This guide is intended to provide an overview of how to install, set up, and run the Archipelago multiworld software. This guide should take about 5 minutes to read.
supported by Archipelago but not listed in the installation check the setup guide for that game. Installing a client for a ROM based game requires you to have a legally obtained ROM for that game as well.
YAML is the file format which Archipelago uses in order to configure a player's world. It allows you to dictate which game you will be playing as well as the settings you would like for that game.
YAML is a format very similar to JSON however it is made to be more human-readable. If you are ever unsure of the validity of your YAML file you may check the file by uploading it to the check page on the Archipelago website. Check page: https://archipelago.gg/mysterycheck
YAML files may be generated on the Archipelago website by visiting the games page and clicking the "Settings Page" link under any game. Clicking "Export Settings" in a game's settings page will download the YAML to your system. Games page: https://archipelago.gg/games
Typically, a single participant of the multiworld will gather the YAML files from all other players. After getting the YAML files of each participant for your multiworld game they can be compressed into a ZIP folder to then be uploaded to the multiworld generator page. Multiworld generator page: https://archipelago.gg/generate
#### Rolling a YAML Locally
It is possible to roll the multiworld locally, using a local Archipelago installation. This is done by entering the installation directory of the Archipelago installation and placing each YAML file in the `Players` folder. If the folder does not exist then it can be created manually.
After filling the `Players` folder the `ArchipelagoGenerate.exe` program should be run in order to generate a multiworld. The output of this process is placed in the `output` folder. The output wll be a `.archipelago` file which can be subsequently uploaded to the Archipelago host game page. Archipelago host game page: https://archipelago.gg/uploads
The `.AP` file may be run locally in order to host the multiworld on the local machine. This is done by running `ArchipelagoServer.exe` and pointing the resulting file selection prompt to the `.archipelago` file that was generated.