iCon, DDI, VTs, and You?

[Mark]

With iCon right around the corner, and so much movement in the DDI and GSL clarifications, one wonders how much experience people have with VTs these days. Could you run or play in a game at an online convention? Are you familiar with and have you used a VT (Virtual Tabletop)? Are you familiar with more than one type of VT? How well does a VT need to be integrated with a ruleset to make it viable? To make it ideal? Why and how? Have you participated in an online convention before? Have you used a VT to do so or some other online gaming method?

 

[Kzach]

I own a copy of Fantasy Grounds and have attempted games with Maptools, OpenRPG and a couple of others. In my opinion, there is a level of proficiency required to run a game with these tools that is too high for the average Joe.

I think one of the things that people underestimate about the DDI Dungeon is that it looks like it will be somewhat idiot-proof. Click and drag, point and click and stuff gets done. That alone will make it popular.

With other VT's, you have to learn some fairly complex stuff to run a game. You can use them without the addition of maps and built-in monsters and counters, etc. but then the user experience also decreases the more you take away.

A nice pre-built module in Fantasy Grounds is sweet, but building your own is a bit of a nightmare. The same can be said with other less sophisticated VT's since you need to have map-making and even coding skills to take full advantage of them.

So until DDI Dungeon comes out with built-in Dungeon magazine modules and miniatures, I think VTT's are a long way from becoming mainstream or even popular amongst gamers.

 

[Mark]

That certainly might be the ideal but until it exists, it's all conjecture. What would make running a game with a current VT easier for the average Joe? Do you have some tips on running with the various VTs? Particularly with the ones with which you are most familiar?

 

[ExploderWizard]

When I saw I-con, and convention in the thread title I was thinking of something else. Oh well

 

[IanArgent]

Yeah - it took me a bit to resolve namespace collision with I-Con

 

[Charwoman Gene]

I-Con... ah my misspent youth...

I used to run gaming for them.

 

[Mark]

Do not many people who frequent this forum play online? Or perhaps not like the idea of tournament style online gaming (since conventions often are that way)? Is the perception much as it is with the books for some people, where they will only consider using what is official from WotC for D&D gaming?

 

[tenkar]

I play in 2 weekly games using FG2... one is a Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy game, the other is Castles and Crusades. It satisfies my gaming urge quite nicely.

I haven't GM'ed yet.

I own Klooge (which is clunky and dated), ScreenMonkey Full (eh) and Battlegrounds (great potential down the line). I've fooled with Maptools (great little VTT for free) and OpenRPG (not so great IMHO)

I plan on playing in this year's I-con. I'll probably play in a game using Battlegrounds or Maptools as I want to get a feel for the VTTs that I haven't had a chance to use in real play.

The real shame with FG2 is that is doesn't have floating licenses that a GM can link to his account so that new players can get a feel for the interface before plunking down their own hard earned cash.

 

[Stoat]

I've been playing online for about 3 years. I'm currently using d20Pro. I used Klooge for about a year, but my group found it to be unstable and buggy. I've tried Fantasy Grounds, but couldn't figure it out. I checked into MapTools, and OpenRPG, but never spent mu

Problems I've noticed with VTT's:

1) Poor documentation. I've yet to see a VTT that came with a good manual.

2) Lots of Data Entry. If you want to take advantage of the functions that handle combat, you've got to type in lots of attack bonuses, AC's, saves, etc.

3) Steep learning curve. Getting familiar with the quirks and abilities of a VTT takes time. Sometimes a lot of time.

4) Connectivity/Networking problems.

 

[tenkar]

Maptools has a really handy and downright amazing set of video tutorials you can download: MapTool Screencast Tutorials

It explained an awful lot for me in a way I could easily absorb.