Post/Author/DateTime	Post
nightside_samurai 08-07-07, 07:02 PM	I'm thinking of running a game online using AIM but I thought I'd ask for some tips and what pitfalls to avoid using it. I played on one a long time ago and the people were abrasive or too new to play smoothly and I wanted to try it out. One question I have is how do you do dice rolls on the IM? P.S. I do know about the Classified section of the boards and I'll be stopping there next :)
The_Gimp 08-07-07, 07:44 PM	I dunno...You trust the person for being honest with his/her dice rolls? Or you get everyone's webcam on their dices?
JMKoontz 08-07-07, 08:29 PM	I've done one where the DM did all the rolling. We described what we wanted to do (along with relevant ability/skill mods), DM did rolling/figuring and then posted the result of the actions. As long as the DM is fairly proficient with the basic rules and math it works pretty well. You can also use multiple chat windows for private conversations (making plans etc)
mortalgod666 08-07-07, 08:31 PM	AIM has its own dice roller...I forgot how you do it but its something along the lines of roll/[insert dice number here]-dice[insert side number here]
im_robertb 08-07-07, 09:10 PM	If you want something that also has a miniature map and is free, on top of chatting and dierolling, try OpenRPG at www.openrpg.com . The dierolling format is easier than AIMs too - [1d20+3] rather than roll/1-dice20 and adding 3 yourself.
nightside_samurai 08-07-07, 09:48 PM	Thanks for all the help boyos :D
Crimson_Concerto 08-08-07, 08:58 PM	If I recall correctly... //roll-dice#-sides# the first # = how many dice to roll the second # = how many sides the dice have so for example, rolling 1D20 would be: //roll-dice1-sides20 Only works in chat rooms, though, I think...
Lormador 08-08-07, 10:37 PM	Certain things go over very well with messenger play. Character speech is vastly more considered, weighty, and beautiful than it is during tabletop play, but you lose the voices and mannerisms of speech. All those beautiful mannerisms are out the window, reduced to text in a box. Second, lengthy or complicated combats tend to drag out, become boring, or die out in a mess of detail as PCs wind up with unclear images of the action and no quick diagrams can answer the difficulties. It's best to keep combat short and sweet. On the other hand, descriptions can be cut and pasted directly from adventure material right into the dialogue window, and that can be quite nice. Rules are near at hand, since the players are at the computer and the books are open. Random generators, too, are at your fingertips, should the characters wander off and try something unexpected. Player against player violence is much more easily handled too, as secrecy is at a maximum. There is no need for the players even to know which characters are other PCs. I only throw open the alignment restrictions completely with online games, and then not always. Online instant messenger play is a unique, challenging, and rewarding environment that will allow you to continue campaigns regardless of geographical distance. You will appreciate the joys and foibles of tabletop much more, after trying it. I find myself getting into voice and everything, which I never did before.
Lord_Panda 08-08-07, 11:22 PM	One of the better free online tools is gamtable (http://gametable.galactanet.com/), essentially an IM chat room with a map grid and dice macros. It has a minimalist approach that appeals to my group, and since you're considering a campaign over nothing more than IM, it may be good for you as well.
WizardsSon 08-09-07, 01:02 PM	One of the better free online tools is gamtable (http://gametable.galactanet.com/), essentially an IM chat room with a map grid and dice macros. It has a minimalist approach that appeals to my group, and since you're considering a campaign over nothing more than IM, it may be good for you as well. Thanks for passing this link along. I've never played with a group online before, through AIM type programs, but I downloaded the program and it looks really easy.