Back in the day of 3.5ed we only played in person (day long sessions over the weekend), until people started moving to other countries and then at least one got in via video call.
Since today, my regular gaming group is all over the globe (including myself), when we play we only use VTTs as is the only possible way for us to play (we also are very tactical, so having an interactive map is a must)... so far we've used roll20, maps and foundry/forge.
I haven't found an in person group mostly for lack of trying, an not knowing anyone close to play with confortably, but also because of time. I'm confortable with the playing time i have right now, playing at least once per 1/2 weeks depending on number of ongoing campaings.
Both options have their pros and cons, so its just a matter of taste and situation.
I am active with two groups. The first we meet every other Saturday night in person and play, alternating campaigns/DM every few months so everyone gets a chance to be a player. While most in that group use tablets or laptops for DDB character sheets, we still use a physical map and minis. For that group, a VTT is not necessary. The other group, I run a campaign about once a month for friends I met playing MMOs. We live in different parts of the country, and half of that group had never played a TTRPG. So some type of VTT is pretty much a must. We use the maps here on DDB because it is easy enough for me to either use a map I have access to or make one in a different program and import it.
The full potential of VTT's is nowhere near reached.
The VTT's I've played are convenient in certain ways. Maybe they have line of sight, fog of war, dice rolls, you can slap down spell effects on the map, roll all the damage, do the saves and so on.
However, I've yet to see anything that can do all of the above.
So while VTT's are certainly nice to have, they're by no means essential. If good and used well, they speed up play and reduce discussions of what's where and who's in range and so on.
But eventually, we'll have a VTT that literally does all of it, easily and intuitively - and that will be a massive, massive aid. Already, VTT's makes combat faster and smoother. Once we have something that's really good, it'll be ... just entirely different. Like, it doesn't seem like anyone has considered the possibility of synchronous rounds (basicaly, all players plan out their round at the same time, then the VTT plays out the actions). That would make rounds SO FAST!
Anyways, what I'm trying to say is current generation VTT's are a convenience - but future VTT's are complete and utter game changers. Provided anyone ever get's it right.
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
Our group pretty much only plays on VTTs out of necessity; we're all in different parts of the country, and at one point were in different parts of the world.
That having been said, if this is a question about whether an 'official' VTT was super important to us; no. Not at all. While I wished we heard better things of Sigil (and was curious about where they would go with it), the simple fact is that other VTTs have served us perfectly well so far.
Our group pretty much only plays on VTTs out of necessity; we're all in different parts of the country, and at one point were in different parts of the world.
That having been said, if this is a question about whether an 'official' VTT was super important to us; no. Not at all. While I wished we heard better things of Sigil (and was curious about where they would go with it), the simple fact is that other VTTs have served us perfectly well so far.
My group got back together thanks to VTT's. However, now when we meet to play 'for real' - we still use a VTT, at the table!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
I play in person. My "VTT" consists of 3d tiles that I have printed, primed, and painted. My players are happier and more invested with this than any digital representation.
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Back in the day of 3.5ed we only played in person (day long sessions over the weekend), until people started moving to other countries and then at least one got in via video call.
Since today, my regular gaming group is all over the globe (including myself), when we play we only use VTTs as is the only possible way for us to play (we also are very tactical, so having an interactive map is a must)... so far we've used roll20, maps and foundry/forge.
I haven't found an in person group mostly for lack of trying, an not knowing anyone close to play with confortably, but also because of time. I'm confortable with the playing time i have right now, playing at least once per 1/2 weeks depending on number of ongoing campaings.
Both options have their pros and cons, so its just a matter of taste and situation.
I am active with two groups. The first we meet every other Saturday night in person and play, alternating campaigns/DM every few months so everyone gets a chance to be a player. While most in that group use tablets or laptops for DDB character sheets, we still use a physical map and minis. For that group, a VTT is not necessary. The other group, I run a campaign about once a month for friends I met playing MMOs. We live in different parts of the country, and half of that group had never played a TTRPG. So some type of VTT is pretty much a must. We use the maps here on DDB because it is easy enough for me to either use a map I have access to or make one in a different program and import it.
The full potential of VTT's is nowhere near reached.
The VTT's I've played are convenient in certain ways. Maybe they have line of sight, fog of war, dice rolls, you can slap down spell effects on the map, roll all the damage, do the saves and so on.
However, I've yet to see anything that can do all of the above.
So while VTT's are certainly nice to have, they're by no means essential. If good and used well, they speed up play and reduce discussions of what's where and who's in range and so on.
But eventually, we'll have a VTT that literally does all of it, easily and intuitively - and that will be a massive, massive aid. Already, VTT's makes combat faster and smoother. Once we have something that's really good, it'll be ... just entirely different. Like, it doesn't seem like anyone has considered the possibility of synchronous rounds (basicaly, all players plan out their round at the same time, then the VTT plays out the actions). That would make rounds SO FAST!
Anyways, what I'm trying to say is current generation VTT's are a convenience - but future VTT's are complete and utter game changers. Provided anyone ever get's it right.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
Yes, it will be Everquest or World of Warcraft essentially. I would happily never use a VTT again if I could get my group back to the table. Oh well.
Our group pretty much only plays on VTTs out of necessity; we're all in different parts of the country, and at one point were in different parts of the world.
That having been said, if this is a question about whether an 'official' VTT was super important to us; no. Not at all. While I wished we heard better things of Sigil (and was curious about where they would go with it), the simple fact is that other VTTs have served us perfectly well so far.
My group got back together thanks to VTT's. However, now when we meet to play 'for real' - we still use a VTT, at the table!
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
I only play online with friends and family that are spread out across the country. Its been decades since I have played in person
I play in person. My "VTT" consists of 3d tiles that I have printed, primed, and painted. My players are happier and more invested with this than any digital representation.