Based on GenCon announcements, turns out the WOTC VTT does not come hard coded with D&D. It's like tabletop simulator, not like Roll20. They have apparently set it up to play chess, checkers and other games like chutes & ladders. They said it could be used to play any game, even Pathfinder, because while it measures space and movement and has number trackers, it all is DM adjudicated manually.

Some other information:

It's a 3d visualizer
Creative Mode lets you prep on the fly or modify pre-made content
Minis have multiple poses but are not animated
Spells are animated though
Uses Unreal Engine 5 (or 4, I've seen different reports)
Launch on PC, mobiles and consoles later
Closed Beta this fall

Looks like more information will be released on Sunday at a different GenCon presentation

So... the one possible advantage the VTT might have, automation of the ruleset, is missing.  Why will players who already have a VTT spend the opportunity cost (time, effort, learning, etc.) to change to this VTT, especially when it seems that most VTTs will do more (with the exception of it being 3D).  Look at the "builder" shown in the image.  If you are having to build wall-by-wall buildings, you are putting in way more effort than necessary for other, more established VTTs and builders (like Inkarnate, etc.).

I'm not sure what the appeal is here?  Are they going to have full DNDBeyond integration?  If not, why would anyone use this...?

Quote from: Eirikrautha on August 03, 2024, 09:58:55 PMSo... the one possible advantage the VTT might have, automation of the ruleset, is missing.  Why will players who already have a VTT spend the opportunity cost (time, effort, learning, etc.) to change to this VTT, especially when it seems that most VTTs will do more (with the exception of it being 3D).  Look at the "builder" shown in the image.  If you are having to build wall-by-wall buildings, you are putting in way more effort than necessary for other, more established VTTs and builders (like Inkarnate, etc.).

I'm not sure what the appeal is here?  Are they going to have full DNDBeyond integration?  If not, why would anyone use this...?

Tabletop Simulator is about US $10.00 per person, 10 players tops per game, pay once and you're set (except the internet).

One World + Drewgo's DnD Complete Multiplayer Setup (w/ One World) are free, you can have 7 players, assets already built.

D&D Setup [Up to 9 Players] is also free, it has minis (I think the others do too)

What it doesn't have that I've seen is automated charsheets, but I can play way more games with it than with D&DOne, including WH40K.

But I'm sure lot's of people will give them their monthly fee with gusto.

Quote from: Eirikrautha on August 03, 2024, 09:58:55 PMSo... the one possible advantage the VTT might have, automation of the ruleset, is missing.  Why will players who already have a VTT spend the opportunity cost (time, effort, learning, etc.) to change to this VTT, especially when it seems that most VTTs will do more (with the exception of it being 3D).  Look at the "builder" shown in the image.  If you are having to build wall-by-wall buildings, you are putting in way more effort than necessary for other, more established VTTs and builders (like Inkarnate, etc.).

I'm not sure what the appeal is here?  Are they going to have full DNDBeyond integration?  If not, why would anyone use this...?

I have no doubt DNDBeyond meshes with it and automates that on that end for a D&D game.

I doubt we're seeing all capabilities in that one image but I don't know what other things it can do. I was not at the presentation.

Can you import your models?  That the biggest draw to Tabletop Simulator for me.

I guess they played a live game on the platform, and it will be on YouTube soon. Here are a couple of pictures someone took (I don't have credits for the photographer but it was posted on EnWorld by Morrus):

Quote from: Mistwell on August 04, 2024, 12:08:01 AM

Quote from: Eirikrautha on August 03, 2024, 09:58:55 PMSo... the one possible advantage the VTT might have, automation of the ruleset, is missing.  Why will players who already have a VTT spend the opportunity cost (time, effort, learning, etc.) to change to this VTT, especially when it seems that most VTTs will do more (with the exception of it being 3D).  Look at the "builder" shown in the image.  If you are having to build wall-by-wall buildings, you are putting in way more effort than necessary for other, more established VTTs and builders (like Inkarnate, etc.).

I'm not sure what the appeal is here?  Are they going to have full DNDBeyond integration?  If not, why would anyone use this...?

I have no doubt DNDBeyond meshes with it and automates that on that end for a D&D game.

I doubt we're seeing all capabilities in that one image but I don't know what other things it can do. I was not at the presentation.

This was my guess as well. But what happens if WotC scraps beyond like one of the manages wants? They are already removing features and have "legacied" at least two books.

Its the how of it all that will likely be the crucial point.

Quote from: zircher on August 04, 2024, 12:59:07 AMCan you import your models?  That the biggest draw to Tabletop Simulator for me.

Odds are... no.

If they are going to microtransaction this to death it will be by making players and DMs fork out for specials.

They might do it like the Neverwinter MMO where races like the Dragonborn, Aasimar, Eladrin, and so on you have to buy. Though its a one and done thing unlike some other games where your specials are subscription locked.

Not sure what the endgame here is if they're just doing a TTS.  A pretty 3D environment for your minis is nice, but modern VTTs tend to collect vital data for DMs and players like initiative lists and popup references for things like save DCs, and if this is lacking that sort of featureset I don't see a big draw.  Especially for subscription money.  A one and done like TTS which often goes on sale for like ten bucks is a far and away different financial idea than demanding monthly payments.

Quote from: Eirikrautha on August 03, 2024, 09:58:55 PMSo... the one possible advantage the VTT might have, automation of the ruleset, is missing.  Why will players who already have a VTT spend the opportunity cost (time, effort, learning, etc.) to change to this VTT, especially when it seems that most VTTs will do more (with the exception of it being 3D).  Look at the "builder" shown in the image.  If you are having to build wall-by-wall buildings, you are putting in way more effort than necessary for other, more established VTTs and builders (like Inkarnate, etc.).

I'm not sure what the appeal is here?  Are they going to have full DNDBeyond integration?  If not, why would anyone use this...?

The integration is most likely missing because they don't have it coded.  With Beyond 20 and Discord you don't need the rules integrated with the VTT and frankly it makes home brew so much easier to play.  I'm using Fantasy Grounds and its a paint to create a monster having to be carefully with tech or adding in the code snippets to player abilities.

Most likely at a later date they will have to integrate to set up targeting so when the player hits the dice to roll, then it goes against target, if it hits, then adjust the hit points down.

Quote from: Valatar on August 04, 2024, 04:55:28 PMNot sure what the endgame here is if they're just doing a TTS.  A pretty 3D environment for your minis is nice, but modern VTTs tend to collect vital data for DMs and players like initiative lists and popup references for things like save DCs, and if this is lacking that sort of featureset I don't see a big draw.  Especially for subscription money.  A one and done like TTS which often goes on sale for like ten bucks is a far and away different financial idea than demanding monthly payments.

Its TTS with all the functions removed other than map making.

It is so far reading like they are half-assing this as much as they can.

You mean a D&D digital initiative looks to be half-assed and utterly fails to deliver on earlier promises?

In other shocking news the sky is blue, water is wet and fire is hot.

Quote from: Chris24601 on August 05, 2024, 09:08:59 AMYou mean a D&D digital initiative looks to be half-assed and utterly fails to deliver on earlier promises?

In other shocking news the sky is blue, water is wet and fire is hot.

Yes indeed. WOTC has historically had a LOT of issues with anything technology related. The majority of issues stem from   
being cheapskates on development and not wanting to pay competent developers. They then rush out unfinished products full of bugs that fail to perform or live up to promised functionality. It is a lesson that WOTC never manages to learn.

Oh WotC is going to have a lot more problems with technology.  WotC staff can't write anything.  Wotc thinks they can make a Baldur's Gate 3 whenever they want.  WotC woke staff alienated Larian Studios to the point they will never work with Wotc again for no amount of money.  All WotC games for D&D have failed save Baludr's Gate 3.

There is no other competent RPG developer that can meet Larian's standards. 

Bioware is a zombie wearing Bioware's skin suit and any game they'd put out would have committee's about "how come the female NPC's still look like women, make them fatter please". 

Bethesda has been bought by Microsoft and Microsoft has been one hell of a DEI shitshow.   I do not believe Microsoft's DEI firing will do anything to save Bethesda.

Obsidian Entertainment is owned by Microsoft and its again unlikely a Microsoft company will help Hasbro gain market share on IP they do not own.

WotC is not going to be able to make a passing video game.

Quote from: honeydipperdavid on August 05, 2024, 01:21:45 PMBethesda has been bought by Microsoft and Microsoft has been one hell of a DEI shitshow.   I do not believe Microsoft's DEI firing will do anything to save Bethesda.

Yaknow except for Microsoft firing their entire DEI team and closing all outside consulting contracts.

Bethesda is responsible for Bethesda sucking. They don't want to put in the work and develop a new engine or learn from studios like Obsidian.

Microsoft buying Bethesda has nothing to do with them sucking. It's all Todd Howard.