D&D General Do you play in person or online?

[Lidgar]

Both, two different groups with some overlap.

 

[jayoungr]

Strictly online nowadays. All the groups I play with include people who are either geographically distant or housebound due to disability.

 

[Queer Venger]

As you say, in your opinion. I mean, I get it. You like what you like, but you just keep stressing it as if it is somehow inherently superior to online play and it simply isn't. It's your preferred way of playing. Glad you're enjoying in-person, but bolding it doesn't make it any more true for others.

In my opinion, the juice is just not worth the squeeze. The time, effort and irritation of in-person does not produce enough return on investment for me.

Edited: No need for me to be so abrasive.

I do stress it because it is superior, yes, I accept that in-person requires more effort, but for me ultimately it is the most rewarding experience.

But I do accept that for many (even myself) it is a convenience to run games online.

 

[Queer Venger]

Wonder if it’s anyone I know. I used to be very involved in the WA WoD scene. Though, that was over 10 years ago now, and I was in the LARP crowd; not sure if the tabletop scene is different.

who knows? the gaming community is small! Btw, Im attending the huge WoD V5 larp happening in LA in a couple of months, Ive a few friends joining and some traveling to LA, are you going to attend?

 

[Charlaquin]

who knows? the gaming community is small!

For sure!

Btw, Im attending the huge WoD V5 larp happening in LA in a couple of months, Ive a few friends joining and some traveling to LA, are you going to attend?

Nah, I bowed out of the WoD scene when NuWhiteWolf took over. Also, not to get into politics, but even if I wanted to go, it's not safe for me to travel out of state right now. Sounds cool though, I hope you have fun!

 

[jmartkdr2]

Both - I'm in multiple ongoing games, most of which are online but one is in-person.

Edit to add: I think online is actually better if you want to stay focused on the game itself, both mechanically (where the VTT can communicate game data quickly and clearly) and narratively-rp-wise (since you're often only hearing a voice and seeing an avatar, it's easier to think of the other players as their characters).

But you don't make friends the same way you do in-person - the social aspect beyond the game is a major part of the hobby that online play does not facilitate well.

 

[Hussar]

I do stress it because it is superior, yes, I accept that in-person requires more effort, but for me ultimately it is the most rewarding experience.

But I do accept that for many (even myself) it is a convenience to run games online.

Funnily enough, I find the opposite. In person play is characterized by a lot of gaffing around time and no one ever playing in character.

Whereas online play features virtually zero gaffing around time and players will stay in character far better.

But that’s only my experience.

 

[payn]

Funnily enough, I find the opposite. In person play is characterized by a lot of gaffing around time and no one ever playing in character.

Whereas online play features virtually zero gaffing around time and players will stay in character far better.

But that’s only my experience.

I e noticed similar but not quite that extreme.

 

[Hussar]

I e noticed similar but not quite that extreme.

Yeah. You're right. I've probably overstepped. My point being though, I find that the anonymity of online play allows players to really get into their characters to a degree that live play generally doesn't.

 

[payn]

Yeah. You're right. I've probably overstepped. My point being though, I find that the anonymity of online play allows players to really get into their characters to a degree that live play generally doesn't.

For my sci-fi games especially. Having the Traveller map up, a ship deck plan, or other interactive map really allows immersion. Nothing to set up, nothing to draw, nothing to pack up. Its just efficiency off the charts. I was one of the "never goona do online" folks, but ive changed my tune after seeing what is possible. Dont get me wrong, I would still enjoy an in person game very much, but online has impressed me.