Dungeons & Dragons Insider: Sneak Preview

The future of Dungeons & Dragons was on display at Gen Con. Take a look at 4th Edition's virtual gaming table.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• games
• gen
• con
• d&d
• dungeons
• dragons

[puzak07]

the only reason wizards made this was to make more money off our asses

[Dextolen]

My table top game doesn't need all this bs. D&D is about a table, friends, dice, beer, chips and kibitzing. No online crap necessary.

[adamthesonofgod]

It's not a video game it's a visual aid.

I'm overseas and I've been waiting for something like this; now I can play D&D with my friends stateside. I've seen similar fan developed tools but nothing this polished.

I agree with Dextolen but my "tabletop" DOES need this.

[blargggg1]

don't forget moutain dew and cheetos!

[Nathan4D]

Seems like a good way to get a map and figures to the players without having to blow a bunch of cash on map tiles and random minis. And I am sold on being able to create personal virtual minis.

[Loremasten]

I think I would get this product, but I would only use it for the mapping ability. I find that when I play, its easier to have the map for the players...that is, showing the exposed area as they tromp through the dungeon. I think I saw an option on this demo to include different light sources radii. I like that a lot. The other bells and whistles, such as character creation and detailing, are not important to me. Still, I would buy this product.

[tlilmiztli]

And what it has to do to that PROGRAM? It is NOT a game dude.

[tlilmiztli]

Obviously youre dumb - that is NOT a game, you idiot.

[SnowHeart1]

It's not a video game -- comparing it to WoW or NWN2 is apples and oranges. This is a new "tool" they're marketing for the next edition of D&D. I'm dubious as to whether it will be a good thing or not, but regardless, it's not a video game.

[JALongden]

It's not a video game people, it's a virtual table top for traditional D&D gaming.

[jimhada]

NWN looked better.

I dare say this will find an audience though.

The game looks like a 3d Heroquest :p

[commify]

If I wanted a crude looking video game I'd play Nethack, thanks.

[shadow11781]

looks interesting xD

[karabinas]

World Of Warcraft is much better...obviously

[Herrar]

Yep, you can play 4ed just like we've done for 30 years -- at your dining room table. This is another option, for those that can't play "live" or don't want to. Just another way to move along with the times and give gamers several playing options. Watch the other interview videos from GamerZer0 as they discuss this, especially the one with Randy Buehler.

[DasMuffin]

Also, the program is clearly using the D&D tiles that they recently released, and they're continually coming out with new tilesets: wilderness, crypts, caverns, ruins... There's a bias towards underground and indoors, but they're not going to stop coming out with new environments any time soon, and those places will all find their way into the application.

[DasMuffin]

Bluecar, this program is going to have a way to input your own maps and images instead of using "dungeon" tiles. If it doesn't come with that functionality, people will either demand it or mod the program themselves to make it happen. Either way, it'll be available for people who need alternative maps.

[Wolfrover]

To be fair, we're not seeing the finished product, here. The final version should have at least a chat system (probably text) for dialogue/DM announcements, and more options on scenery.  At least in my opinion...

[ERoy1971]

The internet has its uses, but I don't want to HAVE to use it if I don't. As long as there's a classic tabletop version that doesn't require Insider access or the net, I'm fine.

[Chase9824]

I just started playing DnD, straying away from MMO's, looking for something more imaginative, something I could really get in to... This 4th edition "virtual dungeon" crap is rediculous... I honestly hope you can still play the game without using these programs, and use just the books, pen and paper... the way it SHOULD be

[PzAz04Maus]

... *coughs*

[bluecarpettiles]

I agree with Taledor, I preferred 2nd edition and as to the internet not being useful, it's great for music. Can't see how this thing will work for those of us who planscape or campaigns which don't involve any form of dungeon hacking.

[vbywrde]

This could be good. It could be bad. Depends on the total package and how well it actually works. Demos like this one are fascinating, but don't really tell me enough about what it's like to actually use the program during live play. I'd need to know a lot more, and use it for a while to really have an opinion. That said, wow. Looks pretty!

[HoneyBBare]

Strange as it is to say, Wizards may actually have a good idea happening here. As for the it will kill the imagination comment...please, if computer games haven't killed peoples imaginations with the whole point and shoot deal, then I don't think this will either. Just not all that keen on having to pay a monthly subscription of Morethan Dragon/Dungeon mag subscription less than a MMPOG (Or whatever) to access it...guess I'll have to check it out later

[KraZ3d1]

Taledor, go back to the eighties if you don't want the internet to be a useful tool. I'm a tabletop player, but most of my gaming these days is with an online group.

If you don't have the imagination to think of a figure as more than what it is, you should get your brain checked and not complain about a rather adaptive program that's going to be useful to gaming groups the world over.

Meanwhile, I'm going to look forward to this coming out and not having to deal with homebrew map apps anymore.