D&D Virtual Table at PAX EAST? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

D&D Virtual Table at PAX EAST?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
edowning
Mar 14, 2011 9:57:39 Just wondering if anyone got to play around and see the Virtual Table at pax east this past weekend.
I live in Mass, but was unable to attend. SOLD OUT!!!
#2
Agonar
Mar 14, 2011 11:30:03
I wonder if that wasn't the real reason for the VT blackout extension.. so that they could keep it locked up to Devs and select people only for purpose of Demoing it at PAX. . . Aha, now I have discovered their nefarious plans!
#3
edowning
Mar 14, 2011 11:55:38 Very interesting indeed...Those devious cretins.
#4
Jeff_Loretto
Mar 14, 2011 19:12:34 VTT Crashed and Burned at PAXEast. They decided to patch the servers just befor the demo...
#5
Webster
Mar 15, 2011 0:39:43 The intent wasn't to let people play on the D&D VT, but to show it off by playing with staff live from the home office.

#6
lokiare
Mar 15, 2011 6:05:04
VTT Crashed and Burned at PAXEast. They decided to patch the servers just befor the demo...

Nice... amateur mistake though... Never change something that works right before an expo....
#7
frothsof
Mar 15, 2011 9:18:32 sadly it looks this is true

'I went to one presentation yesterday that I was really excited for that wound up being a bust. The D&D Virtual Table is something that I have been interested in since it was rumored quite a long time ago. Unfortunately due to technical difficulties, the demo was not able to be performed. As with many modern software titles, the D&D virtual table needs to verify its credentials with a central server in order to use it. Unfortunately, the server was down. How embarrassing! I’ll try and write up a post of what I did learn from the Q&A though.'

themeatshield.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/p...
#8
coreyhaim8mydog
Mar 15, 2011 9:22:33

I wonder if that wasn't the real reason for the VT blackout extension.. so that they could keep it locked up to Devs and select people only for purpose of Demoing it at PAX. . . Aha, now I have discovered their nefarious plans!

I can't see them saving the VT for a demo at PAX, because the VT doesn't do anything that other VTs don't already do. Unless their marking metrics predict most users of the VT will have never used another VT before. Maybe, in that case, they would hold it as a wow factor.

#9
frothsof
Mar 15, 2011 12:42:09
it does do more than other vts. you can pull straight from the cb and mb, and theres a built in community. that to me is a lot more significant than it not auto adding ca or something
#10
Dane_McArdy
Mar 15, 2011 12:54:31

it does do more than other vts. you can pull straight from the cb and mb, and theres a built in community. that to me is a lot more significant than it not auto adding ca or something

And those features don't fully work either. Also, a built in community doens't mean it's going to facilitate people getting along, or even that a game will be available when a person can play. It's still going to depend on people to make it work. Which means being honest about the actual state of the VT. Other wise people are just going to feel they were duped into thinking it's what they want.

I know you love the VT because it gives you the oppurtunity to play. But acting like it's perfect isn't helping. You've had plenty of complaints and issues you've posted in the beta thread, but here in the open forums, you tend to act like you have no issues.

Heck, even Chris Perkins has said he doesn't really like the interface. And guess what, he's right. It doesn't look at all like their other products. It's not intuitive enough. You have to do a lot of guess work to make it work.

Having something critical to say about the VT isn't going to make it go away. But it can make it better.
#11
frothsof
Mar 15, 2011 12:58:08
dane thats not true i have complained til i cant complain anymore about not being able to save pcs, til they actually asked me to stop so i stopped. yes these things dont work perfect but to act like maptools is somehow the same thing as the vt is a joke. someone said 'macro' to me and i was like 'what'. once you can save pcs guess what i dont need any more functionality. of course we need tiles but all this pie in the sky automation to me is just not needed bc then they will tell us how our pcs need to be laid out.

is it perfect hell no its not but i do love it so im not misleading anyone
#12
Alphastream
Mar 15, 2011 14:14:44 My read is that the VTT was scheduled to be updated last Tuesday (with the DDi update). There were problems, so it was delayed to today. Per today's broadcast, it is being pushed back further due to memory leak issues. It would not be surprising if the same issue would have hurt any potential demo.

My understanding is that it was still a pretty cool session, just not a demo of the VTT (the plan had been players not on site to be logged in and playing, shown over webcast or similar means - just like at D&DXP).

DDi subscribers will be seeing the VTT for themselves once the leak is fixed, so I'm guessing it should not be a big impact.

Edit: Having used the VTT, it is a fine tool. It is simpler than some, less complex than others. Perfectly playable, very pretty, good functionality. The key is having instant integration to your DDi content (monsters, PCs, etc.). I do agree that in the future we need to be able to save tokens in some fashion so we can tweak how our PC behaves (power text, what prints for die rolls, etc.).
#13
frothsof
Mar 15, 2011 14:18:25 yeah some dudes had some funny power texts
#14
Agonar
Mar 15, 2011 23:09:40 I generally like to make sure that when I click my power, the text that flashes on the screen announces the name of the power, the general effects, and the die rolls.

Attack (Ref) 1d20[13]+7 = 20    is just lacking, as opposed to

Scorching Burst; Area Burst 1 within 10 (Ref)    1d20[13]+7 = 20

At least this way, if a few lines later, someone needs to know if a certain Power was used, you can scroll back and see. if all you see are 15 lines of "Attack (AC)" "Attack (Will)" etc.. well, then what?
#15
atras
Mar 16, 2011 12:42:44
I generally like to make sure that when I click my power, the text that flashes on the screen announces the name of the power, the general effects, and the die rolls.

Attack (Ref) 1d20[13]+7 = 20    is just lacking

Agreed, but I would simplify the formatting to:

Scorching Burst; 1d20[13]+7 = 20 vs Ref
#16
Agonar
Mar 16, 2011 18:16:01
I generally like to make sure that when I click my power, the text that flashes on the screen announces the name of the power, the general effects, and the die rolls.

Attack (Ref) 1d20[13]+7 = 20    is just lacking

Agreed, but I would simplify the formatting to:

Scorching Burst; 1d20[13]+7 = 20 vs Ref

Yeah, I can see that, but for someone who hasn't memorized all the powers, and would like to avoid having to look at the PC's power text to verify ranges and stuff, it is nice to include the basics in the line.

Same way with hits. . . example. Shield Bash. Default would be
"Damage   - 1d10+(str mod)... "

I'd rather it be

"Hit; and you push the target 1 square and knock it prone    -   1d10+(str mod)"    yeah, it is not necessary. People familiar with Shield Bash will know, and the player may say something in voice about pushing the target.. but if you are not familiar with shield bash, it is nice to have it in the power description about the push, etc.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 edowning Mar 14, 2011 9:57:39	Just wondering if anyone got to play around and see the Virtual Table at pax east this past weekend. I live in Mass, but was unable to attend. SOLD OUT!!!
#2 Agonar Mar 14, 2011 11:30:03	I wonder if that wasn't the real reason for the VT blackout extension.. so that they could keep it locked up to Devs and select people only for purpose of Demoing it at PAX. . . Aha, now I have discovered their nefarious plans!
#3 edowning Mar 14, 2011 11:55:38	Very interesting indeed...Those devious cretins.
#4 Jeff_Loretto Mar 14, 2011 19:12:34	VTT Crashed and Burned at PAXEast. They decided to patch the servers just befor the demo...
#5 Webster Mar 15, 2011 0:39:43	The intent wasn't to let people play on the D&D VT, but to show it off by playing with staff live from the home office.
#6 lokiare Mar 15, 2011 6:05:04	VTT Crashed and Burned at PAXEast. They decided to patch the servers just befor the demo... Nice... amateur mistake though... Never change something that works right before an expo....
#7 frothsof Mar 15, 2011 9:18:32	sadly it looks this is true 'I went to one presentation yesterday that I was really excited for that wound up being a bust. The D&D Virtual Table is something that I have been interested in since it was rumored quite a long time ago. Unfortunately due to technical difficulties, the demo was not able to be performed. As with many modern software titles, the D&D virtual table needs to verify its credentials with a central server in order to use it. Unfortunately, the server was down. How embarrassing! I’ll try and write up a post of what I did learn from the Q&A though.' themeatshield.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/p...
#8 coreyhaim8mydog Mar 15, 2011 9:22:33	I wonder if that wasn't the real reason for the VT blackout extension.. so that they could keep it locked up to Devs and select people only for purpose of Demoing it at PAX. . . Aha, now I have discovered their nefarious plans! I can't see them saving the VT for a demo at PAX, because the VT doesn't do anything that other VTs don't already do. Unless their marking metrics predict most users of the VT will have never used another VT before. Maybe, in that case, they would hold it as a wow factor.
#9 frothsof Mar 15, 2011 12:42:09	it does do more than other vts. you can pull straight from the cb and mb, and theres a built in community. that to me is a lot more significant than it not auto adding ca or something
#10 Dane_McArdy Mar 15, 2011 12:54:31	it does do more than other vts. you can pull straight from the cb and mb, and theres a built in community. that to me is a lot more significant than it not auto adding ca or something And those features don't fully work either. Also, a built in community doens't mean it's going to facilitate people getting along, or even that a game will be available when a person can play. It's still going to depend on people to make it work. Which means being honest about the actual state of the VT. Other wise people are just going to feel they were duped into thinking it's what they want. I know you love the VT because it gives you the oppurtunity to play. But acting like it's perfect isn't helping. You've had plenty of complaints and issues you've posted in the beta thread, but here in the open forums, you tend to act like you have no issues. Heck, even Chris Perkins has said he doesn't really like the interface. And guess what, he's right. It doesn't look at all like their other products. It's not intuitive enough. You have to do a lot of guess work to make it work. Having something critical to say about the VT isn't going to make it go away. But it can make it better.
#11 frothsof Mar 15, 2011 12:58:08	dane thats not true i have complained til i cant complain anymore about not being able to save pcs, til they actually asked me to stop so i stopped. yes these things dont work perfect but to act like maptools is somehow the same thing as the vt is a joke. someone said 'macro' to me and i was like 'what'. once you can save pcs guess what i dont need any more functionality. of course we need tiles but all this pie in the sky automation to me is just not needed bc then they will tell us how our pcs need to be laid out. is it perfect hell no its not but i do love it so im not misleading anyone
#12 Alphastream Mar 15, 2011 14:14:44	My read is that the VTT was scheduled to be updated last Tuesday (with the DDi update). There were problems, so it was delayed to today. Per today's broadcast, it is being pushed back further due to memory leak issues. It would not be surprising if the same issue would have hurt any potential demo. My understanding is that it was still a pretty cool session, just not a demo of the VTT (the plan had been players not on site to be logged in and playing, shown over webcast or similar means - just like at D&DXP). DDi subscribers will be seeing the VTT for themselves once the leak is fixed, so I'm guessing it should not be a big impact. Edit: Having used the VTT, it is a fine tool. It is simpler than some, less complex than others. Perfectly playable, very pretty, good functionality. The key is having instant integration to your DDi content (monsters, PCs, etc.). I do agree that in the future we need to be able to save tokens in some fashion so we can tweak how our PC behaves (power text, what prints for die rolls, etc.).
#13 frothsof Mar 15, 2011 14:18:25	yeah some dudes had some funny power texts
#14 Agonar Mar 15, 2011 23:09:40	I generally like to make sure that when I click my power, the text that flashes on the screen announces the name of the power, the general effects, and the die rolls. Attack (Ref) 1d20[13]+7 = 20 is just lacking, as opposed to Scorching Burst; Area Burst 1 within 10 (Ref) 1d20[13]+7 = 20 At least this way, if a few lines later, someone needs to know if a certain Power was used, you can scroll back and see. if all you see are 15 lines of "Attack (AC)" "Attack (Will)" etc.. well, then what?
#15 atras Mar 16, 2011 12:42:44	I generally like to make sure that when I click my power, the text that flashes on the screen announces the name of the power, the general effects, and the die rolls. Attack (Ref) 1d20[13]+7 = 20 is just lacking Agreed, but I would simplify the formatting to: Scorching Burst; 1d20[13]+7 = 20 vs Ref
#16 Agonar Mar 16, 2011 18:16:01	I generally like to make sure that when I click my power, the text that flashes on the screen announces the name of the power, the general effects, and the die rolls. Attack (Ref) 1d20[13]+7 = 20 is just lacking Agreed, but I would simplify the formatting to: Scorching Burst; 1d20[13]+7 = 20 vs Ref Yeah, I can see that, but for someone who hasn't memorized all the powers, and would like to avoid having to look at the PC's power text to verify ranges and stuff, it is nice to include the basics in the line. Same way with hits. . . example. Shield Bash. Default would be "Damage - 1d10+(str mod)... " I'd rather it be "Hit; and you push the target 1 square and knock it prone - 1d10+(str mod)" yeah, it is not necessary. People familiar with Shield Bash will know, and the player may say something in voice about pushing the target.. but if you are not familiar with shield bash, it is nice to have it in the power description about the push, etc.