Does ANYONE know if there is a release date? Anything? Rumor? Educated guess?
I'd love to know before I start with another program. If the wait isn't long, I'll wait, but if this thing is a year away....meh.
Thanks to anyone who has any info
Function-wise, you could probably use it as it is now, but I don't know how many more features they will add.
No idea on a release date as yet as far as I'm aware.
Function-wise, you could probably use it as it is now, but I don't know how many more features they will add.
If it was available
if that fails, follow the directions to make sure you are signed up to be eligible for betas. I think they are even still sending them out.
No idea on a release date as yet as far as I'm aware.
Function-wise, you could probably use it as it is now, but I don't know how many more features they will add.
If it was available
its not open to non subscribers and likely never will be
If you choose to be a DDI subscriber, it's easy to get an invite to the beta. Even after it goes live, though, you will have to be a DDI subscriber to use it.
So if you don't want to be a subscriber, your choice is made for you.
Its about the only way I play 4E right now since my long term in person group has mostly been doing savage worlds and I have found a couple of regular groups 4E through the VT forums. I'd even do LFR through them if I had more time.
Note to anyone reading this: you must be a DDI subscriber to be invited. If you make a post without being a subscriber, you won't get the invite.
I really lik eit, but getting players to play at a fixed time seems to be the hard issue. Added to it, no one knows (thought rumor abounds) as to when it will go `live', if it will be DDi only, or (as has been suspected) if it will leave from under the DDi umbrella and become its own subscription (which i am thinking will be the case.)
DDi has alot of value for me as a DM. The character generator is a BIG boon. Where the VT is going is anyones guess.
i dont think its confusing at all, ive played 2-3 times a week on it for about the last year
theres actually two new starting campaigns right now, just go to the find a game forum, dms are looking for players for a homebrew and eberron game
as long as you frequently check the forums you can easily find games. couldnt play an lfr game this morning bc of work
Its about the only way I play 4E right now since my long term in person group has mostly been doing savage worlds and I have found a couple of regular groups 4E through the VT forums. I'd even do LFR through them if I had more time.
I second this statement. The only non-VT games I play these days are Encounters once a week.
I find that the forum system may not be the best for finding and Players and/or DMs and arranging games. Although all of the tools are available: forums, user-created groups, and the VT Campaign Manager itself.
I'll agree that flakey players (not usually DMs) can be a pain in the ass, but that happens in live games as well, this is just an easier format to bail on I suppose, since it's essentially anonymous.
As a part time player and part time DM, the VT is a big part of my DDI value. I'd probably split my value three ways between the VT, CB and Dungeon/Dragon articles.
Currently, it's in beta....right?
Does ANYONE know if there is a release date? Anything? Rumor? Educated guess?
Well, the cynic in me needs to point out the Adventure Tools never made it out of beta before someone decided "good enough" and moved everyone onto other projects.
the vt is one of the few things they really update frequently, basically once a week. it has changed dramatically since it first started
The D&D VT is getting better and better, handles Automation of targeting+ attack rolls + damage rolls now, has more Tilesets and more functions as the weeks pass. Integrated Voice Chat and Campaign Manager are selling points in making D&D ever easier to play on Virtual Table as the interface itself require very minimal mastering. There is an ever growing LFR Community on the D&D VT, as well as more and more Campaign and pick-up games..
There's is still lots of rooms for improvement, but Vittie (we call her Vittie in the BETA) is ready to enter in Open BETA IMHO.
More people means more games going on and thus more BETA Testing !
If you choose to be a DDI subscriber, it's easy to get an invite to the beta. Even after it goes live, though, you will have to be a DDI subscriber to use it.
So if you don't want to be a subscriber, your choice is made for you.
Unless I missed something, pricing for the VT has not ben announced. It may or may not be included with a DDI membership, and there may or may not be a way for non-members to use it (and, in fact, they've tested a system designed for exactly that function, to allow non-members to pay for the tool seperately from a standard account)
In answer to the OP's question, I believe the VT will be released to the public in winter of 2012. This is the same time Neverwinter is due to be released, I suspect to coincide with the release of Monte Cooke's project.
They even discretly added few new Tokens this week...
The D&D VT is getting better and better, handles Automation of targeting+ attack rolls + damage rolls now, has more Tilesets and more functions as the weeks pass. Integrated Voice Chat and Campaign Manager are selling points in making D&D ever easier to play on Virtual Table as the interface itself require very minimal mastering. There is an ever growing LFR Community on the D&D VT, as well as more and more Campaign and pick-up games..
There's is still lots of rooms for improvement, but Vittie (we call her Vittie in the BETA) is ready to enter in Open BETA IMHO.
More people means more games going on and thus more BETA Testing !
Hey Plague,
I've not used the VT for months now so am behind on what you can do with it. Are you saying it has auto targetting and hit calculation and damage/condition application? If so, can you elaborate as to how that works?
Thanks
Blakey
Overall it's very nice, though there are some things that could be improved. Rerolls on damage, particularly, are somewhat annoying. Brutal dice aren't supported at all, which means that you either have to separately roll the individual die then manually add in the damage, or you have to math-hack the dice, e.g. 2d6 B1 becomes [W]=(2d5+2), 1d12 B2 becomes [W]=(1d10+2), etc.
You click a power, click a token to be the target, and a little window pops up that lets you add a modifier to the base roll that's in the power (CA, penalties to attack, etc). Do this for all attack targets, and then click the damage roll. You can repeat the damage roll for each individual target, with boxes for Max and Half and an adjustment for other modifiers, or you can do one roll against all targets that it hit. Hitpoints are automatically deducted from the target, and the bloodied and dying conditions are added automatically. Other conditions are not applied, since there's not yet a way to include that in the attack/damage roll expressions, and still have to be applied manually. You can edit the damage roll expressions on a per-target basis, meaning if you did a blast attack on your Warlock, you can choose one target to add the Curse damage to but leave the roll as default for the rest.
Overall it's very nice, though there are some things that could be improved. Rerolls on damage, particularly, are somewhat annoying. Brutal dice aren't supported at all, which means that you either have to separately roll the individual die then manually add in the damage, or you have to math-hack the dice, e.g. 2d6 B1 becomes [W]=(2d5+2), 1d12 B2 becomes [W]=(1d10+2), etc.
Wow - that sounds like a big improvement. Thanks for the info.
So all the default damage is being grabbed from the PC online too? Does it know about critical hits, about your chances to crit (if they are greater than 1 in 20) and things like High Crit weapons?
The default rolls are imported from the Builder. I typically add more rolls, such as a dedicated critical roll that includes crit-only dice and maximum damage for the power. Those previously-established rolls in the powers are the ones you click to do attack and damage rolls. Just enough default from the import, with easy customization.
It does not know about critical hits, you have to do max damage manually, which is done through a checkbox in the damage roll window on a per-target basis, but you then have to manually add critical-only effects to that damage roll. As I said, to save time I tend to have a separate critical roll, so instead of clicking the normal damage roll I click the critical one.
Any news on if they are going to allow us to use JPGs etc as backdrops for maps - effectively letting us use 3rd party maps like they do in MapTool? I think that is getting towards the only thing stopping me switching over now. Oh, maybe that and auto fog of war reveal when tokens are moved...
"We have announced no plans yet to allow such a thing. I've shared this feedback with the devs previously, and will continue to let them know this is requested."
Imported art is a high priority in the community, and other high priorities have been implemented, so there's hope.
Imported art is a high priority in the community, and other high priorities have been implemented, so there's hope.
I've just let my DDi sub lapse so I guess I've been booted from the VT forums. Perhaps I'll go check!
well, a lot of whiny naysayers claimed you would have to pay for tiles, and that turned up to be patently false.
Actually just because they are still bringing the available tiles up to the number they need for the release version doesn't mean that they won't sell any additional tiles after release.
And if they truly have abandoned the thought of charging for tiles and tokkens (and I doubt it's off the wish list of the bean counters) you can send the negative feedback of the nay sayers (who sadly have been nothing but right so far with predictinf the worst for DDI, I would be very suprised to still have downloadble dragon and dungeon articles instead of some read-online-onlly version at the end of 2012)
I assume it will be part of the subscription
Which then will be increased for everyone (at best with an option to extend now for a year at old price)
you have never been right about ANYTHING regarding the vt, but if you want to assume the worst just go right ahead
you have never been right about ANYTHING regarding the vt, but if you want to assume the worst just go right ahead
Since we have yet to get the game table (closed beta != having the game table) I can't be wrong yet.
So far I correctly predicted the worst when they announced that they will be announcing their exiting news about the CB and unfortunately was right (I would have prefered to be wrong).
Don't worry, we can cite this very thread in 12 month (or whenever the worst comes to pass sooner) to see who was right
Take your baseless suppositions elsewhere, please.
That you call it closed beta demonstrates that you haven't a clue about anything as far as what the state of the VT is, and can't even have bothered to have read this very thread.
It's a closed beta where you can only get in if invited. Not any different that the current closed beta Diablo 3. That invites are more easy to ge doesn't change that it's still a closed beta
An example of an open beta was the recent BF2 beta. Anyone could simply download and play without need to ask EA for any (even granted in 90% of the cases) permission
youre the expert
Well I was unfortunately right once and dread the day when an announcement will make me right again.
As for open vs. closed beta, that's basically the definition used by just about all experts I found:
As the name implies, this stage of testing is still “closed” from the public, but is much more extensive than Alpha Testing. Gamers can usually “apply” for Closed Beta testing
It's not closed beta if you let anyone who asks play it. There is no "apply." There is no "ask." There is "I want in beta" and they say "Okay, we invited everybody who posted."
www.wizards.com/Company/About.aspx?x=wz_...
Please keep your posts polite, respectful, and on-topic, and refrain from making personal attacks.
Anyone can simply go to the thread in DDI general and post, and then play.
It's not closed beta if you let anyone who asks play it. There is no "apply." There is no "ask." There is "I want in beta" and they say "Okay, we invited everybody who posted."
DDI subscription and posting in the thread are still "closed gates" you must pass to be able to be in the beta. It's a closed beta by any rigorous definition since you can't declare yourself to be in the beta - you have to do certain tasks, then be entered by those in charge.
My 2 cents.
DDI subscription and posting in the thread are still "closed gates" you must pass to be able to be in the beta. It's a closed beta by any rigorous definition since you can't declare yourself to be in the beta - you have to do certain tasks, then be entered by those in charge.
My 2 cents.
Closed beta is by invitation only. And only to select people. Or open registration, where invites are sent out to select users.
Open beta is to anyone who asks. While monetary values are involved here, it's still more of an open beta. Still, there are more gates than usual for an open beta, so I'd concede that this is a 'mostly open beta', due to that. Meh.
Anyone can simply go to the thread in DDI general and post, and then play.
It's not closed beta if you let anyone who asks play it. There is no "apply." There is no "ask." There is "I want in beta" and they say "Okay, we invited everybody who posted."
DDI subscription and posting in the thread are still "closed gates" you must pass to be able to be in the beta. It's a closed beta by any rigorous definition since you can't declare yourself to be in the beta - you have to do certain tasks, then be entered by those in charge.
My 2 cents.
You're also often "tasked" with creating an account and downloading the client, even in what you would call open betas. Not a whole lot different.
Diablo 3 is a closed beta because no matter how much I WANTSS IT, MY PRECIOUS, I can't get in just by stating interest. I have to state interest, and then get luckily picked by Blizzard.
The VT is not a closed beta because anyone with a DDI account (it is a DDI tool, after all) will be given access if they ask. It's not restricted.
DDI subscription and posting in the thread are still "closed gates" you must pass to be able to be in the beta. It's a closed beta by any rigorous definition since you can't declare yourself to be in the beta - you have to do certain tasks, then be entered by those in charge.
My 2 cents.
Closed beta is by invitation only. And only to select people. Or open registration, where invites are sent out to select users.
Open beta is to anyone who asks. While monetary values are involved here, it's still more of an open beta. Still, there are more gates than usual for an open beta, so I'd concede that this is a 'mostly open beta', due to that. Meh.
Yeah, I could see this. It is a bit of a case of degrees. I'd gravitate towards "closed beta", but it has several characteristics of an open beta, too. It's like a "mostly open beta", as you say.
Anyone can simply go to the thread in DDI general and post, and then play.
It's not closed beta if you let anyone who asks play it. There is no "apply." There is no "ask." There is "I want in beta" and they say "Okay, we invited everybody who posted."
DDI subscription and posting in the thread are still "closed gates" you must pass to be able to be in the beta. It's a closed beta by any rigorous definition since you can't declare yourself to be in the beta - you have to do certain tasks, then be entered by those in charge.
My 2 cents.
You're kidding.
You have to sign up for the service and ask? These you would consider obstacles? By your definition, WotC would have to come to my house, log on to my computer, sign me up, setup my profile, and fix the squeaky wheel on my desk chair for it to be an "open beta."
DDI subscription doesn't count as a gate because the service is for DDI subscribers.
Your "rigorous" definition of a closed beta means that all betas are inherently closed. I mean, you have to have access to a computer to use this program! That's a closed gate!
Having a chance of being denied access = closed
VT is the former. This really isn't very complicated.
To access the Virtual Table Beta, click here and log in. Be sure to visit the DDI Beta Forum in our Wizards Community so that you can give us your feedback and report any bugs. If you’re not sure what to do once you get to the Virtual Table, click here to jump straight to the Getting Started discussion thread in the Beta Forum. Use of the VT Beta is subject to DDI terms and conditions; Click here for more information.
Go play the heck out of it and shoot us your feedback.
Steve
You're kidding.
You have to sign up for the service and ask? These you would consider obstacles? By your definition, WotC would have to come to my house, log on to my computer, sign me up, setup my profile, and fix the squeaky wheel on my desk chair for it to be an "open beta."
DDI subscription doesn't count as a gate because the service is for DDI subscribers.
Your "rigorous" definition of a closed beta means that all betas are inherently closed. I mean, you have to have access to a computer to use this program! That's a closed gate!
The developers have the option of denying your request do they not? Closed.
But now they don't according to Huscarl so it's open. Pretty simple.
You're kidding.
You have to sign up for the service and ask? These you would consider obstacles? By your definition, WotC would have to come to my house, log on to my computer, sign me up, setup my profile, and fix the squeaky wheel on my desk chair for it to be an "open beta."
DDI subscription doesn't count as a gate because the service is for DDI subscribers.
Your "rigorous" definition of a closed beta means that all betas are inherently closed. I mean, you have to have access to a computer to use this program! That's a closed gate!
The developers have the option of denying your request do they not? Closed.
But now they don't according to Huscarl so it's open. Pretty simple.
The developers always have the option of denying service to you. Even now.
Besides, you still have to be a DDI subscriber and you have to click that link! And you have to sign in! So many closed gates!
As of about 20 minutes ago, the VT beta is now open to all DDi subscribers.
To access the Virtual Table Beta, click here and log in. Be sure to visit the DDI Beta Forum in our Wizards Community so that you can give us your feedback and report any bugs. If you’re not sure what to do once you get to the Virtual Table, click here to jump straight to the Getting Started discussion thread in the Beta Forum. Use of the VT Beta is subject to DDI terms and conditions; Click here for more information.
Go play the heck out of it and shoot us your feedback.
Steve
haha mirtek got sonned
Be sure to visit the DDI Beta Forum in our Wizards Community so that you can give us your feedback and report any bugs.
"Sorry, this is a private group."
If you’re not sure what to do once you get to the Virtual Table, click here to jump straight to the Getting Started discussion thread in the Beta Forum.
Same for that link.
Steve
Warrl -- try logging out and back in again. That should fix it.
Took a bit more than that - probably because I had two tabs open on the forums, one on CB, one on Compendium, and one on a login page, and then a second window with the VTT sessions list and the attempt to get into the beta forum.
But logging out and then closing both browser windows, and starting things up again and logging in, did it.
Welcome y'all
Any chance of just a demo for us non-subscribers? Even if it's just one adventure with a few encounters, just to get a feel of the VT.
As of about 20 minutes ago, the VT beta is now open to all DDi subscribers.
To access the Virtual Table Beta, click here and log in. Be sure to visit the DDI Beta Forum in our Wizards Community so that you can give us your feedback and report any bugs. If you’re not sure what to do once you get to the Virtual Table, click here to jump straight to the Getting Started discussion thread in the Beta Forum. Use of the VT Beta is subject to DDI terms and conditions; Click here for more information.
Go play the heck out of it and shoot us your feedback.
Steve
haha mirtek got sonned
I think you mean he got serverd
Let's see you dance sucka, you aint't got nothing on me
I just move across country (Maine to Las Vegas Nevada to be exact) and the VT would be great to get games in...a few problems
I sold all my DnD books to raise funds for the trip and to make room as I had not used them lately.
I don't know if I can afford a DDI subscription right now as the wife has not found a job yet and we spent a lot of money on the trip
and last time. I would have to find some time and yet there are so many Casinos to go to
www.wizards.com/Company/About.aspx?x=wz_...
Please keep your posts polite, respectful, on-topic, and refrain from making personal attacks.
Anyone can simply go to the thread in DDI general and post, and then play.
It's not closed beta if you let anyone who asks play it. There is no "apply." There is no "ask." There is "I want in beta" and they say "Okay, we invited everybody who posted."
DDI subscription and posting in the thread are still "closed gates" you must pass to be able to be in the beta. It's a closed beta by any rigorous definition since you can't declare yourself to be in the beta - you have to do certain tasks, then be entered by those in charge.
My 2 cents.
Thats only 1/2 true, you need a DDI subscription but I didnt need to post in the thread to access it.
I'm not yet a DDI subscriber but this feature alone has me on the fence.
Any chance of just a demo for us non-subscribers? Even if it's just one adventure with a few encounters, just to get a feel of the VT.
Well without DDI you have to manually enter in all your character - which really sucks - but with DDI you can import from the character builder which is sweet.
I'm not yet a DDI subscriber but this feature alone has me on the fence.
Any chance of just a demo for us non-subscribers? Even if it's just one adventure with a few encounters, just to get a feel of the VT.
Well without DDI you have to manually enter in all your character - which really sucks - but with DDI you can import from the character builder which is sweet.
I'd be happy with static characters for a brief demo.
Is there any plan, or are they already, releasing the adventures they publish (Dungeon Mag) as precompiled adventures in the VT?
Right, wrong or indifferent, I spend a crap load of time building them in Masterplan now, mostly because I have a local D&D group. I'm overly positive, online D&D (no real people to sit with) is NOT for me, but... I use Masterplan for my own D&D campaign needs and orginization, and depending, I could possibly see me using the VT for this as well.
They have said nothing about whether they intend to do this further, or whether they will generate the existing library of published adventures for use in the VT.
I'd be surprised if they did past content, as that's a lot of modules.
As of about 20 minutes ago, the VT beta is now open to all DDi subscribers.
To access the Virtual Table Beta, click here and log in. Be sure to visit the DDI Beta Forum in our Wizards Community so that you can give us your feedback and report any bugs. If you’re not sure what to do once you get to the Virtual Table, click here to jump straight to the Getting Started discussion thread in the Beta Forum. Use of the VT Beta is subject to DDI terms and conditions; Click here for more information.
Go play the heck out of it and shoot us your feedback.
Stevehaha mirtek got sonned
While I don't know what sonned means, I just got confirmed: " As of about 20 minutes ago, the VT beta is now open" aka it just entered open beta because it was not open beta before. You just scored an own goal.
So if someone has DDi and isn't in the BETA yet, be patient, you'll be in shortly i am sure.
vt.wizards.com/
I didn't do anything special to 'get in'.
It's a total n00b VT question:
When I try to launch the VT, the text comes up that lets me Save or Open it. I clicked on Open. The Java screen comes up and says that it is loading/installing the VT. The progress bar gets about 1/4 of the way full, then just stops. It will go no further.
Just so you know what I'm dealing with:
Windows 7
Latest version of Java
Cleared my cache/history
Enabled all pop-ups from WotC
Made sure I was signed in to DDI
Did all the steps the VT Group walkthrough said to do
What gives?
not in the software itself, but in WotC's timeliness to get this done.
Lets not forget this was advertised BEFORE 4E WAS EVEN RELEASED. So it's been what? 4 years? 3 and a half?
My main worry is that after this is released we'll soon get an announcement for 5e :\ I have this feeling 4e won't have as long a lifespan 3-3.5 did.
OK...as I cannot seem to get a response in the DDI section of the forums, I'll post it here.
It's a total n00b VT question:
When I try to launch the VT, the text comes up that lets me Save or Open it. I clicked on Open. The Java screen comes up and says that it is loading/installing the VT. The progress bar gets about 1/4 of the way full, then just stops. It will go no further.
Just so you know what I'm dealing with:
Windows 7
Latest version of Java
Cleared my cache/history
Enabled all pop-ups from WotC
Made sure I was signed in to DDI
Did all the steps the VT Group walkthrough said to do
What gives?
I am not sure.
Some other questions:
Do you have any javascript blockers?
If it is the first time you have used it, it may take a while to load. How long did you wait? (for reference, I just started it up, and it took me about 1 minute for it to fully load.)
Are you trying to join a event, or create a map to play in?
What browser are you using?
Also, if you are online (I am going to send me a PM), and you want to skype in with me and I can try to help you, let me know, and I will do my best.
Some other questions:
Do you have any javascript blockers?
If it is the first time you have used it, it may take a while to load. How long did you wait? (for reference, I just started it up, and it took me about 1 minute for it to fully load.)
Are you trying to join a event, or create a map to play in?
What browser are you using?
Also, if you are online (I am going to send me a PM), and you want to skype in with me and I can try to help you, let me know, and I will do my best.
Okay...here's me showing my computer ignorance...
Javascript blockers? I don't think so. None that I have intentionally set.
How long did I wait? While it was loading, I made a sandwich, grabbed a beer, checked to see how much food the dog had, then came back. It hadn't moved past about the 1/3 mark on the download bar.
Am I joining or creating? Creating.
Browser? And here's where the PC ignorance shows...I'm using IE 9, I think. It's whatever the latest Internet Explorer update was.
I do not have Skype, also.
Thanks for the help! It's much appreciated.
I just tried it in IE9 and it worked fine for me.
Some other questions:
Do you have any javascript blockers?
If it is the first time you have used it, it may take a while to load. How long did you wait? (for reference, I just started it up, and it took me about 1 minute for it to fully load.)
Are you trying to join a event, or create a map to play in?
What browser are you using?
Also, if you are online (I am going to send me a PM), and you want to skype in with me and I can try to help you, let me know, and I will do my best.
Okay...here's me showing my computer ignorance...
Javascript blockers? I don't think so. None that I have intentionally set.
How long did I wait? While it was loading, I made a sandwich, grabbed a beer, checked to see how much food the dog had, then came back. It hadn't moved past about the 1/3 mark on the download bar.
Am I joining or creating? Creating.
Browser? And here's where the PC ignorance shows...I'm using IE 9, I think. It's whatever the latest Internet Explorer update was.
I do not have Skype, also.
Thanks for the help! It's much appreciated.
Get rid of IE 9 and get a real browser.
But in all seriousness try it with FF or Chrome and see what you get. IE does not play well with the WotC websites for some reason.
I finally got it to work with a LOT of help from Mudbunny.
I had to uninstall the .NET framework, then disable my antivirus. I then had to reinstall the .NET, restart the PC, turn the antivirus back on, and -poof-, it works. Go figure.
Another big thanks to Mudbunny for all the help.
I'm disappointed
not in the software itself, but in WotC's timeliness to get this done.
Lets not forget this was advertised BEFORE 4E WAS EVEN RELEASED. So it's been what? 4 years? 3 and a half?
My main worry is that after this is released we'll soon get an announcement for 5e :\ I have this feeling 4e won't have as long a lifespan 3-3.5 did.
Umm, actually, it's been about a year now. this was a very selective Beta in oct/nov of 2010, which went to a larger closed beta in April 2011. The one you are thinking of was something that was being worked on by a different company, who fell through on their end of the deal, and that Virtual Tabletop was scrapped quite a while ago.
So, no. This is not the same project that was advertised before 4e was released. Unfortunately, it happens quite a bit that company A promises company B that they can do this thing, and in a timely manner, so company B tells it's customers... but then company A drops the ball, and company B gets most of the blame...