18 months on : FG vs. Roll20 vs Foundry

[similarly]

Most systems on Foundry don't cost additional money

Here's an old list of supported systems for FGU.
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

* Added by Mod. This is the correct link for the most accurate list on our new wiki
https://fantasygroundsunity.atlassia...lable+Rulesets
* end of mod edit

It doesn't include some of the more recently supported systems, such as Robert E. Howard's Conan system or Alien RPG.

Even if you don't buy the rulebooks, there are systems you can install on FGU, such as Pathfinder and D&D.

[Weissrolf]

Not buying the rulebooks obviously means you have to enter all data (like equipment) yourself, though, which is not the same. The Foundry model of free game systems is clearly self-exploitative, but beside being free with some systems it may even be faster in implementation and support by having bigger teams behind each system.

Various systems seem to be limited in content, though, due to not owning licenses for publishing and thus even money cannot buy you said content as it's just not offered.

There are several sold systems on Foundry that are published by the original publishers of the respective RPGs. This is Foundry's model for systems in general, they don't plan to buy licenses to offer systems for sale, they either ask publishers to do it (including licenses content) or the community.

Personally I only looked into Pathfinder 2E (huge amount of content and possibility to easily import Paizo PDFs) and Starfinder (have to manually prepare maps, but can import NPCs). My old PF2 group keeps playing via FGU at least until we reach the end of the current adventure book. After that I have to decide whether to invest more money into FGU or go for both the advantages (mostly technical) and drawbacks (mostly resistance automation and simpler combat tracker) of Foundry.

[similarly]

The Foundry model of free game systems ...

This is Foundry's model for systems in general, they don't plan to buy licenses to offer systems for sale, they either ask publishers to do it (including licenses content) or the community.

And that's what I'm not comfortable with. If other people are okay with it, good for them. I'm happy for them. I hope they go and enjoy Foundry and their "free" game systems.

This is, I think, all I'll say on this topic. I don't think there's anything further I can add to this discussion that would be productive. Good luck to you.

[Weissrolf]

You are not comfortable with publishers creating their own copyrighted material for Foundry (like Warhammer and The Black Eye)? Or you are not comfortable with the community creating their own content free of copyrighted material?

[Nylanfs]

TBH, until Smiteworks were able to secure the Paizo and WotC licenses that is how it was all handled here also. And as long as the community are following the OGL stipulations it's all above board for module & book conversions.

[similarly]

You are not comfortable with publishers creating their own copyrighted material for Foundry (like Warhammer and The Black Eye)? Or you are not comfortable with the community creating their own content free of copyrighted material?

TBH, until Smiteworks were able to secure the Paizo and WotC licenses that is how it was all handled here also. And as long as the community are following the OGL stipulations it's all above board for module & book conversions.

I see. I'm misunderstanding you. You're talking about "free" as in OGL WotC and Paizo things, or community projects that don't violate copyright. Gotcha.

Foundry has a lot of good points, and obviously you're quite passionate in your advocacy and defense of Foundry, so I'll leave it at that.

[jharp]

I demand an all text interface.

[Weissrolf]

That would be called a MUD.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUD

[jharp]

That would be called a MUD.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUD

LOL. No need for the link.

[celestian]

That would be called a MUD.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUD

I actually still run one, mind you mainly for the old farts still alive from when I had it running back in the mid/late 90s (only in maintenance mode)

Good times tho... at this point VTT's are much more fun !