Ultimate Gaming Table, Update

Jdvn1 · Dec 4, 2005

Coming from the fringes of west Houston (south of Katy), I'd be reluctant to drive to, say, Port of Houston.

Theron · Dec 4, 2005

Jdvn1 said:
Coming from the fringes of west Houston (south of Katy), I'd be reluctant to drive to, say, Port of Houston.

One of my guys lives in Huntsville and drives down to my place in Pearland once a month for our games. I don't know how he manages.

Torx · Dec 4, 2005

Upon showing your table to the guy who's house we play at, he responded, "I don't need a dining room table."

He was serious.

Shard Avenguard · Dec 4, 2005

If anyone is seriously interested in comming to see it, contact me at wizkid@houston.rr.com
We'll set up a good time for you to come out, and talk some "shop".
Always cool to meet new gamers.

I live on the south side of Houston. Right at I-45 and Beltway 8.

Jdvn1 · Dec 5, 2005

Theron said:
One of my guys lives in Huntsville and drives down to my place in Pearland once a month for our games. I don't know how he manages.

I don't know how he pays for gas.

(yeah, it's cheaper now, but I think it's funny, still)

Mark CMG · Dec 5, 2005

Shard Avenguard said:
There's 4 that I know of.
Mine, Agryis, Ceiling mounted Projector, and the one built by the makers of the Worlds Largest Dungeon.

And personally I think they are all neat.
Each one offers different ideas, looks, and solutions.

This is very true. Any of these set ups would be a step up from just a table and chairs. All of these efforts are to be commended.

Shard Avenguard · Dec 5, 2005

I don't know how he pays for gas.

(yeah, it's cheaper now, but I think it's funny, still)

We have a guy in our group now, who drives across town weekly. Actually we met him via our website. he came out to "ckeck it out", filled in for somone who didn't show. And found himself a permenent player =P

In his words "it's worth it to play there".

Janx · Dec 5, 2005

Shard's got a pretty nice UGT, so does Agrys.

I definitely see how each is covering differing needs.

Shard's looks easier to build, I suspect.

I may have to rework mine, it's a simple platform to seperate minis from gamer clutter. Right now it's a 3'x3' platform that is 11" high, to go over any existing table. We've found that the platform is a little too high (I think the Agrys table will have the same problem).

My current plan is to make a table overlay that is about the height of a coke can (plus an inch), that covers the same size (or a little bigger) than a normal table (my table is 2.5' by 5') This should provide plenty of space for gamer books and drinks UNDER the platform.

The platform is removable, since it simply rests on top of the existing table.

Another constraint I have, is that my table is in an unused bedroom in my house. It's a little crowded. I think all gaming rooms are better when they are in very open rooms.

Technologically, Shard's voice modulator thing is neat. I think Agrys could do the same thing, with PC and some software (checkout Krystal which is free), the speakers are already in place. Both UGTs could easily implement the overhead projector concept that was implemented by another UGT.

The message passing thing (MDS) by Agrys was pretty clever. I don't know how often it actually gets used (not too many messages in my group). It has a victorian feel to it (like the pneumatic tubes). A modern variant to try would be to buy a bunch of those IM toys that are on the market now. Get one unit per player (cost is probably $20 each). The players and DM can then send secret messages to each other.

I like the idea of having a public dice pit, where all rolls by the players are made visible. Makes it easier to see and confirm rolls. Perhaps I'll implement it on my revised NGT (nice gaming table)

Shard, I'm in the Houston area as well, I might have to check out your table sometime. I'm up in the spring area (above the opposite I-45 and Beltway). You're quite a drive down...