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Hey gang!
I was wondering if anyone is playing in a group that uses a virtual table top? Examples would be Fantasy Grounds II, KloOge Werks, Open RPG, Screen Monkey etc. If so, which have you used, what has been your experience, the good, the bad and the ugly?
There is a chance that my old group may want to give Pathfinder a try, and since we're spread out across the country a VTT would be our only choice.
The DDI will not be a choice for us as none of us are interested in a subscription payment model. A one time purchase is fine, but ongoing payments just aren't going to fly.
Thanks for the help.
A long time ago, I played in Traveller game via GRIP. It worked pretty well. Bad news is GRIP is for Windows only. I've played around with Open RPG somewhat. Good news, is it can be cross-platform. Bad news is that the last time I looked it, the install took a bit of work. My experience with Virtual Table Top group has been that it sometimes harder to get the virtual group together than a normal group. Also expect less time playing. Most of the sessions I've been involved in ran about 2-3 hours max. I'm not bad mouthing the use of virtual table tops, I think they are a great way to get some gaming in if you are aware of the limitations (real or assumed) when you them. Good Luck and remember have fun!
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For around 6 months, I've been going through Savage Tide using Glittercomm. It's very stable and boasts a simple, elegant interface. It does the job if you don't desire a lot of extras. It's currently in a state of flux, however, as the developer is working to release his latest build, which will include 3-D functionality. It requires Shader 2.0 on your video card.
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For the past few weeks, my group has been using MapTool.
Plusses:
* Runs on a PC and Mac through Java
* Has a lot of options for building pretty, dynamic maps.
* Macros for setting up dice rolls
Downsides:
* Despite all the options for map-building, it can also be cumbersome as an interface.
* Large, complex dynamic maps may have a problem downloading to some clients. Don't spend more than 30 minutes making a map with it or you may have to scrap it!
* After running for a long time (4 hours plus), it can have stability problems, sometimes requiring everyone to re-connect. It seems especially problematic on laptops with lower memory.
* When you set up your dice rolling macros, you don't have the option of setting up sets of them. Meaning once you set them up, you can't just do a convenient load and have a new set of macros available for a different monster or PC.
Problems aside, it has worked fine for us, despite the minor annoyances.
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However, in a few weeks, we'll be trying out my own app, TTopRPG.
Plusses:
* Runs on a PC with .NET 3.5, so it has recent support.
* Can run on a Mac OS with Parallels, although your mileage may vary
* I don't anticipate MapTool's stability problems, but I'll find out in a few weeks... a very large map download test last week ran faster than MapTool.
* Allows macro 'sets' so you can set up multiple characters and creatures, and save and load them
* Combat tracker, automatic hit point status
Downsides:
* No automatic support for Mac, requires at least Windows XP for Microsoft support.
* Setup is much more manual. You have to update with 2 Microsoft links (which can sometimes take a while depending on your setup), then extract a zip file for the exe. However, that's all it takes to set it up.
* Rarely, some machines have trouble setting up the .NET 3.5 framework. So far, the one user I know of that had trouble with the install hasn't had any problems with the program.
* No clean documentation, yet. So if you have questions about it, email me using the contact information at www.gamemodel.com
* It has no options for pretty dynamic maps, but like MapTool, it supports jpeg maps as well. When you need to make a dynamic map, it supports 4 colored lines and an eraser (much like a battlemat would work).
It's still in development, but in a very workable form. I've been using it for the past few weeks to take someone through RHoD with no real problems (just occasional connection dropouts, which I suspect is more from internet problems than the app). This app does not see wide use yet. It's only known by a few people, those whom I've shared it with. The one player that also has experience with MapTool likes how TTopRPG runs as a player.
For the last 6 months I have been running RotRLs for a 6 person party using Maptool and Skype. It has been great, and I would strongly suggest this combination to anyone.
Best.
For the last 6 months I have been running RotRLs for a 6 person party using Maptool and Skype. It has been great, and I would strongly suggest this combination to anyone.
Best.
I am in complete agreement with this person.
I've been using MapTool & InitTool from rptools.net for the last 3 months or so, and it has worked beautifully.
For the past few weeks, my group has been using MapTool.
I just had my first virtual tabletop-experience yesterday. I ran the Graul farm encounters from Hook mountain massacre with Maptool. It worked beautifully. Macros are the key to fast virtual play.
As good as Maptool was, Pygon's software sounds interesting. I think I'll give it a try someday. But I can recommend Maptool for everyone, it's quite good software...
Taurren,
Take a look at Battlegrounds: RPG Edition. It may be just what you're looking for.
And for a full list of all the RPG-oriented virtual tabletop software, go here
For the past few weeks, my group has been using MapTool.
I just had my first virtual tabletop-experience yesterday. I ran the Graul farm encounters from Hook mountain massacre with Maptool. It worked beautifully. Macros are the key to fast virtual play.
As good as Maptool was, Pygon's software sounds interesting. I think I'll give it a try someday. But I can recommend Maptool for everyone, it's quite good software...
That is great to hear! After a few sessions you really start to get the hang of things. I forgot to mention, I also use the Init Tool that is made by the same team as Maptool. It rocks for combat. So, my setup: Maptool, Init Tool, Skype. I cannot recommend this setup enough!
Basically my prep time involves the following:
- Maps: Copy map from PDF, and apply vbl's in Maptool. I suggest making small Campaign files so that they are easier to load. For example, I keep my campaigns to about 4 maps max.
- Tokens: Add NPCs to the maps, apply the relevant stats to NPCs, and save them (important!)
- Combat Encounters: If there are any potential combats I set up an encounter group in Init Tool.
That is basically it.
There's a group doing Pathfinder Society play via VTTs.
http://groups.google.com/group/pathfinder-society-online-collective?hl=en
In a week or two, I'll be running a Pathfinder version of Rise of the Runelords on Gametable (or maybe Pygon's TToG).
Actually if you are interested in playing check out my thread in the Gamer's Connection area.
Either way -- I'll post here my successes and hopefully few issues.
tlr
Pygon, were you running MapTool b63?
I'm glad to see you gave it a look recently, very excited to see what this bodes for TToG!
@OP: I love MapTool more than anything. The learning curve is a bit steeper than most of the other choices for VTT, but that's because of the huge number of features at the top of that "hill". And it's free.
If you do try MapTool and you need help/advice, post back in this thread and I'll do my best for ya.
There is a fan supported PF extention for Fantasy Grounds. Paizo said they wouldn't officially go with FG due to lack of Mac support (although, it can be used with WINE).
Pygon, were you running MapTool b63?
I'm glad to see you gave it a look recently, very excited to see what this bodes for TToG!
Note that Pygon's post in this thread is from 2008.
Note that Pygon's post in this thread is from 2008.Pygon, were you running MapTool b63?
I'm glad to see you gave it a look recently, very excited to see what this bodes for TToG!
Oh.
Thanks Hogarth. I honestly thought this whole thread was... more recent. *palm, meet face*