[Remote gaming]: How to keep a group going?

[S'mon]

I also have chat logs, of course... Anyway. While many folks are ok with simple graphics and online mechanics for chat games, I found there was a high player expectation of production values for the roll20 game (i.e. high quality graphics and storyline construction) and found that my prep time for each session consistently took more time than the sessions themselves did... So watch out for that. It takes me much more time to prep to run an online as opposed to a tabletop game, so don't be surprised if you find you need to put that extra time in to offer a consistently good game online.

Heh, I find the opposite in my own online games - using text chat slows things down enough I can easily improv during the session, and it takes far less prep time than my tabletop games. It helps that my online game is open/sandbox with a lot of player direction, I find this ideal with the text-chat format. Also I use simple support material (such as minimally keyed dungeons). NPC personalities & in-character roleplay are a big part of the game, I find the most important thing is a rich array of NPCs, but I create them with a basic description & usually a photo/picture, no statting unless necessary. A ruleset I'm very familiar with & plenty of generic stat blocks definitely helps a lot too, though.

[cranebump]

I actually have a roll20 account from when it first came out, and am familiar with the basics. That may be the way we'll go, if these guys still want to game. They might be a bit pissed at the moment, though. We have a huge house to prepare for staging, listing, and selling, and I called off the second arc of our campaign until further notice.

Just too much shit to do, man, if I want to get this place ready...

[Vic99]

Been doing a partial online game for about two years using Skype.  .  Split screen with two remote players (one guy out of state, one guy with a baby) and 2-3 in person players + GM.  Works fine, mostly.  I'm happy to be able to continue my game with friends.  Too many wackos out there that don't mesh or have the same play style.

I can't imagine doing an online game with all  or most of the group online.  I imagine that too much potential for tech difficulties.

[RPGPundit]

In the old days, I would definitely have told you to start looking for a new group in your new home.  Regardless of efforts, your old party will be doomed to wither away from distance and time issues and inertia.  But these days, with all the online resources, who knows? I guess it will depend just how comfortable everyone in your group is with playing online rather than in person.