Laptops at the table..and recent research showing how bad it is in education..does it carry over to gaming?

[Remus Lupin]

It's worth noting, while recognizing the down sides of technology at the table, which is a real problem, the positive aspects of tech as well, specifically from a gaming perspective. Again, I've had this thread in my mind while gaming the past several weeks. Last night, at our Savage Worlds Deadlands game, everyone had either a smartphone or tablet at the table, and I had my laptop (largely because Herolab for the iPad only runs Pathfinder characters at this point). Here are a few ways in which tech facilitated our game:

1. Herolab. I have been using Herolab consistently for several years. When it only a windows-based program, I used to have to print out my sheets on paper, make notes on it in pencil, and then remember to update it periodically between sessions. Now that I can run it on my Mac, I can have it open at the table, using their in-play interface to keep track of math/resources, update my character sheet as I go, and minimize my between-sessions character maintenance. Since I keep my character sheets in Dropbox, I can open the exact sheet between any of a number of different computers.

2. Books. By having almost all of my books in PDF form, or having an online SRD available, I have cut down massively on the number of relatively heavy books I have to bring with me to a session. When playing Pathfinder, I just bring my tablet, I have all of my books in PDF, have access to the SRD, and also have a rules app in there somewhere. I run my character on Herolab, and it's all contained in a very small package, as compared to when I used to have to bring a big 'ol notebook plus several hardback and softcover gaming books. This is a HUGE advantage.

3. Note taking. I have a notebook app open at the table, either using Herolab's journal function or else just a normal world processing doc. Since I type much more quickly and legibly than I write by hand, I have a much greater incentive to keep notes, and I do a better job at it.

4. Passing notes. My character has a secret backstory that I'm trying to keep from the other players at our table. Because of this, there are times when I want to pass information along to the GM without the other players knowing. Back when it was a question of writing something down on a piece of paper and passing it directly to the GM, everyone knew it, and from a metagame perspective, knew something was up. Everyone got instantly suspicious. Now, I discretely drop the GM an email or text. He gets it on his phone, writes me back unobtrusively, and no one is the wiser. It helps for the kind of stealthy play that works well with my character concept.

I'm sure that others can think of other examples of the positive dimensions of tech in play, these are just the ones that occur to me off the top of my head.

Once more, this is not to say that the drawbacks are not real, but I think they can usually be handled through common agreement and basic courtesy. Yes, I'm as guilty of anyone of checking Facebook, or even saying "Hey guys, check out this cool Youtube clip." But in the grand scheme of things, that sort of thing doesn't prove that disruptive (and is usually just me and my friends enjoying one another's company). When the DM says "OK, focus!" people focus and we play the game, and the same tech that is potentially disruptive provides us with other ways to improve and streamline our play.

 

[Zhaleskra]

I think those of us opposed to tech as a source of distraction all appreciate tech being used for the game. Recently, I was printerless, and was going to actively encourage tech for that reason. That's one of the reasons I'm working on a World Tree character generator: taking a lot of paper out of the equation.

Still, except for the weight of some of them, I find it easier to read a physical book. Eye strain from looking at the screen for a long time, and much lower physical interaction with the material. At the same time, I do appreciate PDF version, especially if they include information the physical book left out for whatever reason, and more so if they have hyperlinks so you can jump to something that caught your eye and then back to where you were.

 

[Remus Lupin]

Still, except for the weight of some of them, I find it easier to read a physical book. Eye strain from looking at the screen for a long time, and much lower physical interaction with the material. At the same time, I do appreciate PDF version, especially if they include information the physical book left out for whatever reason, and more so if they have hyperlinks so you can jump to something that caught your eye and then back to where you were.

Oh yes, this is absolutely true. A physical books is much easier to search than a PDF, which is why when possible I prefer an online SRD or other easily searchable app. But when you're getting to upwards of a half-dozen or so books, it's very helpful to have them in a compact format. Also, a nice feature of Herolab is the way the specific rules show up as pop-ups in many cases. It doesn't prevent all need for searching through books, but it helps.

 

[Zhaleskra]

I agree, but that's not what I'm describing, nor have I ever seen that. Short phonecall every 2-3 hours, I have seen. How do you rate that? Said SO is somewhat needy, but it's not like some sort of monitoring deal (rather an "I need reassurance" deal - I won't comment on my opinion of that ).

Still too often and seriously sounds like time for a new SO. If your SO can't handle being without you for a few hours, it's a preview of the rest of the relationship IMAO.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I think those of us opposed to tech as a source of distraction all appreciate tech being used for the game. Recently, I was printerless, and was going to actively encourage tech for that reason. That's one of the reasons I'm working on a World Tree character generator: taking a lot of paper out of the equation.

That's why I find it odd that people are saying they ban tech entirely rather than just asking people not to use disruptive stuff or to, y'know, not be disruptive.

Still, except for the weight of some of them, I find it easier to read a physical book. Eye strain from looking at the screen for a long time, and much lower physical interaction with the material. At the same time, I do appreciate PDF version, especially if they include information the physical book left out for whatever reason, and more so if they have hyperlinks so you can jump to something that caught your eye and then back to where you were.

Personally I find this is true with PDFs, but not proper e-books. With normal books, I've switched entirely to e-books, and find them every bit as easy to read - easier in most situations (any where weight or lighting is relevant, for example). That's with a 7" tablet. I can't imagine how much easier it would be with a 10" or a Kindle.

A4-style PDFs, however, are pretty bleh on 7" tablets except for reference. I mean, they can be read, but I can't read them for pleasure, really. Unfortunately I only have the new FATE as an e-book, RPG-wise (I wish I had stuff like SR5 and Numenera, which I have as PDF).

I've never personally experienced eye-strain, like, ever, from screens (dry eyes from intense action games, but not reading) and have perfect eye-sight still at 36 (TOUCH WOOD! So much wood...), so YMMV.

Still too often and seriously sounds like time for a new SO. If your SO can't handle being without you for a few hours, it's a preview of the rest of the relationship IMAO.

They've been married for years, have a kid and a big house and clearly love each other a lot, so no, not really. It's just that said SO is a fundamentally reassurance-needing person (or possibly this is because they work an insanely stressful job they are ill-suited-to personality-wise, but which makes them $$$$$$).

I've been married eight years myself, but thankfully neither of us is that way (that said my wife is in the group!).

 

[gamerprinter]

That's why I find it odd that people are saying they ban tech entirely rather than just asking people not to use disruptive stuff or to, y'know, not be disruptive.

I don't know how it applies to other groups that ban tech in their games, but at least for our group, banning wasn't the first option. We asked for those players to not be disruptive as a choice, so we don't have to impose a ban. We spoke to them outside of the game and within the game, but the disruptive activity continued. Asking for them not to be disruptive didn't work. The ban was the last straw before asking those players not to participate - we didn't want to have to eliminate players due to disruptive activity. Finally as a group we voted and imposed a ban. We've been playing under this ban for almost a year now, and it seems to be working still.

Banning tech wasn't our first choice, but when all other options failed to work, it was why it was imposed.

 

[Zhaleskra]

It's just that said SO is a fundamentally reassurance-needing person (or possibly this is because they work an insanely stressful

In my book, your SO is allowed exactly two calls when they know you're at a game, and usually just the first one. The first one to make sure you made it and to find out when you'll be heading back. Call two is for when the game runs longer than scheduled.

Any more than that and I'd be looking at dumping/divorcing.

 

[Remus Lupin]

Any more than that and I'd be looking at dumping/divorcing.

Here's hoping that you make that expectation clear to your future spouse before you actually tie the knot. Divorce is an expensive proposition to engage in over a couple of slightly annoying phone calls.

 

[Umbran]

That's why I find it odd that people are saying they ban tech entirely rather than just asking people not to use disruptive stuff or to, y'know, not be disruptive.

There are a couple of issues that can arise with that, depending on the group.

1) Policing issues. If you allow the tech, the temptation to sneak in some unrelated stuff will remain. And, as a practical matter, the GM won't notice it the first time or two, or three, which then invites more use (it is like speeding - you don't get caught every single time). Getting away with it sometimes increases the risk of recidivism. This can lead to a series of uncomfortable confrontations, which could be avoided with a flat ban.

2) Perceived fairness. If you allow the tech, and one person can handle it without being disruptive, and the other cannot, there can be the perception of favoritism. "What? I can't use my smartphone, but Tom can use his? That's not fair!"

In my experience, those who are not disruptive with electronics don't miss them all that much when they're removed from the table. The fact that they weren't disruptive implies that they weren't using the tech much anyway, and the gain in player-engagement is sufficient to counter the slight lack of convenience.

 

[Lwaxy]

My brother lives in Australia, and we've tried to have him join us in games via Skype, but that's been a huge disruption, because we constantly have to move around the laptop or tablet (and balance the latter) so he can see/hear stuff properly. If he had some kind of actual telepresence thing, where he could move a camera himself, and with better sound pickup, I think that'd be actually vastly less disruptive, even though it's "more tech", as it were.

Webcam on a mannequin's head fixed with a headset. Head on table, and one player to move it as desired.

We got one of those foam heads from a hair dresser's shop, usually used for wigs.