Online rpgs

[Warp9]

Theoretically but not practically.

Could you give me a little bit more here? Why is it not practical?

Theoretically yes, just remember it's rooted in d20 / 3rd Edition D&D.

I do NOT like 1st Edition D&D, or 2nd Edition D&D. I have never tried 3rd Edition D&D so I can not fairly say that it is bad; but I have no reason to like it either. I guess it comes down to: "what are the limitations of 3rd Edition D&D?"

Kinda, only if module builder puts in a considerable amount of work. If you're familiar with 3rd Edition D&D for example there is nothing akin to the Dimension Door spell.

So basically the module builder would have to specifically plan on characters using a power like tunneling--correct?

[TheEmerged]

Could you give me a little bit more here? Why is it not practical?

Because movement remains "real-time" even though combat is, kinda-sort, still turn based. This changes the way a lot of the feats and combat rules work.

I do NOT like 1st Edition D&D, or 2nd Edition D&D. I have never tried 3rd Edition D&D so I can not fairly say that it is bad; but I have no reason to like it either. I guess it comes down to: "what are the limitations of 3rd Edition D&D?"

At this point I can pretty much tell you to save your money if you're not a D&D fan. You can't change *anything* about the character creation/building system. It's still level based, it's class based, and you can't change either of those. So you might be able to make it *look* like modern superheroes but they'd still be fighters, clerics, etc.

So basically the module builder would have to specifically plan on characters using a power like tunneling--correct?

That's an understatement by almost two full orders of magnitude. The module builder would have to give the engine the ability to do this. I've seen something very similar done -- the module for "Hordes" for example includes an item that gives the player a limited version of swinging but the item won't work except where the module is prepare for it to...

[Warp9]

Because movement remains "real-time" even though combat is, kinda-sort, still turn based. This changes the way a lot of the feats and combat rules work.



At this point I can pretty much tell you to save your money if you're not a D&D fan. You can't change *anything* about the character creation/building system. It's still level based, it's class based, and you can't change either of those. So you might be able to make it *look* like modern superheroes but they'd still be fighters, clerics, etc.



That's an understatement by almost two full orders of magnitude. The module builder would have to give the engine the ability to do this. I've seen something very similar done -- the module for "Hordes" for example includes an item that gives the player a limited version of swinging but the item won't work except where the module is prepare for it to...

Thanks for the info. . . .

I have more reason to ask about these subjects than just considering a purchase; in fact I was already thinking about starting a similar thread when this one popped up.

There is an interest in these things on my part (both WebRPG and NWN) because I have been working on a similar program. It is a 3D turn based NON-d20 version of NWN. It uses OpenGL for the 3D graphics and TCP/IP as a protocal to connect the players and GM over a LAN or the internet.

My program is not as fancy as NWN in graphical terms, but it apparently does some things that NWN doesn’t do. And even though it is not fancy it is still functional. All the characters are animated so you can tell exactly what they are doing at the moment, and they are displayed with their exact current equipment showing. A 9'3" greenish alien, with a red mohawk, wearing white body armor, and carrying a heavy black rifle will appear exactly as the data on the character sheet dictates.

My program does turn based combat better than NWN (very important if the GM is going to actually role play all the creatures, as opposed to having the PCs hack and slash with computer controlled automatons)

It has no classes or levels. I could fairly easily convert it over to Hero if people were interested in that. I do have concerns about converting over to Hero. I am worried that I might be stepping on Ben’s toes, considering his work on Herosphere–and I am also worried that I might end up “bastardizing” the system in order to adapt it to my purposes. Even if I don’t directly convert over to Hero, I also could probably make a character converter to turn hdc over to my game format–but only if that is OK with the “powers that be” over here.

The engine was designed from the ground up to allow powers and abilities like tunneling. You can dig “down and under” even by using a high-power attack. If fact, there is no way for a GM to stop the PCs from tunneling other than, (a) lowering their power level so they have no abilities that can be used to tunnel, or (b) making the whole landscape out of admantium.

The program is only in its alpha state right now, but I will need testers in a few weeks. . . . And please be patient with me because I’ve never designed a program like this before, so I’m learning as I go.

If there are people who would like to help out with testing, or just give me some feedback on what they think that the highest design priorities should be, I’d like to hear from them.

I am including a screen shot taken from the server (GM version of the program). In the shot given, I’ve made the chat (text window) very small–only one line shows in the shot–but it is adjustable. And in case it is important the “RAI 300" is a type of sniper rifle SR CST stands for Sniper Rifle and Chemical Slug Thrower.

[zornwil]

There is also WebRPG. Happily it is once more free.

To quote WebRPG:


Visit their main page at http://www.webrpg.com or just jump straight to the downloads at http://www.webrpg.com/gamesystem/step1.phtml.

Huh, cool. I've been meaning to spend more time on potential playing aides as our entire group has laptops and I have a wireless network. I'm going to look at that 3-d mapping thing, but this also looks of interest, thanks GA. (will be sending rep your way as soon as my 24 hour refresh allows)

[Warp9]

It is worth pointing out that OpenRPG is very similar to WebRPG. I didn't really "pimp" OpenRPG when I mentioned it (earlier in this thread), but it does so most of the same things that WebRPG does.

Ghost Archer obvously likes WebRPG better, but I know that some people think that OpenRPG is better. I don't have a very much experience with either program, however, my guess is that it comes down to a matter of personal taste.

[Ghost Archer]

It is worth pointing out that OpenRPG is very similar to WebRPG. I didn't really "pimp" OpenRPG when I mentioned it (earlier in this thread), but it does so most of the same things that WebRPG does.

Ghost Archer obvously likes WebRPG better, but I know that some people think that OpenRPG is better. I don't have a very much experience with either program, however, my guess is that it comes down to a matter of personal taste.

Yes I do like WebRPG better. OpenRpg, to me, is far more difficult environment in which to create maps, character sheets and the like. Also the chat system is not as user friendly. I think the main reason Open is . . . looked upon in a more favorable light is that when WebRPG had to go pay, everyone fled to Open and Web has not recovered the users it once had. Before the 'pay' era it was not unusal to find 30 to 50 players on Web on any Saturday with a variety of games. Now you are lucky to find a dozen people with five games. I do encourage you to try both. I expect you'll find Web the better system even if not the more populated.

As to 'most of the same things WebRPG does' . . . That's not strickly accurate. Try both.

[Warp9]

Yes I do like WebRPG better. OpenRpg, to me, is far more difficult environment in which to create maps, character sheets and the like. Also the chat system is not as user friendly. I think the main reason Open is . . . looked upon in a more favorable light is that when WebRPG had to go pay, everyone fled to Open and Web has not recovered the users it once had. Before the 'pay' era it was not unusal to find 30 to 50 players on Web on any Saturday with a variety of games. Now you are lucky to find a dozen people with five games. I do encourage you to try both. I expect you'll find Web the better system even if not the more populated.

As to 'most of the same things WebRPG does' . . . That's not strickly accurate. Try both.

You may be right about the reasons why people choose OpenRPG over WebRPG--I personally don't know. I do know that I've heard others say that WebRPG is: "laggy, unstable, and has a bad user interface." On the other hand, maybe they just didn't want to say that they were too cheap to pay for WebRPG. Again, I don't know.

It is very good to hear that you suggest trying out the available options. It is hard to argue with that idea.

But, I’m not sure that either OpenRPG or WebRPG will meet my expectations. Both programs seem to fall short of my needs (or at least my wants).

[Ghost Archer]

What, exactly, are your wants or needs?

Also, it is true Web was laggy and unstable but as with Hero Designer, every improvement in JAVA makes things go a lot smoother. I have found that most people that have trouble with Web have multiple JAVA installations and getting rid of all but the latest corrects the trouble. I have spent hours and hours with the program running while multitasking Hero Designer or MetaCreator and running my art program while listening to music. I almost never crash. Go Cable!

You may be right about the reasons why people choose OpenRPG over WebRPG--I personally don't know. I do know that I've heard others say that WebRPG is: "laggy, unstable, and has a bad user interface." On the other hand, maybe they just didn't want to say that they were too cheap to pay for WebRPG. Again, I don't know.

It is very good to hear that you suggest trying out the available options. It is hard to argue with that idea.

But, I’m not sure that either OpenRPG or WebRPG will meet my expectations. Both programs seem to fall short of my needs (or at least my wants).

[Warp9]

What, exactly, are your wants or needs?

What are my wants and needs (in realtion to On-line gaming)?

Here is a short list:

I want a 3D environment where the combat system stuff is taken care of automatically (knockback, bleeding, endurance, etc. . . .), everything should be pretty much "point and click."

If my character attacks with an area effect attack, I want that to be taken care of automatically. I want every one who is within the area to be hit. And if someone is standing behind a protective wall, that should be handeled too. If the attack is powerful enough, relative to the toughness of the landscape, the attack should leave a big hole in the land scape.

The 3D landscape should be fully interactive. I want water that my character can swim in. If there is a wall, I want my character to be able to climb it, or jump over it, or fly over it. Blasting a hole in the wall should be an option, digging a hole under the wall should be an option. (and this should be handeled automatically)

If there is a bridge, I should be able to walk across it, or swim under it, or blast a hole in it. (and this should be handeled automatically)

With the appropraite powers, I want my character to be able to alter/transform the landscape. (and this should be handeled automatically)

I want stuff like invisibility and N-ray vision to be automatically taken into account. If your character has invisibility, or is very stealthy, or is hidden behind a wall, then my character should not be able to see him unless my character has the necessary enhanced senses.

Items should be handeled correctly. If a thug is carrying a rifle, it should be visible on the character. If the thug drops the gun, it should be visibile on the ground. If my character is in the right location, he should be able to pick up the gun and use it. Finally, the newly acquired weapon should automatically show up on my character's avatar.

I want the the game system stuff to be flexible enough to handle playing a pixie, or a will-o-wisp, or a jedi knight, or the Hulk, or FireStorm.

The program should allow for turn-based-action, so the GM can actually play all the NPCs, instead of leaving that up to the computer.

I left some things out, but this is my short list of expectations.

[Rage]

bwa ahaa haa! Shortlist of expectaations!
If you create it, you'll have an audience but it is doubtful that such a program exsists

[Warp9]

bwa ahaa haa! Shortlist of expectaations!
If you create it, you'll have an audience but it is doubtful that such a program exsists

Since I am designing such a program, it is good to hear that I am not "re-inventing the wheel."

[zornwil]

Since I am designing such a program, it is good to hear that I am not "re-inventing the wheel."

Cool, keep us posted!

[Thag13]

I want one.....

[Warp9]

It is nice to hear that there is some interest in my program.

I'm going to need some testers fairly soon here. If you want to help out, let me know.

[Rage]

Put me down as someone willing to test such a machine