"Electronic Table-Top RPGs"

A topic by RobotCommission created Jul 19, 2024 Views: 221 Replies: 7

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I'm a bit confused by the terminology used for this jam.

Just to break things out a bit...

1.) Let's call 'Option A' an entire virtual table-top application (like Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds or Foundry VTT).
2.) Let's call 'Option B' a package of forms/dice configurations/character sheets/maps/scripts/etc. to be used in a VTT application.
3.) Let's call 'Option C' any singular item listed under 'Option B' rather than an entire package.
4.) Let's call 'Option D' a traditional pen & paper TTRPG with rules on how to play, how to build a character, and maybe/probably a default setting.
5.) Let's call 'Option E' an adventure for use with 'Option D'. It's got a story, encounters, skill checks, maps, etc.

So what exactly are we expected to build for this jam?

Any of the above five options, with Options D & E built specifically for use with a VTT?
Some specific combination of these things?
Some new concept I haven't heard of that's built from the ground up to take advantage of VTT features?

Thanks for whatever assistance you can offer!

Mark Wallace150 days ago

I am also wondering about the answer to this question. What are the parameters of the jam? What falls within the purview of this jam and what's outside it?

cloudyheavengamesHostSubmitted150 days ago

Hello! Yes, I definitely will be adding more structure to this challenge as far as what we're going to be doing. This is actually my first time doing anything with TTRPGs myself, so I've been doing research and working on ironing things out. I will of course be adding an updated description before we begin, I have just been trying to finish up with some deadlines for other work on my end, so my apologies for not having that yet.

Making an RPG of ANY kind can be a tricky process, whether it's table top or video game (I'm infinitely familiar with this on the video game side of things), so I think that this practice jam series will focus on different concepts each time.

For beginners, and with this first jam, my idea is to start off with something closer to Option D, as you outlined in your post, RobotCommission. I was thinking we would start this first jam with something more akin to a small paper RPG with some core elements: brief story/background setting, character creation, some skills/actions that are available to players, a goal, and a decision/conflict resolution (whether that's roll of dice or some other mechanism). The product for this iteration of the jam a PDF or some other document that outlines all of this for the player, and it would be no more than a few pages.

I actually just realized a few days ago there was something similar to this idea going on: https://itch.io/jam/one-page-rpg-jam-2024

This is basically our "first step" into the idea of TTRPGs, and each subsequent jam would expand on another aspect in more manageable bites, ultimately including how to use some of the virtual tabletops, character template creators, and other more electronic tools that are available in the TTRPG ecosystem. This way, people who are brand-new to this don't have to try and come up with a good story, strong character classes, balanced mechanics, VTT integration, etc, all in one go.

Does that sound fair?

Mark Wallace150 days ago

If the idea is, "Make a tabletop rpg now, and then do some kind of online implementation of it later, step by step," this seems not a bad approach, and not a bad idea.

Your challenge at this first stage will perhaps be defining a scope so as to encourage people to create games that will be easy to then bring online / into a VTT.

cloudyheavengamesHostSubmitted149 days ago

Very true. The issue is that in what I've seen so far, I'm not sure that there are a lot of free VTTs, and I'm not sure how flexible they are as far as what types of games can be on there.

Part of the consideration for the jam series include:

1. Low cost of entry/no monetary entry barrier. I wouldn't want people to feel they have to pay for something if they want to participate in the jam series, or that they have to give credit card info to a service.

2. Making sure that creativity is not restricted. I still need to learn more about the various VTTs that are out there, but I wouldn't want someone to not be able to do a really creative game that is not suited to any of the VTTs out there because the series is geared towards eventually putting the game on a VTT. Other options for online implementation are not trivial either. We can definitely incorporate those elements as an optional element, but I'm hesitant to make that a driving goal for those who want to make games, but for now don't want to put them on a VTT.

So then maybe the best thing to do is to refine the definition of "electronic," as was originally pointed out. Maybe that means something that can be distributed in a more general electronic form, such as a set of downloadable PDFs or assets that people can still use outside of a VTT or strictly online/electronic play. So "electronically distributed TTRPG" rather than "electronic TTRPG."

That way, those that want to eventually use a VTT can still join us when we discuss that, but no one feels they have to be locked into that path.

Again, I'm learning right along with everyone else in this, and I know there are people a lot more versed in this area than I am, so if someone knows more in-depth about VTTs and other, purely electronic play modes that are flexible, or what does/doesn't work on these platforms, I am open to your expertise. So please do bear with me as I get a better understanding as we go through this process.

Would ya'll have any objections if I broadened the definition/interpretation of "electronic?"

Mark Wallace149 days ago

out of curiosity, why are you interested in doing this series of jams?

cloudyheavengamesHostSubmitted149 days ago

When we had started doing the regular practice game jams, there were some folks who were also specifically interested in doing something similar for TTRPGs and specifically. Basically I thought it would be something that could be fun and of value for those who might want to try a new genre of game development. I know I'd have to do a lot of learning on the subject myself, but I'm ok with that as it's also helping other people who might not otherwise find other jams/opportunities like this.

As a CRPG/JRPG/WRPG fan myself, I think it's also cool to explore another branch of RPG development as well.

cloudyheavengamesHostSubmitted139 days ago(-1)

Hi everyone! I have updated the jam description with a more detailed outline of what to submit and what we are trying to do. Please let me know if there any questions, comments or concerns!

itch.io

TTRPG Practice Game Jam #1

"Electronic Table-Top RPGs"