playing D&D online

[imtheyy]

hi, I am DMing for a group of friends for a long time now and as to a change in life styles we now live hours drive from each other. w'd like to keep playing. we have a ventrilio server (voice chat) and google wave for images i want to show them. only problem is the battle ground. i need some way to share the PCs and NPCs locations with them.

any one know of a good software?

 

[Sekhmet]

Currently, there aren't any really good digital table tops.

 

[imtheyy]

any decent ones?
ill even handle bad ones.

 

[Sekhmet]

d20Pro Virtual Game Table - Online Pen & Paper Tabletop Gaming

Not sure how good it is, but give it a try.

 

[Eman Resu]

gotomeeting.com

cant you show whats on your lap top to all in "meeting" or game group in this case?

 

[imtheyy]

ty all, some of this tools look helpful. DLed demos and will try them out.

 

[jcayer]

Maptools. You can get it at RPTools - Home.
We did exactly what you are describing last week. Ventrilo server for voice, and maptools to share the map. Worked like a champ.

There are even great video tutorials on how to use maptools.

 

[CuRoi]

Ive used ScreenMonkey v1.5 in the past, but I'm not sure how well it is still supported as that was over a year ago. Worked reasonable well, had ways the DM could share only certain portions of a map, and different interfaces for DM and player.

I really hated playing online - players with poor mic settings (either broadcasting nothing or evrything from their end) players wandering away from the computer, etc. etc. I was mostly an exercise in frustration. Plus, it seemed no substitute to the direct social interaction which I enjoy with the game. However, I know people manage to get good games going all the time online, so best of luck!

 

[DizzySaxophone]

I've played online plenty. I currently play a Pathfinder and ADnD 1e and 2e game online. the Pathfinder game is strictly maptools only. The 1e game we use skype for voice chat and maptools just for combat. The 2e game is Play-by-post. I think it works quite well over skype with just using a virtual table top for combat. Just using maptools works alright too. Of course playing face-to-face is the most preferred method, but skype is the closest you'll get.

 

[Eman Resu]

I misunderstood, I thought you wanted a way to show whats on your computer with amigos, that is why I remembered gotomeeting.com, here you can share what is on your pc with whoever is logged in to this website.

But your question is about location, wheres the bad guys where the party members, commoners etc. Well you could grid it like the thomas guide
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THIS IS PROBABLY A LAME IDEA ITS GOING TO SOUND LIKE BATTLE SHIP! You could use chess movement/terminolgy?