Poll: VTT Users - Do you prefer self-hosted or cloud-based VTTs?

[chuckdee]

My answer is nuanced - I want self-hosted, I just don't want to host it. I want to have the hosting entity different from the developer for separation of concerns. So in this case, you'd need to have a cottage industry around the VTT with companies that handle the hosting.

 

[aramis erak]

My answer is nuanced - I want self-hosted, I just don't want to host it. I want to have the hosting entity different from the developer for separation of concerns. So in this case, you'd need to have a cottage industry around the VTT with companies that handle the hosting.

Foundry already has multiple 3rd party hosting options.

 

[Cergorach]

A better question would be, are you even in the market for a switch to a different VTT? And my answer is: Heck no!

I'm already using Foundry VTT, and I would not see a reason to move to something else. While I do self-host FVTT (on a dedicated Raspberry Pi 24/7), it was more the option to self-host that attracted me to FVTT, just like the option to expand the VTT yourself (or via third party). So unless FVTT suddenly stops completely (no more updates), I can still run it for at least a decade after it stops being updated.

I'm also wondering what kind of position someone takes up in the market, we already have Foundry VTT, Fantasy Grounds, Tabletop Simulator and TaleSpire as self-hosted options that all fulfill a different niche. FVTT also popped out due to it working in the browser (limited selection supported)... What niche would your VTT fill in the self-hosted space?

 

[Clint_L]

I'm very happy with Maps on DDB. So self-hosted, I guess? The determining factor for me had nothing to do with the question, it was purely about ease of use.

 

[chuckdee]

Foundry already has multiple 3rd party hosting options.

I know. I was saying that's what I'd want in answer to the poll. I already use Foundry and started out on my own Amazon instances and have since moved to another host.

 

[djotaku]

I'm very happy with Maps on DDB. So self-hosted, I guess? The determining factor for me had nothing to do with the question, it was purely about ease of use.

FYI: that's the exact opposite of self-hosted. Self-hosted means you're running in on a compter/server that you control.

 

[el-remmen]

Owlbear Rodeo has everything I need and I don't care about self-hosting. I encourage all my players to use paper character sheets (which they do) and I even let them roll their own dice (b/c i don't play with people I don't trust). Also, in my experience, the more bells and whistles a VTT has, the more time I spend setting up and then having to "fix" what stopped working when we actually play. I'd just rather emulate the experience around the table. Sorry if that's not helpful.

 

[VHawkwinter]

Hi everyone! My name is Sean - I am the Founder of Realm VTT (https://www.realmvtt.com) which we recently launched this year. I'm looking for some feedback on what it would take for users to switch to a new VTT.

Currently, Realm VTT is a free cloud-hosted platform with optional subscriptions for more storage. But we’ve received a fair amount of feedback that some would be more interested if there was a self-hosted option with a one-time purchase.

So I'd like to ask around here - would you be more willing to switch to a new VTT if they offered a self-hosted option? Or is there something in particular - a feature, or content - that you want to see before you consider it?

Hi Lionblade. For me it's a "has the features I actually want, and no subscriptions" thing. But I have only really started to dig into VTTs.

1. I don't want endless subscriptions. Definitely a purchase and self-host type of guy.
2. The "Minis Environment" needs to be 3d, ideally supporting custom mini imports. Ripper93's Extension and the Baileywiki asset pack for it are what got me to buy a copy of Foundry. I also have talespire (underwhelmed at how limited its usefulness is if youre not playing 5e), and RPG Engine (its cute but making the maps takes a long time).
3. Ruleset automation - unimportant to me. Odds are high that none of the games I would be running will be supported anyway. But the ability to embad an iframe that points to google sheets character sheets, or my own tools, that's valuable.
4. Bonus points if you support "Dragon Quest" / Visual novel type screens in addition to just maps.
5. Extra bonus points if we can hook up whatever VTubing software people use, for our characters and have our characters talking and animated onscreen.