Paizo announces Paizo Game Space

Well I still have my doubts as to its viability for games outside of a single time zone..and I certainly won't be using it if I have to pay for it.

Well I still have my doubts as to its viability for games outside of a single time zone..and I certainly won't be using it if I have to pay for it.

I play every week with folks on the west coast, when I am decidedly east. I suppose you could manage something trans-atlantic, but further than that will have issues, of course. But even play-by-post suffers such issues!

GM Wellard: I just had 10 posters apply for a VTT game I am starting. I will admit that I did post here and in Giants in the playground. I got 5 from each site. If Enworld had not been down I would have posted there also. Now I am glad I didn't. RPG.net is another place to try to find players as well as other sites dedicated to forming groups.

Probably a stupid question, but is "Game Space" live?... is there an eta if not?... I can't seem to find a link to a real page for it.?.

Thanks,

G

It is not "live" yet. There is also no exact date other than some time soon.

Thanks WraithStrike... Is there / was there a demo?

He had it open for a few hours one day to test things out. I missed it though. I would have loved to try it.

Is October still 'summer' in some places in the Northern Hemisphere? It's not October yet, I know, but there's only 4-5 days left depending on some peoples reckoning.

I'm going to be writing up a blog post laying out more details of the Game Space rollout. We're still getting ducks in rows, but it's looking good. (Even if we did miss the "this summer" deadline, depending on which hemisphere you're in...)

I'm going to be writing up a blog post laying out more details of the Game Space rollout. We're still getting ducks in rows, but it's looking good. (Even if we did miss the "this summer" deadline, depending on which hemisphere you're in...)

You have a few months yet before its summer here Australia... It would be a nice Christmas present :-).

Sitting in 38'C heat 95% humidity eating roast dinner and playing with Gamespace.

I'm going to be writing up a blog post laying out more details of the Game Space rollout. We're still getting ducks in rows, but it's looking good. (Even if we did miss the "this summer" deadline, depending on which hemisphere you're in...)

Personally, I don't recall you actually claiming it was going to be the Summer of 2012. :P

Keep lining up those ducks Gary!!
Looking forward to the blog post.

More info!!!

Yes, more info. More screenshots!

Yes, more info. More screenshots!

MOOOORE!?

J/K J/K

It's snowing in Alaska. Is summer over yet? :P

J/K J/K

On a serious note, I told some new players at the local hobby store about the upcoming Game Space and they were psyched. Some of their friends moved away for college, and they're pretty bummed about not being able to play. They're hoping Game Space can alleviate that problem.

Can we get any kind of update about how the Game Space is coming along? I think the last we heard was there was some coding issues or something.

We've just got out of a meeting blocking out a rough schedule for deployment of the VTT. There are some more ducks we're getting into rows right now, but it should be entering a limited beta phase soon. The above-mentioned blog post should go up sometime this week, it'll have some more details about what we're up to and approximately when.

Edit: I see I should find a new metaphor. Those ducks are getting on my nerves, and I bet everybody else's as well. Maybe ponies.

I suggest that perhaps gremlins are more apropos of software development.

I suggest that perhaps gremlins are more apropos of software development.

I'd have thought cats would be even better - I've often heard the remark that managing software development is rather like herding cats.

Evil Lincoln wrote:

I suggest that perhaps gremlins are more apropos of software development.

I'd have thought cats would be even better - I've often heard the remark that managing software development is rather like herding cats.

Managing any sort of creative endeavor is like herding cats...through a field of catnip.

DUCKS EVERYWHERE except not ducks

We've just got out of a meeting blocking out a rough schedule for deployment of the VTT. There are some more ducks we're getting into rows right now, but it should be entering a limited beta phase soon. The above-mentioned blog post should go up sometime this week, it'll have some more details about what we're up to and approximately when.

Edit: I see I should find a new metaphor. Those ducks are getting on my nerves, and I bet everybody else's as well. Maybe ponies.

NanoMechaCorgis?

We've just got out of a meeting blocking out a rough schedule for deployment of the VTT. There are some more ducks we're getting into rows right now, but it should be entering a limited beta phase soon. The above-mentioned blog post should go up sometime this week, it'll have some more details about what we're up to and approximately when.

Edit: I see I should find a new metaphor. Those ducks are getting on my nerves, and I bet everybody else's as well. Maybe ponies.

You could substitute platypus for duck.... The platypus is the superior animal.

Why do I get the feeling that this is going to turn into another contest like naming the Worldwound AP? Somebody's going to get freelance work out of this, I'll put money on it.

That said, pistol shrimp are terrifying.

Gary Teter wrote:

We've just got out of a meeting blocking out a rough schedule for deployment of the VTT. There are some more ducks we're getting into rows right now, but it should be entering a limited beta phase soon. The above-mentioned blog post should go up sometime this week, it'll have some more details about what we're up to and approximately when.

Edit: I see I should find a new metaphor. Those ducks are getting on my nerves, and I bet everybody else's as well. Maybe ponies.

You could substitute platypus for duck.... The platypus is the superior animal.

Agreed. the Platypus is the best animal. Now if only we could have platypus familiars...

As for metaphors: Putting all your platypuses in piles?

The 8th Dwarf wrote:

Gary Teter wrote:

We've just got out of a meeting blocking out a rough schedule for deployment of the VTT. There are some more ducks we're getting into rows right now, but it should be entering a limited beta phase soon. The above-mentioned blog post should go up sometime this week, it'll have some more details about what we're up to and approximately when.

Edit: I see I should find a new metaphor. Those ducks are getting on my nerves, and I bet everybody else's as well. Maybe ponies.

You could substitute platypus for duck.... The platypus is the superior animal.

Agreed. the Platypus is the best animal. Now if only we could have platypus familiars...

As for metaphors: Putting all your platypuses in piles?

I am not sure what you would call a group of platypi (or platypuses) - A group of kangaroos is called a mob, but the Platypus is a monotreme not a marsupial and they are similar to beavers in lifestyle.

I think I will stick with a aristocracy of Platypi so as not to offend our platypus overlords.

Maybe they are still "cleaning out the goblin poop"

Maybe herding cats and lining up ducks at the same time? They might interfere with one another...

Sometimes in programming "Herding Turtles" might be a more appropriate timeline.

Sometimes in programming "Herding Turtles" might be a more appropriate timeline.

I'm afraid that metaphor won't work. Programers have long since mastered making turtles go where the programmer wants.

This comes from a brainfart brought on by Gary Teter's previous "Tom Sawyer" post. My own technical knowledge is insufficient to do anything but pose the questions that follow. I am not equipped to contribute to the discussion in a meaningful way, but I'd like to hear people's opinions.

With the advent of Pathfinder Online and the Paizo Game Space VTT, isn't it time for a unifying, open source API? There are so many disparate websites, character generators, mobile apps and virtual table tops, shouldn't there be some method of ensuring they work together? Programmer D&D-nerd friends and I have discussed this topic at length and it could be revolutionary if handled correctly.

The problem with this is that everyone has their own personal variation and interpretation of just the Pathfinder rules.

Many programs are not even tied to Pathfinder, but try to be a general tool. Every program/utility has it's conceptual priorities. Some of these are designed with interoperability in mind, some are more proprietary.

It comes down to the concept that if "We need a standard to integrate the existing standards", all you really accomplish is confusing the situation further by increasing the number of standards.

In short, a unifying API/standard would be wonderful, but A. It's not feasible and B. not all parties are motivated to want it.

Edit: I should clarify that a single unifying API isn't feasible. Not all tools have the same "perspective" on data. As you decrease the set of tools to common functional grouping, common understanding is possible. To some degree, this already exists between some of the bigger tools. The trade-off between general acceptance and universal usefulness must be made, and finding this trade-off is the bottleneck.

The problem with this is that everyone has their own personal variation and interpretation of just the Pathfinder rules.

I totally agree with what you've said, but surely an API that ties into monster stats, condition modifiers, skill check DCs and other objective concepts could work to everyone's benefit. It's not as though there's a massive market for PFRPG apps wherein one developer is seeking to shut the competition down. This is a miniscule community, and Kyle Olson's Combat Manager working with Hero Lab working with D20PFSRD working with Paizo Game Space doesn't do anything but benefit everyone.

When I talk to the various people who make virtual tabletops and other RPG tools, one of the things I mention is a sort of unified API for this sort of thing. Generally they pause for a bit, and then give me the "I think this guy may actually be really crazy" look....

When I talk to the various people who make virtual tabletops and other RPG tools, one of the things I mention is a sort of unified API for this sort of thing. Generally they pause for a bit, and then give me the "I think this guy may actually be really crazy" look....

But is that look because they met you, or because you mentioned the unified API? :)

When I talk to the various people who make virtual tabletops and other RPG tools, one of the things I mention is a sort of unified API for this sort of thing. Generally they pause for a bit, and then give me the "I think this guy may actually be really crazy" look....

Deserves its own thread, and then some.

I would be very interested in a Pathfinder VT. Here are some features that I would like and also my 2 cents on how pricing should work.

Features:
1.) Option to make rules PFS legal, RAW, or home-brew

2.) Ability to import home-made maps and tokens.

3.) Ability to key custom NPCs

4.) PC url importer, so character creators/managers like Hero Labs, and PC Gen can be used. Herolabs and PC-Gen are very good at creating export functions for other VT's and should do it for Paizo as well.

5.) Some sort of Roll (Attack/Damage/Skill/CBM/CMD/AC/saves) check/explanation where rolls could be quickly verified by GM or players.
[i.e. D20(13)+BAB(3)+Weapon Focus(1)+Str(3)+Magic Weapon(+1)= 21]
This will speed play and it also helps new/old players learn the game.

6.) Allow parser tools, either paizo created or community created to help import/key npcs and modules

7.) Players should be able to log into the VT and create/update characters in between game sessions.

My 2 cents on Pricing:
1.) I think it is important that Paizo make money on the VT.

2.) I think players should not be charged.

3.) I think GM's should pay for a monthly/quarterly/yearly GM license. I would say about $50 per year. This should include some basic maps and tokens.

4.) Pathfinder Society Scenarios, adventure paths, and other modules purchased should be available (when available) for GM's to use on the VT. I doubt they will all be available at the VT's launch. But the community can actually key these for Paizo, just give them credit towards a similar size product, or extend VT license. (It takes me about 3-4 hours to enter a PFS module into FGII, I would expect it to be about the same for Paizo's VT)

5.) An a la carte system where you can buy maps/tokens should be available.

6.) I think a system where purchased content can be used/viewed by anyone present at the VT should be enacted. i.e. If Joe is playing in Bill's campaign and Joe has a map he legally purchased, as long as Joe is present at the VT the map should be available for everyone to use during that session.

Just my 2 cents.

Pre-made modules (maps, tokens, maybe stats of monsters...) will be key. You can sell them and if price is right, people will sure buy it. Module/Session preparation is problably a pain (never did it). If you can get it pre-made, that is gold.

I think that is a better way to make money than suscription fees.

bye.

Any new news or updates regarding gamespace?

Any ETA?

Update here.

Update here.

Awesome, thanks for the link :-)

I'd like to see it client based not browser based, something like the tabletop from Fantasy Grounds. Your going the wrong way if it's going browser based like roll20 IMO. I'm pretty bummed about that.

You should be able to buy books and modules or AP'S that are already laid out for DM's. Like a store pulling them up in a game session if needed.

Is it going to have a character sheet built in with a generator? If your going the roll 20 route where you have to make a char using some half bit editor that you have to create from scratch you are doing something wrong.

I would like to be able to log into something like the wizards D&d character and make a character Save it and use it in the game.

I'd rather have it be browser-based than client-based, actually.

Maybe it could be both Browser based and client based (for those who want to run their own server(s)).

I'd like to see it client based not browser based, something like the tabletop from Fantasy Grounds. Your going the wrong way if it's going browser based like roll20 IMO. I'm pretty bummed about that.

You should be able to buy books and modules or AP'S that are already laid out for DM's. Like a store pulling them up in a game session if needed.

Is it going to have a character sheet built in with a generator? If your going the roll 20 route where you have to make a char using some half bit editor that you have to create from scratch you are doing something wrong.

I would like to be able to log into something like the wizards D&d character and make a character Save it and use it in the game.

Roll20 has character sheets, and before that (which is a recent addiction) they had API scripts, some of which allow you to copy and paste a statblock onto a token, click a macro button, and poof you have a fully generated character/NPC/Monster with a long list of matching macros. Even with the character sheets, I still prefer to use the importer. And it doesn't just work for monsters (whose stat blocks you can copy and paste from online), I use PC Gen to make my characters, and it has an option to export as a Pathfinder stat block. Copy and paste that, click the mob-importer button, done.

Link demonstrating mob importer: http://youtu.be/48O8FyPTp64

Maybe it could be both Browser based and client based (for those who want to run their own server(s)).

I'm a fan of Roll20. Of all the suggestions I've seen about what Roll20 did wrong or doesn't have in this thread, this is the only comment that is actually correct. Everything is run through their servers, which limits the memory available to GMs for art assets, and limits the processing power for scripts (rarely an issue, but it has happened).

Also, at the beginning of this thread, Gary Teter said in 2012 that Game Space would be available in the Summer of 2012. That's a long enough lapse that WoTC's floundered VTT cmoes to mind. Any recent updates?

Is thing thing still being worked on?

I 2nd this. Would really like to have a VTT for use with my Paizo products.

I agree! Any news? Would love to utilize this as I recently moved away from my whole group!

No change: Not dead, but not currently in active development, and not all that near the top of our task list.