Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jajen2003 Aug 20, 2015 13:12:03	Hi WotC,    I'm really interested in purchasing an interactive Virtual Table Top game/platform/software so that my friends and I can play D&D. I thought that guys over at nSpace were doing that with Sword Coast Legends. Sadly, I was mistaken and have since had my pre-order refunded. I remember back in the early 4th Edition days, there were some back-of-the-book advertisements about something regarding an interactive Virtual Table Top.  I'm asking, kindly and fondly, can you please make that happen? I don't want an action RPG or something that requires me to plow through a series of monsters—I would like an interactive Virtual Table Top game, that allows my friends and I to play D&D. Something silimar to Sword Coast Legends would be nice, but with the ability to have branching quest lines, dice rolls, role playing integration, monster and hero tokens, customizable dungeons and enviroments, maps and the like.   Software companies seem to think that D&D players want "an action game" or a "D&D themed, but not really D&D itself" style RPG. How about just a piece of software that lets us play D&D with our friends. Sounds simple enough.   I anticipate the community to either hate this idea, or support it, but either way, I'm asking, please, can you make it for us?   Much appreciated,    Jake(DM)
#2 AaronOfBarbaria Aug 20, 2015 15:27:14	*Cough*
#3 jajen2003 Aug 20, 2015 15:41:48	Hey AaronOfBarbaria,    I was thinking something like this + this = Awesome!    Even if SCL made a Table Top mode of their game, would be f'ing sweet.    I've run FG in the past and my group and I don't like the interface. Roll20 is the best thing we have going for us right now as far as customization and ease of use.    Seriously though, if nSpace would only care about D&D a little more and less about the contents of their pockets/bank accounts, a table top version of that game would be the answer.   But good looking out.
#4 EthanSental Aug 20, 2015 17:32:44	Jake,   I've been building numerous practice maps with tabletop connect and highly recommend it.  Its still in development but my group loves the 3d visuals.  I'm in the process of builing the 1st level of undermountain to really test the program.  So far so good and Carl does a great job of quick answers if needed.   PM me is you have any questions.
#5 moonbeast Sep 04, 2015 20:44:21	Just like Aaron coughed up.... (a cat's hairball got ya, Aaron?)    Fantasy Grounds is a VT.... and one of the few VTs officially supported and licensed by 5th Edition D&D and Wizards of the Coast.   I used an older VT that was similar to VT, called GRiP, but GRiP was way way older and relied mostly on text communication, although it was nice since it had its own client and master/server program (for the GM).  The setup was similar to the old BBS client programs (Bulletin Board Services, remember those?)    Regardless, they work similarly.  You communicate with others via text chat room or even with Skype support.  And then the program allows the DM to show battle-maps as the adventure plays out, etc.   Even with GRiP (one of the most ancient VTs created back in 1998 or so) I GM'ed a campaign and was able to embed ambient sounds and monster noises (via MP3 or WAV files) and just pushed a button to play them on cue for my Players.     VTs still require a lot of patience for a GM to set up.  And coordinating schedules and play times sounds easy.... but not easy when you have (like I did) 5 Players and 2 of them lived in Europe and Australia respectively.  Also, a modern VT like Fantasy Grounds can be quite expensive for the DM for the initial cost.  Even more expense if the DM wants to buy the pre-generated adventure contents (e.g. Tyranny of Dragons campaign adventures).  But at least, there are free versions of the client app that your Players can download.    SC Legends it doesn't seem like a true VT.  From what I've read.... it's somewhere between a VT and an online multi-player coop game (e.g. Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights).  Yes, there is still a DM in charge of the game's "set up", but it seems to play like any other modern PC fantasy hack-and-slash, and doesn't really go towards the cooperative tabletop role playing feel.  In any case, I might jump in and try out SC Legends as it does sound very promising.  Honestly, I'm more of a MMORPG fan myself and was hooked on the original Evercrack.... umm Everquest.  And the reason it was one of the first mass-market success MMORPG was because EQ was literally a rip-off of everything classic D&D was all about.  I miss those good old days.  Current MMOs (after WoW) are just a bunch of kids running around and PvP-ing and ganking each other.