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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cody C. Lewis" data-source="post: 7684385" data-attributes="member: 6802841">I have been using Roll20 for some time now, and it is certainly my go to VTT and the one I recommend to anyone who asks. However I have been very intrigued by the idea of Fantasy Grounds by smiteworks. Everything built in is wonderful, though it comes at a higher premium. This is not really a huge problem, as though I can be slightly cheap at times, I do place a high value on my time.I have been following and following and trying out Fantasy Grounds. It's like... I WANT it to be better, but first and foremost I am not going to move to something that cannot support live video chat that is built in. Also, it is difficult to truly grasp the concept that Fantasy Grounds is a less-polished yet more-complete experience than Roll20. I really cannot describe the difference in any other way than with that oxymoronic statement.But I did not know half of the things in this article. I have heard some, and done a LOT of research before investing my time in Roll20. After reading the industry's history and metamorphosis into what it has become though, I am almost positive even with improvements I will not move my weekly group over to Fantasy Grounds anytime soon. I use to believe that eventually, FG will be the future. A perfect meld of the tabletop experience and convenience for DMs new and old. I use to believe that Roll20's lack of specific system support was a hinderance, and that while it originally made them successful it would also be what would one day hold them back.But no way. It's become clearer and clearer. These gaming companies are clueless to what people want in their VTT (not everything mind you just VTTs). They lack experience and putting them in control, where they can just decide not to renew a license for a partner is ultimately not what is going to bolster the VTT market to improve. I cannot believe, seriously I'm stunned, that Fantasy Grounds is going to build Kobold Press' new monster book into their system knowing WotC has NOT granted them (KP) a true license to produce a 5th Edition material beyond RoT.What's to say WotC isn't happy with this and they can/will put pressure on smiteworks in a future contract to stop doing this for other companies. Now I want to be clear I am not saying that WILL happen, but rather that it CAN happen. Michael Irvin (yes I know) tells people all the time that "Your biggest strength is also your biggest weakness". I think that is certainly fitting here. At the end of the day, Fantasy Grounds or any other software company is at the mercy of the whims of WotC in order to be a partner; whether it is in their current contract, or more likely, one in the future. Their biggest strength, being officially endorsed and supported by WotC, is their biggest weakness.</blockquote>

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