Shopping for Software, Have Some Requirements

[Warrant2K]

Hi folks, hoping to get some expert advice before sinking money into the product. We would probably get the big package.

Our party plays together at the same table, tablets or phones for character sheets, video projector over the table, screen on the table-top, actual figures on the map surface. Currently using free version of Roll20. As a DM, I specifically looking for:

1. Each character icon is controlled by the individual on a tablet.

2. Animated special effects for environment: running water, moving smoke, flowing lava, crackling campfire, etc.

3. Animated special effects for players: spells, heals, effects (poisoned, slowed, etc).

4. Dynamic lighting.

5. Isometric maps and player icons.

Can FG support the things I'm looking for and the way our group plays?

Thanks!

[Zacchaeus]

At present FG only runs on a PC or a Mac, so your preferred method is probably a non starter if you don't have acces to such machines.

[Ken L]

1. no
2. no
3. no
4. no
5. no


4 is something that will be implemented by early 2017 in the unity roll out which will happen eventually.

[Seya]

One of the games I play the DM runs it in his surface pro with a program for music and sound effects triggered by voice.

[Nylanfs]

1. yes

You missed this Ken
1. Each character icon is controlled by the individual on a tablet

[damned]

It can done on a Windows OS tablet but not an Android or iOS or WindowsRT tablet.
Pretty much none of the OPs requirements are properly met by FG.

[LordEntrails]

Curious, does anyone know of any programs that do 2, 3 & 5?

[Trenloe]

Curious, does anyone know of any programs that do 2, 3 & 5?
Not full on VTTs that concentrate on providing RPG support rather than graphical goodies. If animated visuals are what you're after FG isn't going to cut it for you.

[Myrdin Potter]

Well, 1 can be done if a surface pro running Windows (not Windows RT) and for number 5 some tokens are isometric, or at least top down.

FG does have some lighting settings but not dynamic.

With the new sound extension you can code sounds to match some actions by not built in.

I have only used Roll20 and FG and neither one meets all the requirements listed.

[Valarian]

As others have said, the answer is no on all requirements, and it's possibly worth going through why. Fantasy Grounds concentrates on the character and story aspects of roleplaying games. These are its strengths, and the tabletop map functions have taken a second place to these focuses. Other VTTs have concentrated on the map and the character/story have taken second place. These positions reflect the positions in the hobby of active miniature use and tactical combat versus the theatre of the mind and storytelling philosophy. Fantasy Grounds works really well for the latter.

I don't know of any VTTs that would support what you are looking for, as it goes beyond even the most map focussed software features. The requirements seem to be more around wanting to turn a tabletop roleplaying game in to a pseudo-computer game experience. You may be able to get closer to what you want if you make use of a computer game as a VTT, such as Neverwinter Nights.

[Ken L]

Curious, does anyone know of any programs that do 2, 3 & 5?

2 and 3 can be done with r20 on a 'pro' membership, but you'll need to implement a script to get more controlled functionality, it's also a bit buggy. D20pro to a degree can do this using map markers as they can have GIFs, but it's sloppy and unweildly.

5 Can be done on Maptools.

[JohnD]

OP should look towards Neverwinter Nights or NWN 2. Be prepared to sink in a phyrric amount of development and content generation time DM side though. On the level of probably 5 hours of building for (at best) 1 hour of game play.