Post/Author/DateTime	Post
livingfrank 01-15-07, 10:39 PM	Thought I'd see if i could get lucky and find an online LG group to play with. San Diego only has one LG game a month that i can find, and I NEED MORE!!! Help!;)
kenobi65 01-15-07, 11:07 PM	I'd suggest joining the Online Game Day Yahoo group; it's the primary venue for organizing online LG games at US-friendly times (i.e., night times in U.S. time zones): http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/OnlineGameDay/
LGMoses 01-15-07, 11:15 PM	how do online games work? is there a special software? how are die rolls handled? Room descriptions and such? etc?
kenobi65 01-15-07, 11:32 PM	how do online games work? is there a special software? how are die rolls handled? Room descriptions and such? etc? You do use special software. Most of the online LG play that I see is done using a shareware program called OpenRPG; it's got a chat-room function (which is where all the "discussion" takes place), a dice-rolling utility, and a map function. I have never, personally, used OpenRPG*. From what I've read, some folks have found OpenRPG to have a steep learning curve, and a difficult install (others seem to have no trouble at all); some folks also seem to have trouble getting OpenRPG to run in certain environments (such as behind a firewall). I know that there are people on the OnlineGameDay list who are willing to help new players get up and running on OpenRPG; I *highly* recommend you get running on OpenRPG before the night you're trying to play a game. One oddity about playing online, rather than F2F, is you are not considered to have "played" the module, from the standpoint of XP and GP, until you actually have the AR. Many online DMs will e-mail you a scanned / signed copy of the AR so you have it right away, but others snail-mail them. (This is just a fair warning about the way online play works; I see more than a few posts on the OGD list that amount to, "hey, where is my AR?") Online play tends to be slower than F2F. Count on it taking 6 hours or more to play a one-round module (many games wind up being split over two evenings, for that reason). One more note, because some folks have missed this part in the LGCS: only Core modules may be played online. No Regionals, no Metaregionals, no Core Specials, no Adapteds. The Circle has clarified this more than once, so don't flout the rules and make them rethink allowing online play at all. * I've been playing various RPGA campaigns online for years, but the group I play with uses AOL Instant Messenger, which has a chatroom and a dice-rolling function, but lacks the mapping function. When I first started playing online, in 2001, AIM was the "default" program for online play. Over the past few years, the LG aficionados have gravitated towards OpenRPG, apparently having a preference for the mapping utility, and the ability to create "nodes" (the text of the module, as I understand it). Just FYI, RPGA itself doesn't prescribe any particular program for online play; it's up to the players to decide what they want to use.
LGMoses 01-15-07, 11:51 PM	hmmm, if i had a laptop I'd let a buddy of mine who moved off and has nowhere to play play via net. That would be nice. I kinda miss my dual bastard sword wielding barbarian buddy.
clannagh 01-16-07, 01:08 AM	You do use special software. Most of the online LG play that I see is done using a shareware program called OpenRPG; it's got a chat-room function (which is where all the "discussion" takes place), a dice-rolling utility, and a map function. I have never, personally, used OpenRPG*. From what I've read, some folks have found OpenRPG to have a steep learning curve, and a difficult install (others seem to have no trouble at all); some folks also seem to have trouble getting OpenRPG to run in certain environments (such as behind a firewall). I know that there are people on the OnlineGameDay list who are willing to help new players get up and running on OpenRPG; I *highly* recommend you get running on OpenRPG before the night you're trying to play a game. One oddity about playing online, rather than F2F, is you are not considered to have "played" the module, from the standpoint of XP and GP, until you actually have the AR. Many online DMs will e-mail you a scanned / signed copy of the AR so you have it right away, but others snail-mail them. (This is just a fair warning about the way online play works; I see more than a few posts on the OGD list that amount to, "hey, where is my AR?") Online play tends to be slower than F2F. Count on it taking 6 hours or more to play a one-round module (many games wind up being split over two evenings, for that reason). One more note, because some folks have missed this part in the LGCS: only Core modules may be played online. No Regionals, no Metaregionals, no Core Specials, no Adapteds. The Circle has clarified this more than once, so don't flout the rules and make them rethink allowing online play at all. * I've been playing various RPGA campaigns online for years, but the group I play with uses AOL Instant Messenger, which has a chatroom and a dice-rolling function, but lacks the mapping function. When I first started playing online, in 2001, AIM was the "default" program for online play. Over the past few years, the LG aficionados have gravitated towards OpenRPG, apparently having a preference for the mapping utility, and the ability to create "nodes" (the text of the module, as I understand it). Just FYI, RPGA itself doesn't prescribe any particular program for online play; it's up to the players to decide what they want to use. one thing that has me curious withonline games is what happens with delayed AR's if you level up in between playing the game and getting the AR ? Do you suddenly take an XP hit ??
_m_ 01-16-07, 01:30 AM	one thing that has me curious withonline games is what happens with delayed AR's if you level up in between playing the game and getting the AR ? Do you suddenly take an XP hit ?? the ar comes in where ever you are up to, but you gain experience as if you were currently the lvl you were when you played it, same as a late playtest ar.
SgtHulka 01-16-07, 09:21 AM	FYI, OpenRPG is a free download. It's not pay software. "Nodes" are little programs that let you do things with a single press of the button. This could be as simple as sending a half page of boxed text to the chat window without having to type it, or it could be a player rolling a two-weapon fighting power-attack 3 against concealment miss chance with all the rolls pre-calculated, or it could be "character sheets" for monsters or players. The use of nodes significantly speeds up play, but they are also what cause the steep learning curve of the program. 1.5x "normal" duration (6 hours for a four hour slot mod) is a good rule of thumb for an *experienced* online Judge and focused players. Inexperienced/unprepared Judges and unfocused characters can stretch that duration significantly.
kenobi65 01-16-07, 10:26 AM	"Nodes" are little programs that let you do things with a single press of the button. This could be as simple as sending a half page of boxed text to the chat window without having to type it, or it could be a player rolling a two-weapon fighting power-attack 3 against concealment miss chance with all the rolls pre-calculated, or it could be "character sheets" for monsters or players. The use of nodes significantly speeds up play, but they are also what cause the steep learning curve of the program. Thanks for the clarification. 1.5x "normal" duration (6 hours for a four hour slot mod) is a good rule of thumb for an *experienced* online Judge and focused players. Inexperienced/unprepared Judges and unfocused characters can stretch that duration significantly. Agreed. I've had one-slot modules take 8-10 hours or more. Combat-intensive mods often push the time needed, but even more frustrating are the technical glitches (e,g., one of your players keeps losing his connection).
CrystalBlue 01-16-07, 12:58 PM	Here are a few tips for online play people. Just because I'm having to online slot-0 so much lately. *sigh* 1.) Judges should node ALL of their box text and encounters before the game gets started. It cuts down so much of the typing time needed. 2.) Players should have a very good idea of what they can do together before the game. This is really just common sense, but understanding the party dynamics before online play is crucial to keeping the flow of the game. 3.) Meet up about 30 minutes prior to when the slot should go off. This is the time PC's should send in their RPGA numbers, character names, and other relevent info. Also, make sure the game goes off ON TIME, even if you don't have the full table. If someone comes in late, have a PC whisper a summery of what's happened. DO NOT wait for late PC's, as this really bogs down the game. 4.) Try to learn all of the functions of the nodes, or have someone give you a character sheet node. Also, get familiar with the map and minis. This will help keep the flow of the game as well. 5.) Give turn time limits. I know it's harsh, but you can't sit around for 30 minutes and wait for someone that's link dead or lagging. (in a recent game I played, we waited for almost 43 minutes to see if someone was going to come back). I recommend 3 - 5 minutes for turns. If it runs over, or if someone is obviously LD, delay them. 6.) Storybook many complicated investigative or roleplay encounters if you're running short on time. I don't mean to kill the mod that way, but sometimes you can't help it on an online game. If you have the time to RP it all out, then go ahead. 7.) Finally, find a system so only one PC can talk at any given time. Otherwise, your chat window will get cluttered very quickly and you'll be in a pinch to figure out what's going on, who said what, things like that.
LGMoses 01-16-07, 01:04 PM	y does noone seem to use voice chat. I imagine teamspeak cud work?
kenobi65 01-16-07, 01:32 PM	y does noone seem to use voice chat. I imagine teamspeak cud work? I've seen a few people use it, and there's no reason why it couldn't work, but you need an entire table to all be willing and able to use it. You always seem to wind up with people using a variety of systems, old computers, work computers, etc., and it's probably not always practical.
CrystalBlue 01-16-07, 01:34 PM	Yeah...voice chat would be better. They should try and incorporate that into OpenRPG somehow.
kenobi65 01-16-07, 01:36 PM	5.) Give turn time limits. I know it's harsh, but you can't sit around for 30 minutes and wait for someone that's link dead or lagging. (in a recent game I played, we waited for almost 43 minutes to see if someone was going to come back). I recommend 3 - 5 minutes for turns. If it runs over, or if someone is obviously LD, delay them. It's not harsh at all. It's just a reality of online play. (And, it's not much different from what might happen at a F2F table if someone had to go to the bathroom in the middle of a combat.) One issue I often see during online play is that, because it does often move slowly, players tend to multitask (very easy and tempting to do while sitting at a computer that's hooked up to the Internet). When I'm DMing, if the person who's "up" doesn't respond in a minute or so, I might ping them with a private message (more often than not, their attention has wandered). I also tend to announce initiative turns with "It's Joe's turn, Fred is up next", to help people keep track of when their turn is coming up.
kenobi65 01-16-07, 01:37 PM	Yeah...voice chat would be better. They should try and incorporate that into OpenRPG somehow. One of the nice things about doing it via text is that you can save a log of the game. It's handy for being able to go back later and check things (especially if the game spans 2 or more play sessions).
_m_ 01-16-07, 06:15 PM	Yeah...voice chat would be better. They should try and incorporate that into OpenRPG somehow. just use vent. statistically we all play wow, so at least sum of us have servers :D
cycloptic_squirrel 01-16-07, 07:35 PM	statistically we all play wow I took one look and figured it'd consume my soul. Didn't touch it. Even though it's shiny. So very shiny. Only played LG online once, but it was relatively painless. I played around with OpenRPG beforehand and botched a bunch of the advanced features. The only thing I really needed to know was how to roll and manipulate the map. Everything else came pretty easily. I prefer face to face, but online wasn't a bad substitute.
kenobi65 01-16-07, 08:41 PM	I took one look and figured it'd consume my soul. Didn't touch it. Even though it's shiny. So very shiny. Chuckle. I keep making my Will save to keep from trying WoW. :D
_m_ 01-16-07, 09:00 PM	Chuckle. I keep making my Will save to keep from trying WoW. :D i got dominated for nearly 2 years.
_metz_ 01-16-07, 11:35 PM	the ar comes in where ever you are up to, but you gain experience as if you were currently the lvl you were when you played it, same as a late playtest ar. Ah good m, that helps this came up cos of my rogue that would be playing a two parter lol one this week and the other half after I went to a con in which case I would have levelled... (assuming no inconveniences like death)