The Dungeons & Dragons Virtual Table

[Hussar]

I've used background music and sound effects in my MapTool sessions before. The dripping water effects in the sewers was a hit as was the splashing water when critters came running through the water.

I usually use Ventrilo for voice as it is very lightweight. So I use a second instance of the Vent client on my GM machine which is hooked directly into WinAmp via a virtual audio cable. I have a playlist of background music and sound effects loaded and when I need them, I just double-click and the entire group in Ventrilo hear whatever sounds I play. It worked really well. It does take a little bit of setup.

Heh, that's a bit beyond my capabilities.

Although, I did just see this little gem - Social networking site for synching Youtube videos across multiple users. Very sweet. I could see using that very easily, and it runs in your browser: YouTube Social brought to you by Socialvision - www.socialvisioninc.com

 

[Keefe the Thief]

VTT? Wizards can't even finish CB and MB and want to try this?

I predict an EPIC fail.

They do not "try" this. They worked on it all the time. Projects do not suddenly pop out of the ground, and development times vary widely. It's beta time right now for a product they are working on, that's why the VTT has been announced.

 

[Mirtek]

Seen it? I'd wait and see what functionality it has, we know nothing, so what makes you think it is less?

WotC's proven track record with such things?

They haven't said they are charging a dime for it yet.

The FAQ entry about pricing?

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

WotC's proven track record with such things?
The FAQ entry about pricing?

So you're really just guessing. CB and MB have been pretty good programs. The online CB is still a little wonky but it does work and they appear to be clearing up issues pretty quickly. Honestly, if you look at what they have actually ever said was a released or soon-to-be-released product their track record is pretty good.

The FAQ entry on pricing says NOTHING about pricing, just that they don't have anything to say on it and haven't even figured it out themselves. It could range anywhere from 'free download' to 'pay extra on top of DDI' in theory. Speculation on that score is fun, but anyone who claims to have any information about it is talking out something besides his mouth.

Really, people, AT LEAST wait for the beta testers to report back. Good grief, either there are a heck of a lot of psychics on this board or well it is the Internet, bs does rule...

 

[falcarrion]

VTT programs are used differently from group to group. Some may use it just to project the map on a table. Some may use it to play with friends through out the world. some what to be able to customize it.
A thread like this is great. It lets people see how others use it and may convince others who haven't tried one to do so. Just waiting to hear what beta testers have to say isn't going to give a broader picture of how VTT's are used and capable of.
If you read between the lines of complaints, guessing and wishes, you can learn alot of what a VVT program can do or does now. It also give people a chance to look at what is out there now.
Beta testing is only as good as the beta testers. I would trust more the beta test from people here then a small hand picked group by Wotc. If Wotc only picks people with subscriptions.

 

[Mirtek]

So you're really just guessing.

Just like the rumor of them taking away the CB and making it online only was just guessing. So far the only thing that WotC did reliably was to fulfill the worst guesses.

The FAQ entry on pricing says NOTHING about pricing, just that they don't have anything to say on it and haven't even figured it out themselves.

Which is already worse enough. There shouldn't be anything for them to figure out, it should be part of the DDI fee we are already paying them. Not paying separately or paying an increased fee.

At best a current FAQ answers of "Included in the current DDI fee and we've not yet determined if there'll be a way to buy access outside of the DDI suite and how much this might cost" would be acceptable.

Speculation on that score is fun, but anyone who claims to have any information about it is talking out something besides his mouth.

Or simply takes a look back at WotC's track record

Really, people, AT LEAST wait for the beta testers to report back.

I've had enough of lying WotC employees (I don't blame them personally, lord knows I have blatantly lied to customers when I had been told to do so and will certainly do so again in the future) and people close enough to them to also report favorably on their newest project.

bs does rule...

At least WotC seems to make good money with it

 

[I'm A Banana]

Here's my bag.

• If it is usable (better than "character builder classic" usable, even).
• If it isn't extra money.
• If it doesn't use obnoxious microtransactions for customizability
• If it isn't needlessly tethered to Dungeon Tiles and "what we've already got in the database" (e.g.: it permits house rules at least).
• and If people without DDI accounts can still play without having to pony up a few bucks

Then it will be a solid VTT that I might consider using.

I wouldn't think that's a generally big list. There are cheap or free programs out there right now that do this.

But this is WotC. Their record has been, by and large, disappointing. Their ability to meet the most basic requirements is in question.

So I will wait and see. It could be neat. But there's no real cause for optimism about it.

One thing is certain: there's so many free or cheap programs out there that the VTT isn't going to feature into my decision to purchase DDI access on a given month or not.

So, I guess, unlike the CB, if the VTT does suck, I won't be too irate.

 

[Dungeoneer]

People just need to get used to this idea: the VTT will cost extra money.

This is a project on a whole different level from something like the character builder. It's much more resource-intensive to develop. It will require its own extensive network infrastructure, servers and support team. It ain't gonna come cheap, and since Hasbro is a for-profit corporation, we the customers will be asked to pony up.

I don't know exactly what form the extra cost will take (although my money is still on a 'gold' subscription), but realistically we need to accept that there will be an extra cost.

And hey, if I'm wrong at least you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[I'm A Banana]

People just need to get used to this idea: the VTT will cost extra money.

If that's the case,

then I will take my business elsewhere.

(and I'm no fan of Lone Wolf, either...army builder army builder army builder!...)

Screw that noise. There's free or one-time-payment alternatives. Something tells me this won't be worth even $25 per year (about a $2/month more) on top of what I'm already paying for.

It's possible it could be worth it, better than those cheaper-or-free alternatives, but that would require some killer things. Possible, but I'm not holding my breath. In absence of that, extra money just ain't friggin' worth it.

 

[Scribble]

Coolest things I see about this so far is that it has a lobby feature, combines with the fact that it will be on the D&D homepage... Which means it will more then likely be filled with people looking to game, without having to go through various means to find them and set it all up.

Log on- find a game- game.

Yay.