General RPG DiscussionDiscussion of all RPGs and non-system-specific topics. DM/GM/player issues, settings, etc. Rules discussion belongs in one the forums below.
I've come to the conclusion that west Texas sucks for PnP RPG gaming. So I'm starting to look at online options but don't know really where to start. I think I heard mention that WotC had some sort of online system in the works as apart of D&DI or some such thing, that true? There any other software that is decent for playing/running a game?
DDI's table top is eithr in development or cancelled, not sure which.
Maptools and other online tabletops exist and have good followings. The problem is getting a group together every week. The following oiptions do not have that problem, and you can play from multiple computers inteh course of a week.
There are lots of Play by post forums out there, indcluding some games done on this site. Good backgrounds and post storage here, plus dice rollers.
Yahoogroups and Googlegroups are good places to do mroe email style playing, and not having to visit sites when you post.
Straight Email. Find a group and email each other. It is simple, but there is only as much history as you save on your computer.
Those are basic options and each have their proponents. Personally, I like Yahoogroups, so if you are interestedi n that, let me know. I don't do much with the others.
After I'm done (hopefully in about a month) a friend is going to start up a DnD 4.0 game using the same software.
You can find out more about FG and other software like maptools at Welcome to Four Ugly Monsters which is a community site for people using Virtual Tabletop software.
I have been running and playing there for years and I like it for the following reasons:
1. I can reply to it whenever I like. With players from Turkey to Europe, the Americas and Asia, we are posting nearly all day long, and rarely do time zones cause a conflict. This is the same with PbP, but online Maptools and such suffer from this.
2. I can reply from nearly anywhere I like. I use computers at my many schools (I teach at 5 a week) so it is nice to be able to read posts and reply from 6-7 computers a week. Again, PbP works well for this but not all systems.
3. I can reply by email, not by visiting the site. True, when I am posting from out of home, this is not true, but from home it is a huge time saver. No clicking endless links to read posts or move from place to place. It saves me tons of time.
4. File storage, polls, database, etc. Yahoo has some nice features to help with play. Granted they are not special as you can do these with nearly every other option, but it makes things easier.
A couple of my games. Here is my longest running game on Yahoogroups. A solid 8 years
I've used OpenRPG for years to good effect. Although, it is no longer in development, so, take from it what you will.
Maptools is another great program. Possibly less options than in OpenRPG, but, the mapping capabilities are bloody fantastic.
__________________ Currently running: Sufficiently Advanced over Maptool. Soon to change. If you'd like to join in a short 3-8 session campaign for various systems, drop by our forums.
I double-dog-dare you to make your game sound super cool without comparing it to other editions. - paraphrased from Umbran.
You could also try PlayByWeb.com for forum-based gaming. Includes private notes, private e-mail, dice roller, full html support, etc. Very useful and constantly in development.
I've used OpenRPG for years to good effect. Although, it is no longer in development, so, take from it what you will.
Slightly off-topic, so apologizes: OpenRPG is actually *back* in development, over at the OpenRPG+ site. That said, I greatly prefer Maptools at this point, as OpenRPG tends to be notoriously unstable, and Maptool, while not quite as full-featured in the chat/macro area (Open has a great node system for automating your entire sheet), the map is amazing, and is far more stable.
Thanks for that Aegir. I didn't know that they finally got back around to developing. Cool
BTW, has anyone heard anything about Epic Table I was just piddling about the other day and found their site. Looks cool. Everything is run from the browser, which would make it super easy.
__________________ Currently running: Sufficiently Advanced over Maptool. Soon to change. If you'd like to join in a short 3-8 session campaign for various systems, drop by our forums.
I double-dog-dare you to make your game sound super cool without comparing it to other editions. - paraphrased from Umbran.
I'd go with the suggestion to check out the RPGA as well (sponsored by WotC). Many people use it as a means to find local players and game with them in neutral settings before forming private play groups. Online play is also well represented.
The cool thing I like about it is the ability to be flexible with my game time. I can play lots of games one weekend, and not all for the next month, then pick it up again with the same character. Plus, I can travel anywhere around the country and be almost guaranteed to find a local group.
Oh, and another big thing is that they often get access to some sweet stuff. I got the 4e Village of Hommlett adventure for example just for being a member. Next month, I'm going to get some free dungeon tiles (in the shape of ships!). I also got to playtest the PHB1 thanks to connections through it.
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