Tabletop Gaming in the Digital Age

"As the goblins retreat, you notice a naked sixty-seven year old man
with no weapons lying in the grass shivering..."

Life certainly has it’s ways of getting in your way, which is exactly what has happened these past couple months, but after a necessary hiatus to make sure I didn’t end up unemployed and in a looney bin, it’s good to be back!! I’ll get back to a few of my intended article in the coming weeks, but right now I’d like to touch on the the digital environment for gaming. I’m not talking about video games here, at least not initially. What I am talking about are the iconic physical games of geekdom, like Magic: the Gathering and especially Dungeons & Dragons and various other RPGs.

But how will I shuffle the deck?

Getting it out of the way quickly as it has the most established footing in the digital landscape, Magic: the Gathering actually has a couple of avenues for players to try out, aside from multiple other formats created by outside software developers. The newer of the two, Duels of the Planeswalkers is available on multiple platforms and at the very least is a good way to better learn the mechanics if you’re starting out. There’s some story to it as well, and some animations for flavor, but it gets you going quicker than it takes to shuffle a deck of 60 sleeved cards for the first time. Currently, there are versions available on iOS, Android, PlayStation 3, XBox 360 and XBox One, and Windows through Steam. Also, Wizards of the Coast offers Magic: the Gathering Online, (MTGO) which went through several iterations and revisions before landing on the platform available today, and essentially offers a full availability of play formats that can simply be played in real life. One bonus WOTC offers is the option to redeem a full digital collection of a set for a factory set of printed cards of that set, so long as you are redeeming within four years of that set’s release. This however does not go the other way, turning printed cards into digital ones, at least not currently. Basically, you choose how you want to spend your money; I’ve heard both sides’ arguments (some more aggressive than others), but I for one will stick to the printed format. MTGO is also currently only available for Windows, and I’m a Mac.

What once was, but was not meant to be...

Now to get to the nitty-gritty, what I was really intending this article for. During the redesign of Dungeons & Dragons for the Fifth Edition, it was announced there was going to be digital support for D&D by way of an app. Trapdoor Technologies was working with WOTC to create DungeonScape - an app geared towards casual and seasoned RPGers alike, offering several tools for game and character creation, inventories and tracking, and more; nearly eliminating (but not quite) the need for all the books, paper, dice, and other accouterment characteristic of a typical gaming session. Alas, the project was doomed to be dropped by WotC, mid-Beta, on October 29, 2014. A little more than a month later, Trapdoor would open their Kickstarter for backing, and under a new name - Codename: Morningstar - which also would not come to be, as the project was not funded; pulling in a mere 17% pledged of their $425k need. Trapdoor does intend to release the app “iOS v.1.0 quickly” with other modules and Android and web support “to follow;” however, they cannot commit to a release schedule though their statements are ambiguous to the completion of the project. Also, they are using Pathfinder PRG versus D&D Source, which while adaptable for use with D&D, is at least less attractive to seasoned players.

...maybe someday we can see this sort of integration?

Recently, I discovered Roll20, a web-based “virtual tabletop” platform that allows adventurers and DMs to play online from all corners of the globe supposing everyone has an internet connection. Great, but that’s not the best part. One user went so far as to take the web platform, and create a setup to enhance his game sessions by way of projecting his maps onto a table, to scale. It’s clear that this person is not the first person to adapt this concept, (especially if you just watched Trapdoor’s Morningstar videos) but it’s still interesting to see technology being exploited for what’s typically in need of more physical representation. There’s a cost to balance out depending on one’s needs and resources; miniatures and prop/environment elements can get pretty costly over time especially if you want to customize anything, or you could soak that money into higher tech components like a digital projector and durable game mats.

"You see a map is cast on the ground about you,
from a mysterious bright celestial light above you.
This light commands you to to call it from faint markings
you can barely make out - TOSHIBA."  

I myself am all for the adaptation of technology to enhance gameplay, until it takes away from the game. Recently, I was invited to join an adventure of D&D and arrived to the stipulation from the DM that all smart devices/phones were not allowed in the play area; that they needed to be silenced, and there would be breaks that could allow one to check in on any updates or missed calls/texts. Knowing full-well what a distraction our technology can be, this was a welcome requirement from the DM. It also begs the conversation; do our computers and smart devices and other technology have a place in the RPG environment, or do they only belong in their own landscape of use, if at all? There appear to be pros and cons across the board, where it might just come down to personal preferences.

"We are entering the cave of our imagination."
"'I don't have much of an imagination,
can you put it up on screen?'"

What do you think; are you for the integration of our smart devices and technology to enhance the RPG experience, or are you more of a traditionalist and prefer technology to stay out of the way? Leave your comments and questions below, and be sure to come back next week for a two part D&D review (The Rise of Tiamat and Dungeon Master’s Guide) and preview of the next expansion product, Princes of the Apocalypse.

Until next time, roll true fellow adventurers!