Hi all,

We are here to show an app we are creating in order to improve online RPG gaming!

Our app consists in a tabletop integrated in Hangouts where you can play any RPG game while talking with your friends. Including dice rolls, character sheets, music and maps.

We would be pleased to know about what do you like about this app, if you would use it or if we should change something (or many) of it.

Here's some pics explaining how it works:
http://imgur.com/a/PPS5K

Thanks in advance!

How is it going to be better than Roll20?

Hi estar,

The first thing is that this app is very GM-friendly. You only have the options you really need, and the ones you might not are in the right-click menu. You can even remove the map and character sheet part and stick to the sidebar for rolls and music.

Another thing is that since it is integrated with Hangouts you have access to its plugins, like Hangout Toolbox which is pretty handy. I must say Roll20 has a Hangouts integration, too, but I think you'll need a quite large screen for it.

Other thing is that you can create you own character sheets. Roll20 does in fact have the feature but it's only for paid users. We believe that would be taking too much away from GM's since there are tons of systems and it's not that uncommon to come up with its own.

If you think that's not enough, we seriously consider suggestions, if you feel there is a lack of something that is!

Quote from: OnRol;885231We would be pleased to know about what do you like about this app, if you would use it or if we should change something (or many) of it.

1st of all, I like the app. Looks quite promising, simple, yet with quite a bunch of useful options. Good job!

Things that come to mind:

• The UI could use a bit polishing. I'm not saying "go Material Design", but so far it resembles those old Windows 3.11 applications
• What about libraries of files? I mean images/music/sounds? Is it possible to upload stuff directly from the PC/tablet, or does it rely on "paste link to stuff stored elsewhere in the Internet" approach?
• While at that, does it allow to store/save some projects (like maps) for later usage?
• How many layers are are allowed in that map editor? I take it, there are at least 2: the background and foreground, correct?

Hi JesterRaiin,

Thanks! We got whatever we felt what was most needed for current systems and worked to maximize visibility.

• We had a good laugh there with the Windows 3.11 design . Yes, we need to work more on the UI. So far we are not worried about it since this is an early prototype to check if it would work.
• This is only working on music right now, but yes. Offering a link is possible too now. Offering space to store resources is vital.
• Only maps and character sheets (on the same game) for now. It's only possible to have 1 game now so that's some thing to work on.
• Yes. We're also thinking if an invisible layer for GM's would be needed too.

Feel free to ask if you think there is more to improve on. If you'd like we can also pass a in-dev version when it's ready!

Quote from: OnRol;885374Feel free to ask if you think there is more to improve on. If you'd like we can also pass a in-dev version when it's ready!

My pleasure. I'd suggest:

• Adding the support for some online storage spaces. Google Drive, One Drive - pretty much everyone uses it, even if it's rotten down to the core, loathsome and vile corporate solution. Still, it could serve well for online libraries of stuff used in RPG sessions.
• I'm thinking about multifloor maps. While it's not always the case, it's also far from uncommon to join a battle taking place on more than one floor. You know, people climb stairs, attempt to shoot the enemy hovering above their heads, stuff light that.
• Invisible layer is useful. In fact two would be ok - one for general purpose, and second for the GM only.

That'd be it, so far. I'd have to put the software into use, to judge what's missing.

Quite impressive so far. Looks quick to learn and use. I'm guessing role-play and gaming is not put on hold all that much because there is less data entry to upkeep.
I refuse to use Fantasy Grounds or Roll20 because they are counter-roleplay to gaming. They suck players into boardgaming instead. Some players like to boardgame their D&D. But that is not role-playing. And it's not even gaming. It's just networked geek time with overly complicated chat apps.

Your GUI looks good enough to jump into for first time G+ Hangout role-players who want/need to use more of their computer as a game management tool during a session.

I like what I see so far.

To be good for TFT & GURPS, it would want a hex grid mode, and an indicator for which direction each figure is facing, and what their body position is (standing, crouching, kneeling, sitting, lying, crawling) and perhaps other labels the GM can apply (e.g. "on fire").

Actually, for GURPS you also need the ability to have people fall down and occupy two hexes.

Also it could be really cool would be if you had line-of-sight and facing limiting what of the map is revealed, as well as control over how wide a character's field of view is. Then players could automatically be limited to only seeing what their characters see - then your app would actually be adding something cool to gameplay.

I'd also want a desktop tool to be able to enter in lots of content for use during play, and to be able to run from computer as well as phone. I think using a ful computer would be preferred, especially for the GM, and I don't think I'd use it as a GM at all if I had to enter everything on a mobile device.

Here is a good visual example of showing facing (the red arrow in the hex) and limited line of sight. However it does not limit field of view to which direction the player character is facing.

Note that this version remembers what you saw but can't currently see, which should not update, and ideally should be optional whether it appears or not.

https://youtu.be/f7gknTJSmsc

Quote from: Skarg;885437Here is a good visual example of showing facing (the red arrow in the hex) and limited line of sight. However it does not limit field of view to which direction the player character is facing.

Note that this version remembers what you saw but can't currently see, which should not update, and ideally should be optional whether it appears or not.

https://youtu.be/f7gknTJSmsc

That's how a human fills in for a computer server that should be running the game. Why anyone would want to run a video game manually for other players is beyond me.

Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;885449That's how a human fills in for a computer server that should be running the game. Why anyone would want to run a video game manually for other players is beyond me.

Computers are poor at improvisation and that's why craploads of houses in local villages are [CLOSED], NPCs repeat [NICE TO MEET YOU (name), WOULD YOU LIKE TO PERUSE MY WARES] all the time, and you can't for the love of God simply do whatever you think would be nice at the moment, because game's engine doesn't allow it.

Now, imagine a game, even a simple one, where instead of a computer, you have a real guy and all his creativity, improvisation skills, attention and much more at your (player's) disposal.

Wouldn't that be cool?

Quote from: JesterRaiin;885377My pleasure. I'd suggest:

• Adding the support for some online storage spaces. Google Drive, One Drive - pretty much everyone uses it, even if it's rotten down to the core, loathsome and vile corporate solution. Still, it could serve well for online libraries of stuff used in RPG sessions.
• I'm thinking about multifloor maps. While it's not always the case, it's also far from uncommon to join a battle taking place on more than one floor. You know, people climb stairs, attempt to shoot the enemy hovering above their heads, stuff light that.
• Invisible layer is useful. In fact two would be ok - one for general purpose, and second for the GM only.

That'd be it, so far. I'd have to put the software into use, to judge what's missing.

Seems about right. We'll think about the Dropbox/Drive/... integration, I know the asset uploading pains... The other suggestions are noted too. It's like you play and notice the fault but when working on it just cannot see the solution .

About the two invisible layers, what would you use the general one for?

Quote from: Shawn DriscollQuite impressive so far. Looks quick to learn and use. I'm guessing role-play and gaming is not put on hold all that much because there is less data entry to upkeep.
I refuse to use Fantasy Grounds or Roll20 because they are counter-roleplay to gaming. They suck players into boardgaming instead. Some players like to boardgame their D&D. But that is not role-playing. And it's not even gaming. It's just networked geek time with overly complicated chat apps.

Your GUI looks good enough to jump into for first time G+ Hangout role-players who want/need to use more of their computer as a game management tool during a session.

I like what I see so far.

Thanks. We wanted an app where you could focus on the game itself. Little tinkering is required. Still, maybe some room for helping the GM improvise would be nice.

Quote from: SkargHere is a good visual example of showing facing (the red arrow in the hex) and limited line of sight. However it does not limit field of view to which direction the player character is facing.

Note that this version remembers what you saw but can't currently see, which should not update, and ideally should be optional whether it appears or not.

https://youtu.be/f7gknTJSmsc

The hex-grid is required, yes. The Field of View is more of an adder than something really necessary but will be important in the future. Also, the idea of preparing the game from a computer seems not critical but nice, will think about it. But I'd like to know why is it important to run a game on the phone.


About video game GMing, I must admit I did try Pokémon Tabletop United. was quite cool. The thing is the world instantly gains more life, although extra setting work is needed!

What platforms is this app going to?

Quote from: OnRol;885236Other thing is that you can create you own character sheets. Roll20 does in fact have the feature but it's only for paid users. We believe that would be taking too much away from GM's since there are tons of systems and it's not that uncommon to come up with its own.

What the general idea for making character sheets?

With Roll20 it is HTML5 with a style sheet. With Fantasy Ground it is a custom XML formatted file. If I had to guess from the images you posted it looks like entry fields on top of an image of a character sheet.

Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;885427I refuse to use Fantasy Grounds or Roll20 because they are counter-roleplay to gaming. They suck players into boardgaming instead. Some players like to boardgame their D&D. But that is not role-playing. And it's not even gaming. It's just networked geek time with overly complicated chat apps.

God forbid that you refrain using the whiteboard. The whole program will just collapse if you never draw on that white space and just stick to using the dice roller and voice/chat.

Some referees use miniatures and referee don't use miniatures. Obviously you are on the of not using miniatures and rely on Theater of the Mind. Doesn't make your style the one true way nor does it forces you to use features designed to support the referee who do use miniatures in their games. Any VTT that is going to be successfully has to support both styles and others as well.