G+ Gaming Maybe?
I play a lot of games via G+ Hangouts. It’s pretty much the ideal situation for the husband and me because, not only are we far away from some of our favorite gamers, but we’ve got a toddler. We easily put the kid to bed and be rolling dice within 10 minutes, which makes weeknight gaming possible – something that’s darn-near impossible when both partners game.
Bonus: I can game in my PJs. There’s no more comfortable way to play!
I also tweet a lot about the games that I’m playing online. The result is that I also get a lot of people asking me about virtual gaming. How do I do it? What advice do I have? LOOK NO FURTHER, PEOPLE OF THE INTERNET. I PRESENT TO YOU:
Three Tips That Might Be Good For G+ Gaming. Maybe?
First, you need a webcam. But, then again, not all of you do.
So, a while back, our Pathfinder group wanted to play, but also didn’t want to leave their houses. Despite all being somewhat local, we sat down at our computers in our assorted suburbs and rolled some freaking dice on a weeknight… but Ben didn’t have a working webcam.
We all just popped into a Google+ Hangout, cued up Tabletop Forge (see below) and he was able to indicate where he was on the map and participate easily. Was pretty awesome.
Second, use Tabletop Forge or a similar app. Or don’t, it’s really up to you.
Some games require a battlemat. And, if those are the games you’re playing, getting to know the various app offerings is essential. I’ve used Tabletop Forge to great success, but – then again – the games I love are rarely battlemat-driven. Do, Hollowpoint, and Kobolds Ate my Baby were all brilliant via G+… and, of course, don’t require you to track combat much at all.
Third, prepare for some glitches in the system. There might not be any. But it’s always possible.
Group video chat is pretty much amazing. It’s the future and all that. And, you know, it works pretty well about 90% of the time in my experience. But sometimes it is a disaster and you just have to roll with it. (har har! roll with it! YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE!?)
For the more map-heavy games, you might want to give Roll20.net a try. They’re a subscriber driven website that gives you a VTT, video chat and a dice roller to let you play those games that more minis focused. While a subscription isn’t required to use the site, so you can use it for free, you do get more options when you do subscribe.
Yeah, Roll20 has been working out great for my weekly group. We started with Tabletop Forge (and it was nice), but Roll20 has been more reliable and lets me pre-prep the maps before the game.
Do you have suggestions on how to go about finding one of these online games? I’ve made comments on G+ and twitter about being interested in finding an online game and have yet to have anyone ask me to join. Is there a certain etiquette involved? Or is it like Fight Club and no one can talk about the online game?
Maybe I am more of a Luddite than I like to think, but I am still not won over to this. It would help if my DSL connection was not as slow a molassas as well. They keep threatening to put FIOS in our neighborhood, and then the technical difficulties might be dininished. Still, I’m not sure how I would do over a web-based application.
Damn it, I think I am getting old.
Still, your positive example and enthusiasm definitely makes me think this is a possibility. Thanks for the pep talk towards putting another arrow in my basically empty quiver!
I need all the help I can get.