Gates of Vienna 1683 is a tactical level game of the battle of 12 September 1683 when a coalition of European powers relieved the city of Vienna which was under siege by an Ottoman army. The battle was a decisive turning point in the ongoing Ottoman invasion, as well as in the history of Europe. It is based on the 30 Years War Battles system with revisions to account for tactical developments of post-1648.

The game rules represent a combination of playability and realism. They model the overall effects of the weapons and tactics of the great era of pike and shot, and include combat, leadership, and morale. Players command armies of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, each with their own special capabilities, as well as the great leaders who took the field in this era.