 October 1, 2011 - 2:01pm | How and where will the games be run? When we tried Open RPG it seemed to have a big learning curve and I think that sort of thing will frustrate people. I'm not opposed to having to download software I just want it to be easy to use. Easier the better. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 October 1, 2011 - 2:40pm | I never had a learning curve issue with OpenRPG as a player. All you really need to do is look at the map, type in the chat window and hit the die rollers. As a bonus the ref could allow the players to move their figures on the map if they are using it. Imperial Lord just drew rough sketches on the map and us players didn't do anything. There is a bit more for the ref to learn if he wants to use the maps, aliases for npcs, etc. Personally, if I end up running a game, I'll probably use OpenRPG simply because I'm familiar with it. However, before I do that, I'll make sure the install is relatively painless or at least write up a how to. I think I'll check out several other tools as well (suggestion welcome) to check ease of installation. I know many are in favor of the MapTools program. It installs easy, but my limited experience with it found it much less simple to use than OpenRPG. But that was just my experience and I should revisit it. Overall, I think we need some sort of virtual table top for maps and die rolling and chat. I'd like to supplement that with skype for voice if possible. You can get much more adventure in if you can talk instead of have to type everything. I think as part of the con we'll have a couple different options. Some that are text chat only and others that use Skype or some other voice chat system. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
October 1, 2011 - 3:16pm | I suspect that each GM will need to use what he's most familiar with. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 November 16, 2011 - 9:50pm | Has anyone tried Google+ "Hangouts" for gaming? My gaming group all lives under the same roof, but I have some friends from college that are interested in trying a video-chat-hangout game session. |
November 16, 2011 - 11:13pm | I've never used 'Hangouts' but I'm sure it would work. I'll have to check it out. Although I'm not overly worried or interested in video connections, I really just want audio. I found a nice voice chat system that was completely painless to install as both a client and a server. At least on my linux system. And since Windows installs are usually easier setting up windows clients should be easy as well. Anyway, it's called Team Speak (www.teamspeak.com) and I think I'll set up a server on my system during the Con for people to use if they want. The main negative for using something like Skype for voice instead of something like Team Speak is that the ref has to have everyone's contact information and initiate the call to all the player. With a voice chat room system everyone just calls in and joins up. The first is okay for closed games but if you want to let others listen in (i.e. "watch" the game) it doesn't work as well. Not sure if this is going to be an issue or not but it is something I thought of. With Team Speak I can make a room for each game that is set up and ready to join for the Con. I've also sucessfully set up a running OpenRPG server as well. I still need to configure it properly but very soon there will be an official Star Frontiers OpenRPG server up and running for those that want to use it. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
 November 18, 2011 - 8:37am | I have used teamspeak in the past for starcraft gaiming and it was great. I've never setup the server side, just the windows client. I want to try out OpenRPG and would love to check out your server. -iggy |
November 18, 2011 - 8:54am | I'm going to get both of those servers set up over the Thanksgiving holidays. I can turn them on and make them available and they work right now but I want to customize them a bit before making them live. Are you going to be in town for Thanksgiving or are you headed south? If you're home, I'll let you know when it is up and we can get on-line and test it out. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
