I am going to run some games for my local group online using google hangouts (mainly so we can squeeze in another game during the week but not interfere with people's schedules). Never run an rpg session using this format. Any advice? Any software recommendations?

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;732507I am going to run some games for my local group online using google hangouts (mainly so we can squeeze in another game during the week but not interfere with people's schedules). Never run an rpg session using this format. Any advice? Any software recommendations?

I'm curious about this myself. Our regular group has been using IM for over a decade, and I'm kind of tired of our DM being enough of a luddite that he doesn't want to try any of the newer tools out there.

Obsidian Portal has been awesome for keeping notes/character sheets (for those I can convince to get theirs put up in a timely manner.)

Roll20 is solid for dice rolls, mapping, and general "virtual tabletop."

Skype is what I've used for voice chat, and find it more stable than most voice over IP (not perfect mind you, but usually solid.)

Skype gaming feels the closes to face to face to me. I've tried Google Hangouts as well and its pretty solid, but if you don't want video, use Skype.

Roll20 is:

1) free
2) integrated with Google Hangouts (the hangouts button is right there on your screen)
3) chalk full of additional tools you might want, including dice rollers, free graphics, free-form drawing tools, free music, a notes section, etc..

I would just create an account there and just start playing around for a half hour to see what you think.

I use Hangouts, without Roll20, to run my game.

Advice (for any platform):

Running online _is different_.  Accept this early and it'll go smoother.  Brendan will have less trouble with this since he's transitioning a home group, but typically you've got a group of people you're not as familiar with and you have to learn _them_ the same time as you're learning the online tool.  The inability to read everyone's body language ("I have something to say but I'm not quite saying it yet" esp) is a hurdle.  Set clear expectations the first session - explain that with the online tool and the streaming audio, there may be times that people will get cut off or step on what another is saying, and remind everyone to be cognizant of that and not to ramble.  Same goes for you, GM.  Adapt to the medium.

Strongly recommend asking your players to keep the "random ooc chatter and off-topic jokes" to the chat, so the video/audio remains focused on the game itself.

Looks like roll d20 is popular. I will give that a shot over google hangouts and see how it goes.

I really don't want to have to fill out pages, run code when playing the game, or have to learn a whole another layer of rules and protocols in order to play a game online. Not to mention, I hate to be constrained to the format whatever application tries to force on me when I run a game.

This is basically what stops me from using anything from Fantasy Grounds to Roll 20. Playing with those VTTs if I don't have to learn codes and stuff like that, okay. Running the games through them, no. Just no.

What I want is a simple interface that basically enables me to play the tabletop game. I don't want the stuff to simulate the tabletop itself. So I use Skype. I have Skype Premium, so I'm able to have video-conference with multiple individuals. I complement the use of Skype with a white board online, twiddla.com, and share maps, draw doodles, move counters, show pictures through that medium (though I could share a specific window or my screen with the players via Skype as well). I let the players roll, and I just assume they're not cheating. Honor system and all that.

It's working well. No complaints.

I also play via Skype at Ernie Gygax's table. He plays at home, with several players physically there, and others like me on Skype as well, with the laptop at the table or nearby. It's been working out great for us.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;732507I am going to run some games for my local group online using google hangouts (mainly so we can squeeze in another game during the week but not interfere with people's schedules). Never run an rpg session using this format. Any advice? Any software recommendations?

I've done this quite a bit

1) It's "radio" so you'll want to change your techniques from face-to-face, somewhat. I've found that making sure NPCs talk with a more distinctive 'diction' (word choice) and inflection works (I don't do voices or accents especially well). Also, things like evocative description are good.

VERY judiciously used sound effects or music can work, too -- but music quality is likely to be somewhat poor (sound is mono on those apps; bandwidth may be an issue), but it /can/ work.

2) I use Google Docs for gaming -- Draw (their PowerPoint) for combat maps and Spreadsheets for keeping track of initiative, damage, etc.

This can work /really/ well -- I make a battle map with some kind grid (hex or square) and then moveable features such as characters, NPCs, furniture, etc. are icons -- either pictures or vector.



Here's the "Throne Room" from my post-apocalypse game -- 4 PC smiley faces, a Great Hall full of opponents, and three "Bosses" at the back.

Because everyone can edit the map, each player can move their icon and see things play out in realtime.

I use spreadsheets for rolling dice (using the RANDBETWEEN function), keeping track of initiative, etc.

We can share pictures by pasting URLs into skype chat, etc.

This setup works so well that we use laptop PCs even when we're face to face.

Cheers,
-E.

yes.
Been doing this a while.  Only answering because it is you, my friend, in that I am far too tired right now.  But I ran my Steel Isle game online for 120 sessions, and the Collegium Arcana game (with which you are familiar) for some 40 sessions so far (12 full group, the rest intermezzo, all online).

I use roll20 right now.  Very good management, I went to them with some of my dive rolling needs (dividing dice), and they immediately got back to me with solutions.  

I will tell you that two of the most powerful differences with online are the ability to whisper and the need to prep visuals/text blocks.

Whispers give you the ability not just to plant info, but to have the players be your avatar in passing information, thus giving it more in-game cred.  I still remember, way back, when I first started doing this.  I remember IMing one Pc with a hear noise skill that he heard faint laughter way ahead, and it creeped the heck out of the PCs when one of their own said, "uh, guys, I hear...someone laughing, really faintly..". It is still incredibly powerful in the CA game where players have different magical sensitivities.

The other makes more sense, if you have a few things prepared, it makes everything easier when the PCs run into major reveals, etc.

Thanks.

Will report back on this once we get some online sessions under our belt.

Sounds like some good advice here; but I've got nothing.  I've never played like this, nor ever had the slightest inkling of desire to do so.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;732507I am going to run some games for my local group online using google hangouts (mainly so we can squeeze in another game during the week but not interfere with people's schedules). Never run an rpg session using this format. Any advice? Any software recommendations?

Uses Google Hangout for voice and roll20 for presenting images and rolling dice.

Quote from: Benoist;732594What I want is a simple interface that basically enables me to play the tabletop game. I don't want the stuff to simulate the tabletop itself. So I use Skype. I have Skype Premium, so I'm able to have video-conference with multiple individuals. I complement the use of Skype with a white board online, twiddla.com, and share maps, draw doodles, move counters, show pictures through that medium (though I could share a specific window or my screen with the players via Skype as well). I let the players roll, and I just assume they're not cheating. Honor system and all that.

Roll20 is about the simpliest solution I seen. With Google Hangouts or Skype for voice/video.

Quote from: estar;733006Roll20 is about the simpliest solution I seen. With Google Hangouts or Skype for voice/video.

Roll 20 is already too much for me.

Playing a roll 20 game? Sure. Run a game using roll 20? Nah. I don't need that.

I'm the same. There is not "The medium is the message". I want to do stuff via the medium, not get mixed up with bells, whistles and a "rich content experience*".

It's even got to the point now where a video call and a few PDFs are far more convenient that travelling to a game.


*Anyone using a phrase like this to promote their product will be flayed at dawn in the public square.