. Choose the all-in-one package if you'd rather download once and receive updates. Choose the Starter Kits if your main obstacle is not art but not knowing how to structure a game project. Look at the Tools if you specifically need to produce 3D models and want a simpler path than full 3D software. In every case, start with one small download or one Starter Kit, get it running in your engine, and expand from there.

What Is a Text-Based Online Vampire Game Like Reign of Blood?

A text-based online vampire game is a browser RPG where the action happens through written screens, stats, and menus rather than 3D graphics. Reign of Blood, running since 2006, is one example: you create a vampire, fight other players, complete quests, and join covens inside a persistent world that has never been reset. It suits players who want imagination-driven play, fast browser sessions, and a long-standing community more than cinematic visuals.

How a text-based vampire game actually plays

Instead of controlling an avatar with a mouse and keyboard, you read a screen, choose an action, and see the result as text and numbers. The "graphics" are your imagination plus the game's lore.

The core loop in Reign of Blood looks like this:

  1. Create your vampire — you start a character and begin building it up.
  2. Raise your stats — progression comes from numbers, not gear models. Players describe "increasing stats" as a central activity.
  3. Fight — PvP battles against other vampires (and, per player accounts, werewolves) are a main draw. The site reports over 600 million battles fought.
  4. Run quests — hundreds of quests are available, and daily quests are a routine many players log in for.
  5. Join a coven — covens function as clans, with coven wars and leaders who help newer members.

Because everything is text and numbers, a session can be short: log in, spend actions, check quests, battle, log out. That low overhead is the point for many players.

What makes it different from graphic-heavy vampire video games

Dimension Text-based browser game (Reign of Blood) Graphic-heavy vampire video game
Presentation Text, stats, menus, lore 3D/2D visuals, animation, voice
Hardware Runs in a browser Often needs a console or gaming PC
Pace Persistent, check-in style Session- or story-based
Social layer Covens, forums, long-term friendships Often matchmaking or co-op lobbies
World state Never reset; years of history Usually resets per title/sequel

The trade-off is clear: you give up spectacle and get persistence, community, and a world with two decades of accumulated lore and player history.

The social side: covens, forums, and long-running worlds

Reign of Blood leans into the older-internet model — forums, clans, and late-night chats. The site frames itself as "what vampire browser gaming used to be before graphics and algorithms," and that community focus shows up in player feedback:

  • One player describes it as a "uniquely intricate RPG world" with lore, quests, stat-building, battles, and "active covens."
  • Another says the community brought them back to "a simpler kind of internet" and credits the creator with consistent improvements.
  • A third highlights helpful coven leaders and friendships forming through the game.
  • One player notes using it to improve their writing in a supportive environment.

If you want a game where other people are the content — rivalries, coven politics, forum talk — this style fits. If you want to play solo and never interact, you'll get less out of it.

What "free" means here, and your first session

The site presents Reign of Blood as a free vampire game and invites you to "create your vampire" to start. The provided material does not list prices, subscriptions, or payment platforms, so treat any in-game purchases as unconfirmed rather than assuming everything is free forever.

A realistic first session:

  1. Create your vampire.
  2. Look at your stats and the actions available to you.
  3. Try a quest or two — daily quests are a common starting point.
  4. Attempt a battle to see how combat resolves through text and numbers.
  5. Browse covens and consider joining one; leaders are described as helpful to newcomers.

Expect to feel a bit lost at first. Text games front-load reading, and the depth (hundreds of quests, coven wars, stat systems) reveals itself over days, not minutes.

Who should play this, and who shouldn't

Good fit if you:

  • Enjoy reading, writing, and imagining scenes rather than watching them.
  • Like persistent worlds with history and no resets.
  • Want short browser check-ins instead of long gaming sessions.
  • Value clans, forums, and long-term online friendships.

Poor fit if you:

  • Need modern graphics, animation, or voice acting.
  • Want a self-contained story with an ending.
  • Prefer solo play with no social obligations.
  • Dislike menus, numbers, and stat optimization.

If you're curious whether the text-based vampire RPG format clicks for you, the cheapest test is to create a character, run a few quests and battles, and see whether the numbers-and-lore loop holds your attention. That first hour will tell you more than any description.

What Is AdventureQuest and How Do You Start Playing It?

AdventureQuest is a free-to-play, browser-based single-player RPG from Artix Entertainment, hosted at battleon.com. You can create an account and start a character without paying; the optional Guardian upgrade (linked from the site's Upgrade page) adds premium content but isn't required to play. If you want a long-running RPG with two decades of quests, weekly events, and no download required, this is the direct path: make an account on BattleOn, log in, and pick a class to begin.

What AdventureQuest actually is

The site describes it as "an ever-expanding RPG with two decades' worth of adventures" where you "step into a world beset by peril and monsters" and "rise as a hero." Key traits:

  • Single-player, browser-first. You play in the browser, or through the Artix Game Launcher if you prefer a desktop client.
  • Free to start. The homepage markets it as an online RPG you can "play for free," with new adventures every week.
  • Long-running live content. News posts cover limited-time shops, seasonal events, and item packages — the cadence is weekly, not a one-time release.
  • Part of a larger family. BattleOn also hosts AQ3D, AQWorlds, DragonFable, EpicDuel, MechQuest, OverSoul, and others. AdventureQuest is the original; the others are separate games with separate characters.

AdventureQuest vs. the other Artix games

Game What it is Notes from the site
AdventureQuest The original browser RPG "Two decades' worth of adventures"
AQWorlds Separate MMO-style RPG Listed alongside AQ on BattleOn
DragonFable Separate story-driven RPG Listed alongside AQ on BattleOn
AQ3D 3D RPG Listed alongside AQ on BattleOn

If you specifically want the classic single-player experience, choose AdventureQuest. If you want multiplayer or 3D, one of the others fits better — they are not the same game or the same account progression.

How to start playing

  1. Go to battleon.com. The homepage is the entry point for AdventureQuest and the other Artix games.
  2. Create an account or log in. Account management lives under "Manage Account" in the site navigation. You need an account to save a character.
  3. Launch the game. Either play in the browser or install the Artix Game Launcher, which the site promotes with a "Get Launcher" link.
  4. Create your character and choose a class. The site's game section lists Classes, Quests, and Events as core areas — class choice shapes how you fight.
  5. Follow the weekly content. Check the AdventureQuest News section for what's live, including limited-time shops and events.

Expected result: you land in the game world with a persistent character, and new content appears on the site's news feed each week rather than requiring a reinstall.

The Guardian upgrade: what it is and whether you need it

The homepage says "Guardians needed in the land of rising evil!" and the site links to an Upgrade page labeled "Guardian." That's the paid tier.

  • Not required to play. The game is presented as free to play; Guardian is an upgrade, not a gate.
  • What it signals: Guardian status appears tied to premium access and recognition — the site's navigation includes Guardian-specific areas like "Top Guardians," "X-Guardians," and "Guardians" listings.
  • How to buy: through the Upgrade link on battleon.com. The site does not publish a price on the pages reviewed here, so check the Upgrade page directly for current cost and terms.
  • Related currency: the site references Z-Tokens and Artix Points, which appear in shop and package contexts (for example, "20K Z-Token Package" and "50K Z-Token Package" news items). Treat these as in-game purchase currencies, not free grants.

If you're unsure, play free first. Upgrade only if you want the Guardian content and perks.

Finding weekly and seasonal content

AdventureQuest's content model is event-driven. From the news feed:

  • Weekly drops. Posts like "COMING THIS WEEK!" announce new packages and shop rotations.
  • Seasonal shops. Example: the Fall Seasonal shop returns with autumn-themed items, including the Lantern of the Equinox.
  • Holiday events. Example: the Talk Like a Pirate Day Event sends you aboard the ship Red Betty for Captain Rhubarb's Pirate Quiz, with a Pirate Scholar Shop and Pyrerat Contracts as rewards.
  • Limited-time packages. Example: the Zombie Hunter Set (armor, 3 weapons, shield, title) is explicitly limited — "only available for a limited time."

Practical habit: check the AdventureQuest News section on battleon.com before a play session, since limited-time items can disappear.

Getting help and redeeming codes

  • Support: the site navigation includes a Support link for account or gameplay issues.
  • Redeem codes: a "Redeem Code" link is in the site navigation — use it if you have a code from a promotion or purchase.
  • Account management: "Manage Account" handles login, credentials, and account settings.

Common snags

  • Confusing the games. Buying or progressing in AQWorlds, DragonFable, or AQ3D does not carry into AdventureQuest. Confirm you're on the AdventureQuest page before creating a character.
  • Assuming Guardian is mandatory. It isn't; the free game is the default experience.
  • Missing limited content. Seasonal shops and packages rotate out. If an item is gone, it may return in a later season rather than being permanently unavailable.
  • Expecting a price on the homepage. The reviewed pages don't list Guardian pricing — go to the Upgrade page for current details.
Gaming Buying Guide: Prebuilt PC, Gaming Laptop, or Custom Build?

Choose a prebuilt gaming PC if you want the most performance per dollar and easy future upgrades, a gaming laptop if you need to move it, and custom parts if you want control over every component and are willing to handle compatibility yourself. On Newegg you can shop all three paths in one place, so the real decision comes down to portability, upgradeability, and how much time you want to spend on the build.

Start With the Decision, Not the Specs

The three paths trade off against each other in predictable ways:

| Factor | Prebuilt gaming PC | Gaming laptop | Custom build (parts) | |---|---|---|---|---| | Portability | None (stays on a desk) | High (built-in display, battery) | None | | Upgradeability | Usually good (standard desktop parts) | Limited (RAM/storage, sometimes GPU) | Full control | | Performance per dollar | High | Lower (you pay for compactness) | Highest if you shop carefully | | Time to first game | Minutes | Minutes | Hours, plus troubleshooting | | Risk of mistakes | Low | Low | Compatibility and assembly errors |

If you never move your setup, a desktop form factor (prebuilt or custom) is the better starting point. If you game in different rooms, travel, or share a living space, a laptop earns its price premium.

Match Specs to the Games and Resolution You Actually Play

The GPU does most of the work in gaming, so pick it first, then balance the CPU, RAM, and storage around it.

  • 1080p, esports and mainstream titles: a mid-range GPU is enough; prioritize a high-refresh display (144Hz or more) over raw resolution.
  • 1440p, modern AAA games: step up the GPU tier and pair it with a current mid-to-high CPU so the GPU isn't waiting on the processor.
  • 4K or high-refresh 1440p: this is where GPU cost climbs fastest. Budget accordingly and don't overspend on the CPU relative to the GPU.

Supporting specs:

  • RAM: 16GB is the practical floor for modern gaming; 32GB helps with heavy multitasking, streaming, or large mod packs.
  • Storage: an NVMe SSD for the OS and games you play most; add a second drive for a library that keeps growing.
  • Display (laptops): refresh rate and panel type matter as much as the GPU. A strong GPU behind a 60Hz screen wastes its potential.

Set a Budget and Know Where to Spend

Spend on the GPU first, then the CPU, then the display (for laptops). Save on the case, fans, and cosmetic extras unless they solve a real problem like airflow or noise.

  • Tight budget: a prebuilt or a modest custom build at 1080p gives the best frame rate per dollar.
  • Mid budget: this is the sweet spot for 1440p. Put the extra money into the GPU tier rather than RGB or a larger case.
  • High budget: 4K and high-refresh gaming. Diminishing returns set in fast, so decide whether you want maximum frames or maximum resolution before you spend.

A laptop at the same price as a desktop will generally deliver fewer frames, because part of the cost goes into the chassis, battery, and display. That's a trade for portability, not a flaw.

Buying Parts for a Custom Build: Check Compatibility First

Before ordering individual components, confirm these fit together:

  1. CPU and motherboard socket must match.
  2. Motherboard form factor (ATX, micro-ATX, mini-ITX) must fit the case.
  3. GPU length must clear the case interior.
  4. Power supply wattage and connectors must cover the GPU and CPU.
  5. RAM type (DDR4 vs DDR5) must match what the motherboard supports.
  6. Cooler height must fit the case and clear the RAM.

Newegg's catalog lets you filter parts by these attributes, and product pages list the specifications you need to cross-check. Read the specs rather than relying on a category name.

Use Reviews, Filters, and Policies to Avoid Mistakes

  • Filter before you browse. Narrow by GPU, price range, and form factor so you're comparing like with like.
  • Read reviews for failure patterns, not just star ratings—recurring complaints about thermals, coil whine, or dead-on-arrival parts are more useful than a single bad experience.
  • Check the return and warranty terms on the specific item before buying, since these vary by product and seller.
  • Watch for subscription options at checkout. Newegg lists a subscriptions orders page, so review any recurring charge before confirming if one is offered for your order.

A Quick Way to Decide

  • Want to game today with minimal effort and upgrade later? Prebuilt desktop.
  • Need to carry it with you? Gaming laptop, accepting lower performance per dollar.
  • Want the best value and full control, and don't mind assembly? Custom build from parts.

Whichever path you pick, lock in the GPU and display first, set your budget around them, and verify compatibility or return terms before you check out.

How to Create and Export Animated Sprites with Piskel

Piskel is a free, open-source, browser-based editor for animated sprites and pixel art. You can design characters, animations, and tiles directly in your browser, then export them as animated GIFs, PNG spritesheets, or ZIP files. It works best in a desktop browser in landscape orientation, and offline desktop versions are available for Windows, OSX, and Linux if you prefer not to work in the browser.

Getting Started

Open piskelapp.com in a desktop browser. You have two starting points:

  • Start from scratch — create a blank sprite and set your own canvas size.
  • Try an example — load one of the built-in sprite examples (characters, tilesets, layered backgrounds, Gameboy retro graphics) to see how a finished sprite is structured before making your own.

If you're on a phone or tablet, Piskel will warn you that it's best used in a desktop browser in landscape orientation. You can open it anyway, but the drawing tools are designed around a mouse and a wider canvas.

Drawing Pixel Art Frame by Frame

Piskel's workflow is frame-based: each frame is a single still image, and the animation plays them in sequence.

  1. Set up your canvas. Choose a small pixel grid (classic sprites are often 16×16, 32×32, or 64×64). Small canvases keep individual pixels visible and editable.
  2. Draw with the pen tool. Click individual pixels to place color. This is the core action for pixel art — every pixel is a deliberate decision.
  3. Fill areas with the fill tool. Use it to flood a region with a single color instead of clicking pixel by pixel.
  4. Pick and manage colors. Choose from the color palette, or select an existing color from your canvas to reuse it consistently across frames.
  5. Add frames. Duplicate the current frame and modify it slightly to create motion — this is how walk cycles, blinking, and idle animations are built.

The key habit for animation: keep changes between consecutive frames small. A two-pixel shift in a leg position reads as movement; a ten-pixel jump reads as a glitch.

Previewing and Tuning the Animation

Piskel shows a live preview of your animation in real time as you draw, so you don't have to export to check whether the motion works.

  • Adjust frame delay on the fly. Each frame's delay controls how long it stays on screen. Shorter delays make fast motion; longer delays make slow, deliberate movement.
  • Watch the loop. Because the preview loops continuously, you'll immediately see whether the first and last frames connect smoothly or whether there's a visible jump.

Tune the delay while watching the preview rather than guessing — the same frames can feel completely different at different speeds.

Exporting Your Work

Piskel supports several export modes depending on what you need the file for:

Export format Best for
Animated GIF Sharing the animation on its own, posting online
PNG spritesheet Importing into a game engine that expects a single image with all frames
ZIP Larger projects where frames or layers are kept as separate files

Choose GIF when the animation is the final product. Choose a spritesheet PNG or ZIP when the sprite is an asset that another program will read.

Options for Kids and Offline Use

  • Piskel for Kids is a child-friendly version of the editor, designed to be safe and distraction-free. It's aimed at kids, teachers, and parents who want the same pixel art workflow without extra interface elements.
  • Offline versions are free desktop applications for Windows, OSX, and Linux, available from the download page. Use these if you need to work without an internet connection or want a dedicated application window.

Common Sticking Points

  • Working on a small screen. The editor is built for desktop and landscape orientation; drawing precision suffers on a phone.
  • Frames that don't loop cleanly. If the animation snaps when it restarts, the last frame doesn't lead back into the first — adjust the final frame's pose or delay.
  • Exporting the wrong format. A GIF is for viewing; a spritesheet is for importing into a game. Picking the wrong one means re-exporting later.

All of Piskel's code is open-source and available on GitHub, so the tool itself can be inspected, modified, or self-hosted if you need that level of control.

Website Overview

An established domain and managed infrastructure suggest continuity of operations and may support dependable delivery, although neither guarantees service quality.

Domain and Registration

Registered in 2016, this domain has about 9 years of history. That suggests continuity, although ownership and purpose may have changed. Transfer-protection status is present, helping reduce the risk of unauthorized domain transfers. The registrar is Cloudflare, Inc., a widely used domain service provider. The domain uses the common .com extension, which is not an independent safety signal.

DNS and Email

Nameservers are provided by Cloudflare, indicating managed DNS hosting. MX records point to the Google Workspace email service. DNSSEC is enabled, allowing validating resolvers to authenticate signed DNS data. No CNAME was found; the observed records resolve directly to addresses. SPF and DMARC are configured. DKIM status is unknown.

TLS and Certificates

The public key uses EC with 256 bits. The server supplied a complete certificate chain. No organization name is present in the certificate; the available fields are consistent with domain validation. The certificate was issued within the Google Trust Services cloud or CDN ecosystem. The certificate's total validity is about 90 days, consistent with a short renewal cycle.

HTTP and Browser Security

The response lacks these common security headers: CSP, X-Content-Type-Options, Referrer-Policy, Permissions-Policy, clickjacking protection. No X-Powered-By header was found, reducing one common source of backend fingerprinting information. The cf-ray, via response header indicates a CDN or caching proxy in the delivery path. No obvious internal addresses or debug information were found in the headers. The Server header identifies cloudflare without an exact version.

Technology Stack Analysis

The public page identifies Cloudflare without precise versions, leaving fewer clues for version-specific scanning.

Search and Social Sharing

The meta description has 190 characters and may be shortened in search results. Twitter Card metadata is configured. The title has 47 characters, within a common display range. The observed directives allow indexing and link following. No Generator meta tag is publicly exposed.

Hosting and Email

DNSCloudflare
HostingCloudflare
EmailGoogle Workspace
Location Location unknown 104.26.12.75

User reviews (0)

  • No reviews yet.

Pages, Search and Sharing

Meta descriptionUnleash creativity with DungeonFog - the ultimate TTRPG map-making tool. Design custom battle and world maps for Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Cthulhu, and more. Craft epic adventures now!
Canonical URLhttps://www.dungeonfog.com/
LanguageEnglish (default)
Twitter Cardsummary_large_image
All bots 0 allowed · 0 disallowed

Registration details RDAP / WHOIS

RegistrarCloudflare, Inc.
Registered2016-11-10
Expires2026-11-10
Domain statusclient transfer prohibited
Nameserversceleste.ns.cloudflare.com、clayton.ns.cloudflare.com
DNSSECsigned

DNS records

TypeNameValueTTLPriority
Awww.dungeonfog.com104.26.12.75300—
Awww.dungeonfog.com104.26.13.75300—
Awww.dungeonfog.com172.67.71.1300—
AAAAwww.dungeonfog.com2606:4700:20::681a:c4b300—
AAAAwww.dungeonfog.com2606:4700:20::681a:d4b300—
AAAAwww.dungeonfog.com2606:4700:20::ac43:4701300—
MXdungeonfog.comaspmx.l.google.com36001
MXdungeonfog.comalt1.aspmx.l.google.com36005
MXdungeonfog.comalt2.aspmx.l.google.com36005
MXdungeonfog.comalt3.aspmx.l.google.com360010
MXdungeonfog.comalt4.aspmx.l.google.com360010
NSdungeonfog.comceleste.ns.cloudflare.com86400—
NSdungeonfog.comclayton.ns.cloudflare.com86400—
TXTdungeonfog.combrevo-code:d32aeacf443f6a991ee6f5497a35eb0d300—
TXTdungeonfog.comfacebook-domain-verification=n3jnmgo7xdj9p8b3q49jofbx6i0j0j300—
TXTdungeonfog.comgoogle-site-verification=BWd74OAaOT2jPvqCnPJQwsx_OzNlvAD3nVxdNdhPadA300—
TXTdungeonfog.comgoogle-site-verification=XpgIftHiAap9OCIGjqieH8dzxMxO0fv5Ua1E9QXj5FM300—
TXTdungeonfog.comgoogle-site-verification=gBaGEDjg1pN26r1YkRvU1ZhgNRVslNUY5oxj05kaTyE300—
TXTdungeonfog.comgoogle-site-verification=kJjt7sK1sfUiqgGST4umSg6EG12VXVG-91kaBuhVzVc300—
TXTdungeonfog.comv=spf1 include:amazonses.com include:_spf.google.com include:spf.sendinblue.com ~all300—
DSdungeonfog.com2371 13 2 c4a9824965f45a3604998974c088eb2ffc225f963c96585ed1b84a46e6c435fb86400—
DMARC_dmarc.dungeonfog.comv=DMARC1;p=reject;sp=reject;pct=100;rua=mailto:[email protected],mailto:[email protected];ruf=mailto:[email protected];ri=86400;fo=1300—

TLS and certificates

AssessmentNormal configuration
Supported protocolsTLSv1.2、TLSv1.3
Negotiated protocolTLSv1.3
Certificate subjectwww.dungeonfog.com
IssuerGoogle Trust Services
Valid until2026-12-05T15:46 · Remaining when checked: 68 days
Verification detailsCertificate trust: Passed · Hostname match: Passed

HTTP response headers

HeaderValue
content-typetext/html; charset=utf-8
cache-controlmust-revalidate, proxy-revalidate, private, no-cache, max-age=0
servercloudflare
strict-transport-securitymax-age=0
set-cookieRedacted

Identified technologies

Cloudflare