What do you use for your virtual gaming?

shadoes · Post by **shadoes** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:01 pm

For those of you who run or play in online games. What software do you use ? I am looking to start an online game as some of my group has been scattered across the country
What chat program do you use?

What if any virtual tabletop software?

thanks folks.

Post by **Breakdaddy** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:43 pm

Skype and Battlegrounds, Skype and Fantasy Grounds, or Skype and Maptool. When Im gaming with my Mac-user buddies it's going to be Battlegrounds because that's what they like but I've used all of the above at one point or another. If you want free and useful then you can't go wrong with maptool+skype.

shadoes · Post by **shadoes** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:51 pm

Free is not a required element but it is a good one

mordrene · Post by **mordrene** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 2:06 pm

i would also vote for gametable+skype

Buttmonkey · Post by **Buttmonkey** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:07 pm

I've personally come to hate playing with a virtual table top. Software like MapTool can do amazing things, but there is a significant learning curve. I've also found that even with experienced users hosting/running the game, it still takes a lot of time each session just dealing with the software. It often felt more like I was playing MapTool than C&C. My preference would be to either go strictly chat-based (using something like Dragonsfoot's chat feature) or Skype without a virtual tabletop. Many, many people here will disagree with me. To each their own.

alcyone · Post by **alcyone** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:21 pm

Maptool, but my finger is hovering over the trigger for Fantasy Grounds II; they have a lot of support for C&C, at least on the CK end of things, and are supposedly updating their ruleset to 4th printing soon. Maptool is really a fine piece of software especially for the price though.

I've never done Skype with my games; my friends aren't so pretty that I want to see them, and one of the things I love about just typing besides being able to save and gloss the transcript is that everyone isn't screaming at once.

I also do PbP at www.rpol.net. Play by post games are very very slow, but they are great for having lots of time to react and make stuff up; prep and planning can be very minimal, especially if you have a scanner and can doodle maps every once in a while.
_________________
Sir Aergraith Aethelmar of Cyrswud, CaCS,OotF

Post by **Breakdaddy** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:32 pm

Aergraith wrote:
Maptool, but my finger is hovering over the trigger for Fantasy Grounds II; they have a lot of support for C&C, at least on the CK end of things, and are supposedly updating their ruleset to 4th printing soon. Maptool is really a fine piece of software especially for the price though.

I've never done Skype with my games; my friends aren't so pretty that I want to see them, and one of the things I love about just typing besides being able to save and gloss the transcript is that everyone isn't screaming at once.

I also do PbP at www.rpol.net. Play by post games are very very slow, but they are great for having lots of time to react and make stuff up; prep and planning can be very minimal, especially if you have a scanner and can doodle maps every once in a while.

Skype is voice-based not video-based, although it CAN be used for video in a two-way chat, so we only use voice ops for skype and do not see each other while gaming.

shadoes · Post by **shadoes** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:49 pm

I would like to get into a RPOL CnC game. I have run a few games there and played in a few as well. Good site but I am looking to start a virtual gaming night for real time gaming.

May just look into maptool.. don't really need a lot..mainly something to display a map and positions. just makes things easier when folks want to say 'no i was over there'.. can go..no you weren't it does NOT happen often but it does occasionally.

Fantasy grounds with its CnC support is attractive.

Aergraith wrote:
Maptool, but my finger is hovering over the trigger for Fantasy Grounds II; they have a lot of support for C&C, at least on the CK end of things, and are supposedly updating their ruleset to 4th printing soon. Maptool is really a fine piece of software especially for the price though.

I've never done Skype with my games; my friends aren't so pretty that I want to see them, and one of the things I love about just typing besides being able to save and gloss the transcript is that everyone isn't screaming at once.

I also do PbP at www.rpol.net. Play by post games are very very slow, but they are great for having lots of time to react and make stuff up; prep and planning can be very minimal, especially if you have a scanner and can doodle maps every once in a while.

CKDad · Post by **CKDad** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:54 pm

If money isn't an object, then the Fantasy Ground II set is really really nice. Having the pre-built character sheets and tools (hey, it will even calculate and apply encumbrance) streamlines the process greatly. FWIW, the group I played in that used FG2 were dead-set against using any kind of voice-chat.

Otherwise, Maptools + Skype for voice works well.
_________________
"I don't wanna be remembered as the guy who died because he underestimated the threat posed by a monkey."

Post by **Breakdaddy** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:13 pm

Fantasy Grounds is really excellent software, and probably the most feature rich of the roundup when used for C&C. If you don't mind dropping some cash on it, you will likely be happy that you did. My issue with FG is its lack of Mac support, which is a deal breaker for my current online group.

Battlegrounds is the flashiest of the roundup, and the support is phenomenal from the manufacturer.

Rigon · Post by **Rigon** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:19 pm

I'm in the free is better camp and use Skype with MapTools. It only takes a few minutes of messing with to figure out how to use MapTools and any number of people here would be willing to demonstrate how it is used.

R-
_________________
Rigon o' the Lakelands, Baron of The Castles & Crusades Society
The Book of the Mind

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:35 pm

Yeah, Maptools can be used either "simply" or you can get pretty complex with it.

If you want it to just display a map and your monster and PC tokens you can do so, it is pretty easy used in basic format. You can then add all kinds of macro's (dice rollers), from simple to very complex. You can even build your own maps inside of Maptools, it also has all kinds of states, Fog of War, sizing, lighting, etc...

Plus it is free. I don't know a single player that can't afford free.

SKYPE is used not only for Chatting (video is possible, but it looks like they will charge for group video conferencing) but for players to chat, share links, share documents, etc...

So free is awesome on the internet.

I looked at Battlegrounds, but it is simply too expensive for me when I consider how well Maptools does everything. Like your token is your character sheet, and once you get your basic token macros done it is pretty easy to transfer old to new and edit them to fit your new PC. nwelte has a ton of C&C monsters already done up and is probably willing to share them with anyone who asks, once he is done running for political office and has time to talk.
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames

Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 11:35 pm

Buttmonkey wrote:
I've personally come to hate playing with a virtual table top. Software like MapTool can do amazing things, but there is a significant learning curve. I've also found that even with experienced users hosting/running the game, it still takes a lot of time each session just dealing with the software. It often felt more like I was playing MapTool than C&C. My preference would be to either go strictly chat-based (using something like Dragonsfoot's chat feature) or Skype without a virtual tabletop. Many, many people here will disagree with me. To each their own.

Heh, you must have had some issues. Yes there is a bit of a learning curve, but once you get going it's great.

And . . DF chat - wow that's so 2006 when I played with skathros and others. Twas good at the time, but it would be awful to game on now.

SKYPE without maptools could be fine. We've done it. The CK/DM would probably just have to send some info/maps/pics and/or let the players map the dungeons and such.

_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte

"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth

heruca · Post by **heruca** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:33 am

shadoes,

Look here for a comprehensive list of virtual tabletop software (both free and commercial), and look here for a feature comparison chart.

I'm the developer of Battlegrounds, so if you have any questions about it, let me know and I'll be happy to answer them.

As for VOIP, I prefer Ventrilo, primarily due to its push-to-talk feature that helps keep background noise to a minimum, but Skype has a nicer interface and is more user-friendly. Here are some other choices for free VOIP clients. Regardless of which VOIP app you choose, I also recommend using a headset mic, if you have one (not using one can sometimes cause feedback if your mic picks up the output from your speakers).

If you go with Ventrilo, I've put together a handy tutorial for setting up your own Ventrilo server.

Post by **Breakdaddy** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 11:31 am

Thanks for chiming in here Heruca. As I mentioned before, the support for battlegrounds is amazing. Heruca has been working on a connectivity issue with one of the members of my gaming group (Dave) and Dave has nothing but great things to say about your level of support and service.

shadoes · Post by **shadoes** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:22 pm

oh I agree about voice software. Vent is by far my fav. i use that a lot for online games(EQ,STO, etc)

I will check out Battlegrounds. Also looking at this as a way to play some Battletech with friends not in this part of the country.

Sakusammakko · Post by **Sakusammakko** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:50 am

I've been running C&C games on FGII for two years now and it's been great.

FWIW, you don't have to drop any money to check out the interface or gameplay. Download the unlicensed version and ask someone if you can join their game to see how it all works.
_________________
Running two C&C games. Check them out at http://candc.forumotion.com.

One is a monthly affair on Saturday nights, 8pm EST (Company of Delvers).

The second is an historically-inspired campaign with players from around the world (Legio Campaign).

TheMetal1 · Post by **TheMetal1** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 4:31 pm

I use Skype in conjunction with Fantasy Grounds II. Works quite well and they have a ton of stuff for C&C as well, which is pretty much what I use FGII for. I do have their d20 ruleset, Labyrinth Lord ruleset and Savage Worlds ruleset, but haven't messed around with them too much.

You can use it quite well without any VOIP as it has an in-built chat system, with wispher - meaning you can send IMs in the chat to specific players. that works out great for having the players roleplay out a perception or hearing check, and let the players that are successful let the others know what they notice or not. And the players can IM to the CK as well. It has fog of war where you reveal what the players need to see and of course the virtual dice are fun to roll as well. With Skype it is awesome.

The down side is on the CK/host side as there is a learning curve on hosting and firewalls, which wasted a lot of my time.

I've also used Skype and an add in for Skype called Whiteboard Meeting. Which works out quite well too.
_________________
R is among the most menacing of sounds. Thats why they call it murder, not muckduck. DWIGHT SHRUTE, The Office

Azona Fate · Post by **Azona Fate** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:53 am

Once some time ago (over 7 years ago) I used a chat room supplied by yahoo in a group I constructed.

I have now moved to Fantasy Grounds II

Troll Lord Games

What do you use for your virtual gaming?

What do you use for your virtual gaming?

One more vote for FGII