Help!! Boomer transitioning into Online Gaming.

[CandidesDream]

Hello fellow Adventurers!

My name is Candide, an O.ld G.reybeard gamer, and many of us old timers are losing 'real world' communities to adventure with as we age. So stepping into this Brave New World I am looking to join the online gaming community; however, I am completely ignorant of modern video/audio hardware and software. Would someone be so kind to advise on cameras, audio hardware, potential multi monitor setup software(?), facetime software, or any other necessary tools to break on through to the other side? Am looking at various tutorials and youtube videos to learn. Am also concerned about the need to repurchase every single sourcebook to use this software? Willing to drop green but not a dragon's hoard!

I would be deeply appreciative!

Most Respectfully,
Candide DreamEater

[damned]

Hello fellow Adventurers!

My name is Candide, an O.ld G.reybeard gamer, and many of us old timers are losing 'real world' communities to adventure with as we age. So stepping into this Brave New World I am looking to join the online gaming community; however, I am completely ignorant of modern video/audio hardware and software. Would someone be so kind to advise on cameras, audio hardware, potential multi monitor setup software(?), facetime software, or any other necessary tools to break on through to the other side? Am looking at various tutorials and youtube videos to learn. Am also concerned about the need to repurchase every single sourcebook to use this software? Willing to drop green but not a dragon's hoard!

I would be deeply appreciative!

Most Respectfully,
Candide DreamEater

Welcome.

My advice is start simple.
Pick your table top (FG of course) and your audio (usually Discord or Teamspeak).
Get a headset+mic.
Dont try and do everything - add bits on as you get more comfortable.
Buy only the Core books or the ones you need right now.
You will know when you need something extra.

[LordEntrails]

Welcome! You will find lots of us old grognards here. Plus a bunch of insolent youngins who are pretty cool too :)

What computer are you currently using? Most anything built in the last 5 years will suffice.

Audio/Video:
Most of the FG community either uses Discord or Teamspeak. Discord will probably be easy for you to learn. Once you install it, join the communities here;
- Official FG server: https://discord.gg/VKbhkSt
- FG College server: https://discord.gg/Ew6nYyw

You will want a headset with microphone. Depending on your budget, but most anything works, it's just about how good the sound and mic are and how comfortable. I use the Steel Series Arctis 7, but it is not entry level.

Not too many games use cameras, but you can go that route as desired. I use my laptop's built in camera or one of two different Logitech's that I have. Don't need anything special here as usually only used for a headshot or facial expressions.

As for multi monitor, FG does not have detachable windows, so you have to stretch FG across your screens. Depending on your graphics driver, you may be able to maximize across multiple screen of not. If possible, all screens should be at the same resolution. Personally I run FG maximized on one screen and then put Discord, teamspeak and web browser in a second screen. But, nothing special needed and I even run games regularly just from my 15" laptop screen when I travel.

Other than FG and Discord (or Teamspeak) you really don't need anything else. As long as you play in a quite room without echos and background noise you can get away from a headset/mic too. Check out FG College linked above, great folks who will provide all sorts of free help.

As for re-buying, assuming you mean D&D 5E, check out this post, but the considerations and conclusions apply to any system; https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?32987-What-do-I-need-to-play-5e

You do not need to re-buy anything. You (or your players) can add what they want to manually at any time. You can even create whole modules etc (see link in my sig) if you want to put a hardcopy adventure, or your own creation, into FG. But, you might want to buy some or all of it simple for convenience.

Again, welcome to the best place on the net!

[Kelrugem]

Plus a bunch of insolent youngins [...] :)

Hey! :P ( :) )

Welcome to FG, Candide :)

[CandidesDream]

Damned, Champion Immortal and Supreme Deity. Thank you very much for the quick response. Great advice, I'll be sure not to splurge and pace the pack!

LordEntrails, Lesser Deity. Grognards. What an absolutely lovely word! Reminds me of 'Grok' when spoken. Perhaps a similar connotation in camaraderie. Thank you very much for the thorough advice. Not too many games use cameras? Will be odd not playing with body language... but this is exactly the nuanced advice I am looking for, " FG does not have detachable windows" (Entrails).

And hello Mr. Kelrugem, the High Templar. Ya young pups keep life always 'on the left foot' as it were. My molars are horse flat ground away in irritation but also got crow's feet crowning the eyes with laughter and cheer.

Thank you all again!

[JohnD]

Also, don't think 5e or Pathfinder are the only games in town. You might find Castles and Crusades a very familiar feeling ruleset to game in from your background. Also, celestian's very solid AD&D/2e ruleset is there too.

[Bidmaron]

If you don’t have a game preference, Pathfinder is nice because you get the PDFs for free with content purchase or if you already own the pdf, the cost is deducted.

[GunnarGreybeard]

Hello and welcome CandidesDream.

If you are not set on a certain RPG system, like D&D 5E, you may also want to have a look at Savage Worlds. FG does offer a pretty robust ruleset for that system.

[VenomousFiligree]

Not too many games use cameras? Will be odd not playing with body language... but this is exactly the nuanced advice I am looking for, "

Our group wouldn't play without video, it very much enhances the social aspect.

[Xemit]

Also, if you are going to play as a PC in most games, you don't need anything other than the free demo version of Fantasy Grounds. Most rules have free content like the Pathfinder content mentioned above and the SRD content for 5E.

As a GM (or DM), you will probably want some of the essential rule books and maybe a module to save you an enormous amount of work. Not required, but definitely recommended. This can save you months of preparation work.

Also, you'll need to purchase either a standard or unlimited license to FG so that you can host (and save) campaigns. Unlimited license gives you the ability to host for multiple demo users, whereas standard license does not (basically all players will need a license then).

If you do go the route of buying modules, you can still customize them as you wish.

[CandidesDream]

Holy Mackerel!

LordEntrails, Lesser Deity the links on Discord will hopefully come in handy today! Got a headset and mic and look forward to meeting many of you soon. Your advice has been very helpful. Thank you again!

Sir JohnD, the Archangel. Will look into CaC; however, oddly enough, began at the behest of the school to keep some malignant youngsters engaged - so started with oWoD and 3.0. Thank you for the insight. The gaming world has absolutely exploded and exposure to new-reupped genuine text can be challenging. Very welcoming!

VenomousFiligree, an esteemed Grand Patriarch, "Our group wouldn't play without video, it very much enhances the social aspect" (FV). That is very good to hear. I was afraid of losing the visceral imaginative role play elements. Mr/Ms VenomousFiligree, is it common to have groups explore the use of video? The youtube videos show a challenge to do so.

Xemit, a Zealot. Excellent advice! Will be strange sitting on the 'other side of the table' again, as a player. Out of curiosity, Sir/Mam, in your estimation how often are the source material (re)purchased or do most people demo?

Amazing! Absolutely amazing!

[Trenloe]

And don't miss out on FG Con next weekend! Free to play, you'll get to experience Fantasy Grounds and meet a lot of people. Play any game system - there are plenty available, and most GMs will be open to people new to FG and trying new systems.

(Link to the FG Con website in my signature).

[VenomousFiligree]

VenomousFiligree, an esteemed Grand Patriarch, "Our group wouldn't play without video, it very much enhances the social aspect" (FV). That is very good to hear. I was afraid of losing the visceral imaginative role play elements. Mr/Ms VenomousFiligree, is it common to have groups explore the use of video? The youtube videos show a challenge to do so.
Not sure how common it is, just that we do. Not sure how all of us are set up, a know a couple use two monitors and at least one uses a desktop and a laptop.

[CandidesDream]

Brilliant! Marvelous! Impressed!

Thank you all for your time and imput. Migrated over to Discord and through the intervention of the kind souls there began to find solid ground. Not as intimidating as I thought. Haha. Much obliged. Look forward to continuing to build community cohesion. Grazie mille!!

[Xemit]

For DMs in 5e, they will pick up all of or most of the Essentials bundle ( https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/productbundle.php?bundleid=WOTC5EESSENTIALS ) and maybe some of the Adventures Bundle ( https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/productbundle.php?bundleid=WOTC5EADVENTURES ) for whichever campaign(s) they plan to host.

Most PCs will use the Demo license.

Can't say how many or even a ratio of PCs that will still buy the content. They don't need it. But certainly some of them are also part time DMs and some like to build content, which will usually mean they need the basics.

[CandidesDream]

Xemit, The Zealot! So, let me get this squared away. Similar to passionate DMs who bring truck loads to the table... *cough* ...whatever books the FG DM brings with her/him the players get to have PC access as well during that session, even with merely the Demo license? If a DM does not have a book but a player brings one the player can use it but not share it...? I ask as an' old DM who likes being prepared (though not necessarily 'top-down' playing).

Thank you Mams and Sirs for your tenacious aid! The response from this community (and FCG) has been unexpectedly overwhelming!

[Xemit]

Correct. The DM can select from which content they own to share to the PCs in the campaign. Usually only sharing relevant PC content, of course, GM content should be kept private.

If the PC doe own additional content, the GM can choose to allow them to use it (or not), but it does not share to the other PCs.

This sharing is only within a campaign.

I started to play D&D in first edition, but swapped over to second edition, which had just come out. Did 99% of my playing on 2nd edition as a PC. After playing for about a decade, I took a break from the game until my kids got old enough to play back in 2015. Been trying my hat as a DM for the first time with fifth edition.

And, I`m a sir. :)