Why is Online Gaming considered Second Class?

[Hussar]

I'll admit, I'm biased. I've been playing online virtual tabletop games for about eight years now. First in OpenRPG and now in Maptools. Since it has been a while, I tend to forget (or repress) what it was like in the early days - learning curves, building groups and whatnot. I honestly do find playing online to be every bit as fun as face to face.

I find that people role play a lot more in VTT, speaking in character almost 100% of the time, extremely little off topic talk and really good quality play. People are less shy about being a hot elf chick when they don't have to actually physically try to pull it off.

That being said, I've seen a fair number of people simply pooh pooh online gaming as being better than not gaming at all, but, not by much. I've even seen a fair number of posters claim that they'd rather not game at all than play over a VTT. That's pretty strong.

So, what's wrong with VTT play? What would a VTT have to become or change in order to make it equal to tabletop play in your mind?

 

[Redcrow]

I've played in two online games. The first was a Shadowrun 4e game using OpenRPG that was kind of a mess and fizzled rather quickly. The second, which I am still currently playing in is a MRQ2 (Roman era) using MapTool and Skype and has been a lot of fun so far.

I also purchased Fantasy Ground II, but haven't had a chance to play in any online games using it yet.

There is a bit of a learning curve to using an online VTT and some are a bit more intuitive than others; so that could be an obstacle for some folks. Also, just as IRL, unless you know personally everyone in your group ahead of time you may end up with a few players who don't mesh well or you might join a game that ends up not suiting your particular tastes. That can also dissuade some folks from online gaming. This can appear to be more pronounced with online gaming as you may not be able to get to know the other players much on a personal level outside the game. YMMV.

I rather enjoy online gaming and agree that it does (for me anyway) help to keep everyone focused. There is also a lot of cool stuff you can do with a VTT that would be rather difficult in a FTF game.

My only suggestion to others would be not to let a couple bad experiences sour your opinion and keep looking for a game and players that better suit you. There are a TON of online DnD players, so there are plenty to choose from there. Other games can take a little digging to find. I got somewhat lucky in being asked to join the current online game I'm in, but hopefully as time goes on other RPG's will develop a larger online player base.

 

[amerigoV]

I like online if all players/GM are online - people pay attention and I agree some of the roleplay is better. I am running a game now that runs for 2 hours every other week with some pbp. That game is log on, kick butt, log off. No screwing around with idle chatter or wasting time while someone tries to level up their PC (I open maptools and vent 15 min beforehand if anyone wants to socialize). The game starts at 9pm if you are on or not. I really like how its come together vs. normal tabletop.

It does suck if the group is together in one room and you have one or two remote players. Its more like an internal work conference call - much is lost as all the focus is on those in the room. That one is a toss up for me vs. playing Xbox do just doing something else.

All in all, it has expanded my gaming options, so I give it a thumbs up.

 

[Aus_Snow]

People are less shy about being a hot elf chick when they don't have to actually physically try to pull it off.

Gods be praised, I made my Will Save...

I've seen a fair number of people simply pooh pooh online gaming as being better than not gaming at all, but, not by much. I've even seen a fair number of posters claim that they'd rather not game at all than play over a VTT. That's pretty strong.

It is. What I see a lot is people classing it as second BEST. Not second class, if that makes sense. So, their second preference, but no worse than that.

So, what's wrong with VTT play? What would a VTT have to become or change in order to make it equal to tabletop play in your mind?

It would have to be tabletop play, to be, um, equal to tabletop play. For me, I mean.

Well, that's what it comes down to. I'd just much rather have that whole experience. Yes, it might be for better or worse, I guess, for some (or in some instances). But it is fundamentally a different experience.

A bit like hanging out with friends some place (or someone's place, even) vs. Skype, say. Now, Skype is still pretty great, and useful as can be. Even so. I know which I'd prefer, given the option.

 

[billd91]

I'd like to echo, in part, what Aus_Snow said. But I probably would relegate online gaming to second class and not second best. It's what I would resort to if I couldn't have a face-to-face tabletop experience. As far as I'm concerned, the immediacy and completeness of the face-to-face interaction is so far and away superior that I would definitely choose it over online gaming.

 

[Mercurius]

I've always found interactions with other hominids face to face superior to interactions via chat dialogue box. But call me old school, like soooo 20th century

I'd rather really drink beer with friends that just virtually do so.

Real > Virtual, especially when it comes to beer.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

For me, RPG night isn't just about the RPG. It's also about hanging with friends, sharing some home-made fajitas and a bottle of wine or 3, talking about what's going on in their lives. And some nights, the RPG gets set aside to help out a buddy in need.

Simply put, online gaming isn't as enriching an experience for me.

 

[Starfox]

Not sure how relevant this is to the thread, but this is my viortual role-playing experience.

I never played on a VTT, but I did a lot of role-playing in Neverwinter Nights. That was fun for a while, but the real-time format was a big issue. The game became partitioned into two modes, combat mode that was very quick and quite random, and chat mode where all the role-playing happened. During chat mode, all timed effects (buff spells) generally expired, which basically meant that each combat had to be on a separate day. The group also fractured along these lines; some preferred combat mode, some chat mode.

I suppose a VTT would not be real-time, and that would solve most of these issues.

 

[thejc]

Id like to echo DannyAlcatrazs comments. I grew up in a small town. D&D was kind of a stigma. You know because we would get together drink Soda and sacrifice a goat. Lol. We actually had an intervention at school once Bwhahahah. I had to give a debate style rebuttal which ended in that they needed to worry about the jocks(which I was a jock too I suppose) who partied until they puked their faces off after football games.

I have always compared my D&D experience to poker. Some people play poker, I kill monsters and save the world.

For online gaming I have no bias against it, although I would so much rather have a place at the table than sit in front of my computer and play. I mean if Im just gonna do that I might as well DDO or WoW where I don't have to depend on anyone else for my experience and all the woes that come with VTT.

Nothing wrong with it, just not my first option. I played in a really great...albeit short VTT game some years ago with several people from these boards, it was cool, just different.

 

[BryonD]

It is. What I see a lot is people classing it as second BEST. Not second class, if that makes sense. So, their second preference, but no worse than that.

Exactly. I have played on-line. And it was fun. I would do it again any time.

But tabletop is even better.