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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2015 22:29:32 GMT
www.fantasygrounds.com/Anyone checked this out yet? Thoughts? For those without the time to investigate, it's a digital toolset for D&D 3.5-5 (and PF). Character generator, map maker, note taker, dice roller, etc... I'd buy the ultimate lifetime subscription if money weren't an issue. The interface in the free version seems a little clunky, and it runs unusually slow for such a seemingly simple program. I think it will surpass roll20 in functionality, if it hasn't already... not sure, didn't give it a very thorough test drive. My biggest concern is how much traction it will gain in the gaming community as a whole, and if its going to be enough of a money maker to receive long term support. It seems great for internet games, but of limited use as a supplement to live games. Still, it seems to be the direction trpgs are going, like it or not.
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Post by joatmoniac on May 20, 2015 22:47:57 GMT
It is the officially licensed Virtual Table Top in conjunction with Wizards of the Coast. The issue I have is that even though I have purchased the core books I would need to purchase them again in digital format to have their resources accessible inside of Fantasy Grounds. The D&D Complete Core Class Pack is currently set at $50 which is a pretty rough start given that it requires a subscription or start up payment as well. Granted that is for a ton of content, and official content no less. You could also piece meal purchase things, and having full modules inside Fantasy Grounds would be nice as well. It just feels like a daunting price point, but could potentially win out in the long term given the support they will get form Wizards. Who knows!
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Post by DMC on May 21, 2015 20:43:33 GMT
I'm still on the Roll20 wagon for right now. However, if I was to be a part of a long-term, ongoing D&D gaming group, I'd chip in some duckets for my DM to get the full package.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2015 6:58:57 GMT
Man, I just listened to a scathing review of Fantasy Grounds at potelbat, and I don't think I can support this product anymore.  |
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Post by friartook on May 23, 2015 16:27:51 GMT
I've heard nothing but negative things about this. The only positive messages I've read have been from WotC staff.
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Post by joatmoniac on May 24, 2015 2:09:43 GMT
Yeah, it seemed like the chips were stacked against it from the very beginning. I will give that review a listen to see what they think is wrong.
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Post by TaranWanderer on May 24, 2015 18:20:47 GMT
What's weird is that prior to the 5e announcement, I heard mostly good things about FA. It has tools to import rules yourself (it's always had those) if you don't want to pay for the 5e books inside FA. The only thing buying the digital tools gets you is a saving in time vs doing it yourself.
I've been using Roll20 since pretty much the beginning (I was a Kickstarter backer). I haven't used FA, but I've watched a ton of YouTube videos of people using it. The one thing that intrigues me is having the game modules pre-loaded. Currently they have LMoP (which I've already run on Roll20), but said the others are coming soon. It took me quite a long time to get everything set up for LMoP on Roll20. Importing the maps, getting them aligned to the grid, creating all the monsters and NPCs, setting up the fog of war and/or dynamic lighting, etc. To have all of that done for me is very tempting. If they finally release PotA in FA, I may jump in and give it a try. It's my understanding you don't need to have the 5e digital books, as the modules will contain everything they need for that module. The digital packs will help for character creation, but that's it.
I haven't finished listening to the podcast posted previously, and I'm sorry, but it's so full of misinformation. Fist of all, they're REALLY PISSED that FA isn't Project Morningstar. Get over it. It's not. It's also NOT the official digital tabletop version of 5e. It's one tool that has been granted a license to use official WotC info. They state "you literally can't do anything with the free version without paying money"...then later say "well, you can enter things manually, but it's hard, so you spend money to save time". That's not the same as "literally can't do anything for free". Also, you have to spend time in Roll20, too. Maybe they finally get around to some actual criticisms (and I'm sure there are some), but nearly 20 minutes in, and so far it's just a lot off butt-hurt about the price.
Anyway, TL:DR - I hope to try FA once they release PotA, so I can properly compare it to Roll20, which I've been using for years.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2015 19:43:55 GMT
You make a lot of good points, TaranWanderer. The biggest problem I see is that FG seems to be out of touch with their market. One pricing scheme I found especially egregious was how certain class packs cost more than others. $3 for the cleric pack, but $6 for a druid? Also, splitting up the Monster Manual by monster types was just dumb... who plays an all-dragon, or all-aberrant campaign where that's the only thing you'll ever fight? I think a monster-by-CR pack would be more reasonable, but even that has some downfalls. Another big gripe is the full price for the core book access. It'd be cool if people could punch in the serial code on their hard copies for a discount, but I don't think that's happening, and I'm not willing to pay $150 for the digital versions. It's neat that people could theoretically pitch in to buy the DM the ultimate license, and he could host the material for everyone, but then everyone's F'd if the DM can't run anymore. And they were actually pretty much right that you can't do anything without paying money. Compare the licenses... license comparison
The GM is absolutely crippled if he doesn't have the GM/player or Ultimate license. |
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Post by joatmoniac on May 25, 2015 6:17:34 GMT
I think it's hard to judge that podcast after only 20 minutes in, as they start of fairly fired up and mellow out and focus more on facts than opinions. I don't think they are specifically mad about FG not being Morningstar, but more than Morningstar seemed so promising then was short changed and cast aside for unclear reasons. Then after what felt like no time at all a new deal was struck. The pricing is most certainly the hardest part to swallow. While I understand that it is no small feat to put that many resources into the game digitally, it is difficult to think about paying cover price to get them again. The pricing model for the classes probably has a reason as to why they are different, but I can't imagine it is one that justifies such varying price points.
It also seemed, per the podcasts description that you wouldn't really get all you need to play a class with just the class pack, but instead would also need the customization pack. Essentially it felt like if you were going to buy one thing why not buy them all. Someone has to be paying something or else no one can play on FG, but how much that is definitely varies.
I would love to see exactly what comes with a module, and how much work outside of that it would take to get it running. If they have most everything you need to get a D&D module like PotA up and running with relative ease then the product becomes interesting. However, I can't imagine how financially sound it will be to have the other resources priced where they are.
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Post by friartook on May 25, 2015 13:19:11 GMT
I've read some commentary from people at Project Morningstar that made it clear, without actually coming out and saying it, that the biggest sticking point in negotiations was the pricing structure. The very thing that has everyone so up in arms and shouting negativity at a project with such potential.
I have to wonder what conversations at going on at WotC. You know they're listening. They've made it clear that they are listening. But will it matter?
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2015 23:27:51 GMT
Pure conjecture, but I suspect big brother Hasbro execs are sticking their nose in it.
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Post by hawk on Jun 17, 2015 15:16:29 GMT
Gents. Exciting news! Mitch agreed to open an Online Play Sub-Forum where we can continue the discussion. Check it out.
Also, I am in touch with an Aussie who ran the past several FG Cons who is willing to talk about his experiences. I will reach out to Mitch and Chris to see if they want to tackle this / then figure out how to best capture his thoughts for us.
Also... who is open to a free open session using my ultimate licence where we can evaluate this more thoroughly? I'll organize it if there is enough interest.
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Post by hawk on Jun 18, 2015 2:33:06 GMT
www.fantasygrounds.com/Anyone checked this out yet? Thoughts? For those without the time to investigate, it's a digital toolset for D&D 3.5-5 (and PF). Character generator, map maker, note taker, dice roller, etc... I'd buy the ultimate lifetime subscription if money weren't an issue. The interface in the free version seems a little clunky, and it runs unusually slow for such a seemingly simple program. I think it will surpass roll20 in functionality, if it hasn't already... not sure, didn't give it a very thorough test drive. My biggest concern is how much traction it will gain in the gaming community as a whole, and if its going to be enough of a money maker to receive long term support. It seems great for internet games, but of limited use as a supplement to live games. Still, it seems to be the direction trpgs are going, like it or not. |
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Post by dmkevin on Sept 3, 2016 12:13:40 GMT
I signed up for Roll20 about 3 years ago but never could get to grip with it as a dm and never knew how to get involved in a game. I bought the ultimate edition of Fantasy Grounds to play D&D 5.0 and have bought the books I wanted since as and when i could afford them and am really pleased with FG. I have dm-ed on FG now about 6 times and played about the same. I don't have any criticism of FG really, I really love it. I had had problems early on and couldn't get it to worked but this was finally sorted by great help from the admin staff and other players. I have since bought other rulesets and find this to provide so much opportunity for roleplaying other games. Why are so many people critical of FG? Have they actually played it themselves? It seems lpts complain about the price. But it is very clear what the options are and you don't have to buy all books, etc. Personally, I would rather pay for quality work done by others than seek to always create my own stuff as my time to roleplay is severely limited.
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