WotC's D&D Virtual Table Cancelled
Iosue
Legend
Precisely. The issue with the VTT was not just the tabletop interface, per se. That worked pretty well in the Beta. The problem came in trying to seamlessly integrate it into the Character and Monster Builders, which is really what the main draw of any official DDI VTT would be.
Then there's the issue of getting their server capacity up to speed. Given what happened with something as relatively straightforward as the playtest download, I'm guessing they never had the ability to run a full version of the VTT at the levels they wanted.
D'karr
Adventurer
When the first VTT for D&D was announced I was excited. Not because it was a VTT, but because it looked like they were working on a 3D VTT. Something new in that respect.
When the Beta VTT came out, I was much less excited. The major advantage of the Beta one was that it worked right out of the gate, without resorting to convoluted client/server side configuration changes to routers, etc. Besides that, there was nothing spectacular about the VTT. When the VTT went 2D my enthusiasm for it went south. The fact that it was several years late was also not a big selling point.
I used the VTT twice to test it out, but free VTTs out there already did a lot more than this one did. Just the Fog of War and Lighting effects in MapTools were a bigger selling point than most of the "features" of the Beta. The lack of support of user created maps and tokens was simply another nail in the coffin for my enthusiasm. Since the original Beta did not even have support for characters and monsters from DDI it was a complete waste of time. I understand it was a Beta, but there were so many features "missing" that it had no "hook" to keep me even mildly interested.
I'm not sad to see it go, but I was never very excited about it in its current "gimped" form.
When the Beta VTT came out, I was much less excited. The major advantage of the Beta one was that it worked right out of the gate, without resorting to convoluted client/server side configuration changes to routers, etc. Besides that, there was nothing spectacular about the VTT. When the VTT went 2D my enthusiasm for it went south. The fact that it was several years late was also not a big selling point.
I used the VTT twice to test it out, but free VTTs out there already did a lot more than this one did. Just the Fog of War and Lighting effects in MapTools were a bigger selling point than most of the "features" of the Beta. The lack of support of user created maps and tokens was simply another nail in the coffin for my enthusiasm. Since the original Beta did not even have support for characters and monsters from DDI it was a complete waste of time. I understand it was a Beta, but there were so many features "missing" that it had no "hook" to keep me even mildly interested.
I'm not sad to see it go, but I was never very excited about it in its current "gimped" form.
hemera
Explorer
I was excited for this feature when I first signed up for a DDI subscription. Of course it wasn't available for the longest time, and by the time it was both of my groups had abandoned 4th (mostly, we do use it to play amethyst in one group). And then it dies in beta before most of the useful features could even be added to it to even be considered as a useful tool for your group.
I didn't mind the original character generator you downloaded. It was kind of slow, but it worked. The original dragon and dungeon articles were frequent and lengthy. Sure I didn't care for every one of them, but I never did when it was published either. I don't care for every article in Wired either. I'm a bit worried with the death of this tool, combined with the decline in quality of the other online services for the outlook of ANY digital offerings they may have in the next/5e generation.
I didn't mind the original character generator you downloaded. It was kind of slow, but it worked. The original dragon and dungeon articles were frequent and lengthy. Sure I didn't care for every one of them, but I never did when it was published either. I don't care for every article in Wired either. I'm a bit worried with the death of this tool, combined with the decline in quality of the other online services for the outlook of ANY digital offerings they may have in the next/5e generation.
There used to be an API for one of the earlier incarnations of the DDI compendium that people could use. I do not know if MP uses the API in its current configuration, or if the current Compendium still has the same API tools available.
What I would like to see for the Next version of DDI is something a lot more detailed.
Compendium - API that allows you to call up information, run searches (perhaps slowed so that external users cannot overwhelm and unintentionally DDOS the server, or on a separate server), etc.
Monster Builder and Character Builder - On the DDI website, very basic, bare-bones builders. No fuss, no muss, but also no flashy bits or anything. However, it would also have a detailed API attached to it so that external websites could also access it and run their own character builder which pulls the information from the DDI builder.
Note, in both of the above cases, people would still require a DDI subscription to use the external site, and the external site would require their application to be designed in way such that it does not negatively affect the servers by accessing the APIs inappropriately, etc.
Basically, have WotC provide the data as well as very basic tools, but allow for other sites to provide a deeper experience.
Uller
Adventurer
Right. Let WotC do what WotC does well...provide D&D 4e content. Let 3rd parties provide tools and applications to access that content.
I have been enjoying my DDI subscription immensely because the VT is integrated with it. If WotC can't make this work with gametableonline then I will let my DDI subscription expire.
renau1g
First Post
I liked their 3.xe model of just handling rules and letting someone else handle Dungeon/Dragon but sadly that ship has long sailed.
I wish they'd leverage their IP more though, they should be able to make a solid RPG game out of the material available ala Baldur's Gate (which I can't wait to get on Ipad)
wbcreighton
First Post
Agreed. Of course the community of FG users has come up with a way to use the information that you access with your DDI account in the FG VTT, and play DnD 4e.
They are running a virtual convention next weekend July20-22 where you can try out the program for free.
Convention details - Fantasy Grounds Message Boards
Mattachine
Adventurer
Just sad, but not surprising.
*heaviest sigh I've had in ages*
*heaviest sigh I've had in ages*
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