Play-by-Skype
- Thread starter Camelot
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OnlineDM
Adventurer
I use MapTool for the battle map and Skype for the discussion in my game. It works great.
I don't think I understand what you mean about play-by-Skype text chat. Real time text chat? Why not just use the audio? Also, if you're talking about 4e you probably want a battle map with minis, in which case I'd again recommend MapTool.
If you're asking, "Can I play D&D 4e over text chat with no battle map," the answer is sure, you can... but I think it's more fun to use Skype to actually talk, and more fun still to combine it with a battle map (unless you prefer an abstract gridless game, which is also fine if that's what you're looking for).
If your question is, "I'd like to use MapTool for the battle map and I want to know if I can use Skype for text chat at the same time," the answer is that you don't need to do that - MapTool has built-in text chat.
I don't think I understand what you mean about play-by-Skype text chat. Real time text chat? Why not just use the audio? Also, if you're talking about 4e you probably want a battle map with minis, in which case I'd again recommend MapTool.
If you're asking, "Can I play D&D 4e over text chat with no battle map," the answer is sure, you can... but I think it's more fun to use Skype to actually talk, and more fun still to combine it with a battle map (unless you prefer an abstract gridless game, which is also fine if that's what you're looking for).
If your question is, "I'd like to use MapTool for the battle map and I want to know if I can use Skype for text chat at the same time," the answer is that you don't need to do that - MapTool has built-in text chat.
Shin Okada
Explorer
I am using a free flash application called DodontoF, which can handle battle-grids, counters, initiatives, dice rolls and such. All the players need is a browser which can handle Flash. So it does not matter if a player is using Windows, Unix or Mac. Unfortunately, all of it's menus are in Japanese language, as the creator is Japanese. I guess similar tool should be for English players.
I am using DodontoF for solving combats, showing long descriptive texts, images and such. And using Skype for conversation. It will make online game session much faster than when using text-chat.
I am using DodontoF for solving combats, showing long descriptive texts, images and such. And using Skype for conversation. It will make online game session much faster than when using text-chat.
Alaxk Knight of Galt
First Post
We use Maptools + Vent for our Dark Sun game. It works well. Typically, in character discussion happens via chat while voice communication handles OOC chatter and anything that needs to be hashed out faster then we can type.
Our DM uses the Rumble framework with Maptools. Rumble provides a large suite of 4E related tools and options. It's nice, but it would be more trouble then I want to deal with if I ran the same game.
Our DM uses the Rumble framework with Maptools. Rumble provides a large suite of 4E related tools and options. It's nice, but it would be more trouble then I want to deal with if I ran the same game.
GRStrayton
First Post
We use iChat to run our games. We just point the camera at the battlemat. I don't know if Skype allows more than 2 connections (we usually have 3 and iChat can handle up to 4), but if so, that would work the same.
The other thing you might look into is Infrno. I've signed up (it's free), but I haven't used it yet. It seems to have basic map tools as well as multi-user audio/video capabilities. Here's the link:
Infrno » Find. Connect. Play.
The other thing you might look into is Infrno. I've signed up (it's free), but I haven't used it yet. It seems to have basic map tools as well as multi-user audio/video capabilities. Here's the link:
Infrno » Find. Connect. Play.
Cerebral Paladin
First Post
We've had a lot of success using Fantasy Grounds for the map stuff and Skype to let us talk and do role-playing. (Fantasy Grounds supports text chat but not voice.) It's worked pretty well, although there have been a few technical snaggles.
Fantasy Grounds is PC only, but it runs fine on Macs using either WINE (free) or emulation/dual boot stuff (not free).
I've previously gamed by Skype (either voice or text-chat) in other game systems, and it works fine for games that aren't highly tactical. It's not great as a platform for tactical play without some form of map program (MapTools, Fantasy Grounds, etc.)
Fantasy Grounds is PC only, but it runs fine on Macs using either WINE (free) or emulation/dual boot stuff (not free).
I've previously gamed by Skype (either voice or text-chat) in other game systems, and it works fine for games that aren't highly tactical. It's not great as a platform for tactical play without some form of map program (MapTools, Fantasy Grounds, etc.)
jbear
First Post
It seems like the 'advantage' or 'reason' to play by post would kind of be lost if you were to play live on with a 'play by chat' system.
Could you explain how you imagine this would work and why you would prefer doing it that way as opposed to learning how to use one of the virtual table tops around?
If your going to play live why not have the battle mat, tokens and dice incorporated into your chat engine.
I play 2 different games using Fantasy Grounds 2. It's fantastical, although it takes a little study to get used to handling all the bits and pieces. ANd the 4e system incorporated is really really really strong.
Of course it's not free. That may or may not be a hinderance for you. If it is well people talk equally as well about map tools.
One of the games we play we use voice for OOC stuff and type the in character stuff.
In the other up until the last session we had been running it completely by chat. But of course having the encounter maps, tokens, and 3d dice make a big difference to the experience. I couldn't imagine it without. We've just switched over to voice OOC and chat in character as well. Things go a little faster but I think I enjoyed it more when it was all just chat. Less bossing around by other players 'teaching' other players what they should be doing.
Anyway, tell us a little more about how you think your idea would work.
Could you explain how you imagine this would work and why you would prefer doing it that way as opposed to learning how to use one of the virtual table tops around?
If your going to play live why not have the battle mat, tokens and dice incorporated into your chat engine.
I play 2 different games using Fantasy Grounds 2. It's fantastical, although it takes a little study to get used to handling all the bits and pieces. ANd the 4e system incorporated is really really really strong.
Of course it's not free. That may or may not be a hinderance for you. If it is well people talk equally as well about map tools.
One of the games we play we use voice for OOC stuff and type the in character stuff.
In the other up until the last session we had been running it completely by chat. But of course having the encounter maps, tokens, and 3d dice make a big difference to the experience. I couldn't imagine it without. We've just switched over to voice OOC and chat in character as well. Things go a little faster but I think I enjoyed it more when it was all just chat. Less bossing around by other players 'teaching' other players what they should be doing.
Anyway, tell us a little more about how you think your idea would work.
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