Comments on: “The hobby is far from being dead!”

By: Mad Brew

Mad Brew — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:22:07 +0000

As technology becomes more integrated and old barriers (speed/bandwith/accessibility) are broken down, I see virtual environments being able to give everything a real tabletop does, even down to tactile and olfactory senses (however, even with advanced technologies, hygiene may still be an issue, so you might want to turn off the smell sense).

How far is that away, who knows. But I have no doubts that technology will get there.

The technology is already available to easily bring the aural and visual parts to the virtual table through streaming conference apps. Wouldn't be cool to combine streaming video conferencing with augmented reality bits on a virtual table top? Hmm, sounds like a new blog post in the making…
.-= Mad Brew´s last blog ..GenCon: IUPUI Events =-.

By: The Recursion King

The Recursion King — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:19:09 +0000

Spot on. Neither the hobby, nor the industry, will die. Your comparison with TV, radio and books is quite apt. Sometimes people need to look at history and learn from it. .-= The Recursion King´s last blog ..Balanced on a knife edge =-.

By: Stargazer

Stargazer — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:17:17 +0000

The doom and gloom are about the industry. I haven’t heard anybody complain about the death of RPGs as hobby.

I agree that the "doom and gloom" are mostly about the industry but recently a lot of people believe that our hobby as a whole will die out and be replaced by MMORPGs and the like. Check out the comments on my last post, and you know what I refer to.

By: rob conley

rob conley — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:08:53 +0000

The doom and gloom are about the industry. I haven't heard anybody complain about the death of RPGs as hobby.

@Stuart – Virtual Table Top software like Fantasy Grounds II in conjunction with VoIP software like Skype replicates 90% of the tabletop experience. In terms of gameplay there is little difference in the two.

The big factor is being in the presence of friends, being able to see their faces and talking. VTTs can't replicate that of course.

The remaining 10% are a wash some things VTTs do that are better (logging sessions, fog of war) somethings are worse (the need to scan in anything you want to show place, poor drawing tools, the inability to gesture or point with your hands is annoying, etc).

If VTTs grow in popularity it will only add gamers to the hobby instead of taking them away like MMORPGs.
.-= rob conley´s last blog ..Some AD&D House Rules =-.

By: Stargazer

Stargazer — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:03:27 +0000

Hmm, you've got a point there. For me it's mostly tabletop roleplaying, too, but I wouldn't mind playing over the net using Skype for example. And I don't think that necessarily everyone will or should move to the digital realm. I think even tabletop roleplaying (without any digital aspect) will survive. Why shouldn't it?

By: Stuart

Stuart — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:48:52 +0000

It depends on what "the hobby" is to you. If it's simply Roleplaying, then you could be right and the digital realm might be a good option for you.

If it's tabletop gaming (sometimes RPGs, Boardgames, Wargames, CCGs, etc) then online play really isn't the same thing at all.