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I've been toying with the idea of creating a Play by Post Forum for some time. However, not being a regular player, I only have a faint idea of what to include. I'm looking for ideas of what to include and will work on this in my spare time.
So, here's what I'm looking for: A central location that will allow gamemasters and players a rich user experience capable of handling content and fun for the purpose of system specific and generic Play by Post internet games.
The forum is more focused on adding more game specific information into the experience. Some features include:
Multiple characters per user account.
Multiple aliases per character
Generalized posting area with an "Action" area that will show actions taken by the user
Stored die rolls
Time based tracking
Open posting and Initiative based posting
Personalized Avatars
Online maps with the ability to "map out" actions
Ability to use different fantasy languages
Character status and conditions
Turn notifications
I'm interested in hearing what other people would like to see out of this. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome, including your takes on the items above (described below).
If there is enough of a need for this, I'd be interested in spending additional time to make this become a reality.
Multiple characters per user account - A person signs up for an account and can create multiple characters. When submitting a post, they are able to choose the name of the character. There will be a restriction that the character must be involved in the game to be used for posting.
Multiple aliases per character - GMs and players can post as different character names for whatever purpose. For example, a villain is masquerading as a beggar. The beggar's name will show instead of the villain. Anything that happens to the beggar also happens to the villain.
Generalized posting area with an "Action" area that will show actions taken by the user - Forums have an area for posting descriptions of what is happening. This area would have supplemental information that relates game terms to those viewing. As an example, in the d20 system, an attack action would look something like "[Player 1] attacks [Villain] [roll] and hits for [XX] damage. The normal posting area is not affected by this section.
Stored die rolls - Upon submission of a post, the die rolls are saved. The results are randomly generated. This frees up the GM and Players from having to post results.
Time based tracking - GMs are responsible for updating the time in the game. When a game is set up, a date and time is determined by the GM. The GM can progress the time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, or years with a simple action. When in combat, the system would automatically adjust time as needed. Actions of players may also add to the time (ex, taking 20 on a search, brewing a potion, etc).
Open posting and Initiative based posting - The GM can control how posting is processed. In times where there isn't an emphasis on "time" ("open posting"), posting can be done at any time by anyone. If there is a need to keep track of who goes, "initiative-based" posting takes over. The current and next characters in the initiative will be visible in the post title and on the page. A person cannot post out of turn in "initiative-based" posting. The GM can institute a "time limit" that will skip over people that do not post within the time frame (ex, 5 seconds, 3 days, or even 2 years). Depending on the option used, the player may be able to post as if he was using a "held action".
Personalized Avatars - Each alias has a picture available for viewing. This way the Beggar and Villain don't have the same visage.
Online maps with the ability to "map out" actions - Map fields with a background of the area are scaled for players to map out their actions.
Ability to use different fantasy languages - If a language is posted that a character doesn't understand, the post will reflect in the same way (random characters). Those that have the language will read it as normal.
Character status and conditions - As with normal forums, there is usually a location below the poster's name that has information about the posting person. This area will be used to show the character's statuses and conditions (ex, HP, Bloodied, Prone, etc).
Turn notifications - As described above, users can see who's turn it is with a quick glance at the thread.
That's an interesting project. But let me point you to one location for research purposes: fantasyrole.org
I haven't used that site in a long time, so I'm not sure how many many of your ideal features they have currently have. Thing is, not matter what, you are looking at having to do a lot of programming (if you need to build out custom modules) and your site would have to have an extensive database.
That's an interesting project. But let me point you to one location for research purposes: fantasyrole.org
I haven't used that site in a long time, so I'm not sure how many many of your ideal features they have currently have. Thing is, not matter what, you are looking at having to do a lot of programming (if you need to build out custom modules) and your site would have to have an extensive database.
Thanks! I'll take a look at the site, it may have some ideas as well.
Yeah, the project is ambitious. However, if the db design is solid, it could accommodate many systems using similar code. A lot of the game systems out there use the same objectives (roll high, roll low) and comparisons (Attack versus AC, Save vs Reflex), it's what happens afterward that really makes things difficult (like SW d6 Damage Track versus D&D's HP). Then there's the unique stuff like Alternity's die rolling system
After thinking about it, you may also want to have an Out of Character posting area visible on the thread.
My initial through was to have a BBCode for Out of Character, but I like this idea. I'd also like to keep the BBCode for Out of Character that can be placed in the post
Post Areas:
In Character (Character primarily)
Out of Character (Player Only)
Actions (System messages based on player actions)
While looking at the aforementioned website, there was mention of "transcriptions". I like the idea of having the ability to both save the information as well as a possible "transcription view".
On Enworld.org and Paizo.com, there are two boards set up (one for pbp and one for discussion). Adding this option could merge both of those forums. The user could also have the option of seeing "OoC Only" view and "In Character Only" view. Of course, there could also be the "Transcription View" that people outside of the game can see just the story that transpires.
Any thoughts on this? Would it be helpful? Excessive? Additional thoughts?
Below are some of the BBCodes that I think would enhance the usability of the game.
For those that don't know, BBCodes are essentially masks for the server to replace later with either HTML code (like bold and italics), additional information (ex, an abbreviation). or to censor (like Voldemort is changed to "He Who Shall Not Be Named", or the more obvious swearing).
In the below examples, a "Person" can be designated for the action done. This is entirely optional. Two options are given, normal BBCode brackets (ex, words for Bold) and a "Wiki code" shorthand (ex, [[words]] for Bold).
BBCodes
//italics// or [i ]italics[/i ]
[[bold]] or [b ]bold[/b ]
__underline__ or [u ]underline[/u ]
""Person|quote"" or [q uote="Person"]quote[/q uote]
--Person|out of character-- or [ooc="Person"]out of character[/ooc]
((Person|think)) or [think="Person"]think[/think]
~~Person|whisper~~ or [whisper="Person"]whisper[/whisper]
||Person|tell|| or [tell="Person"]tell[/tell]
??Person|ask?? or [ask="Person"]ask[/ask]
!!Person|shout!! or [shout]shout[/shout]
::Person|emote:: [emote="Person"]descriptor[/emote] (Displays as "You descriptor at Person" or "You descriptor"
Note: Spaces added to avoid the BBCode on this site
Most of the codes are self explanatory. The Emote is a free form option.
Anything I missed? Anything that should be changed?
On Enworld.org and Paizo.com, there are two boards set up (one for pbp and one for discussion).
Yes, but these sites are not dedicated to PbP.
On a pure PbP forum there is only one way... one subforum for every game, so you can make numerous threads and keep them all grouped together that way.
Multiple characters per account is actually pretty nifty. I know two sites, where it works that way (one is also a dedicated and self-coded PbP forum; the other is using the SMF forum software, which has an add-on for user-personas installed).
For a dedicated PbP site, that is definitely a good idea.
Bye
Thanee
__________________
In our world, immortality is not for the living. The legend lives on!
In Memoriam Dave Arneson ( April 7th, 2009) & Gary Gygax ( March 4th, 2008).
Wondering what the Dungeon Tiles are like? Take a look here (up to DU5 Sinister Woods).
One feature that has changed the way I look at PbP is versioning of character sheets. I really like to be able to view and compare the changes that have been made to a sheet over time, and for other people (e.g. the DM) to be able to do the same.
On a pure PbP forum there is only one way... one subforum for every game, so you can make numerous threads and keep them all grouped together that way.
True, those sites add the pbp as an additional service that fits into the framework.
However, would integrating the "Talk" and "Play" forums be a good idea? If the post was indicated differently, such as background color as pink instead of white, to differentiate the post help? If a subforum is a better option, it can sure be that way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thanee
Multiple characters per account is actually pretty nifty. I know two sites, where it works that way (one is also a dedicated and self-coded PbP forum; the other is using the SMF forum software, which has an add-on for user-personas installed).
I've only seen one option out there for pbp software. I don't remember what the name was, but it was integrated into a "Star Trek" type of system. Can you point me to other sites for inspiration?
One feature that has changed the way I look at PbP is versioning of character sheets. I really like to be able to view and compare the changes that have been made to a sheet over time, and for other people (e.g. the DM) to be able to do the same.
I don't think that this would be a problem. Character sheets are essentially just combined versions of existing statuses. Even the option of "retraining" in 4e can be easily done.
With the structure that I'm thinking of, the same tables will include "up to the minute" sheets. Some kind of function can be added to say "where Level is less than or equal to 4." to give that snapshot.
The first site, I meant, is www.rpol.net; the other is a german D&D site, which is probably not very useful to you, but you can also check out www.groovygamers.com, which also uses the SMF software and a similar forum structure (just not the aliases, but the principle of those should be clear, anyways).
And yes, I think it is a lot better to have one subforum with talk-threads and play-threads (and all the other useful threads; my own game here, for example, employs five different threads, the standard IC and OOC plus a special thread for Combat Declarations, a Campaign Info thread, and the Rogue's Gallery, of course) inside for each game, then to have all talk-threads and all play-threads inside a single subforum each.
Bye
Thanee
__________________
In our world, immortality is not for the living. The legend lives on!
In Memoriam Dave Arneson ( April 7th, 2009) & Gary Gygax ( March 4th, 2008).
Wondering what the Dungeon Tiles are like? Take a look here (up to DU5 Sinister Woods).
The first site, I meant, is RolePlay onLine! Welcome to RPoL; the other is a german D&D site, which is probably not very useful to you, but you can also check out www.groovygamers.com, which also uses the SMF software and a similar forum structure (just not the aliases, but the principle of those should be clear, anyways).
I'll take a look at these when I have the opportunity.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thanee
And yes, I think it is a lot better to have one subforum with talk-threads and play-threads (and all the other useful threads; my own game here, for example, employs five different threads, the standard IC and OOC plus a special thread for Combat Declarations, a Campaign Info thread, and the Rogue's Gallery, of course) inside for each game, then to have all talk-threads and all play-threads inside a single subforum each.
Can you point me to these threads?
Would it be more helpful to have the IC and OOC together? So long as they are clearly blocked off so you know what you're looking at.
The Combat Declarations would be something that the user would automatically do in the proposed pbp Forum. They would be submitting their turns to the server and the results would appear below the post.
Campaign Info. I can see this one being very helpful. How is this one administered by you? Do you put in information regarding certain elements? Do the player's comment it (a "living" document if you will)? Both?
Rogue's Gallery. Can you give an example of this or more detail? I like the idea, and have some thoughts of how I'd do it, but I'd like to see what you're doing.
The last two give me an idea of a "journal" or "checklist" of sorts. Regarding a "Rogue's Gallery", it would be kind of a sandbox where the players can add information. Say you gather information on a mini boss. The information can be added to a "page" that stores all the information. If the players wanted to make some notes ("I think the Shaman is poisoning the lake above the city and it is affecting the residents"), it can be added so that everyone can see them. This may be off target though.
Here's a link to the OOC-thread of my campaign here, it includes all other links at the bottom.
But that is not an example of what I meant with the threads in one forum.
That you can see in the two forums linked above (one subforum per game, so you always have all threads for a particular game in one place; using announcements and stickies to order them; i.e. keep IC thread on top at all times).
Bye
Thanee
__________________
In our world, immortality is not for the living. The legend lives on!
In Memoriam Dave Arneson ( April 7th, 2009) & Gary Gygax ( March 4th, 2008).
Wondering what the Dungeon Tiles are like? Take a look here (up to DU5 Sinister Woods).
Here's a link to the OOC-thread of my campaign here, it includes all other links at the bottom.
But that is not an example of what I meant with the threads in one forum.
That you can see in the two forums linked above (one subforum per game, so you always have all threads for a particular game in one place; using announcements and stickies to order them; i.e. keep IC thread on top at all times).
Bye
Thanee
Let me restate to make sure that I'm on the right path.
What you want is instead of a bunch of posts inside one thread, you want the whole forum to create multiple threads and, within the threads, have interaction with the players. In short, you want your own board.
This is actually the intent. A person should not be limited to one single thread. They should be able to set up their own world!
Essentially, a GM would be given their own forum to work under. Don't get me wrong, you'll still have other pbp games going on at the same time. Here's an example.
PBP Forums
Uncle Jimbo's Eberron
Star*Drive PL 6
Introduction
Character Creation
Episode 1: Black Starfall
OOC Only
Episode 2: Red Starrise
LotR: The Dawn of Man
If I'm way off base, let me know. However, this was my intent. There's more to the base plan, but this is the basics.
rogue's gallery is cool, especially if it includes a hall of fame.
both could be part of that "everyone can edit this" page
I'm not entirely sure how I'd work the "Rogue's Gallery", but something that would work for the characters would be their own "subforum". Essentially, the character would be created and then posted as an entry under the campaign.
Something like:
Star*Drive PL 6
Introduction
Characters
Zhaolin Zhou (Tech Spec)
Jack "Cueball" Hardin (Combat Spec)
Some kind of "leveling" mechanism would be built into that special kind of thread to allow advancement, notes, etc.
The first site, I meant, is RolePlay onLine! Welcome to RPoL; the other is a german D&D site, which is probably not very useful to you, but you can also check out www.groovygamers.com, which also uses the SMF software and a similar forum structure (just not the aliases, but the principle of those should be clear, anyways).
Thanks for the links! The RPoL.net is very interesting. Lots of good stuff in their FAQ regarding administration.
The Groovygamers.com is pretty much, from what I can quickly tell, is just a normal forum. I may look into the forum software some more for different administration ideas.
I've been using phpBB and a forum out of a PHP book as a reference so far.
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