You could try playing a deaf character.
You could try playing a deaf character.
wow, I dont know what to think about that answer...
You could try playing a deaf character.
wow, I dont know what to think about that answer...
What? Assuming he/she can read lips, it would significantly reduce the amount of typing required.
And it would be interesting to do a deaf backstory in a (presumably) medieval world.
And all the people I know that plays this are online.
Then won't you just be typing anyways?
So try a Play-By-Chat (chat-rooms where you HAVE to type) or Play-By-E-mail (takes longer, but this is how we used to do it the days before chatrooms, Skype, etc.).
If they aren't willing to put up with a minor inconvenience like that to accomodate you then they're just being douchebags.
I'd think deafness, which would only cut out the auditory cues..ones that can be easily replicated through text (at least all the auditory cues we use in our games), or through diff game markers. Would be a much easier feat. Especially since I've played entire games never once speaking to whoever I was playing with, never once hearing their own words, as we all played over a chat based medium.
Typing things out dosn't take too long. Considering one can type pretty fast when compared to how fast one might be thinking at themoment, heck sometimes my hands get ahead of my mind and I wind up having to pause my typing, just so I can clearly think because my hands are going to fast, yaknow what I mean?
I've honestly played in text only games before, some grid based, some non. It was never a problem, and if you know what youare doing it isn't that rough in the end.
If they aren't willing to put up with a minor inconvenience like that to accomodate you then they're just being douchebags.
Agreed. You could easily type it out; I've played like that before and it works great.
If any of your friends know sign language (I'm assuming you do?), you could have someone translate for you (hook a camera up to skype)
But running a text-based game through chat is probably your best guess; it makes for a more roleplaying and less hack&slash game but all in all it's a great experience.
Hello. I've been getting interested/curious about this game, D&D, but the thing is that I'm deaf. I tried asking a friend if we could try it out by typing it, but he says it takes too long. Is there any way a deaf person can play this game, besides typing and excessive speaking?
Hi there!
You can play D&D despite being deaf. If you're friend is the only person that you want to try to play with, or are able to play with, then it would be a little difficult to play the game without typing. Pluisjen had a good recommendation with doing a webcam and skype.
Another option would be to have the DM use voice recognition software, so that when he speaks, it will output to text. CNet has some options for that listed. Dragon Naturally Speaking is another option, though it's not free. That option would require some messing about to hammer out the kinks.
If you are willing to seek out other gamers and players, you could always go to your local gaming store and leave a message on their boards (most shops have a Gamers Seeking Gamers area where players can announce looking for a game, and DMs can announce looking for players).
I did some quick searches in google to see if there were perhaps RPG and Gaming groups that focused on the hearing impaired. I didn't find a whole lot, but there was a link to a forum discussion from around 2003 that discussed some of those issues.
There are also other options, such as Play By Post (or PbP) games, and MUDs/MUXes (Multi-User Dungeons and Multi-User Experiences). There isn't a 4th edition MUD/MUX that I am aware of, though there are a number of fantasy/swords and sorcery ones out there.
Here's a link to a gamer's seeking Gamer's thread in enworld
Here's a link to the MUD connector
Here's a link to a group for PbP in the wizard's community
I hope that some of these ideas help get you in the players!
Best of luck to you!
I play a lot of my D&D online. Voice chat is quicker but it is by no means a deal breaker. There have been plenty of times when we just typed and it worked out fine. It takes slightly longer but hardly the end of the world. Sometimes its even faster since I can copy and paste entire descriptions and since the text is right there to read, I don't have to repeat myself.
If they aren't willing to put up with a minor inconvenience like that to accomodate you then they're just being douchebags.
Quoted for truth.
We do not use voice at all because maintaining vent discipline (ventrillo being a voice software a lot of people use for communicating) is a pain in the arse so our game is 100% text.
Fantasy Grounds lets me make maps and the combat is done on a grid just like the tabletop.
My tuesday night game has an opening as we only have four players. We just resumed the campaign after a long hiatus so this tuesday coming up is Session #3.
You can read transcripts of the games on my website (see my signature) as I keep a copy of our game log on my site.
Being deaf should not be an obstacle to enjoy this hobby. Others have already put their two cents in on the type of person that would preclude you from it because they are too lazy to put in extra work, but I feel the same way.
Typing things out dosn't take too long. Considering one can type pretty fast when compared to how fast one might be thinking at themoment, heck sometimes my hands get ahead of my mind and I wind up having to pause my typing, just so I can clearly think because my hands are going to fast, yaknow what I mean?
Exactly. I'd call it lazyness on the other players/DM.
Especially since it gives an advantage to all players (and the DM) since they can read back what the other players/DM said.
Another option would be to have the DM use voice recognition software, so that when he speaks, it will output to text. CNet has some options for that listed. Dragon Naturally Speaking is another option, though it's not free. That option would require some messing about to hammer out the kinks.
That ain't a bad suggestion either.
Heck, the other players could use a text-to-voice program! xD
I play a lot of my D&D online. Voice chat is quicker but it is by no means a deal breaker. There have been plenty of times when we just typed and it worked out fine. It takes slightly longer but hardly the end of the world. Sometimes its even faster since I can copy and paste entire descriptions and since the text is right there to read, I don't have to repeat myself.
If they aren't willing to put up with a minor inconvenience like that to accomodate you then they're just being douchebags.
Not to be a douche, but i know a deaf person wouldn't work well in our group. My eyes are either looking at a sheet, moving mini's, putting status tokens, looking at dice, or at my notes. For interacting with my players, it's all audio. Honestly it would be easier for a blind person to fit into our group, though he would probably be limited in what classes he could play.
That said, it's not an inherent problem with D&D, it's just how we're setup. You just need to figure out a way to communicate with a group of people. I would suggest text of some kind, since i don't think there's sing languge for elf, beholder, drow, genasi, sorcerer, wizard, and other such words (especially since many are just made up). Online play-by-post, / chat is probably your best bet.
In addition to the others suggestions, Maptools facilitates online play, and may have some games for you to join
Good luck.
Hello. I've been getting interested/curious about this game, D&D, but the thing is that I'm deaf. I tried asking a friend if we could try it out by typing it, but he says it takes too long. Is there any way a deaf person can play this game, besides typing and excessive speaking?
Online play with people who are not using voice-chat is probably your best option - at that point, EVERYONE is deaf wrt the game.
In-person play is difficult without an able translator. I've played with several people with disabilities, but never a 100% deaf or 100% blind player.
If the people you know play aren't willing to find a solution, find a group that is, or even start your own group.
And if you ever want to try playing tabletop with peoples at your local game store or with some friends, just make sure at least one of them know the sign language to communicate with you or possibly going with an interpret.
But D&D is very possible for you, despite your handicap. Don't give up, D&D is a wonderful game...
Good luck !
) and D&D is slow enough as it is. Let alone writing notes and texting one another.This gives me an interesting idea to run a charity where disabled people can play D&D. Also, I see people thinking that guy who said "you could play a deaf character" acting like that was insensitive. But I think he meant it as, since you know what it feels like, you can explore that, and as you roleplay, we other players learn what it feels like through you. Evidently that's what roleplaying is supposed to be about. Psychological analysis, a test of character, and a chance to vividly think about "what could have been".
I don't know if you were born deaf or became that way. But trust me, you're not missing out on much. It's just practical for communication... somewhat... most people mumble and crap anyway and only like ten percent is literaly verbal. I can understand my dogs easier then the intangible grunts and mannerisms of my friends.
Play by post is obviously your best route. Though those games tend to go sour very fast. You would think maintaining a group over the internet would only be a fraction of the work that it is irl. All they have to do is spend five minutes on the damn computer to post.
As I said, you're not missing out on much. Saving yourself the trouble of having to hear people's excuses... Also I could cutout nine hours of talking and get right to the intercourse and snuggling with Samantha. :D
A friend of mine was GM'ing, and when we'd wasted the first hour chatting about nothing that had anything to do with the game...
GM: "Guys, if I'd called you down here just to talk, none of you would have showed up!"
And then we chatted for a while more and eventually got to the game.
The point is that a gaming session for us isn't just about the game. Though we're all close friends, some of us don't see much of each other outside the gaming sessions. So the game is as much an excuse to hang out as it is to experience a story.
Quite frankly, a text-based medium lends itself to very efficient gaming (at least in terms of game mechanics), but voice-based and visual seems a lot better suited for the social experience.
-DF
It's a bummer that typing is forbidden in the game you're interested in, that's going to make it difficult. However, I'd hate to think that somebody interested in D&D decided not to because his "friends" wouldn't make concessions that would allow him to. Gary would be sad.
That being said, if you're so inclined, maybe visit the local board game store or comic store or see if they have a forum online and post your question there. Half of the guys in the game I'm currently playing in came from a "players wanted" post on the local gamestore's forum, and they're a great bunch of guys. If I or any of them had a deaf friend who was interested in playing, I think we wouldn't have any problems at all, and would do our best to make it work.
Anyway, I hope you find some people to play with, one way or another. After a 25-year hiatus (from the AD&D days), I'm back into it, playing 4e and loving every minute of it. :D
Good luck!
I'm not sure if that joke is too far, not far enough, without tact, or with a tac hammer.