Has anyone ever tried roll playing via Skype before. I have recently received several requests to consider roll playing via internet, which I've never done. The idea of being able to play with gamers from all over the world is great, but I simply can't enjoy the PBP or PBEM format. I know RPG via internet would definitely present a lot of challenges in any format, such as dice rolling, character sheet representation, etc. So I was wondering if anyone else had any experience in trying to RPG in Skype. I'm from South Jersey and I find its almost impossible to find gamers interested in anything else besides Pathfinder and 3.5. Nothing against those games, but I'm way more into games that are heavier into actual role playing then action such as the original VTM and ASIF. So naturally RPG by internet seems ideal, but I really need the personal interaction of actually speaking to my fellow gamers to get into the spirit of the game.
-
NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
RPG via Skype?
- Thread starter fulcon35
- Start date
OnlineDM
Adventurer
YES! This is actually what I blog about (see the link in my signature).
There are lots of programs out there to help you play RPGs online. I personally use a free program called MapTool to let everyone see the same tabletop with tokens for monsters and PCs and so on, which also can handle dice rolling, tracking hit points, etc. We use Skype at the same time for audio chat. I've been running a game this way for over a year, and it's been a ton of fun.
There are lots of programs out there to help you play RPGs online. I personally use a free program called MapTool to let everyone see the same tabletop with tokens for monsters and PCs and so on, which also can handle dice rolling, tracking hit points, etc. We use Skype at the same time for audio chat. I've been running a game this way for over a year, and it's been a ton of fun.
Fanaelialae
Legend
My only experience was with trying to play a tabletop game with an additional player from NC, via Skype. It was a bit of a frustrating experience, as Skype kept lagging and dropping the call, and the laptop's camera didn't produce a clear picture of the grid. Our internet player felt left out as a result.
That said, I expect an entirely internet oriented game would probably work much better. I've never used it myself, but I've heard good things about MapTool.
On a related note, does anyone have any experience or advice for improving the experience of a telecommuting player? We're about to retry the experiment, as one of our number has a newborn child and won't be able to make the drive every week. Our initial plan is to try skype again. I have a better laptop this time, and he's in the same state, so we're hoping that will make the difference, but any advice would be appreciated.
That said, I expect an entirely internet oriented game would probably work much better. I've never used it myself, but I've heard good things about MapTool.
On a related note, does anyone have any experience or advice for improving the experience of a telecommuting player? We're about to retry the experiment, as one of our number has a newborn child and won't be able to make the drive every week. Our initial plan is to try skype again. I have a better laptop this time, and he's in the same state, so we're hoping that will make the difference, but any advice would be appreciated.
Fanaelialae
Legend
If you find that you have issues with Skype (my suspicion is that the calls kept getting dropped because my NC friend didn't have great internet service) you could try a Ventrilo server for speaking with your players.
I haven't used it for a few years, but I recall the sound quality was good (except if someone was using a headset; mics are the way to go) and the service was quite reliable. Last I checked, renting access to a vent server wasn't all that expensive, or if you know someone with an MMO guild, you might be able to use their server for free.
Just a thought.
I haven't used it for a few years, but I recall the sound quality was good (except if someone was using a headset; mics are the way to go) and the service was quite reliable. Last I checked, renting access to a vent server wasn't all that expensive, or if you know someone with an MMO guild, you might be able to use their server for free.
Just a thought.
Treebore
First Post
SKYPE has gotten much more reliable in the last couple of years, but when my SKYPE/Maptools game started up nearly 4 years ago it was pretty unreliable at times. In the last year or so problems were due to providers or 8+ year old computers, not SKYPE.
So yes, give SKYPE a try.
So yes, give SKYPE a try.
IronWolf
blank
Skype can work great for gaming. Combine with a virtual table top if you need a battle mat and you are all set. There really isn't an excuse not to game these days as long as you have an Internet connection. You can even check out the Gamers seeking Gamers forum here for other people looking for online games.
I run a campaign with two players using Skype. Unfortunately, my laptop (which has the webcam) has problems running Skype for very long, so we need to restart the program every so often (usually it's every hour or so, but last session it was every 20 minutes for awhile). When we switch to audio only, the problem seems to go away, so the problem is likely the video eating up a lot of memory.
We have another campaign that we play using MapTools and speaking via Ventrilo. MapTools is very useful if you need a battle grid and has a lot of available miniature options, and Ventrio works well as a chat program. We have had very few problems with either.
We have another campaign that we play using MapTools and speaking via Ventrilo. MapTools is very useful if you need a battle grid and has a lot of available miniature options, and Ventrio works well as a chat program. We have had very few problems with either.
The Shaman
First Post
Our Flashing Blades campaign will be going to Skype next month, as one of our players moved home to Europe. The rest of us will still get together face-to-face here in the States; this means fewer potential linking issues, and lets the player who runs an IT department handle the software and hardware while I run the game.
delericho
Legend
The RPG group I'm involved in did a session of online play. Unfortunately, I wasn't involved, so be aware that this is second-hand information...
They felt that the Skype connection worked fine, but lacked the immediacy of face-to-face gaming - they definitely preferred the 'real thing'.
They did find that the VTT software they used worked reasonably well (I think that was MapTools).
One of the players noted that he felt that online gaming would require some sort of VTT software, or the DM having some handouts to transmit, or something. He felt that otherwise the game would consist of just the four players plugged into Skype and looking at a balnk screen - which he didn't think would really be satisfying.
This last has discouraged me from trying to run a game online - not only am I something of a Luddite anyway, but I definitely lean towards the low-handout end of the scale, mostly due to a lack of prep-time!
They felt that the Skype connection worked fine, but lacked the immediacy of face-to-face gaming - they definitely preferred the 'real thing'.
They did find that the VTT software they used worked reasonably well (I think that was MapTools).
One of the players noted that he felt that online gaming would require some sort of VTT software, or the DM having some handouts to transmit, or something. He felt that otherwise the game would consist of just the four players plugged into Skype and looking at a balnk screen - which he didn't think would really be satisfying.
This last has discouraged me from trying to run a game online - not only am I something of a Luddite anyway, but I definitely lean towards the low-handout end of the scale, mostly due to a lack of prep-time!
Similar Threads
