Insider: Character Visualizer canceled?

[shadzar]

You are missing the point and trying to think too much about MMOs and how they "play" and not listening, so I am done trying to explain it.

 

[Umbran]

In order to capture the biggest portion of video gamers that might come over to D&D with the aid of this VTT, there needs to be something that resembles what they know to allow them to get into a game.

Unless, of course, the idea isn't to get the videogamers. Given that playing D&D by the VTT is and will not be much like playing a videogame, it doesn't seem like a good market to aim at.

I am not expecting the VTT's primary use to be for "pick up" games between people ho don't know each other. I expect it will be more for semi-organized groups who have other communication channels, and something like a set play schedules - they will have already set up a schedule by e-mail or the like, and not be worried about wandering around to find folks to play with in a lobby.

 

[Hussar]

Unless, of course, the idea isn't to get the videogamers. Given that playing D&D by the VTT is and will not be much like playing a videogame, it doesn't seem like a good market to aim at.

I am not expecting the VTT's primary use to be for "pick up" games between people ho don't know each other. I expect it will be more for semi-organized groups who have other communication channels, and something like a set play schedules - they will have already set up a schedule by e-mail or the like, and not be worried about wandering around to find folks to play with in a lobby.

What Umbran just outlined is exactly how VTT's work now. Sure, there are some pick up games, but, mostly, it's pre-scheduled events with the scheduling being done at another site.

For example, Shadzar, you mention that people might as well just use OpenRPG and Skype - but, again, people on OpenRPG don't find each other through OpenRPG, by and large. Most groups are built on the OpenRPG forums (or other forums like Myth Weavers and the like) and use OpenRPG to play.

I'm really not sure why that would dramatically shift just because WOTC has a VTT.

 

[shadzar]

I am not expecting the VTT's primary use to be for "pick up" games between people ho don't know each other.

Then there is your problem the same as many others. Injected words into things where they never existed to add your own meaning.

I never once said it would be the primary use, I am not trying to talk about which will be used greater. I just said, it is a needed function for people to be able to find other players form within the game. People still rambling on about crap they don't know about and I have explained over and over and pretty tired of it. Go spend a few thousand dollars on various types of online games and see just what they offer in terms of connecting you to other players.

Unless for some reason you are going to try to weasel out like the previous person did and try to claim there wouldn't be a lobby and somehow you magically connect to the other players in your game?

There needs to be the ability of people joining games with people they do not know. End of discussion, you can twist my words anyway you like to say I am saying something else, or try to discus something else, but it has nothing to do with that statement.

Again go look at NWN, it has a lobby, you can search the games list and find your predetermined game, or you can join one that has an open spot.

Such as it is in game stores, but the people looking for more players in a VTT are already online and waiting as opposed to reading a bulletin board, calling the DM etc and trying to find time to meet with them. They are online, there and waiting and would love to have you in the game NOW. It would be stupid for someone to deny that option from the VTT.

YOU and the other person may not need it, but to deny it to others, would be ignorant in design, loss of revenue, etc form those people without people to play with that may want to jsut sit down and play to get back into it. I think many people here have used forums too much that they rely on them to heavily as well their silly blogs/twitters/etc.

So when/if someone wants to actually discus what I am talking about as opposed to "but X doesn't have something like this", when X isnt the same as the VTT...better yet forget it. I am tired of explaining something to people that jsut refuse to listen and go off on their own tangents and not pay attention to what is being said.

 

[Hussar]

... again, Shadzar, not sure where to go with this.

Does the WOTC VTT have a lobby function? Dunno actually, you'd need to ask someone who's used it. Should it have one? Yeah, I'd agree with that.

Is there any other point you'd like to make? Because, AFAIK, we agreed that there needed to be a lobby, like three pages ago.

 

[shadzar]

... again, Shadzar, not sure where to go with this.

Does the WOTC VTT have a lobby function? Dunno actually, you'd need to ask someone who's used it. Should it have one? Yeah, I'd agree with that.

Is there any other point you'd like to make? Because, AFAIK, we agreed that there needed to be a lobby, like three pages ago.

Well I am only on page 2 of this thread so....

My point was those people claiming that most groups are formed before the VTT is used as dismissing a great deal of players and potential the VTT could offer.

The best explanation I could give was about NWN, but people keep going on about it as a video game instead of JUST looking at the lobby functions.

You don't have a group to play with you CAN, sometimes with difficulty because of the games design, play a TTRPG D&D game on it. People DID use it as a VTT if they weren't interested in playing someones homemade video game via a persistent world.

I just tired of the comparing to a video game, while I am talking about the lobby aspect of how video games work. HOW you actually meet people you don't know to play games with.

The fact MANY people may wish to play, and IF the rules can be turned off, it only offers MORE potential to have the lobby able to allow new people to meet, rather than having only a system whereby already formed groups of people use it. IE: the pick up/one shot games, as well as stemming from them possibly making new groups.

This function could be BIG for those not having time to make a regularly scheduled game as they may not have regular schedules and be able to find people to play with when they have time, so they CAN play D&D, or play it again, if real life has caused them problems with being able to play.

It would be a disservice to the VTT, WotC, and players if it didn't have that ability.

We are just going in circles, as some think that people would not want to meet for the first time using a lobby, or seem to imply that I am saying that should be its primary function and use.

 

[wedgeski]

I agree the VTT should have a lobby/chat room where people can converse and form ad-hoc groups. It's fundamental to the notion of online gaming in any form. There's no real reason why there shouldn't be a "Looking For Group" channel as well.

I'm also duly warned by those amongst who have experience running virtual games that pick-up players can be a nightmare. This is true of any co-operative online game though.