Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2008 17:13:51 GMT -5
Hi Everyone.
I wanted to share a humorous but surprisingly effective way of playing Tunnels and Trolls online over long-distances (for free) that I've discovered: GOOGLE SPREADSHEETS. Allow me to elucidate--
After reading about various online Pen & Paper RPG clients like Open RPG or upcoming pay-methods like D&D Insider, I determined that to play an RPG online, you really only need several key elements:
1) All players need to be able to view "dice" rolls.
2) Players need to be able to communicate easily.
3) Players need to be able to share character information (character sheets, inventory, etc...)
and optionally:
4) Players should be able to view maps, illustrations or other "GM Handouts" so to speak.
It dawned on my that Google Spreadsheets (http://docs.google.com) can achieve every criteria listed.
First, all players involved need to create a free Google account. One player needs to create a spreadsheet in Google docs and set everyone else as a "collaborator."
1) All dice rolls can be simulated with formulas and duplicated. For instance, for a 2D6 roll, I use: =int(rand()*6) + 1 + int(rand()*6) + 1. This formula can be expanded accordingly to fit any number of dice.
2) A built-in chat window allows for all players to speak in character and for the DM to narrate. (Additionally, a Skype conference call can be set up for some more accurate (and free!) VOIP communication.)
3) Different "sheets" in the spreadsheet can be created to simulate character sheets and inventories.
4) The "GM" can even upload images to share with the group in real time.
It seems this idea is not exactly unique: www.secretlair.com/index.php?/clickableculture/entry/google_spreadsheet_as_virtual_world/
However I've never seen it implemented in such a way as I described.
Anyways, I thought this idea was pretty interesting and fits well in the DIY attitude of T&T. This discovery has allowed me to re-connect with my east coast gamer friends and I thought may benefit some of you all as well.
Any thoughts?
I wanted to share a humorous but surprisingly effective way of playing Tunnels and Trolls online over long-distances (for free) that I've discovered: GOOGLE SPREADSHEETS. Allow me to elucidate--
After reading about various online Pen & Paper RPG clients like Open RPG or upcoming pay-methods like D&D Insider, I determined that to play an RPG online, you really only need several key elements:
1) All players need to be able to view "dice" rolls.
2) Players need to be able to communicate easily.
3) Players need to be able to share character information (character sheets, inventory, etc...)
and optionally:
4) Players should be able to view maps, illustrations or other "GM Handouts" so to speak.
It dawned on my that Google Spreadsheets (http://docs.google.com) can achieve every criteria listed.
First, all players involved need to create a free Google account. One player needs to create a spreadsheet in Google docs and set everyone else as a "collaborator."
1) All dice rolls can be simulated with formulas and duplicated. For instance, for a 2D6 roll, I use: =int(rand()*6) + 1 + int(rand()*6) + 1. This formula can be expanded accordingly to fit any number of dice.
2) A built-in chat window allows for all players to speak in character and for the DM to narrate. (Additionally, a Skype conference call can be set up for some more accurate (and free!) VOIP communication.)
3) Different "sheets" in the spreadsheet can be created to simulate character sheets and inventories.
4) The "GM" can even upload images to share with the group in real time.
It seems this idea is not exactly unique: www.secretlair.com/index.php?/clickableculture/entry/google_spreadsheet_as_virtual_world/
However I've never seen it implemented in such a way as I described.
Anyways, I thought this idea was pretty interesting and fits well in the DIY attitude of T&T. This discovery has allowed me to re-connect with my east coast gamer friends and I thought may benefit some of you all as well.
Any thoughts?
