Online Gaming

[savage]

I started a thread to identify online gaming sites that Traveller Refs are using and some of the great tools available. I'm not hearing from the majority of the crowd.

As a tabletop "in-person" ref, I have not used online gaming but I am open to it. Please, share any missing tools or sites (I believe there are a couple) and your experiences (pros, cons, recommendations), if your an online Traveller Gamer or ref.

Here is the full list:
http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/showthread.php?t=29563

Thanks!

 

[aramis]

My onlinr play is VTT free... skype and trust.

 

[savage]

online

Aramis
I probably could have used 12+ options on this question.

I'd like to ask the same thing about a year after T5. It would be an interesting annual questionnaire for trending.

Even though I selected no online gaming, I am open to it.

 

[Dragoner]

other, op, see sig

 

[curmudgeon]

I have never played a game online, by email, or by post. To be honest, I am not sure how that sort of thing works, and I am not sure if it is something I would like or dislike. I voted in person or at conventions, because that is what I do.

 

[savage]

agreed

I have never played a game online, by email, or by post. To be honest, I am not sure how that sort of thing works, and I am not sure if it is something I would like or dislike. I voted in person or at conventions, because that is what I do.

I agree but I am thinking that it would be interesting to try too. I was trying to be a bit funny ol' guy with the first one.

As mentioned if I had included Obsidian Portal, Skypes and a couple other I could have many more options on this poll.

Thanks for voting. Any software tools that we've missed, on the link page above, that you use?

 

[Ben W Bell]

The last time I ran Traveller online I ran using Klooge and Skype. Ran for 2 years.

 

[curmudgeon]

Thanks for voting. Any software tools that we've missed, on the link page above, that you use?

Software I use to prepare a Traveller game:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Adobe Acrobat

Software I use to run a Traveller game:

• N/A

I do not use anything at the table. There is not even a computer in the same room. Handouts are passed around and library entries are looked up in a book or 3-ring binder. One of these days I would like to make an Imperial Library for a Kindle or iPad. Probably a Kindle, since I own one of those.

 

[savage]

Klooge

The last time I ran Traveller online I ran using Klooge and Skype. Ran for 2 years.

How was Klooge? Pros Cons?

 

[savage]

ancient gamers

Software I use to prepare a Traveller game:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Adobe Acrobat

Software I use to run a Traveller game:

• N/A

I do not use anything at the table. There is not even a computer in the same room. Handouts are passed around and library entries are looked up in a book or 3-ring binder. One of these days I would like to make an Imperial Library for a Kindle or iPad. Probably a Kindle, since I own one of those.

Thanks for the detail level. I mixed macbook with handouts in past campaigns. Having every thing ready on paper is a bit draining and heavy.
- Handouts from grahics/pdf, Word and Campaign Cartographer mostly...

 

[Timerover51]

As I play with the game a bit in terms of what I use for combat and other stuff, I go with paper only.

 

[Ben W Bell]

How was Klooge? Pros Cons?

Klooge is good, very versatile. You can do almost anything with it. I had to build a Traveller definition for it from scratch but it did everything I need it to do.

Cons: It can be complex for a newbie to get into. Doing your own definitions and tweaks is daunting to those not experienced in doing it.

The one issue I had was you have to have a map, and character icons on the map, for them to interact through the program. Not a big issue, as I just had a map of the characters ship when there wasn't something specific for them to be doing with the icons on there.

 

[savage]

definitions

Klooge is good, very versatile. You can do almost anything with it. I had to build a Traveller definition for it from scratch but it did everything I need it to do.

Cons: It can be complex for a newbie to get into. Doing your own definitions and tweaks is daunting to those not experienced in doing it./QUOTE]

Is the definition something that can be shared, part of a general library for rules, dice, etc. Or is it Ref specific to ship maps and characters in their session?

 

[heckj]

Skype alone is how I've done quite a bit of roleplaying - traveller included. The other tools seemed to restrict or get in the way when I've tried them, but I didn't make an exhaustive review, and the prep time with them for a game was generally higher than I ever wanted.

 

[Ben W Bell]

Is the definition something that can be shared, part of a general library for rules, dice, etc. Or is it Ref specific to ship maps and characters in their session?

It can easily be shared. My definition I made was for Megatraveller ruleset (my favourite). It is out of date and would need some tweaking to work with the latest version, I just haven't gotten around to doing so as yet.

 

[aramis]

Skype alone is how I've done quite a bit of roleplaying - traveller included. The other tools seemed to restrict or get in the way when I've tried them, but I didn't make an exhaustive review, and the prep time with them for a game was generally higher than I ever wanted.

When playing by skype, I usually also use a shared die-roller. The following works GREAT... mac, linux, win.
Halfway works on Android. (It rolls fine, but you can't drag dice about from an android tablet, tho' you can roll, see drags, and clear the whole field...)

http://www.catchyourhare.com/diceroller/

Doesn't eat too much bandwidth, either.

It's the one I use for skype-games.

 

[Easterner9504]

Play by post at RPoL.

Dice rollers, multi-rooms as needed, hidden room, NPC's, private messages-off scene. PM as part of in-game messages. Coloring of any typing allowed on posts.

 

[savage]

Obsidian Portal Kickstarter

For those interested but not aware. Atlanta based "Obsidian Portal" has 14 days left on a Kickstarter for a major upgrade. It looks very D&Dish but at least one person mentioned doing OP Traveller games.

 

[JimMarn]

Okay, I confess. I play Everquest. I started playing that MMO back in 2004.

 

[Kaye]

I want to play around a table with friends I can see.
That doesn't mean I don't use computers though. I've got a die program on my laptop and use sites like COTI and Etranger to look things up. So the scoring of combat and movement and calculations are done digitally.

I mostly draw maps on paper, but some maps are on my laptop too. I find that writing the short games I mostly play on computer work best too.

Since we're all living further apart now and have busy jobs mailing character sheets and backstories around works quite well.
I would seriously like to have the time (and will to put in the effort ) to learn how to produce artwork on a computer. I'm pretty decent with felt pens and paper, but the falshy stuff Laurent Esmiol and kin work up eludes me!