D&D On a Microsft Surface - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

D&D On a Microsft Surface

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
jack_of_all_shades
Oct 12, 2008 17:57:16 Ive been looking at these things recently and they look like the greatest things you could ever play a d&d game on.

Imagine just keeping everything right in the table! All your books in accessible pdfs, an easy surface to write and draw on, quick online functionality!

It's a shame their only being sold to commercial companies right now...

If I had the chance to buy one I think I probably would. What do you guys think about the surface as a d&d table top?
#2
feyberry
Oct 12, 2008 20:50:35 No. I'd rather just use a digital project mounted on the ceiling over a table.
#3
ranger_reg
Oct 13, 2008 2:02:31
What do you guys think about the surface as a d&d table top?

Pretty cool but pretty expensive.

Does it come in only one size?
#4
asmodeuslore
Oct 13, 2008 14:42:25 Can you provide a link so people who don't know what this is about can see?
#5
jack_of_all_shades
Oct 13, 2008 15:44:43
Can you provide a link so people who don't know what this is about can see?

Yah, sorry.

Here's the link.

Didn't even think about it.

And yes it only comes in one size right now, until they start selling to individual consumers. They plan on having a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
#6
dragonbringerx
Oct 13, 2008 18:29:29 this my friend is a technological evolution. Yes, in this current year the tech is costly and slow, but given in a few years as demand goes up...cost will go down, and then comes competition. Thats when will start to see all sorts of inovations...by that time will probably have dnd 5th ed or 6th ed...but hey...lets keep dreaming.
#7
john_paul_stoddard
Oct 13, 2008 19:10:26 I'll just wait for Holodecks
#8
ranger_reg
Oct 14, 2008 2:00:42
Yah, sorry.

Here's the link.

Didn't even think about it.

And yes it only comes in one size right now, until they start selling to individual consumers. They plan on having a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

I hope Microsoft don't follow Nintendo and void warranty if we decided to put on a screen protector.
#9
Amaril
Oct 14, 2008 9:29:53 Just for kicks, I ran MapTool on the SMART Board in my work conference room. It was pretty damn slick.

Being able to do that without body parts casting shadows on the screen would be even more slick.

Having VTT software that supported multitouch would be slicker still. (Imagine the D&DI gametable with multitouch and drawing area of effects, panning, zooming, rotating, etc. with it.)
#10
jack_of_all_shades
Oct 14, 2008 14:01:32
I hope Microsoft don't follow Nintendo and void warranty if we decided to put on a screen protector.

I got to mess with one in new york and it seemed pretty tough. Really cool features too.

But yah, I know what you mean.
#11
aran_kell
Oct 14, 2008 15:57:55 I've been thinking about building a projection table with the projector underneath the surface. I'm trying to come up with a material that will show the image brightly enough that it is clearly visible from the other side, but firm enough that minis won't distort the surface.

right now, I'm looking into a double-layered plexi with a silk screen sandwiched between them.

connected to a laptop would be ideal. Reason being that the DM needs his notes to be private.

having the projection apparatus built into the table would be ideal IMO. projecting from underneath would prevent shadows from people reaching across the table, and if I move, it's easier to take the table with me than to have to re-mount and refocus a projector.

additionally, it means fewer cables run across the ceiling and down the walls.
#12
Webster
Oct 14, 2008 20:31:31 There would be so many cool things you could do with that.

Take for example, a fireball spell. Touch the sceen where you want the impact, and foosh! You can see the fireball explode and know who got hit.
#13
john_paul_stoddard
Oct 14, 2008 21:12:28
I've been thinking about building a projection table with the projector underneath the surface. I'm trying to come up with a material that will show the image brightly enough that it is clearly visible from the other side, but firm enough that minis won't distort the surface.

right now, I'm looking into a double-layered plexi with a silk screen sandwiched between them.

connected to a laptop would be ideal. Reason being that the DM needs his notes to be private.

having the projection apparatus built into the table would be ideal IMO. projecting from underneath would prevent shadows from people reaching across the table, and if I move, it's easier to take the table with me than to have to re-mount and refocus a projector.

additionally, it means fewer cables run across the ceiling and down the walls.

Similar to this
http://home.mchsi.com/~dhaffner/table1.jpg
#14
ranger_reg
Oct 15, 2008 0:18:49
I got to mess with one in new york and it seemed pretty tough. Really cool features too.

Spill-proof? "300-lbs gamer accidentally sit on it" proof?
#15
polyhedral
Oct 15, 2008 10:49:51 I was on the beta development team for surface and as they are now they aren't really durable enough for use in casinos for example. They are a fun toy, but Microsoft is already working on the next generation. The non-vision system version will probably be more suited to a casino environment where lighting changes, smoke and generally adverse conditions hamper the effectiveness of the vision system used to detect contacts.

All the first iteration of surface had going for it over other systems (many you can DIY) was object recognition using 'microdot' tags, silhoutte recognition, and theoretically bluechip(but bluechip could be added to any system). I guess the optical tags would be great for recognising figures had been placed on the table.. but the cost for implementing that added feature seems to be far bigger than the added benefit.

The new iteration doesn't use cameras so the form factor is much more compact and cost effective.

I doubt we will see the first generation/iteration as a consumer model.
#16
unundindur
Oct 18, 2008 10:23:12 WHAT! Have microsoft bought it. Damn, and I who thought the old company would manage alone
#17
mvincent
Oct 27, 2008 17:41:02
I was on the beta development team for surface and as they are now they aren't really durable enough for use in casinos for example.

Aren't they already being used in Casino's? (as stated here)

Regardless, a 32" LCD HDTV ($400) could be installed into a table (and cover with glass) fairly cheaply, allowing a DM to control a gaming surface via a laptop. The potential just in this is enormous.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jack_of_all_shades Oct 12, 2008 17:57:16	Ive been looking at these things recently and they look like the greatest things you could ever play a d&d game on. Imagine just keeping everything right in the table! All your books in accessible pdfs, an easy surface to write and draw on, quick online functionality! It's a shame their only being sold to commercial companies right now... If I had the chance to buy one I think I probably would. What do you guys think about the surface as a d&d table top?
#2 feyberry Oct 12, 2008 20:50:35	No. I'd rather just use a digital project mounted on the ceiling over a table.
#3 ranger_reg Oct 13, 2008 2:02:31	What do you guys think about the surface as a d&d table top? Pretty cool but pretty expensive. Does it come in only one size?
#4 asmodeuslore Oct 13, 2008 14:42:25	Can you provide a link so people who don't know what this is about can see?
#5 jack_of_all_shades Oct 13, 2008 15:44:43	Can you provide a link so people who don't know what this is about can see? Yah, sorry. Here's the link. Didn't even think about it. And yes it only comes in one size right now, until they start selling to individual consumers. They plan on having a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
#6 dragonbringerx Oct 13, 2008 18:29:29	this my friend is a technological evolution. Yes, in this current year the tech is costly and slow, but given in a few years as demand goes up...cost will go down, and then comes competition. Thats when will start to see all sorts of inovations...by that time will probably have dnd 5th ed or 6th ed...but hey...lets keep dreaming.
#7 john_paul_stoddard Oct 13, 2008 19:10:26	I'll just wait for Holodecks
#8 ranger_reg Oct 14, 2008 2:00:42	Yah, sorry. Here's the link. Didn't even think about it. And yes it only comes in one size right now, until they start selling to individual consumers. They plan on having a wide variety of shapes and sizes. I hope Microsoft don't follow Nintendo and void warranty if we decided to put on a screen protector.
#9 Amaril Oct 14, 2008 9:29:53	Just for kicks, I ran MapTool on the SMART Board in my work conference room. It was pretty damn slick. Being able to do that without body parts casting shadows on the screen would be even more slick. Having VTT software that supported multitouch would be slicker still. (Imagine the D&DI gametable with multitouch and drawing area of effects, panning, zooming, rotating, etc. with it.)
#10 jack_of_all_shades Oct 14, 2008 14:01:32	I hope Microsoft don't follow Nintendo and void warranty if we decided to put on a screen protector. I got to mess with one in new york and it seemed pretty tough. Really cool features too. But yah, I know what you mean.
#11 aran_kell Oct 14, 2008 15:57:55	I've been thinking about building a projection table with the projector underneath the surface. I'm trying to come up with a material that will show the image brightly enough that it is clearly visible from the other side, but firm enough that minis won't distort the surface. right now, I'm looking into a double-layered plexi with a silk screen sandwiched between them. connected to a laptop would be ideal. Reason being that the DM needs his notes to be private. having the projection apparatus built into the table would be ideal IMO. projecting from underneath would prevent shadows from people reaching across the table, and if I move, it's easier to take the table with me than to have to re-mount and refocus a projector. additionally, it means fewer cables run across the ceiling and down the walls.
#12 Webster Oct 14, 2008 20:31:31	There would be so many cool things you could do with that. Take for example, a fireball spell. Touch the sceen where you want the impact, and foosh! You can see the fireball explode and know who got hit.
#13 john_paul_stoddard Oct 14, 2008 21:12:28	I've been thinking about building a projection table with the projector underneath the surface. I'm trying to come up with a material that will show the image brightly enough that it is clearly visible from the other side, but firm enough that minis won't distort the surface. right now, I'm looking into a double-layered plexi with a silk screen sandwiched between them. connected to a laptop would be ideal. Reason being that the DM needs his notes to be private. having the projection apparatus built into the table would be ideal IMO. projecting from underneath would prevent shadows from people reaching across the table, and if I move, it's easier to take the table with me than to have to re-mount and refocus a projector. additionally, it means fewer cables run across the ceiling and down the walls. Similar to this http://home.mchsi.com/~dhaffner/table1.jpg
#14 ranger_reg Oct 15, 2008 0:18:49	I got to mess with one in new york and it seemed pretty tough. Really cool features too. Spill-proof? "300-lbs gamer accidentally sit on it" proof?
#15 polyhedral Oct 15, 2008 10:49:51	I was on the beta development team for surface and as they are now they aren't really durable enough for use in casinos for example. They are a fun toy, but Microsoft is already working on the next generation. The non-vision system version will probably be more suited to a casino environment where lighting changes, smoke and generally adverse conditions hamper the effectiveness of the vision system used to detect contacts. All the first iteration of surface had going for it over other systems (many you can DIY) was object recognition using 'microdot' tags, silhoutte recognition, and theoretically bluechip(but bluechip could be added to any system). I guess the optical tags would be great for recognising figures had been placed on the table.. but the cost for implementing that added feature seems to be far bigger than the added benefit. The new iteration doesn't use cameras so the form factor is much more compact and cost effective. I doubt we will see the first generation/iteration as a consumer model.
#16 unundindur Oct 18, 2008 10:23:12	WHAT! Have microsoft bought it. Damn, and I who thought the old company would manage alone
#17 mvincent Oct 27, 2008 17:41:02	I was on the beta development team for surface and as they are now they aren't really durable enough for use in casinos for example. Aren't they already being used in Casino's? (as stated here) Regardless, a 32" LCD HDTV ($400) could be installed into a table (and cover with glass) fairly cheaply, allowing a DM to control a gaming surface via a laptop. The potential just in this is enormous.