| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Brace Cormaeril |
Posted - 19 Apr 2010 : 03:35:05
After reading a comment from Wooly on the Free and Spirited thread, I did some basic google-fu, and came up with this link:
http://www.fouruglymonsters.com/community/fumcon/fc-vtt
Has anyone ever tried any of these products? And, more importantly, is anyone around here interested in starting an on-line Candlekeep community game?
Thanks for taking the time to read this. |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 00:13:47
quote:
Originally posted by Brace Cormaeril
I just tried out d20pro, and it seems to have all the features that Wooly wants in a virtual table top, however it does have integrated rules. This could be a case where you could use less of the software power, using only those features you wanted (chat, mapping, dice rolling) and eliminate the integrated rules.
There seems to be a lot of these products on the market; grabbing one and using what you want could probably get you where you want to go, Wooly.
*shrugs*
I'm not looking for one for myself... WotC promised us a virtual gaming table, and I think that it would have done far more to revitalize the role-playing industry than a divisive new edition could do.
What I'm discussing is what I think WotC should have offered us. |
| Brace Cormaeril |
Posted - 19 Apr 2010 : 18:46:55
I just tried out d20pro, and it seems to have all the features that Wooly wants in a virtual table top, however it does have integrated rules. This could be a case where you could use less of the software power, using only those features you wanted (chat, mapping, dice rolling) and eliminate the integrated rules.
There seems to be a lot of these products on the market; grabbing one and using what you want could probably get you where you want to go, Wooly.
*shrugs* |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 19 Apr 2010 : 05:17:12
Quoting myself, just to restate what I think would be ideal:
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
It's not a problem. You develop a simple system -- a white board that can be set with squares or hexes, a text chat system, a voice chat, and a dice roller -- all integrated. Simple markers for PCs, NPCs, and monsters. The DM can draw out whatever floorplan he needs, and from there you use it like simple graph paper. The voice chat lets everyone talk, the text chat simulates passing notes, and everyone uses the dice roller.
And that's all you need -- you sell it on a subscription basis, just like that, a simple system that will support any ruleset and any house rules for any game -- because the rules aren't integrated into it.
For expansions, you sell monster and specialized PC/NPC icons, and things like the tilesets they pushed for the minis. You sell a basic template set for things like fireballs and lightning bolts, and maybe a customizable set for other stuff.
And you can integrate rulesets in for another fee.
The table itself is a subscription-based service, but the expansions and rulesets are one-time fees and go with the buyer.
Doing all this allows you to capture almost all of the advantages of an MMO -- including the monthly subscription fee -- without having to print a single book. And keeping it simple, without integrated rules, means you can use it for any game system -- any of the flavors of D&D, or Runequest, or BattleTech, or Shadowrun, or any other system you can name.
The objective of the virtual gaming table isn't to take anything away from PnP games -- the objective is to move them from the table in the den or the basement to a global table. Players still need their books and such, this just gives them more people to game with.
I want to add that there are two advantages to not integrating rules into it: One is that it means that errata and new rulebooks don't have to be worked in on a regular basis, and the second is that it allows WotC to get money off of people playing any game, even if it's not D&D. This latter thing is similar to what the 3E OGL did, creating a larger fanbase for WotC products without limiting your income to those who want to imagine swinging a sword and casting a spell. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 19 Apr 2010 : 05:09:48
I think an interesting point to discuss would be the desired features of a virtual gaming table. As is already known, I favor something that essentially replicates a real table with graph paper on it -- but I realize other people are going to want a lot more visual input than that from their virtual gaming table.
So what do people want out of a virtual gaming table? |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 19 Apr 2010 : 04:12:51
Well I have in past tried a few, however really should not comment on past experience, ideally the bugs have been fixed by now. Some of the others I have not heard of, however the table of features or the lack of them does not inspire me to even consider them at this time. |
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