VT (Virtual Tabletop) for D&D style games
by rmullen · in General Discussion · 01/23/2010 (3:31 pm) · 1 replies
Is anyone out there interested in this? For online play or for use with a game group in person. There are virtual tabletops out there but they're all kinda clunky. A VT that incorporates 3D characters and maps, dynamic light sources, a simple but robust map-building tool, and calculates things like movement, line of sight, and dice throws/attack resolution would be great, but am i the only person who wants to see it? I'd make folders for all the resources, so DMs and modders could add their own 3D content, and the rules flexible enough/customizable to be usable for every table-top rpg out there. If i started a sight for people to contribute, like an open source thing, would anyone here be interested in contributing? Does this sound like a project you'd be interested in taking on with a small private group? Just interested to see what people think...
About the author
Torque Owner rmullen
A program for visualization of table top role playing encounters with game moderation, dice
resolution, and map creation tools.
The goals of the project are as follows:
I. Player Interaction
- Allow a Game Master (GM) to create encounters for players to experience.
- Map creation tools
- Creature/Opponent design tools and database
- Lighting and environmental elements
- Suite of game automation tools
- Dice rolling engine
- Combat action/initiative tracker
- Attack resolution
- Line of sight
- Movement range
- Etc.
- GM can host a game online or via a LAN
- GM has controls for adding/removing opponents and on screen elements
- GM can control what is visible to players and which areas they are allowed to explore/interact
with
- Players can join the encounters
- Players control a single character in the encounter
- Players can zoom/position their views individually
- Players roll dice or role play to determine the outcome of their actions, moderated by the GM
II. 3D Map and Character Elements
- Maps are 3D
- Can be viewed from any perspective
- Incorporate animated environmental objects
- Waterfalls, rivers, smoke, traffic, etc.
- Objects in the map restrict/modify character interations
- Low lying objects provide cover
- Walls and other obstacles dictate line of sight
- Obstacles restrict or modify character movement
- Character models and opponents are animated 3D objects place in the map
- Characters can be moved, faced, or their animations changed depending on their condition
- Characters animate appropriately according to the action they are undertaking
III. Customization
- 3D objects can easily be added to the program
- Uses common 3D formats
- All resources are organized into easily accessible folders for direct integration into the
game
- New elements loaded into the program can be associated with specific properties for
interaction within the encounters.
- Opponent models with attached stats
- Special map objects (provide cover, reduce movement speed when traversing, not pass-
throughable, etc.)