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I'm curious as to how many people here play RPG's on-line using some sort of "digital tabletop" like Fantasy Grounds or something similar.
My work schedule keeps me from getting involved in such a game, so I don't, but I know a lot of people who do over on the TLG boards.
Are a lot of folks doing so due to trouble finding local games?
I suppose there would be some demand for it or a number of products to do so wouldn't have popped up. I 'm just curious as to how prevalent it is. What programs are popular and how the overall experience is.
Note: This isn't a thread to get riled up on the DDI, go find another thread for that.
I usually play my games in meatspace, but FG looks pretty cool. I guess what would really interest me would be something that is a cross between pbp and online play because scheduling is the big problem and it seems better for a group to just pop in, post your turn and head out again. A dice roller, instant messaging, automatic update when you turn on your comp... stuff like that.
FG is more of an "everybody logs in and plays" sort of system. N'est pas?
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Yeah, I think thats how FG works.
One cool thing a guy on the TLG boards was doing for C&C for awhile was getting together "pick up" games. He'd post in the shoutbox, folks who where free and interested would get on SKYPE, make some characters of the appropriate levels and do a one shot.
Like you though the scheduling thing kills me for online games for the most part.
I don't play any online games - I have little to no interest. I like interacting with friends and people. To me, "acting" is a big part of why I roleplay and that is missing in online games, for the most part. I do think however, that there is more space for description and flavor sometimes in a Play-by-Post, but such games usually move far too slowly for my taste.
That and my work travel means that there are large periods of time which I don't have much computer access. But I don't feel I'm missing anything by not playing online.
A pbp system with a few more frills than we have here on the Paizo boards would really make me happy.
Not that I'm complaining with the service here, but if Paizo ever set something extra up for pbps I'd s#!* myself with glee.
Have tried this system out: http://glittercomm.com/index.php
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To me, "acting" is a big part of why I roleplay and that is missing in online games, for the most part.
I know the guys who play C&C use SKYPE because they don't have to type actions, etc. They just talk to eachother, which allows for "acting" and what have you.
But yeah, I'm still of the mind that I prefer face to face gaming.
That looks kind of cool.Have tried this system out: http://glittercomm.com/index.php
It's *FREE* too.
I don't play any online games - I have little to no interest. I like interacting with friends and people. To me, "acting" is a big part of why I roleplay and that is missing in online games, for the most part. I do think however, that there is more space for description and flavor sometimes in a Play-by-Post, but such games usually move far too slowly for my taste.
That and my work travel means that there are large periods of time which I don't have much computer access. But I don't feel I'm missing anything by not playing online.
The same for me, I don't have any interest in MMORPGs, Online games of any sort, maybe proving a PBP to see but no one gives me the opportunity yet. One of the solid aspects of the RPG is interaction with others and it is easier gathering a group of friends than gathering five guys that are in 5 different countries.
I like MapTool, but I only use it as a mapping application for my tabletop projector. However, the community at rptools.net seem to like it a lot for playing online.
(MapTool is also free, and the Dev Team can add features on request.)
Oh, and Kruelaid, I believe it fits your ideals for the ability to come and go as you please, as long as the GM leaves the server turned on.
Have tried this system out: http://glittercomm.com/index.php
Crikey, I can't load it. It's the Great Firewall dammitall.
I like MapTool, but I only use it as a mapping application for my tabletop projector. However, the community at rptools.net seem to like it a lot for playing online.
(MapTool is also free, and the Dev Team can add features on request.)
Oh, and Kruelaid, I believe it fits your ideals for the ability to come and go as you please, as long as the GM leaves the server turned on.
Now that's cool.
I've been running a weekly game with Kloogewerks for - I guess nearly three years at this point. It works great. Just from an online standpoint - no traveling to games and you can play with anyone in the world, not just the people you can find in your locale. Playing with my brother who lives 2000 miles away is a big plus.
Speaking specifically to Klooge - the rules automation in that program makes the game faster than tabletop, the mapping tools make it possible to do things you can't do on a battlemap (huge battles), the management features are a great help as well (huge battles with dozens of opponents).
As far as "community" is concerned - I think there are very few people playing this way. The klooge users have tried an online convention a couple times with little interest. When I've gone looking for a new player, I've had very little response. Online D&D is a small niche in an already small niche.
That's the bright spot I see in 4E: People might try out the virtual game table, realize it sucks, and move on to klooge.
Are a lot of folks doing so due to trouble finding local games?
In my case, no.
I play on Tuesday and Thursday nights, using MapTool, with a few of the same guys I play with in person on Wednesday nights. Why? Because we can't all get together in person three nights a week, but we can link up online (after the kids are in bed, in my case).
And FWIW, I find the role-playing to be somewhat better online, actually. People tend to stay in character more, perhaps because they are logged in by their character name and see only the character names of the other players, which makes it easier to imagine that the other person really is "Tordek" or "Jozan" or whoever.
There are downsides to online play, too, but on the whole I'm extremely pleased with MapTool and grateful that it allows me to play more D&D than I'd be able to without it.
I play at home in my D and D room but switch to Skype whon I play with friends in Auzzie or If I have to go to another city to work.
People Do seem to stay in character a bit more thats for sure.
For maps I just send J pegs over Skype...
I help organize a meetup for playing D&D through MapTool if anyone is interested:
Have tried this system out: http://glittercomm.com/index.php
I've been unable to start the program on my laptop because of a "pixel shadow" error something required 2.0. Any tips?
jh
well, several of us do pbp here on Paizo
I've been unable to start the program on my laptop because of a "pixel shadow" error something required 2.0. Any tips?
jh
I'm guessing, but maybe graphics drivers?
Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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I'm guessing, but maybe graphics drivers?I've been unable to start the program on my laptop because of a "pixel shadow" error something required 2.0. Any tips?
jh
Ya, sounds like Pixel Shading 2.0. I had to upgrade my video card to meet that requirement for several newer games.
Have tried this system out: http://glittercomm.com/index.php
This looks great, except I'm too dumb to figure out how to use this. Obviously the version available for download isn't the same as the "full" version, or am I just not getting this, because I'm not seeing any folder to add my own maps or tokens, and I've looked at the features.
I know, I'm probably going to look really stupid once someone points out what I'm doing wrong or what I don't realize.
I don't play any online games - I have little to no interest. I like interacting with friends and people.
Funny, that's exactly why I do play in an online game! My friends and family who I play D&D with all live in different places, and online D&D (using Fantasy Grounds) lets us get together and interact every week.