View Full Version : free (or cheap) online tabletops?
Pretty much all of my group were seniors in high school this year: which means that most of us are going to colledge this fall. But we'll miss playing with one another, and I'm probably the only one of the group who could afford a subscription to DnDinsider in addition to all the other stuff...so does anyone know of a a good online tabletop (or whatever the heck one would call it...we really just need a nice online grid to draw on, that's really it), not necissarily designed for a specific game but that would work well with 4th edition, that we could use?
It's not free, but I like Fantasy Grounds. For a free VTT you might check out OpenRPG. Other VTTs include Battlegrounds and GRiP.
The only one I've used is Fantasy Grounds, it works great.
Edit: Here's a better list (http://rpgvirtualtabletop.com/vts.html).
Rizban
2008-06-02, 09:21 PM
I am actually one of the developers on Gametable (http://gametable.mornproductions.com/forum/). We're dedicated to an easy to use, always free, open source program.
Gametable is even used by Positron, the lead designer on City of Heroes (http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=comics&Number=10701643&bodyprev=#Post10701643) and a few other names that I'm not supposed to mention.
Tough_Tonka
2008-06-02, 09:33 PM
Wow I didn't know they had free online table tops, this might really help my old D&D group.
This comparison of VTTs may be more useful (http://iconvention.org/vts-compare.html). It covers everything from the platforms it runs on to the features they have.
AlterForm
2008-06-02, 09:49 PM
Inserting a shameless plug for RPTools (http://rptools.net/doku.php). Specifically MapTool, the VTT of the bunch.
As far as free VTTs go, ORPG and MapTool seem to have the biggest share of the market. In my opinion, the draws for each are as follows:
ORPG
Supports Sound
Crazy Complex Macro Support (this is good)
Node tree. Ties into the macro support
Lobby and room based connection system
MapTool
Prettier than ORPG (IMO, at least)
Very in-depth map-making abilities. Supports premade maps (like ORPG), drawing via lines (like ORPG), drawing via textures, drawing via tiles, and/or a combination of those things
Token/Stamp/Object differentiation. If you look into it, this will make sense
VBL. Vision Blocking Layer. Automated Line of Sight and Fog of War.
Supports Gridded, Gridless, and Hex (mostly) movement
Rizban
2008-06-02, 10:27 PM
Pulled the iCon listing and put it details for Gametable.
VT
Gametable
Application Website
http://gametable.mornproductions.com/forum/
Environment
Java 1.5+
OS support
Win32/*nix/OSX.
RPG Systems
Any
Cost
Free
Chat
Yes
Help feature
Working on a wiki
User manual available
Wiki
Maps
Yes
Map file format
jpg, gif, png, bmp
Map Zoom feature available
Yes
Map measurement
Yes
Map fog
All players have access to a private map layer that can be published from and unpublished to that otherwise functions as the shared map.
Supports making maps from component tiles (rooms, hallways, etc.)
Yes, and the tiles can be locked down to prevent accidentally moving them
Hexgrid support
Yes, as well as gridless support
Internal drawing tools
Yes
Miniature Graphics
Yes
Comes with tokens
Yes
Mini Rotation/Facing
Yes
Mini status Notes (Dead, Incap, etc)
Yes, versatile labeling
Mini movement
Click and drag
Miniature permissions
No
Mini snap-to-grid
Yes
Suitable for offline use (with a projector, TV, or second display)
Yes, pog and chat panels can be closed and multiple instance can be run and linked on the same computer.
Audio support
No
File transfer support
Yes. underlays and pogs are automatically populated between clients
Animation support
No
Area of Effect support
No
Character Sheets
Not inbuilt, but very easy to make.
Supports multiple characters per player
Yes
Character Sheet Autocalc
No
Character pre-saved rolls
Yes, user created
Rolls can extract character info
No
Character HP tracking
No. Labeling can be easily used for this function.
Automated combat
No
Initiative Manager
No
Programmable encounters
No
Extendable (plugins/scripts)
No, but it is fully open source.
Embedded (automated) game documentation
All chat functions are logged in an HTML file.
Other
Card decks, ruler feature, no specialized GM client, inner windows can be closed to optimize the client to each player's needs.
Griffin131
2008-06-02, 11:00 PM
Since I get frustrated every time I download something and it doesn't work well -- do any of these work well (or at all) in Linux?
Since I get frustrated every time I download something and it doesn't work well -- do any of these work well (or at all) in Linux?Fantasy Grounds does not. Didn't even work in VMWare. That's probably my biggest complaint.
Oh well, I have to maintain a winblows box for work anyway.
valadil
2008-06-03, 08:39 AM
Since I get frustrated every time I download something and it doesn't work well -- do any of these work well (or at all) in Linux?
I'm working on one of these programs too. It's not ready for use yet, but it's being developed on linux with the goal of running on any platform. My game table is ajax/svg based and runs in newer versions of firefox.
You can check it out at http://svg.thuranni.net
Frosty
2008-06-03, 09:21 AM
For a simple Map program, this java pogram is pretty decent and free! No downloads required. It's the Irony Games' MapMagical Encounter Editor Mirror: http://pages.infinit.net/pdclarke/mmee/index.html
heruca
2008-06-03, 10:09 AM
Pulled the iCon listing and put it details for Gametable.
Rizban, have you sent this info to Devinnight at the FUM site, so that he can update the VT feature comparison chart (http://www.iconvention.org/vts-compare-ieversion.html) with it?
Edit: I've gone ahead and submitted your info on the FUM forums. Hopefully one of the admins will add it to the chart soon.
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