How do online games work?

I've started looking for games to join, after being away from the hobby since before computers were in every home (we had electricity though) and so far I've seen to places to look that are both associated with DND Beyond. One is the "looking for games" forum on DND Beyond and the other is the Find a Group link. 

Any thoughts as to which is a better place to go?

And how to online games work, do you need any special software?  Do all on-line games use mics and cameras?  Some just mics?  If cameras are also used, is it sorta like a zoom meeting?

I've also reached out to the local game store to see what they have available.  I think I'd prefer playing in person but if I can't find a good fit I'd be happy to try online.  I have the core books and DM'd a game for my two tweens so I'm familiar with the rules.

It depends.  If you want to do things online you need voice communications like discord or messengers that support voice.  

THEN if you want a virtual table top you have use a network capable program with modules, or an online VTT like DND Maps or Roll20, which usually charge a subscription anything past basic barebones hosting, and usually expects you to buy modules on the platform for character and GM resource books and classes. Most allow sharing, but charges someone in the group for the benefit.

 As for order of operations    Find a group first, and ask the host how they handle the game; as that WILL decide what platform you will end up using. 

Thanks starlinvf, and do people typically do all the character record keeping via the online platforms as well?  So it's not exactly like everything is done as you would in person except you're using something like Zoom to facilitate communications - instead more of the game record keeping and dice rolling and even maps are done via an online platform.  That helps to know.

My experience is almost exclusively playing on Roll20, but I assume it's more or less similar elsewhere.

Some games use voice and camera, others voice only. I like voice only so that I can pick my nose without others seeing (among other reasons). There are also text only games, but that's much more of a niche thing and seems overly cumbersome to me. 100% of the games I've played have used discord for voice.

Games are also divided into free games and paid ones. I personally only go for free ones because I like for the DM to be one of the group rather than a professional doing their job. The downside is that it is much more difficult to find good free games.

Both Roll20 and dndbyond's VTT are ran in your web browser. Some other VTT's use dedicated software. Typically, players can play for free (though paying for things may come with quality of life improvements), while DMing can be more costly. For instance, on Roll20, dynamic lighting mechanics are reserved only for DMs with a paid subscription.

Any proper VTT includes interactive character sheets and dice rolling.

There's also extensions like Beyond20 that help integrate the D&D Beyond character sheet with VTTs so people already invested here don't need to jump through hoops or repurchase materials to use in a VTT.

As an example, we use Discord for voice comms and posting pictures and private messages (notes under the table), FoundryVTT for the virtual tabletop (players use a browser to see the maps, move their tokens/miniatures, etc.), and DnDBeyond for character sheets, dice rolls (with Beyond20 extension that ports the rolls into the VTT), and rules lookups.

I strongly suggest using video chat for online games.  D&D is a social, team-based game, and a critical component of player enjoyment is everyone having the opportunity to chime in when needed.  In an in-person game, that is pretty easy to do - once someone starts talking, everyone at the table instantly hears it and can pause to let the person speak. 

The same is not true for online conferencing platforms.  Many of these platforms filter out sounds if too many people are talking at once, making it very easy for someone to steamroll and dominate conversation without others being able to chime in.  There might be tech issues or accidental mutes.  It is very easy for some players, especially more quiet players, to get lost in the general shuffle of how these technologies work.

That is why it is critical to use video chat.  With video chat, you can see when folks are trying to speak or even allow people to raise their hands if they feel they are not being heard.  Makes a big difference in ensuring everyone can enjoy the game.

Regarding what platform to use, I personally would recommend Zoom or Teams over Discord, if you have access to either.  Discord's audio and visual system is passable, but does a lot worse of a job picking up on ambient noises, particularly if someone is using an external speaker because they want a little more oomph out of their sound than laptop speakers typically provide.  

For the actual game board, I've run both virtual table top (VTT - something like Role20 or D&D Beyond's Maps) and a physical table with an overhead camera.  I think VTT tends to work better - you do not run into issues with lighting, folks can move their own tokens instead of trying to instruct the DM, and you can run larger maps without having to adjust the camera constantly. 

Counterpoint:People may not want their face revealed to people they don't know IRL or fully trust(yet), so audio-only still works in those cases.

Likewise, I'd not push mainstream services, because if Discord is going to give in to pressure to hold people's biometrics & or Government ID (quite insecurely) to "protect kids"(sic) instead of fighting corrupt laws via the means they have(lawyers & $$$), then I wouldn't trust Zoom to not bend. Microsoft also already works with governments & has data on people given via EULA-based consent, so Teams isn't safe, either. Best to get ready to use Fluxer until they bend as well.

For playing in person, while the game store is a good start, I’d also suggest googling around for other resources. For example, in Seattle and its suburbs, there’s a pretty active meetup group that hosts events and regularly has DMs looking to add players. There may be something similar where you are.

Find yourself a group or place that feels comfortable, and they will help you with a list of the tech they use. The links you gave are good, as is https://www.reddit.com/r/lfg/. Roll20 also has listings. You can find a campaign, or find a Westmarches type server - lots of options depending upon how much time you have and how much commitment you care to make.

In general, you don't need anything special - the VTTs run in a browser (chrome seems to work best). You might even get away with a phone or tablet - there are definitely players who do text-driven games from a phone.

Discord is a typical choice for the voice and organizing component. On camera or off camera is very much a culture of the group. I've played both ways, and it works fine. Off camera is sometimes preferred for privacy reasons, if you are playing with people you don't already know.

All the different video/voice call platforms have their own quirks, and the relative quality of each tends to change over time. Discord has a nice feature where you can set the volume you receive of every other person on the call. 

There are fully text games too, both live text and play-by-post, which are different but can be quite fun, and more accessible for some people. Text games can be all Theater of the Mind or use a VTT for positioning and tactics.

It's a great way to play and to learn from new and different people, as well as potentially being more schedule-friendly.

Quote from Caerwyn_Glyndwr >>

I strongly suggest using video chat for online games.  D&D is a social, team-based game, and a critical component of player enjoyment is everyone having the opportunity to chime in when needed.  In an in-person game, that is pretty easy to do - once someone starts talking, everyone at the table instantly hears it and can pause to let the person speak. 

The same is not true for online conferencing platforms.  Many of these platforms filter out sounds if too many people are talking at once, making it very easy for someone to steamroll and dominate conversation without others being able to chime in.  There might be tech issues or accidental mutes.  It is very easy for some players, especially more quiet players, to get lost in the general shuffle of how these technologies work.

That is why it is critical to use video chat.  With video chat, you can see when folks are trying to speak or even allow people to raise their hands if they feel they are not being heard.  Makes a big difference in ensuring everyone can enjoy the game.

Having played with hundreds of people in voice-only games, this has very rarely been a problem. And the few times that it has, I don't think having a camera would have helped much.

The real issue with voice-only games is that people think they can get away with not focusing on the game as much, since nobody knows what they're doing when not talking.