Interest Post: Google Hangouts Play

Bluddworth's picture
Bluddworth
March 6, 2017 - 6:25pm
If I do run a new Star Frontiers campaign, I intend to use Google Hangouts (via webcam / mic), rather than a TT online service like D20.  

I found that I like using Hangouts more, it feeling more like a true TT/RPG session than D20.  

If any are interested I will start putting up details for the campaign up on either Google + or on the Star Frontiers FB page, likely both.  

Be sure to respond here if you are interested, I'm looking for 3 - 5 players.  Issues about when, how often and for how long per session can be discussed later.
Comments:

Bluddworth's picture
Bluddworth
March 11, 2017 - 1:57pm
No one is interested in playing online, using G-Hangouts?

ExileInParadise's picture
ExileInParadise
March 11, 2017 - 4:08pm
I think Google is destroying/changing/redoing hangouts into something else.
It may not have much use soon depending on how Google breaks it.

Roll 20 is pretty good for online gaming.

I've seen some people use GameVox.

You can combine Skype with something MapTool from RPTools and get much of what roll 20 covers.

It seems almost every virtual table top configuration has some sort of shortcomings.

Bluddworth's picture
Bluddworth
March 11, 2017 - 4:32pm
I don't like virtual TT like RollD20, I much rather actually see the player.  Yes I do know that Google is going to or has stopped supporting Dicestream app, for some unknown reason.  But, again, I still prefer the visual interaction with the player and we can use the honor system for dice rolls.

ExileInParadise's picture
ExileInParadise
March 12, 2017 - 10:45am
Hmmm, Buddworth, I am getting the idea that when you tried Roll20 - the video stream part wasn't working for you.

I play in a Traveller game in Roll20 and all of the players show up in individual video chat windows along the bottom left edge of the screen.

I am not sure why you wouldn't see your players there unless the video stream had been turned off or if its an optional thing you have to pay extra for or something.

But, we voice/video for most of the game, and Roll20 just lets us do the dice roll, show charactersheets and maps, and move counters on the shared screen.

But I do agree its not the same as being at the table.

If Google does tear up hangouts for you, there's some other good alternatives listed here:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/tabletop/11231-How-To-Play-Tabletop-RPGs-Online

jedion357's picture
jedion357
March 13, 2017 - 5:47am
I've never had video on my computer but I suppose that could be easily remedied.

But my schedule is in flux and I'd rather not commit to something then drop out 2 weeks later.

My preference would be play by post.

Recent star frontiers yahoo game started but it was D20 modern/science fiction and I really do hate and am confused by those rules.

I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers!

SFAndroid's picture
SFAndroid
May 1, 2017 - 9:50am
I don't have video on my pc, on purpose. Heck, I even cover the cameras on my phone. I'm ok with folks in person, but I don't want anyone having the "window on my world" at home.

We recently finished a campaign that went about 18 months. We used Roll 20 with much success. I have forgotten his username here, but on Roll20, he goes by Scotthammer. He had some amazing maps and did the background programming that monitored ammo, suit damage, skills and all sorts of other sundries.

We played mostly vanilla SF, short of some new ways to to calculate damage by adding in a variable factor, based on a defensive roll.

PS - Just went through my post history and he goes by Scotthammer here as well.

It was fun and I miss the guys.  After the game, we all went our separate ways. Ping Scott, he may be willing to share.
You can't argue with the invincibly ignorant. - William F. Buckley