Explaining Virtual Tabletops

[Merkuri]

For Hussar and anyone else who has used openRPG, how hard it it to work around routers and firewalls?

In my experience with OpenRPG if you are using somebody else's server you don't have to do anything with the router. If you are hosting your own you just need to open up the particular port that the server uses. OpenRPG has plenty of servers that people leave running for the use of random strangers, so finding a pre-existing server shouldn't be a problem if you don't want to fiddle with the router/firewall at all.

 

[takasi]

Tried them all, MapTool is our favorite:

http://rptools.net/doku.php?id=maptool:intro

Play pretty much every day (except Wednesdays and Sundays when we play in person).

Not only is the interface very slick (best fog of war and drawing IMO) but it can be used by simply clicking on the webstart link. In fact, last week one of our players was traveling for a conference and wanted to play but didn't have a laptop. He went to an internet cafe and was able to join in!

MapTool is all you really need. It has macros for dice rolling and also the best interface for quickly adding tokens and maps. Highly recommended.

 

[caudor]

Fantasy Grounds II.

I perfer this program. It is setup for d20 but can be modified for any game system. In fact there is a company that has done Iron Heros, AE, Savage Worlds for it. I have seen rulesets for Warhammer, AD&D, and I think there is a C&C in the works.

Very simple software with lots of potential for change if you have the skills. And if you don't, the message boards are really good. I recently wanted to add the round count to the notification, within the hour I had some code to enter into the software to try.

Check out www.fantasygrounds.com

Wow, it looks like Fantasy Grounds II is out. From your experience, is the software flexible enough where I could use something beyond the SRD, like a Warlock, if I add the content myself? Or is it strictly built for the SRD?

Thanks.

 

[Shane_Leahy]

Well, like I said I have seen it used for other game systems so if you know how to code it, it should be no problems. Warlocks though may be a bit different because of the game rules but should be doable.

 

[Matchstick]

Wow, it looks like Fantasy Grounds II is out. From your experience, is the software flexible enough where I could use something beyond the SRD, like a Warlock, if I add the content myself? Or is it strictly built for the SRD?

Thanks.

As stated above, I guarantee that FG isn't built strictly for the SRD, so I would think Warlocks could be added. Do I know how to do that? No. But I'm sure it could be done.

 

[RedFox]

In my experience with OpenRPG if you are using somebody else's server you don't have to do anything with the router. If you are hosting your own you just need to open up the particular port that the server uses. OpenRPG has plenty of servers that people leave running for the use of random strangers, so finding a pre-existing server shouldn't be a problem if you don't want to fiddle with the router/firewall at all.

I'll second this. MapTool is brilliant and easy to use.

Our group is considering getting an LCD projector so we can use MapTool at the table instead of the vinyl battlemat.

 

[RodneyThompson]

Tried them all, MapTool is our favorite:

http://rptools.net/doku.php?id=maptool:intro

Play pretty much every day (except Wednesdays and Sundays when we play in person).

Not only is the interface very slick (best fog of war and drawing IMO) but it can be used by simply clicking on the webstart link. In fact, last week one of our players was traveling for a conference and wanted to play but didn't have a laptop. He went to an internet cafe and was able to join in!

MapTool is all you really need. It has macros for dice rolling and also the best interface for quickly adding tokens and maps. Highly recommended.

Just want to say I agree with takasi 100%. For what's on the market right now, MapTool gets it done the way I need to get it done. I actually replaced my actual battlemat/minis with MapTool projected onto my big screen TV for about the last 80% of my Age of Worms campaign. We played that way for about 13 months total (the campaign lasted about 15-16 months) and my players loved it.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

so, anyone with maptools wanna help me figure out if I'm actually on or not?

 

[DonTadow]

Tried them all, MapTool is our favorite:

http://rptools.net/doku.php?id=maptool:intro

Play pretty much every day (except Wednesdays and Sundays when we play in person).

Not only is the interface very slick (best fog of war and drawing IMO) but it can be used by simply clicking on the webstart link. In fact, last week one of our players was traveling for a conference and wanted to play but didn't have a laptop. He went to an internet cafe and was able to join in!

MapTool is all you really need. It has macros for dice rolling and also the best interface for quickly adding tokens and maps. Highly recommended.

I'm second, thirding and fourthing this

This is an awesome program. It doesn't get too caught up on itself with useless buttons that go unused, instead it provides a usefully simplistic layout, great fog of war and exceptional control from the dm prospective. I've never used it for internet gaming, but it's a must for anyone running a projection setup.

 

[ronin]

I just started a Savage Tide campaign and use a projector as well. I decided to use Battlegrounds to project my maps and so far I have been very happy with it. I did check out Map Tool but liked BG better. IIRC Map Tool is a free program so for those on a tight budget it seems like a good choice. Battlegrounds has been very easy to use and the projected maps look great. I am very happy I made the purchase!