community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...
...Coming along?
Looks very intreresting, and very well made.
I kind of like the tokens look better then the one the presented together with the 4th ed preview 2007.
Are the rules included? I mean does the computer do the number crunching and stuff whe you clic on a power?
The VT is not rocking. But it does work.
There is the ability to import your character from the CB or build a character. When I mean build a character I do not mean that it like the Character Builder. When you build a character, you have to do it all by hand.
Once done, yes, you can click and it will roll the dice and add the modifiers to it. But it won't add any conditional modifiers. Like if you are flanking, or have combat advantage, or someone else gives you an attack bonus, you have to do all the adding yourself.
Same goes for damage, you can set up the basic dice roll, such as 2d6+6 if that's what the power does.
Very little is automated. Inspite of asking and asking and asking for some form of automation. Maybe they added it in the two weeks everything was down. I'm doubting it at this time. They have been very slow to add ANY features in the months that the VT has been out in Beta. In fact they have been slow to fix some bugs. For example, if you have a monster around the corner tagged hidden, it shows up in the Intiative board, so suddenly everyone knows about it.
The tiles they offer were very limited. We asked and asked for more tiles (Because they were all dungeon tiles, no outdoor tiles), and they flat out said no, we know that adding more tiles works, so that doesn't need to be tested. But then they added a big tile for us to test to see if it worked. It was a map from a recently published Dungeon. So it seems that once the VT is working the adventures in the Dungeon magazine might also be included in the VT as playable online. That's a good thing.
And no, the rules are NOT included. In fact, there isn't anything that tells you how to use the VT, you just have to poke around and figure things out yourself. And trust me, there were points where some guidance would be helpful. You basically had to go into the forums and find if someone had written about it, or ask and hope someone knew.
We only really had contact with one person from WoTC during our phase of the beta, and even though we eventually wanted more communication from a wider range of people working on the VT, we got silence on that account.
The people that are really having fun with the VT, are doing so because of what they put into it and because that some of them don't have any one nearby to actually play with face to face.
So they developed friendships, and are having fun which is good. That's part of what the VT should allow to happen. But on it's own, it can't do it. People have to do it. And anyone that has played MMO's knows, you will meet more people you either have nothing in common with, or just don't click with, and a few you actually can't stand, more then people you develope friendships.
That's just how it is in reality too, so nothing special in that. The difference is people think that online will foster this amazing community. It doesn't.
So, there are no rules, there is the smallest amount of automation, there are bugs, they have removed features we asked them not to (The ability to save and share), and there are no instructions on how to use it, though it's simple to use. It's simple to use because it doens't do much.
Possibly more will be added when it comes back up. But that would mean it was probablly close to being ready two weeks ago, when they stopped the first phase of the beta, and just decided to wait. I'm doubting that.
Also, you aren't a DDi member, so you won't be invited.
So this one will actually happen then?
For those that have used it: Will this be the only VTT you will ever need?
My most wished for feature is a way play it whenever you got time, in the sense that whenever you complete your turn the other players get notified that it is their turn to act, and get to se a recap of what you did on your turn.
So I can play while at work, on the buss or when everyone got time and are gathered infront of their computers.
Is there such a feature=?
Interesting.
So this one will actually happen then?
For those that have used it: Will this be the only VTT you will ever need?
My most wished for feature is a way play it whenever you got time, in the sense that whenever you complete your turn the other players get notified that it is their turn to act, and get to se a recap of what you did on your turn.
So I can play while at work, on the buss or when everyone got time and are gathered infront of their computers.
Is there such a feature=?
No, that is not a feature, and while I can't say it would never be a feature, it's not a feature with how the current VT is set to work. It's meant to be played live. Everyone is at their computer, there is a DM, who DMs like normal, telling you what you see, making calls, and running the monsters.
Same for the players, they are basically playing like a regular face to face game over the computer.
There is built in sound. It works, but it seems there is always someone trying to multip task, download/upload files while playing and that seriously cuts into the quality of thier mic. So, it's highly recommended that everyone NOT try and multi task.
Because even if one person has to type everything, that really makes it an unfun experience, as you sit there, waiting for someone to type. If WoTC can do anything to improve this, they should. However since the problem is really how good someones computer and internet access is and all that, i doubt there is anything they can do.
And really, it's not WoTC fault if someone can't stop multi tasking during a game.
And really, it's not WoTC fault if someone can't stop multi tasking during a game.
Nor is it really a VT specific problem.
So yea, all the problems of a normal D&D session, but with a map on your PC.
Once they get automation above the level of Maptools, i'll have to check it out, but till then...
And really, it's not WoTC fault if someone can't stop multi tasking during a game.
Nor is it really a VT specific problem.
So yea, all the problems of a normal D&D session, but with a map on your PC.
Once they get automation above the level of Maptools, i'll have to check it out, but till then...
Well, I didn't say it was the VT's problem, did I? But it's a fact of the VT, that doing to much other stuff while playing, effects how well the VT performs in some areas.
Not sure if WoTC could ever do anything about that. But it's still something I found really frustrating with the VT.
Voice chat is far perferable then typing.
Interesting.
So this one will actually happen then?
For those that have used it: Will this be the only VTT you will ever need?
My most wished for feature is a way play it whenever you got time, in the sense that whenever you complete your turn the other players get notified that it is their turn to act, and get to se a recap of what you did on your turn.
So I can play while at work, on the buss or when everyone got time and are gathered infront of their computers.
Is there such a feature=?
Just to establish that I know what I'm talking about, I was a beta tester before the blackout, but since I'm not a subscriber, I'm no longer a tester.
Anyway, that said: it could well be the only VTT you would ever need. It simply depends on what level of features and functionality you're interested in. If you (the generic "you") want fully-automated built-in rulesets - if that is a requirement for you - then I expect it will never be the VTT for you, since as far back as I can recall, there was never a desire to completely automate the game or adjudicate rules.
If you require seamless integration between the CB, the Monster Builder (that they have said they will eventually create), and the VT, then this will be the only VTT that can satisfy that urge, no matter how primitive the automation is - Wizards is certainly not going to let some other virtual tabletop have "plugin" access to their character and monster builders or compendium.
If you require both of those things? You're probably screwed.
But yeah - if you (again, the general "you") want an experience that pretty much replicates a face-to-face table, but has the map on your computer, this is the VT for you. If you want more automation (or more capability to add automation yourself, e.g. via scripting) you'll have to look elsewhere, at least as far as we know right now. The real leverage this VT has is its ability to kinda import monsters and characters. You can write things like that in other VTs (I've done it, Blakey's done it, other folks here have done it), but it's not "a single suite" of tools.
Clearly the VT needs a long Beta period.
WotC will charge for the VT in three months tops.
I would hate for that to happen. More then likely it will be added to DDi with no increase to the subscription fee at first.
But yes, would not be surprised if we see the VT released this year as a product. Will it be ready?
Well, there I lack confidence in WoTC. They were going to have a weeks down time as they prepare for the second phase of the beta. As I figured, it would be closer to 3 weeks. It was supposed to be back up yesterday (making it two weeks down time), and Sunday the found a memory leak they now need to fix. So when it's going to be back up who knows.
Yes, WoTC is very green when it comes to software. But one area that has nothing to do with coding software is WoTC's digital business plan. It seems that what they want to do is get the bare bones software up and running, and then add as they go along.
It's not a horrible plan, but it certainly doesn't seem to be working. Not only did they reboot they software they currently have, they clearly were never really working on other tools, such as an encounter or map builder, that they gave us the impression they were.
So, they are kind of spinning their wheels. As with the beta the amount of feedback given by those willing to put in their time, I'm often left with the feeling that nothing much came of it. We never really got any feedback on our feedback. The communication goes one way it seems.
So, the VT will probably work when it comes out, and people will look at it and go, EH...it's not what I wanted from a DnD VT. And then when people list what they want, all us testers will be like, but we told them that! And it's not like what we are asking for isn't possible to code.
Just maybe not possible for the programmers at WoTC.
The yare als oworking on too many things at teh same time. If I am not mistaken the CB still has bugs and the Compendium isn't complete. Plus the alck of articels for the mags...
Are you demonstrating the point there?
The yare als oworking on too many things at teh same time. If I am not mistaken the CB still has bugs and the Compendium isn't complete. Plus the alck of articels for the mags...
Are you demonstrating the point there?
Absolutely. I had tabasco sauce in my left eye at the time. (no kidding)
Tsk, tsk. You should never season your eye unless you're going to eat it.
I am a DDI subs and didnt get a beta invite so i cant sya for first hand. but tbh if the CB and MB arent linked into the system, if more automation is not included (if only to minimise errors), if there isnt ALL the features that are available on other products and more, then there is no point spending any money on the VT when you can go elsewhere and get a possibly cheaper (cheaper than a years sub) product that already has the rules built in and a great level of automation.
WoTC are very very late coming into the VT market and need to sort their ideas out if they want a return from their dev costs.
Atm I will stick with what i got and when the VT comes out i will see. But it better be good. :P
to be honest from reading this and other things I fear for the VT to die immediately on release. there are a few really good flexible products out there that do a lot more than what VT is offering from what is written.
I am a DDI subs and didnt get a beta invite so i cant sya for first hand. but tbh if the CB and MB arent linked into the system, if more automation is not included (if only to minimise errors), if there isnt ALL the features that are available on other products and more, then there is no point spending any money on the VT when you can go elsewhere and get a possibly cheaper (cheaper than a years sub) product that already has the rules built in and a great level of automation.
WoTC are very very late coming into the VT market and need to sort their ideas out if they want a return from their dev costs.
Atm I will stick with what i got and when the VT comes out i will see. But it better be good. :P
I don't think it's DOA, for a few reasons:
1. The CB and MB are linked to the table - importing characters and monsters, while primitive as of the last time I saw it, was basically functional (as in, it happened - it was not proper, but it was there). That's something no other VT will ever be able to offer, unless WotC undergoes a huge sea-change.
2. They have a built-in audience and there is a strong undercurrent of "pickup" game play, which the VT can support pretty well. It's not a paradigm of gaming that I'm into (I don't play pickup games). As the audience expands, it'll probably become less pickup, but it's there now.
3. Quite a few people don't seem to care how late WotC is to this - they only have eyes for WotC's virtual tabletop.
I really need to Character Creator to be more dynamic adn customizable.
Does it calculate line of sight/cover? Like you try to attack someone from beyond a corner and it can tell if you can or can't it and if it gets cover?
Guess it requires you to download a client like the Character Builder huh?
Does it calculate line of sight/cover? Like you try to attack someone from beyond a corner and it can tell if you can or can't it and if it gets cover?
Not last I heard... Like they said there is almost no automation. It basically understand dice expressions...
as far as automation it wont like auto add in ca etc but who really cares. you can play dnd every day with people all over the world. well worth a ddi sub
and you will want the cb bc you can import pcs right from it
'cept that I, ya know, can't get it. I'm on a Mac that doesn't have an Intel processor, as such its not compatible with the CB, and I expect neither would it be with the VT.
Its the reason why I haven't suscribed to DDi yet.
you can calculate line of sight and cover with the line of sight tool and you will want the cb bc you can import pcs right from it
as far as automation it wont like auto add in ca etc but who really cares. you can play dnd every day with people all over the world. well worth a ddi sub
Note that the line of sight tool is a tool that lets you draw a line between two squares, and tells you how many squares it is between them. That is the extent of calculation, last time I saw (that is, it does not know what your token can "see" - it just lets you draw a line between two squares, and if you notice it crossing cover or whatever, you can adjudicate whether there's cover). So frothsof's quote might be better rewritten as:
"You can calculate line of sight and cover with the line of sight tool..."
It was relayed by a guy I know that the VTT is possibly stripped down because they intend on offering it w/o the DDI subscription. Potentially at least for non-hosting.
Now this could be wrong, but he said it came from one of the WizO's while he was touring the company last week (2 weeks ago?).
Besides, I don't need a VTT to do more for me than just be a bright shiny board. What I do expect is a decent showign of terrain and variety in environments, decent ""tokens" to use and the ability to make it easy to build maps.
I'm just now getting into MapTools, and while I like the idea, it's really hard to design maps in some ways, because of the fact that everything (images, resources) is designed to different specs, so to create my own resources takes time. and that's time not planning the story or other elements. It's time spent fidling with the map.
I want the VTT to be as simple to use as tiles and tokens on a table. That's all. And I don't think that's too much to ask.
map building is beyond simple
map building is beyond simple
Not necessarily true. Granted, if you are not looking at using "stock" maps, it can be very complicated and time consuming. I don't think anyone would benefit from a fully customized "campfire encounter", "city market", or " inn/tavern" map. Having maps like those pre-built and easily available would be a godsend to most DMs (IMO).
Its great for having the potential of incorporating scanned Maps from Dungeon that WoTC commissioned. We already did with Brothers Gray adventure in the Organized Play Event they spinned.
Aotomations is lacking, but frankly, its working and stable. The rest, you can always do it manually yourself. DONE Button, Line of Sight/Line of Effect calculating obstruction, Auto-Bloodied and Auto-Dying, Auto-damage, Powers Auto-Expand according to their Usage Frequency, Movement restrictions according to enduring Conditions etc...
And this can roll in after Release. So Open BETA urges so we can start Stress Test on this baby and see if Vittie hold her ground good.