Productivity is for those who don't have the Internet. -- PJ Savage

So, not everyone has a gaming group right next to them, or some might just have awful body odor, while others might have some other reason for not actually getting up, walking out the door, and interacting with those NPCs called humans.

Whatever, I'm not here to judge.

What I am here to tell you all about is the wonderful world of Virtual Tabletops, and, specifically, the software I've used for a long time to great success while both playing DnD, 40k, and now FoF via the internets. RPTools.net. Seriously, this is just a brilliant set of tools. Here's the link, for the impatient: http://www.rptools.net/.

So, let me explain how this works. First, some music to keep it classy: OPEN ME IN A NEW TAB. Much better. Alright, so RPMaptools is a community which provides rather high-quality (and totally free) tools for playing tabletop games. A powerful and generic Virtual Tablespace (the MapTool program), as well as a number of additional widgets make for a powerful suite of dice, token-makers, character trackers, and just, well, everything you'll ever need. It's awesome.

I could walk you through the installation and maintenance of this software, but that would fill up the whole damned page and tire me out. Instead, I'm going to refer you to the tool's website and forums, where most any question you want answered will be. Assuming you've read the instructions, it won't take you terribly long to be ready for your first network game with a buddy.

Once you DO have a server started (and possibly some equally lonely person) connected (don't forget, the both of you should be GMs for tabletop games), there are just a few things we must do to properly set up for a game of FoF.

I AM ASSUMING YOU HAVE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND FAMILIARIZED YOURSELF WITH RPTOOLS.NET

THE SETUP
*Grunt* Uuurrghh, Stan smash keyboard. RRUUGGRRHH. *Smash*



*Huff* Nnrruug. *Spittle*



*Smash smash smash smash crunch*



What that final option does is create a new blank map with no grid on it (really useful for other types of games, but not for FoF) and it also adjusts the Distance per Cell to 1, effectively giving us a real easy time of using our measurement tool (you should know what that is if you read the instructions). You can set the Background to whatever (I prefer a dark gray) and the map can, oftentimes, be left alone.



Click on that lil' bugger to select the map you just made, in case it isn't already up. And done! Go ahead and use those MapTool skills to put down a map (in this case, the one from the Quick Start rules), size it appropriately, use those TokenTool skills to create and throw down some tokens to represent the soldiers and vehicles in the fight (I find -4 or -5 token size does the trick most of the time).



THE LESS EXCITING BIT
MapTools is not a replacement for tabletop gaming, but it can really come in handy when you just don't have access to other players. Agree with your opponent the best way to work around the rough bits of using this software before you play, and you'll be just fine.

Again, the link to the home site is:
http://rptools.net/

I'm certain that we, having access to this Series of Tubes, will have a blast picking up those late-night games and meeting people from around the world we'd never otherwise talk to. So, fire up Skype, find a friend off this here forum, and get cracking!

Let's use this thread to find others using this software and spread the news!


Yes, that is Mr Bean and Ron Swanson being escorted by a fireteam of US Marines


Soviets enter, they never leave

_________________
"Brevity." --PJ Savage

Okay, anybody who likes Django is okay in my book. Your stock is rising, Sub!

The software looks fantastic - this might be a good way to play test some of our scenarios during the writing process, too. Thanks for sharing!!

_________________
Shawn Carpenter
Game Designer, Ambush Alley Games

"I don't wanna be remembered as the guy who died because he underestimated the threat posed by a monkey."