Project Sigil Sigil, WotC 3D vtt game automation no more?

[Reynard]

I think the VTT all along has smelled of "this is something we could make money from" rather than "this is us responding to demands from our audience."

Yes, you could completely automate D&D. A lot of us loved Baldur's Gate 3, after all. But I'm not interested in replacing my current D&D experience with Baldur's Gate 3 and I'm certainly not going to pay for the privilege.

Plus, ultimately, there are already a bunch of ways to play D&D remotely. WotC would have to hit their VTT out of the park just to get some small portion of players to switch over. It seems like something that might be hard to profit from.

BUT if you made it a digital Dwarven Forge that comes with your high level Beyond subscription, it seems like a nice added feature to boost and maintain subs.

 

[AlViking]

If I were to use Sigil over Maps I'd likely want less automation as well. Replicating a tabletop with the ultimate Dwarven Forge mini collection for remote play could be fun but that's all I want. It's kind of like the uncanny valley in animated movies for me, either implement the tabletop virtually or develop a full on video game. I'm okay with either.

 

[darjr]

I also generally want less automation.....but we appear to be in the minority.

Well it looks like they are listening. Maybe?

 

[Zaukrie]

Master Tier subscribers have access to WAY more stuff in the alpha. This is definitely an attempt to get more MT subs out there long term.

I just want 3d maps pre made (and easy to make easy ones), integration with dndbeyond (whatever I own there is usable or just happens in the VTT), and a good turn tracker. Some cool animations would be nice. But I want to apply my own damage and "hits", but that's a discussion that will drive this off topic....

I'd be good with very little 3d, other than minis and a few walls/doors/props. I don't need full 3d.

The tool is pretty decent as is, but not close. It sounds like the Feb update will be quite nice.

 

[Osgood]

I guess I'm not clear what they mean by "automation" here. I've play around with Sigil a little, but not much (my computer barley runs it and sounds like an alley full of cats being tortured whenever I open it). I like the idea of 3D, but I found setting up maps about as cumbersome as using my own terrain--if automation means help on that front, I'd be all for it! Given half my players can't run it at all based on hardware requirements, I don't see me really using it, so it's likely a non-issue for me any way.

 

[AlViking]

I guess I'm not clear what they mean by "automation" here. I've play around with Sigil a little, but not much (my computer barley runs it and sounds like an alley full of cats being tortured whenever I open it). I like the idea of 3D, but I found setting up maps about as cumbersome as using my own terrain--if automation means help on that front, I'd be all for it! Given half my players can't run it at all based on hardware requirements, I don't see me really using it, so it's likely a non-issue for me any way.

At one point there was thought of automation for things like spell effects, breath weapons, reactions to being attacked, even monsters appearing on the map if I remember right.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I goth the invite and tried it, got a survey but only had time for one session. We could not figure out how to get the test module running.
I think it should accept the die rolls from the D&DBeyond character sheet, as least as an option. I love the simplicity of the D&DBeyond maps. As a long time user of FantasyGrounds, I have mixed feelings about automation.
It really adds to the learning curve and there is always some edge case where the automation fails and one has to roll back the results. Of course when it works it is really good.
I would be in favour of less automation in the game, but more on the map module creation. I would love to be able to bring in a 2d map and have the system turn it into a 3D map. This would be a use of AI that I would completely approve of.

One feature I would like to see more of in VTTs would be the ability to spit out a digest of the chat log. Particularly the number of long an short rests.

 

[Dire Bare]

I think the VTT all along has smelled of "this is something we could make money from" rather than "this is us responding to demands from our audience."

Yes, you could completely automate D&D. A lot of us loved Baldur's Gate 3, after all. But I'm not interested in replacing my current D&D experience with Baldur's Gate 3 and I'm certainly not going to pay for the privilege.

I really don't think the intent behind the 3D VTT is to automate and replace your tabletop games. It's for folks who want to or need to play online.

A VTT with automation that . . . works consistently . . . and can be turned off as needed . . . would be wonderful for online gaming.

 

[Dire Bare]

I also generally want less automation.....but we appear to be in the minority.

Not according to the OP.

 

[Christian Hoffer]

I had a Sigil demo a few weeks ago and there was some automation. You could target enemies with attacks and cast certain spells within it, but not every mechanic had made it into the service.