Interesting bit of news about their online tool plan...http://community.wizards.com/forum/dd-next-general-discussion/threads/4099836 (http://community.wizards.com/forum/dd-next-general-discussion/threads/4099836) fair warning it's from the WotC boards so it may get a bit rough.
Quote from: Marleycat;757428Interesting bit of news about their online tool plan...http://community.wizards.com/forum/dd-next-general-discussion/threads/4099836 (http://community.wizards.com/forum/dd-next-general-discussion/threads/4099836) fair warning it's from the WotC boards so it may get a bit rough.
Hahah, oh sweet Paraxis. At least he's consistent. If there's anyone who is a better representative of, "I hope I'm surprised, but I'm sure it will suck" crowd, I don't know who that would be.
As for the online tools themselves, I definitely see the push for getting that right since we're in the digital age and all, but I will always prefer physical books and character sheets myself. In fact, no electronic devices at my table unless you make a pretty good case for it.
Quote from: Sacrosanct;757430Hahah, oh sweet Paraxis. At least he's consistent. If there's anyone who is a better representative of, "I hope I'm surprised, but I'm sure it will suck" crowd, I don't know who that would be.
As for the online tools themselves, I definitely see the push for getting that right since we're in the digital age and all, but I will always prefer physical books and character sheets myself. In fact, no electronic devices at my table unless you make a pretty good case for it.
That's my preference also but boy would I love a good set of online tools for 5e. Except for that VTT disaster 4e's DDI was a really nice thing.
Quote from: Marleycat;757431That's my preference also but boy would I love a good set of online tools for 5e. Except for that VTT disaster 4e's DDI was a really nice thing.
Oh, don't get me wrong. I see the value in online tools. Hell, I still have my 3.5" floppy disk around here somewhere with the "official" Earthdawn character generator (DOS of course). So I have no problems creating PCs online. Just print them out for the game ;)
And into the Trapdoor we go!
Hopefully these Trapdoor guys actually can deliver, clearly the Trapdoor company hasn't been a real entity, but maybe their crew have been doing development and design for others to prove themselves. So far, its an odd choice by WotC.
It's unfortunate WotC and Trapdoor didn't coordinate their PR release so Trapdoor could shiny up their first impression, especially considering the troubled history WotC has had with electronic tools.
A character and monster generator would be nice. If I want to create a customized ogre cleric, for example, a generator would make life easier.
A good online support system is key to expanding D&D's base. I've managed characters at the table via Hero Lab. Banning folks devices in this day and age is a fool's errand. People have smart phones. Might as well find a way to use them.
Quote from: cranebump;757456Banning folks devices in this day and age is a fool's errand..
Unless your group is all 40+ year olds like mine ;)
Quote from: cranebump;757456A good online support system is key to expanding D&D's base. I've managed characters at the table via Hero Lab. Banning folks devices in this day and age is a fool's errand. People have smart phones. Might as well find a way to use them.
So long as those devices aren't connected to the internet during play, no problem.
Thus, any tools that require being online to use at the table can fuck off.
Quote from: Exploderwizard;757463So long as those devices aren't connected to the internet during play, no problem.
Thus, any tools that require being online to use at the table can fuck off.
It sure can be annoying when the party Paladin is standing there with a vacant expression while his player surfs the net for porn.
Here's what they say the goals are:
- A powerful and customizable character sheet.
- Fast, guided, character creation.
- Adventure management and tracking as a DM.
- Party communications between players.
- Simple rules search, bookmarking, and annotations.
- Online or offline play.
1, 3 and 4 together mean this is a quasi-VTT application they're going for, which would be very cool.
5 and 6 together implies the free Basic stuff might be all loaded into the app or accessible from it, with the capability to add notes.
If they can pull it off, I'd buy it (provided I like Basic enough). I love any tool online or off that allows for dense data to be offloaded onto other methods then a super complex charsheet.
I use the DDI occasionally at the table when I run 4E. It's handy to look up monsters. The only other thing I use my iPad for at the table is to play music. And I'm good enough buddies with my players that when I say "hey, are you here to play or to fuck around on your phone?" they'll put the phone down. Because yes, they have given up precious time in order to play D&D because that's what they actually want to be doing.
Any links from people posting discussions about what they learned during the Origins demo?
It looks like an exciting time was had by all. (https://twitter.com/DnDMorningstar/status/476830761027653632)
Tablets to play tabletop. Character sheets.
Great use of integrated and shared dice roller. No wait, we have physical dice.
Quote from: Spinachcat;757451And into the Trapdoor we go!
Hopefully these Trapdoor guys actually can deliver, clearly the Trapdoor company hasn't been a real entity, but maybe their crew have been doing development and design for others to prove themselves. So far, its an odd choice by WotC.
It's unfortunate WotC and Trapdoor didn't coordinate their PR release so Trapdoor could shiny up their first impression, especially considering the troubled history WotC has had with electronic tools.
It not like there isn't at least a half dozen other companies that have proven track records of releasing RPG Software. For example the guys behind Roll20.net.
Wait, this isn't a thread about Pundit?
Quote from: Gunslinger;757576Wait, this isn't a thread about Pundit?
:hatsoff: I legitimately laughed out loud.
Quote from: Gunslinger;757576Wait, this isn't a thread about Pundit?
heh!
Quote from: BarefootGaijin;757548It looks like an exciting time was had by all. (https://twitter.com/DnDMorningstar/status/476830761027653632)
Tablets to play tabletop.
That is really depressing.
Snacks and talking to people. If I want to sit around looking at a computer screen I don't have to go to a game session. That reminds me too much of taking the train.
I think the tablets are there to show all the online tools as a demo, aka they could be looking at the DM stuff, the online player stuff, the VTT stuff, etc AND be showing how you could use it at the table if you like as well.
Quote from: estar;757571For example the guys behind Roll20.net.
Are geniuses.
If you can't run a session that is engaging enough to stop your players whipping out their phones and playing candy crush then Shame on You.
Quote from: jibbajibba;757618If you can't run a session that is engaging enough to stop your players whipping out their phones and playing candy crush then Shame on You.
This. Player and GM expectations must meet, otherwise it will all fall apart regardless of technology involved.
If WotC invests in it long enough, 5e may end up with decent digital tools. I imagine few people expect Morningstar to be ready in a month with much to impress. I say, adjust your expectations (ahem) and you may yet be pleasantly surprised. If 4e had
out of the gate what it had around 2012 (before the online-only version), its reception would have been radically different. At least WotC doesn't seem to have overpromised things this time round.
Quote from: Marleycat;757428Interesting bit of news about their online tool plan...http://community.wizards.com/forum/dd-next-general-discussion/threads/4099836 (http://community.wizards.com/forum/dd-next-general-discussion/threads/4099836) fair warning it's from the WotC boards so it may get a bit rough.
Hahahaha, at least Mistwell is
consistent in his trolling across the boards. I began to think he had some personal thing going for this site.
'A company with no track record, and a defunct facebook page? This does not invite confidence.'
'You HATER! Scratch that, make that
blind hate! Speaking of - such a thing is bad for your health! So
there.'
Quote from: Gunslinger;757576Wait, this isn't a thread about Pundit?
Why, it now is!
Quote from: Sacrosanct;757459Unless your group is all 40+ year olds like mine ;)
Hmmmm...good point. Interestingly enough, my teen group hardly messes with devices when they play. It's the adults. Of course, exceptions don't prove the rule. I'm a HS teacher and see teens with their noses in phones all the time. External brains. This is where we are. I like my devices, too, of course, so perhaps I'm hardly better, save that I do use them for productivity, as well. This is why I think embracing tech and putting it to use is the way to go. Not sure we're there yet with pnp rpg, or if we really need to be. Just admittintgecworld we live in, Y'know?
Quote from: Exploderwizard;757463So long as those devices aren't connected to the internet during play, no problem.
Thus, any tools that require being online to use at the table can fuck off.
I feel ya, but I have five 20-something's at my table out of 7 players. It's not an option for me, as I DO like them as people, too. So far, it hasn't been a problem. It actually sorta helps when they split up investigative tasks. I understand some folks are tuning out, but we draw them back in when the focus shifts to them or to the party.