Draugr
July 4th, 2007, 13:16
Hello all.
what started out as a search for a fantasy map making program led me to Battlegrounds which led me to this program. I am really amazed at how well these VT programs look. Of all the ones I looked at tonight I'd say the following were the ones that really stood out.
FGII
Battlegrounds
D20PRO
(Not necessarily in that order)
I'm kind of stuck on which system to get. I like the way BGs looks, but FGII seems to have even nicer graphics. The screenshots of FGII just have that old school feel.
Anyhow, while researching these programs I got to thinking. How amazing would it be if there was a program or programs like FGII and BGs, but weren't just VT systems, but actual complete Miniature based computer role playing games. No GM/DM, the computer handles all that just like in regular computer role playing games. I then started jotting down some features that such a program might include that would really blow the doors off of computer role playing. You know, now that I am thinking about it, I guess it would be like FGII meets the old online MUDs.
Anyhow, I'd like to list the features that I think would go great with such a program. Perhaps there is even one out there already. If so please let me know.
[Features]
1. Imagine a graphical layout and design similar to a program like Battlegrouns or FGII.
2. A fully playable game system. No need for a GM or DM to run the adventure.
3. Ability to create your own adventures including the ability to create new spells, items, npcs, quests, treasures, monsters, etc...
Similar or same abilities to make your own maps, or areas as in the VT programs.
5. Ability to import new art, tokens (miniatures), maps, etc... into the system
6. The ability to modify the rulesets, as it appears can be done in FGII.
Now for the stuff that really would get me excited. :)
7. A Client/Server version that would allow the server op or GM to host his own server with multiple adventures available for players to select and enjoy.
I don't know if a MMORPG type server would be possible, but perhaps the server could host between 1 and 16 or 1 and 32 clients at once. Of course not all of those players would necessarily be in a single adventure. They could be spread out across many adventures hosted on a single server or multiple nested servers. Also, the server op could limit the amount of total connections to help adjust lag issues, etc...
8. Players would create accounts and then log in with the client. Once in the lobby of the server the players could select which adventure they wish to play.
8a. In the lobby players could also chat with each other to try and see if anyone else on the server might want to join them in a game. Of course once in an adventure, those players would not hear/read the chatting that goes on in the lobby. Each adventure would have its own separate chat.
9. Customizable Online Adventure settings may include:
Min/Max # of players allowed in a specific adventure at one time.
Single player, Single Group only, or Multiple players/groups in the game at the same time.
Level limit restrictions. So a GM could set an adventure for players level 1-3 and only players with characters within those levels could join that particular adventure.
10. The server would have the ability to save a players character so they could carry it over to the next adventure.
I could picture the adventure select screen as looking like an open book with chapters. Each chapter might be for a specific set of adventures. Ex: Adventures for characters Lv 1 - 3, 4-7, etc.. Solo Adventures, Single Group Adventures, Multiplayer open-play Adventures, etc...
11. High score or top 10 type lists that might display highest level characters. Characters whove completed the most adventures, etc... This data could also be pushed out to a web server to display on a website.
12. Website stats and info such as whether the server is online or not, how many players are on the server currently, what adventures are in play, high score lists, etc...
Personally, I always enjoyed the ability to host a game server and to allow others to join my server and experience the games I had to offer. A client/server game system similar to tabletop roleplaying and the ability to create your own stories and then have others login and enjoy your work is really a favorite topic to me. Hence all the ideas regarding multiplay or online server ability. :)
Well, I'm sorry for rambling on so much, but the ideas just kept coming to me. If a program with the features I listed above existed, I bet it would be one popular program. I don't know how difficult it would be to program such a game, but seeing these VT programs makes me say "Some people have gotten really close to the idea." I mean a VT program is almost halfway there to being all of the above.
If a program like the one I described does, exist please let me know and include a link if possible.
Overall I think a program like I described with an interface and graphical look similar to FGII would really be a perfect combination.
Thanks for reading all this. LOL
John
what started out as a search for a fantasy map making program led me to Battlegrounds which led me to this program. I am really amazed at how well these VT programs look. Of all the ones I looked at tonight I'd say the following were the ones that really stood out.
FGII
Battlegrounds
D20PRO
(Not necessarily in that order)
I'm kind of stuck on which system to get. I like the way BGs looks, but FGII seems to have even nicer graphics. The screenshots of FGII just have that old school feel.
Anyhow, while researching these programs I got to thinking. How amazing would it be if there was a program or programs like FGII and BGs, but weren't just VT systems, but actual complete Miniature based computer role playing games. No GM/DM, the computer handles all that just like in regular computer role playing games. I then started jotting down some features that such a program might include that would really blow the doors off of computer role playing. You know, now that I am thinking about it, I guess it would be like FGII meets the old online MUDs.
Anyhow, I'd like to list the features that I think would go great with such a program. Perhaps there is even one out there already. If so please let me know.
[Features]
1. Imagine a graphical layout and design similar to a program like Battlegrouns or FGII.
2. A fully playable game system. No need for a GM or DM to run the adventure.
3. Ability to create your own adventures including the ability to create new spells, items, npcs, quests, treasures, monsters, etc...
Similar or same abilities to make your own maps, or areas as in the VT programs.
5. Ability to import new art, tokens (miniatures), maps, etc... into the system
6. The ability to modify the rulesets, as it appears can be done in FGII.
Now for the stuff that really would get me excited. :)
7. A Client/Server version that would allow the server op or GM to host his own server with multiple adventures available for players to select and enjoy.
I don't know if a MMORPG type server would be possible, but perhaps the server could host between 1 and 16 or 1 and 32 clients at once. Of course not all of those players would necessarily be in a single adventure. They could be spread out across many adventures hosted on a single server or multiple nested servers. Also, the server op could limit the amount of total connections to help adjust lag issues, etc...
8. Players would create accounts and then log in with the client. Once in the lobby of the server the players could select which adventure they wish to play.
8a. In the lobby players could also chat with each other to try and see if anyone else on the server might want to join them in a game. Of course once in an adventure, those players would not hear/read the chatting that goes on in the lobby. Each adventure would have its own separate chat.
9. Customizable Online Adventure settings may include:
Min/Max # of players allowed in a specific adventure at one time.
Single player, Single Group only, or Multiple players/groups in the game at the same time.
Level limit restrictions. So a GM could set an adventure for players level 1-3 and only players with characters within those levels could join that particular adventure.
10. The server would have the ability to save a players character so they could carry it over to the next adventure.
I could picture the adventure select screen as looking like an open book with chapters. Each chapter might be for a specific set of adventures. Ex: Adventures for characters Lv 1 - 3, 4-7, etc.. Solo Adventures, Single Group Adventures, Multiplayer open-play Adventures, etc...
11. High score or top 10 type lists that might display highest level characters. Characters whove completed the most adventures, etc... This data could also be pushed out to a web server to display on a website.
12. Website stats and info such as whether the server is online or not, how many players are on the server currently, what adventures are in play, high score lists, etc...
Personally, I always enjoyed the ability to host a game server and to allow others to join my server and experience the games I had to offer. A client/server game system similar to tabletop roleplaying and the ability to create your own stories and then have others login and enjoy your work is really a favorite topic to me. Hence all the ideas regarding multiplay or online server ability. :)
Well, I'm sorry for rambling on so much, but the ideas just kept coming to me. If a program with the features I listed above existed, I bet it would be one popular program. I don't know how difficult it would be to program such a game, but seeing these VT programs makes me say "Some people have gotten really close to the idea." I mean a VT program is almost halfway there to being all of the above.
If a program like the one I described does, exist please let me know and include a link if possible.
Overall I think a program like I described with an interface and graphical look similar to FGII would really be a perfect combination.
Thanks for reading all this. LOL
John