I don't know if anyone here is aware but Roll20 and specifically Nolan T just fell on there face into a PR nightmare.

It made me really wish Dnd Beyond would add a VTT to there system. Now I know its not what they want to focus on and I don't think trying to acquire Roll20 is an option. But there are alternative platforms out there that I do believe they could acquire and focus primarily on DnD 5e. Specifically one called Astral Table Top from a company called Unicorn Heart Club LLC.(yes that's really the name of the company). The platform is in very early development and has plenty of bugs but it is built on some amazing tech and its early development means it could easily be conformed to specific use with DnD Beyond. Anyway please, DnD Beyond consider some vertical growth and acquire a platform like this.

I'm sure some future in VTT is on the horizon for DNDBeyond, I would be surprised if it wasn't.  But it's probably a ways out yet in terms of ETA.

I sure hope this happens soon. I’ve only been able to play online in the play by post format. I’d love to try out VTT but I’ve invested here. Plus, especially under the current circumstances they find themselves in, I’m not inclined to jump in over at Roll20.

Well lets not overblow roll20's current PR problem.  They weren't caught doing some sort of crazy consumer betraying scheme... They were just overzealously moderating their reddit page.  It hardly reflects poorly on their product itself.  It's also completely limited to the reddit community which is a small percentage of overall users.

If you feel like their reddit PR warrants you not using their service which is like 90% free, then that is your choice.  There are some competitors to roll20 that you can use.  I don't want to name drop some here since they are direct competitors to DNDBeyond but I'll give you a hint.  It rymes with "antasy rounds" lol.

Quote from CWard83 >>

Well lets not overblow roll20's current PR problem.  They weren't caught doing some sort of crazy consumer betraying scheme... They were just overzealously moderating their reddit page.  It hardly reflects poorly on their product itself.  It's also completely limited to the reddit community which is a small percentage of overall users.

If you feel like their reddit PR warrants you not using their service which is like 90% free, then that is your choice.  There are some competitors to roll20 that you can use.  I don't want to name drop some here since they are direct competitors to DNDBeyond but I'll give you a hint.  It rymes with "antasy rounds" lol.

 
Oh gods, thank you! I was beginning to think I was the only one not understanding why everyone is blowing up and quitting Roll20 ovr this.

So one guy at Roll20 handled a situation poorly when somebody posted on Reddit about how their service sucked and reacted poorly to being mega-spammed by that same somebody. Nolan was in the wrong, yes, but I do understand his decisions even if I don't agree with them. The situation was fully resolved. Shit happens. The product itself is still a robust, reliable, VTT with a lot of options and flexibility and can be used for your campaigns entirely and completely free, if wanted. Their customer service (when you contact them directly and not go through reddit) are fast, efficient and friendly (in my personal experience anyway). Why the heck would I drop this service?! I've tried their competitors and they offer much less and are harder (for me, anyway) to use.

All these threads popping up (this is like the 4th I've seen, at least) about suggesting D&D Beyond, who are stretched as it is, to make a VTT or people suggesting going with other VTTs all baffles me no end. I can't decide if I find it funny or tragic.

I wouldn’t rule roll20 out as a great VTT platform, but to be fair there are more issues some have with them thean just their reactions to reddit posters. This Nolan guy seems to make some errors in judgement with his audience. I am fairly new to RPGs and such have been learning more and more via YouTube and other social platforms. Right now searching for info on Roll 20 largely turns up a ton of recent drama around the founder. It seems like he’s pretty disruptive to his customer base.

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

Oh gods, thank you! I was beginning to think I was the only one not understanding why everyone is blowing up and quitting Roll20 ovr this.

What I've found exceptionally odd about it is that I've seen the exact same behaviour by moderators occur in dozens of forums over the last twenty years and never seen it blow up like this; the sheer speed and virulence of it — I was witnessing it play out on reddit in real-time — was quite astounding. Every other case I've seen of this, the 'community', has rallied around the moderator and the poster has been the one ridiculed and berated. Morrus, on EN World, for instance has been far more aggressive in his stances towards posters than what Nolan did, and yet he's practically a god over there.

The conspiracy theorist in me also questions the involvement of certain political elements who very quickly took up the fight and claimed Nolan's "SJW" attitudes led to anti-white racism and anti-male sexism, as well as calls for WotC to decouple with Roll20 because of it.

Nolan is a moron, but how many other co-founders of companies we frequent are morons? The reddit community crucifying them due to a jerk co-founder.. all the while writing their posts on Windows or MAC PCs.

Anyways in a month no one will remember this at all.  

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

All these threads popping up (this is like the 4th I've seen, at least) about suggesting D&D Beyond, who are stretched as it is, to make a VTT or people suggesting going with other VTTs all baffles me no end.

Same. It'd be an insane amount of work just so you can have the very minor benefit of not having to go to a different web site for your virtual table top, when adding some basic import/export functionality would be much easier.

Don't get me wrong.  It would be a dream if Beyond had full functionality campaign management with integrated VTT (I would salivate over official monster VTT tokens linked to their MM entries....) but in the meantime roll20 is working fine.

Quote from CWard83 >>

Nolan is a moron, but how many other co-founders of companies we frequent are morons? The reddit community crucifying them due to a jerk co-founder.. all the while writing their posts on Windows or MAC PCs.

Anyways in a month no one will remember this at all.  

I will remember. 

Because this:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZJHAywQFm0

I'd prefer D&D Beyond stick to making a great tool-set for use at the 'table', than concerning themselves with a VTT.

While there are a bunch of side/fan efforts that try and do this, it all in all seems very limited options for this kind of thing, and hopefully it will inspire other RPG systems to go for the same kind of thing :).

+1 for a VTT for DnDBeyond.

I had a Roll20 account and was learning set up maps when the controversy hit. Now, I am a white male in my late 50's, so what Nolan said was like a punch to the gut. Add that to his attitude in general in forums and I decided not to waste any more time and money on Roll20. Don't get me wrong, the software is great, but the only way to make peaple like Nolan accountable for their actions is to vote with your wallet. Note: Besides a DM level account, the only book I'd purchased so far was the PHB (it was on special). So I am not out much $$$.

As for Fantasy Ground I purchased it years ago for use with Rolemaster. I, and my players, hated the UI . . . period. I have an account, and have tried playing with it again but the UI still drives me crazy. It is the most un-intuitive UI it has been my experience to come across.

With DnDBeyond, I have bought everything they have so far except Ravina which I have no interest in. I am waiting on Undermount for my next campaign atm.