So this is my new digital gametable. I used my 42" LCD TV and linked it to my desktop. I used Maptool to project it onto the screen (I prefer that over just displaying the image so I can use features like Fog of War if desired plus I can save multiple maps to a single campaign file to easily switch through encounters).
I built the table from scratch. It's a little rough around the edges, but I'm going to functionality over appearance. Of course, it doesn't help that I didn't have a solid plan going into this, I just went to Home Depot, bought some wood and a bunch of stuff that I figured I might need, and it evolved as I built it. Still, I'm rather proud of it.
This is a closer top-down view. I bought a sheet of clear acrylic to protect the TV screen and cut out pieces from a felt strip that I put around the sides. The circles in the corners are the size of bottle caps (I went with that because I use spraypainted bottlecaps as bases for a large number of my minis), which comes out to just slightly larger than 1 inch. I use them to make sure my grid is the right size. A piece of an old bootlace became the handle on top to easily remove the acrylic when not in use.
This is the view from the DM's chair. I was originally going to have my seat on the back against the wall, but all the cords from the TV, cable, PS3, etc all feed out the back and it would require moving the entire table every time, and eventually I decided it wasn't worth the hassle so I took the side closest to my desktop.
On the other side is an old laptop that is networked to my desktop so I can share any relevant files with my players, like pdfs of certain books, houserules, and campaign information. None of my current players have DDI accounts, but if they did they could use it for that as well.
Naturally, I did not want to give up being able to use my TV. So I designed it so the TV can swivel down for D&D or back up for normal TV uses and then it locks into place. It also takes up a good bit of space, so to lower the footprint I made all the shelves drawer-style so I can push them in when not in use.
The springs aren't strong enough to stop the TV if I were to just let it go while folding it, but they do help make it easier and give me a little more control so I don't slam it into the frame. They are always under tension, but the tension is greater when it is folding down, and they relax slightly when it is moved upright again.
Two layers of foam weather stripping (I originally had one layer but after some initial tests I felt it needed another) held down with contruction adhesive help cushion the TV as it settles into place when being folded down for gaming.
The small fan underneath is turned on during gaming to keep the TV cool since the vents will no longer be facing up like it is designed to be.
I had to cut rectangular grooves to account for the sound bar on the TV, which angles towards the back. I made far more room than necessary but I preferred to err on the side of caution.
It's hard to distinguish it in this picture, but direction underneath the heavy duty latches on either side are wood blocks on hinges that support the TV platform from underneath, while the latches hold it from the top. I've tested them and a single wood block or a single latch can hold the TV (albeit not as steadily and I don't know how long it would last), so having two of each makes me feel more comfortable.
Anyway, I just figured I'd share this with everyone (and brag a bit).
Also, I can't believe I didn't capture it in any of the pics (I just snapped a few quickly without much thought), but I also installed a fabric handle on the top of the TV to grab onto when raising and lowering it.
I'm going to shamelessly rip that aspect off. Once I get some space, and a new monitor I can get to work on it.
Awesome table!
Pretty cool.
Ever thought of making those and selling them on the webz to gamers? Even if you sell just a few a year you could make some decent extra cash.
I don't know that it would be worthwhile. Gamers aren't a demographic known for tons of extra cash floating around and what I've have to charge for the time investment to be worthwhile plus shipping it would be much much more than the cost of getting the supplies and building it. Plus while I think it's pretty cool for something I built in the basement, I don't really see it as professional quality work.
Plus I sized this exactly for my particular TV and repeatedly made checks along the way so I could make minor adjustments as needed due to a cut being slightly off or things like that. So to really be comfortable doing it, I'd have to physically have the TV I'm building it for.
Dude this is amazing. I love how it comes up. The one I'm designing wasn't going to be fold up, cause I didn't think about it till I saw your design.
I'm going to shamelessly rip that aspect off. Once I get some space, and a new monitor I can get to work on it.
Yeah I spent a lot of time figuring out how to make that aspect of it work. Originally I was just going to get a cheap table, cut out a rectangle in the middle and call it good. Then I decided that even with getting a new TV, I wasn't comfortable getting rid of this one.
Then I decided that I should also put the shelves lower than the TV instead of on the same level because inevitably every single game someone will end up rolling their dice too hard and bowling over a bunch of minis and someone will eventually put a drink on the shelf and spill it on the TV, and then I'd have to kill them.
If it cannot be done already, you should find a way to lock it in the upright position so some damn fool doesn't knock it over.
A cover for when it is lowered should be used to prevent scratching.
I also thought the poster depicting different types of grenades was a nice touch. ;)
I can see two possible problems.
If it cannot be done already, you should find a way to lock it in the upright position so some damn fool doesn't knock it over.
A cover for when it is lowered should be used to prevent scratching.
The bolt latches on either side of the TV as well as 2 hinged blocks underneath the platform the TV sits on prevent it from falling over and the TV itself is screwed into that platform, so it's not going anywhere unless all four of those are released.
A clear acrylic sheet protects the screen from scratches during gameplay and pieces of felt along the edges keep that from scratching the screen when being put in place or removed.
Looks awesome! You've got me thinking about doing something similar now...
I also thought the poster depicting different types of grenades was a nice touch. ;)
Oh yeah, most of my basement is covered in similar posters, except for the wall the table is up against, where I've been hanging weapons instead.
That's pretty awesome. Sadly, you have to kill D&D's #1 sacred cow- food and drink at the game table.
I suppose if he ever got a glass table of the right size and height, it could cover everything and protect it from stains and spills.
That's pretty awesome. Sadly, you have to kill D&D's #1 sacred cow- food and drink at the game table.
Not at all. I was originally going to have the shelves be fixed and put them on level with the TV. The reason for putting them 6 inches lower than the TV was (along with making sure players don't roll dice into the minis) to allow people to put food and drinks there, so in the event of a spill the TV will be in no danger.
I'm not a huge fan of sacred cows, but the snacks and soda can stick around.
I'd have to kill them.
And all you'd have to do to accomplish this is reach up. You really DID think of everything!
I'd have to kill them.
And all you'd have to do to accomplish this is reach up. You really DID think of everything!
Exactly!
I do have one suggestion, though... when you can get around to replacing the acrylic sheet on top, make it a bigger one so it's not actually putting any pressure on the screen itself, not even through the felt padding. Put the felt on the plastic bevel around the screen, and let it rest there rather than the screen. Otherwise, cool stuff.
Looks great. If I ever see my way clear to buying a TV like that (I don't like TVs much), I'd totally do something similar.
I do have one suggestion, though... when you can get around to replacing the acrylic sheet on top, make it a bigger one so it's not actually putting any pressure on the screen itself, not even through the felt padding. Put the felt on the plastic bevel around the screen, and let it rest there rather than the screen. Otherwise, cool stuff.
That's not a bad idea. I'll have to look into that, thanks.
Anyway, my current campaign is a modern one. The PCs work for the police (only one is an actual officer of the law, but we're working with it). I had a group of people try to take them out in a drive-by shooting outside one of their apartments. Of course, the characters jumped into their car and gave chase (well, most of them, the werewolf decided to jump onto the roof of the car with the intent of later jumping to the other car, but failed an Athletics check to hold on when the car accelerated).
I projected two items to the gametable screen. The first was a generic street battlemap and I put some hot wheels on there to represent the two cars. The distances were relative, so I would move them when either car gained or lost speed. The other program I pushed to it was the Google Earth street view of Chicago. As I narrated each round, I would click on the street view and have it move further down the street, then I would switch back to the battlemap. Both sides rolled vehicle operation checks and passengers would trade shots at each other.
I think it worked pretty well, and the players (minus the werewolf) seemed to enjoy the chase. Of course, someone had to point out that the battlemap street wasn't pointing in the same direction as the Google Earth street. No matter how much prep you do, some player will always find something wrong.
At the end of the chase, the other car was run off the road and crashed. Two individuals got out of the car, but the party's vampire used his vampiric speed to snatch the gun away from one of them. The other realized he was surrounded by mean angry nasty things with guns and surrendered.