How does internet gameing differ from tabletop?

[JoeBlank]

Another veteran of OpenRPG, now using Fantasy Grounds.

As others have said, in some ways online gaming can be faster, and in some ways slower. I've only done one short-lived play-by-post, and don't think I could handle another. Terribly slow, and too much dropping out by players, and sometimes DMs.

Otherwise, my experience is probably different from most because my only online game is with lifelong friends. Most have moved away, and we latched onto OpenRPG as a way to keep playing together. So we don't have the problem of players dissappearing, because we all know each other.

But some have mentioned online games being less social. Mine is the opposite, as it is just about the only time I "chat" with these friends. Just like a tabletop game, we often spend the first half hour catching up with each other. And we have a lifetime of "in" jokes to reference and build upon, so the side comments continue during play.

I like DMing online. I'm not the most experienced DM, but the players can't see you scrambling and flipping thru books before you give a final answer on an issue. Plus, I don't have to hide my maps and other game materials behind a screen, I can spread out.

We have never tried to voice thing. Most of us have small kids, and we all have spouses. I like being able to game without disturbing others in the house, or even in the same room. Eventually we will probably give it a try.

Hussar, you mention a 40-second shot clock. How do you deal with lag issues? We got them more when we were on OpenRPG than on FG, but it could certainly cause a person to miss their window to act.

All things considered, I prefer face-to-face gaming. But without online gaming I would almost never play with my friends from childhood, so I certainly can't knock it.

 

[diaglo]

the computer dice hat m3.

 

[DragonLancer]

From running the IceHaven persistant world, I've noticed that the real difference (as has been said above) is the time frame. An adventure that would fill a 3-4 hour TT game might take 6-8 hours to play as it's all typed in. But it can be just as fulfilling and enjoyable as any TT game.

 

[Hussar]

As to lag issues, I would say that the newer versions of Open have sorted that. The worst lag I'm seeing now is about 1 second. I've got one player who drops into the internet abyss once in a while, but that's due to issues on his end, not Open. The latest version of Open (1.6.2) is rock solid and working well. I've been running my WLD game with 500 k maps and umpteen minis as well as fog of war and having zero problems. I'm really interested in what they release in 1.6.3 (which should be soon) because, for me anyway, it would be difficult to do much better than what they are doing now.

One issue that online play does have that some have mentioned is flakey players. Because we generally are playing with people we don't know, it can take a while to build a solid group. I've just had to give one of my players the boot for missing sessions without notice. On the other hand, it's much easier to toss a player that you never meet in person than it is if you are playing at your local FLGS. It's taken a bit of time, but I've finally built the group to the point where they all show up on time, or at least give warning if problems occur.

Given that I play with people on four different continents, that's pretty good in my book.

 

[eliandi]

I use Neverwinter Nights to DM online games after being a tabletop player for years. All the observations above about online v tabletop are all valid for a session in NWN. The key advantage of NWN over WebRPG and other apps is NWN provides a full 3D visualization of the setting and group.

The main disadvantage is NWN ties you to DnD rules, although there are d20 modern and t20 Traveller mods that DMs can use too.

 

[Satori]

This sounds really foolish, but I've already checked the "Gamer Classifieds"...where would one go to find an online group looking for players?

 

[Crothian]

This sounds really foolish, but I've already checked the "Gamer Classifieds"...where would one go to find an online group looking for players?

Talking the Talk forum is about poeople looking for an running games oin EN World

 

[Hussar]

Well, clicking on my sig works. There's a number of sites that host various play by post and online games. Enworld has an advertising forum. OpenRPG regularly has advertisments for games being run. That's just to name a couple.

 

[Satori]

I figured it was a foolish question...but thanks for being gentle. I suppose the floggings will come later...until morale improves, of course.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I use Neverwinter Nights to DM online games after being a tabletop player for years. All the observations above about online v tabletop are all valid for a session in NWN. The key advantage of NWN over WebRPG and other apps is NWN provides a full 3D visualization of the setting and group.

The main disadvantage is NWN ties you to DnD rules, although there are d20 modern and t20 Traveller mods that DMs can use too.

But Neverwinter Nights, as opposed to say OpenRPG, you are still limted by the limitations of what actions the program will allow aren't you? I find it a great game, but not a substitute for tabletop games with GM's dicating what is and isn't possible. YMMV of course.

OpenRPG is nearly as good as face to face, except you lose the face to face interaction, and the speed of typing can be a slowdown for some. I find it easy to play in character and for DM's to have players not knowing what is going on with other players. It's better than taking a player to the side to have a private chat, which lets the others know that something is up. I'm currently playing a game of All Flesh Must Be Eaten via OpenRPG and it's a blast.