What exactly is the deal with the 4th Edition?

[Raduin711]

What I expect out of D&DI isn't something like Halo or even Neverwinter Nights. I am thinking it is going to be more of a skeleton than a game in and of itself. A communication system, probably both text and vocal, a virtual gaming table with virtual miniatures (which Wizards can continue to create virtual miniatures), virtual dice and a few tools to make gaming easier.

I do not expect an experience where the program does the work for you. At least I hope not. The more the program DOES, the more the program DOESN'T, if you know what I mean.

Like say for instance it determines hits and misses for you for attack rolls. but suppose you have house rules on what contributes to your AC. You might say that two feats that don't stack as written in the rules DO stack in your game. Now you have to somehow explain to the program that these feats DO stack under certain circumstances, which works out to be more trouble than it is all worth.

So I hope D&DI is as simply constructed as possible. I don't expect other platforms other than PC, because this is kind of a new thing for wizards and adapting this kind of thing to Xbox or what have you may be a bit more than they can chew.

 

[jester47]

The D&D Virtual Tabletop has more in common with Microsoft Live Meeting than it does with WoW or any MMO.

 

[hopeless]

Regarding the DDI

So no news on the 4e games table then?

Interesting I'd have thought they would have at least released some update on that by now after all that stuff they released at Gencon last year with those you tube video's it would have been nice to have seen one of those playtests done on a video just to highlight the usefulness of this.

By the way the games table was one of the things I like about 4e but I wouldn't say I'm a fan of whats been shown so far, still it has been enough to make me want to buy those preview books even if I don't go for 4e I'll at least have something to read...

Take care and all the best!

 

[simply not edible]

Happens offline every day, regarding office memos and notices, in the same darned office building, much less among different users finding this stuff out around the world.

Don't get me started. Once I got one when I had already seen two new ones out voiding the it. It did explain the refernce to it in the other memo's, though.

I guess that's just what you get in some lines of work.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

A better way to conceptualize the Virtual Tabletop is like playing online chess. You use a program, it has a map with pieces you can move stuff around on it, and it also tracks other things (how many moves you've made, what pieces have been taken, et al).

So the Virtual Tabletop will probably be like OpenRPG, Maptools, and other existing software that allows you to play RPGs online.

If this is the case, it'll just be some software that does this:

Has a map program that allows you to move minis around on a board.
Roll dice (via a dice program).
Possibly have something that lets you use character sheets.
Chat interface (basically a chat window where you type stuff in).

Though, since all these features all ready exist in programs I just listed, I'm curious what will set the WotC Virtual Tabletop apart from them.

I don't remember for sure (and am just not motivated enough to go looking), but didn't they indicate it was going to have a built-in VOIP function as well?

 

[Engilbrand]

I'm disappointed with this thread
By the title I thought it had something to do with humor, in a Seinfeld-style introduction...
Oh well, my mistake
LOL

Why would a Seinfeld-style introduction make you think that something would be funny. Humor is the last thing that I would think would be connected to something being "Seinfeldish". I still don't get what people liked about that show.

 

[Dragonblade]

I'm disappointed with this thread
By the title I thought it had something to do with humor, in a Seinfeld-style introduction...
Oh well, my mistake
LOL

Jerry: Can you believe they are making 4th edition?
George: 4th Edition? Thats it, I'm done! I'm done with D&D!
Elaine: George, its not a big deal. Why is it such a big deal?
Kramer (bursting into the room): Jerry! I just picked up a huge 3.5 edition collection for $500 bucks.
George: Tell him, Jerry! Tell him about 4th edition!
Jerry: They're coming out with 4th edition.
Kramer: 4th Edition! You better be sure Jerry! I just picked up a good deal!
Elaine: Its not a problem! I don't see why its such a big problem.
Kramer: You know what this means, Jerry?
George: It means the 3.5 is dead! Its dead, Kramer!
Jerry: You can still play 3.5, George. Use house rules, or convert stuff over. Its fine.
George: Its not fine, Jerry! Its not fine! My collection is useless!
Kramer: Well, I'm not converting.
Jerry: What's wrong with converting?
Elaine: Its easy to convert. Its not a big problem!
George: Easy for you to say, you only have a PHB! I have stacks of 3.5 books, Jerry! Stacks!
Jerry: Then just sell your books to Kramer.
Kramer: I already bought all the books I need. I have years worth of 3.5 material, Jerry! Thanks to Newman.
Jerry: Newman!
George: That's it, Jerry! He's out! He's out of my game!

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

Jerry: Can you believe they are making 4th edition?
George: 4th Edition? Thats it, I'm done! I'm done with D&D!
Elaine: George, its not a big deal. Why is it such a big deal?
Kramer (bursting into the room): Jerry! I just picked up a huge 3.5 edition collection for $500 bucks.
George: Tell him, Jerry! Tell him about 4th edition!
Jerry: They're coming out with 4th edition.
Kramer: 4th Edition! You better be sure Jerry! I just picked up a good deal!
Elaine: Its not a problem! I don't see why its such a big problem.
Kramer: You what this means, Jerry?
George: It means the 3.5 is dead! Its dead, Kramer!
Jerry: You can still play 3.5, George. Use house rules, or convert stuff over. Its fine.
George: Its not fine, Jerry! Its not fine! My collection is useless!
Kramer: Well, I'm not converting.
Jerry: What's wrong with converting?
Elaine: Its easy to convert. Its not a big problem!
George: Easy for you to say, you only have a PHB! I have stacks of 3.5 books, Jerry! Stacks!
Jerry: Then just sell your books to Kramer.
Kramer: I already bought all the books I need, Jerry. I have years worth of 3.5 material, Jerry! Thanks to Newman.
Jerry: Newman!
George: That's it, Jerry! He's out! He's out of my game!

Okay, that was funny...very funny.

 

[Rechan]

I don't remember for sure (and am just not motivated enough to go looking), but didn't they indicate it was going to have a built-in VOIP function as well?

I don't know what VOIP is. But if it has anything to do with Voice, I'll be like that like butter on toast.

I'm gaming using Ventrilo, a voice chat program, and Maptools, and it's fun as hell!

 

[Corinth]

VOIP = Voice-Over-Internet Protocol.