TheSword
Legend
I still keep my monthly F2F weekend of gaming with its 6 hour round trip. I can’t imagine giving it up.
However, VTT has allowed regular weekly games with people I’d never otherwise get to play with. Also…
The only downside I can see is that it needs an internet connection of substance and requires more prep. But I enjoy the prep so have no issue with it.
There’s also the sheer convenience of online play. I use discord on my phone for sound and roll20 for the VTT. It has totally removed any connection/lag issues.
If I’m caught late at work on game nights, instead of canceling I enter discord on speaker on the way home while we’re doing the catch up chat. Get in and login the laptop, start the game, but can make a cup of tea or a sandwich as we’re playing without any interruption. Breaks tend to be the 5 mins we intend them to be instead of the 15 mins in face to face. If someone grabs a glass of water play continues as they can still hear everything that’s happening.
Essentially, I would say I get about a third more done in each online session than the equivalent face to face time.
However, VTT has allowed regular weekly games with people I’d never otherwise get to play with. Also…
- VTT is perfect for teaching new players with chat box spell descriptions, call out boxes, integrated online compendiums of options, and character builders.
- Improved intrigue with instant whisper function - including sharing handouts with key figures, controlling player vision and information access
- Easier note keeping and prep.
- Easier handouts, beautiful handouts, stunning handouts.
- Grid/map based play is much much much easier.
- Dynamic lighting has revolutionized exploration for me. I even use it projected onto a wide screen TV for F2F now.
- Faster NPC prep able to copy, paste and alter an NPC or monster in seconds, sometime on the fly.
The only downside I can see is that it needs an internet connection of substance and requires more prep. But I enjoy the prep so have no issue with it.
There’s also the sheer convenience of online play. I use discord on my phone for sound and roll20 for the VTT. It has totally removed any connection/lag issues.
If I’m caught late at work on game nights, instead of canceling I enter discord on speaker on the way home while we’re doing the catch up chat. Get in and login the laptop, start the game, but can make a cup of tea or a sandwich as we’re playing without any interruption. Breaks tend to be the 5 mins we intend them to be instead of the 15 mins in face to face. If someone grabs a glass of water play continues as they can still hear everything that’s happening.
Essentially, I would say I get about a third more done in each online session than the equivalent face to face time.
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