I am making a tabletop RPG and it's in its final stages, pre-testing.
There's one major problem I am having though. (This is for playing locally, physically, not online)
How do I portray my game? How will people actually play it?
I'm looking for something along the lines of either character models or tokens to represent enemies/allies. While also being inexpensive.
Things to take into account are that the field maps can change and whatever medium you put forward as the field has to be large enough to represent a whole dungeon for example.
Another thing to take into account is the fact people need to feel engaged somewhat.
I could easily have everything done on a computer, where I move models around for someone. But for the player that's hardly engaging since they'll only be roling the dice. To really feel a connection with your character, the player needs to be in control of said character.
A few ideas so far, but not sure about them. Feel free to develop upon them.
Both use a 28 inch TV screen to display current field of playing map, with a grid.
This way I can easily make new maps.
1. Tokens represent player characters and creatures, as well as NPCs, allies etc. The tokens would stick to the TV via double-sided tape or something and people could control their character at will and what have you.
Problem: I don't want to damage my TV, I'm guessing after a while, marks will be left on the screen from the tape. What could I use to overcome this problem?
2. Characters, etc. are represented through customisable icons and are virtual. Players control their character through voice command, while I control anything else by mouse.
Problem: Not sure how to put together the coding for that, or if I could alter an existing voice recognition software instead. Errors may occur if people are talking simultaneously and the mic picks up incorrect commands. This can be solved by muting and unmuting when necessary. But I still don't have the knowledge of putting something like this together. Is there existing software where I could do this with ease?
3. I have a few PS3 controllers, I could maybe somehow use them, or even one (which would be passed around when it's another player's turn) with the computer. Using this way I could use Photoshop or something similar to display the map and each person.
Problem: It would not be in a grid form and I'm not sure if I'd be able to get things to snap to a grid within Photoshop. All in all messy. Is there something else I could use?
If you can think of a better idea, please share.
Do not suggest anything which includes printing out a bunch of papers with maps and all.
I'd have to stick together A4 pieces to form one map, and it would be highly vulnerable to damage. As well as messy to use as a map in the first place. Would also cost a lot over time due to ink and paper charges.
Thanks in advance.
There's one major problem I am having though. (This is for playing locally, physically, not online)
How do I portray my game? How will people actually play it?
I'm looking for something along the lines of either character models or tokens to represent enemies/allies. While also being inexpensive.
Things to take into account are that the field maps can change and whatever medium you put forward as the field has to be large enough to represent a whole dungeon for example.
Another thing to take into account is the fact people need to feel engaged somewhat.
I could easily have everything done on a computer, where I move models around for someone. But for the player that's hardly engaging since they'll only be roling the dice. To really feel a connection with your character, the player needs to be in control of said character.
A few ideas so far, but not sure about them. Feel free to develop upon them.
Both use a 28 inch TV screen to display current field of playing map, with a grid.
This way I can easily make new maps.
1. Tokens represent player characters and creatures, as well as NPCs, allies etc. The tokens would stick to the TV via double-sided tape or something and people could control their character at will and what have you.
Problem: I don't want to damage my TV, I'm guessing after a while, marks will be left on the screen from the tape. What could I use to overcome this problem?
2. Characters, etc. are represented through customisable icons and are virtual. Players control their character through voice command, while I control anything else by mouse.
Problem: Not sure how to put together the coding for that, or if I could alter an existing voice recognition software instead. Errors may occur if people are talking simultaneously and the mic picks up incorrect commands. This can be solved by muting and unmuting when necessary. But I still don't have the knowledge of putting something like this together. Is there existing software where I could do this with ease?
3. I have a few PS3 controllers, I could maybe somehow use them, or even one (which would be passed around when it's another player's turn) with the computer. Using this way I could use Photoshop or something similar to display the map and each person.
Problem: It would not be in a grid form and I'm not sure if I'd be able to get things to snap to a grid within Photoshop. All in all messy. Is there something else I could use?
If you can think of a better idea, please share.
Do not suggest anything which includes printing out a bunch of papers with maps and all.
I'd have to stick together A4 pieces to form one map, and it would be highly vulnerable to damage. As well as messy to use as a map in the first place. Would also cost a lot over time due to ink and paper charges.
Thanks in advance.