OpenRPG
- Thread starter BillDowns
- Start date
Don't know first hand, but heard both good and bad. The best way is to find out for yourself 
So here are some additional links...
It's an open project on Source Forge
Wikipedia entry
Open Rpg Webring
Hope this helps
I've seen others mention that they use it so they should come by...
As you can see my preference/bias
So here are some additional links...
It's an open project on Source Forge
Wikipedia entry
Open Rpg Webring
Hope this helps
I've seen others mention that they use it so they should come by...
As you can see my preference/bias
I've been using OpenRPG to run a game for the last few months.
It works fine. It is basically a specialised form of chatroom, with mapping tools and die rolling utilities. You can save the chat logs onto your PC, allowing you to review the game at a later point (or just have a laugh).
There is a whisper option, allowing you to talk to specific players without your message going to everyone logged in.
You have to change your play style a bit. Descriptions have to be shorter (basically, if you are typing for more than 30 seconds at a time, it is too much), which means that big speeches/ epic descriptions are out (unless you put them in handouts to be read offline).
You can upload maps into the whiteboard (which defaults to green), or draw onto it. Version 1.63 adds the ability to put text on the whiteboard.
If you have access to mini libraries (some are available from the OpenRPG site), you can add minis to represent characters.
There is a fog option (allowing you to put up a map and then obscure parts of it), but not all game servers support the fog option. I haven't used it, so I can't comment on how useful it is.
The servers fill up a bit in the evenings (US time). Because we play in the evening GMT, we tend to find that the servers just filling up as we are logging off. I've not had experience of it, but there are reports of lurkers logging into games and crashing them, so it is probably a good idea to password your game.
Frankly, I'd prefer to have my players round a table, because I don't get a sense of how the players are enjoying the game and you can't always tell when people are kidding (no visual cues). But my players are scattered across the country, so I don't have the chance to get them together. It is a good alternative though (especially against not playing at all).
The first time I ran a game, I had to fight the impulse to describe eveything in the old text game format (go SE, exits are W and NE, etc, etc), but you soon lose that.
If you set up the character sheets in the utility beforehand, it makes life a lot easier (the players can just hit the relevant skill and have OpenRPG roll for them).
I have heard other people grouse that the die-rollers in OpenRPG are biased to roll low. It's not something I've noticed as we've been playing, but then the people who have said that to me are ruleplayers, not roleplayers.
The best thing to do is to set up a game. Give it a go for a session or two and then see how you get on.
If you have any specific questions, or you want to sit in on a session (UK timezones though), let me know, here or by PM.
Good luck.
David
It works fine. It is basically a specialised form of chatroom, with mapping tools and die rolling utilities. You can save the chat logs onto your PC, allowing you to review the game at a later point (or just have a laugh).
There is a whisper option, allowing you to talk to specific players without your message going to everyone logged in.
You have to change your play style a bit. Descriptions have to be shorter (basically, if you are typing for more than 30 seconds at a time, it is too much), which means that big speeches/ epic descriptions are out (unless you put them in handouts to be read offline).
You can upload maps into the whiteboard (which defaults to green), or draw onto it. Version 1.63 adds the ability to put text on the whiteboard.
If you have access to mini libraries (some are available from the OpenRPG site), you can add minis to represent characters.
There is a fog option (allowing you to put up a map and then obscure parts of it), but not all game servers support the fog option. I haven't used it, so I can't comment on how useful it is.
The servers fill up a bit in the evenings (US time). Because we play in the evening GMT, we tend to find that the servers just filling up as we are logging off. I've not had experience of it, but there are reports of lurkers logging into games and crashing them, so it is probably a good idea to password your game.
Frankly, I'd prefer to have my players round a table, because I don't get a sense of how the players are enjoying the game and you can't always tell when people are kidding (no visual cues). But my players are scattered across the country, so I don't have the chance to get them together. It is a good alternative though (especially against not playing at all).
The first time I ran a game, I had to fight the impulse to describe eveything in the old text game format (go SE, exits are W and NE, etc, etc), but you soon lose that.
If you set up the character sheets in the utility beforehand, it makes life a lot easier (the players can just hit the relevant skill and have OpenRPG roll for them).
I have heard other people grouse that the die-rollers in OpenRPG are biased to roll low. It's not something I've noticed as we've been playing, but then the people who have said that to me are ruleplayers, not roleplayers.
The best thing to do is to set up a game. Give it a go for a session or two and then see how you get on.
If you have any specific questions, or you want to sit in on a session (UK timezones though), let me know, here or by PM.
Good luck.
David
Hi Bill,
Glad I could help.
I've not used Grip, so I can't comment on how they compare. I know OpenRPG is free, while Grip Traveller costs something like £70. I wasn't prepared to pay £70 for something we might not get on with, or which might not match our play style, so OpenRPG was an obvious choice.
I get tired of computers too (sitting in front of one all day at work), but we mostly play on a weekend and the game is fun. It beat being unpaid tech support for neighbours and family...
You're welcome to sit in on a game sometime if you want (I'm trying to arrange a time for some of my Traveller buddies to get together). I don't know the time difference between Texas and the UK (about 8 hours maybe), but if you can stand being at a computer for three or four hours in the middle of a Saturday, you are welcome to watch or join in.
Or, if you can stand sifting through the comments and in-jokes, take a look at the logs of my D&D game on our forum at: http://ding.forumco.com/default.asp - that will give you an idea of what the logs look like at least.
Cheers
David
Glad I could help.
I've not used Grip, so I can't comment on how they compare. I know OpenRPG is free, while Grip Traveller costs something like £70. I wasn't prepared to pay £70 for something we might not get on with, or which might not match our play style, so OpenRPG was an obvious choice.
I get tired of computers too (sitting in front of one all day at work), but we mostly play on a weekend and the game is fun. It beat being unpaid tech support for neighbours and family...
You're welcome to sit in on a game sometime if you want (I'm trying to arrange a time for some of my Traveller buddies to get together). I don't know the time difference between Texas and the UK (about 8 hours maybe), but if you can stand being at a computer for three or four hours in the middle of a Saturday, you are welcome to watch or join in.
Or, if you can stand sifting through the comments and in-jokes, take a look at the logs of my D&D game on our forum at: http://ding.forumco.com/default.asp - that will give you an idea of what the logs look like at least.
Cheers
David
grumblesmurph
SOC-2
The fog option is rather buggy. In some cases the map does not update for everyone when fog is being used. There are ways around it using images on different layers, or by splitting the background into several parts and loading them one by one. Also, using hidden miniatures can be a bit troublesome.
All images have to uploaded to the web to be accessed by OpenRPG. You only need its web address to add a picture to the map window. Miniatures can't be rotated or stacked, but you can use arrows to indicate heading/facing. Transparency is somewhat supported but not animated GIFs.
You can whisper to several players at once. And there is an alias library allows you to change your handle on the fly (handy if you have more than one character to play).
The dierollers are fairly flexible and can be used for many systems.
Unless you see yourself using alot of fog and hidden miniatures OpenRPG will do the job just fine. I like it better than the other programs I have taken a look at, but that does depend on playstyle and preferred systems.
There may be problems if you need a different version of Python/wxPython than what OpenRPG is written for.
All images have to uploaded to the web to be accessed by OpenRPG. You only need its web address to add a picture to the map window. Miniatures can't be rotated or stacked, but you can use arrows to indicate heading/facing. Transparency is somewhat supported but not animated GIFs.
You can whisper to several players at once. And there is an alias library allows you to change your handle on the fly (handy if you have more than one character to play).
The dierollers are fairly flexible and can be used for many systems.
Unless you see yourself using alot of fog and hidden miniatures OpenRPG will do the job just fine. I like it better than the other programs I have taken a look at, but that does depend on playstyle and preferred systems.
There may be problems if you need a different version of Python/wxPython than what OpenRPG is written for.
Wow! Can't blame you... I did find Archeron games in the UK selling it for I believe £20...
Is Open RPG a stand alone server? That's one thing that would turn me off if it wasn't...
Edit: Found it at Archeron UK for £10... Trav Edition even
I'm not quite sure where the servers are hosted. There are usually about a dozen when we log on. Some seem to be permanent and some seem to be hosted by individuals.
The guy at work who put me on to OpenRPG used to host his own server for his games, so it can be done. I just can't be bothered setting it all up when there are some perfectly serviceable servers sitting there idle (when we log on anyway - they fill up as evening falls in the US timezones).
Try a permanent one like Roleplay Refugees.
Cheers
David
grumblesmurph
SOC-2
Apparently the fog issue is fixed in 1.7.0 (current development version). This version also seems to have a web server in a plugin.
1.7.0 will likely never be an official release since the developers are focusing on OpenRPG2.
It can be found here:
http://openrpg.wrathof.com/faq/DjGilcrease
Some info on running servers here:
http://openrpg.wrathof.com/faq/Running_Servers
1.7.0 will likely never be an official release since the developers are focusing on OpenRPG2.
It can be found here:
http://openrpg.wrathof.com/faq/DjGilcrease
Some info on running servers here:
http://openrpg.wrathof.com/faq/Running_Servers
grumblesmurph
SOC-2
I have had a look at RPTools, but I found them too limited in scope. I rather like OpenRPG's gametree and chat functionality. RPTools may be better for mapping (mostly - there are some functions that are missing). But OpenRPG is far superior when it comes to chatting and managing dierolls or information.
Java will certainly be an improvement, but what I really hope for is expanded gametree/mapping functionality.
This is how the same sort of scenes might look in OpenRPG (although with non-standard layout):
Seeker map and chat (note the alias library near bottom of chat):
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/grumblesmurph/misc/example1.png
Space scene and gametree:
(The Behir is a fantasy creature, but it gives an impression of character sheets in work.)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/grumblesmurph/misc/example2.png
Java will certainly be an improvement, but what I really hope for is expanded gametree/mapping functionality.
This is how the same sort of scenes might look in OpenRPG (although with non-standard layout):
Seeker map and chat (note the alias library near bottom of chat):
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/grumblesmurph/misc/example1.png
Space scene and gametree:
(The Behir is a fantasy creature, but it gives an impression of character sheets in work.)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/grumblesmurph/misc/example2.png
Looks impressive
I like GRiP for the Great character sheets. I played with OpenRPG and found the tree useful for a GM, but for the players... I'm sure things have changed since then (probably for the better).
Are all the tokens, maps, graphics derived from somewhere and brought in with the URL? That seems kind of tedious. I'd rather have the items native and loaded when needed. Although I'm sure there are some useful aspects to doing it that way.
I like GRiP for the Great character sheets. I played with OpenRPG and found the tree useful for a GM, but for the players... I'm sure things have changed since then (probably for the better).
Are all the tokens, maps, graphics derived from somewhere and brought in with the URL? That seems kind of tedious. I'd rather have the items native and loaded when needed. Although I'm sure there are some useful aspects to doing it that way.
grumblesmurph
SOC-2
All pictures are accessed from the web, but it is possible to put them in a miniature library for easy reference. Uploading pictures to the web and putting them in a miniature library can be a bit tedious of course. But once it is done the pictures can be used easily enough. I do prefer the drag'n drop of rpTools, but OpenRPG's way of handling miniatures is still tolerable.
It's been a while since I had a look at GRIP. As far as i can remember it was mainly a pricetag issue and little/no advantage over the features of openRPG that made me decide against it.
It's been a while since I had a look at GRIP. As far as i can remember it was mainly a pricetag issue and little/no advantage over the features of openRPG that made me decide against it.
It's hard to beat FREE!
That's why I recommend to people various free applications.
The one thing I like about GRiP is the Player's client is free. Alot of times it's difficult to convince someone to play in a game if they have to purchase a product, not knowing if they are going to like
a) the game
b) the software
c) ever find another game to use the software for...
I think the latter tends to be a big deterent.
The one thing I like about GRiP is the Player's client is free. Alot of times it's difficult to convince someone to play in a game if they have to purchase a product, not knowing if they are going to like
a) the game
b) the software
c) ever find another game to use the software for...
I think the latter tends to be a big deterent.
newyork10023
SOC-7
Can you explain to me what a "gametree" is?
BetterThanLife
SOC-14 1K
A gametree, is common in most of the rpg tabletop apps. (Not sure about FantasyGrounds as I only have a player license.) ScreenMonkey doesn't have one but the free "Product development app TheKeep fills the gap nicely.) What it does is organize your information in a typical tree format. Basically subfolders for each part.
FOr example you set up a campaign. You have a folder for that campaign. Under that folder you have a series of folders one for each adventure would probably be a good choice. Within that folder would be a series of folders, one for each map, subsection, or encounter of the adventure. In each of these folders is everything that you need for a particular encounter. Further for a good GM that always likes to be prepared, as players tend to head in directions that you don't expect, it is a good idea to have a handful of folders with things like generic maps, NPC template and generic NPCs, so you can pull one and use it "on the fly."
I have been running an online T20 game for about a year now. The better organized you are the better the game flows. (Painful experience on that one.
)
FOr example you set up a campaign. You have a folder for that campaign. Under that folder you have a series of folders one for each adventure would probably be a good choice. Within that folder would be a series of folders, one for each map, subsection, or encounter of the adventure. In each of these folders is everything that you need for a particular encounter. Further for a good GM that always likes to be prepared, as players tend to head in directions that you don't expect, it is a good idea to have a handful of folders with things like generic maps, NPC template and generic NPCs, so you can pull one and use it "on the fly."
I have been running an online T20 game for about a year now. The better organized you are the better the game flows. (Painful experience on that one.
BetterThanLife
SOC-14 1K
TheKeep is a piece of software that Ed over at NBOS put together. It is a campaign manager. Designed to integrate, at least in concept, with ScreenMonkey (SM). It isn't even Beta yet, more of a "Proof of Concept" stage of development.
It does include campaign tree organization, it does integrate maps from Fractal Mapper 7 (nbos's mapping software) and AstroSynthesis 1 (or 2 if you happen to have your AS1 license key.) and will take those maps and send them to SM as well. and it integrates Inspiration Pad. It also allows for html character sheets. (Though those are not integrated with SM at all, so I don't see much utility in them except as a handy way for the GM to reference a players character sheet.) Not sure if Ed will take it any farther or not. But it fills in some of the gaps that are in SM.
I have briefly been looking at OpenRPG, Screenmonkey and Klooge, they seem not to support large scale combat much.
Outdoors combat in Traveller sometimes may cover a large area and a hex/square may be several meters across.
I mainly look for an electronic playing surface as printing out maps are expensive in the long run, and playing with miniatures takes up a lot of space on the tabletop/floor. I would like to play out encounters on a LAN to ease gaming.
OpenRPGs solution to put everything on a webserver is not my cup of coffee, and the tohers had other limitations as to map size and no posivbility to stack minitaures in a hex/square.
I really need something simple as something to present a CC2 map in png/jpg format where I can move around pieces. supports the metric format, failing that just displays the map and let me and my players move the pieces around pretty freely.
Outdoors combat in Traveller sometimes may cover a large area and a hex/square may be several meters across.
I mainly look for an electronic playing surface as printing out maps are expensive in the long run, and playing with miniatures takes up a lot of space on the tabletop/floor. I would like to play out encounters on a LAN to ease gaming.
OpenRPGs solution to put everything on a webserver is not my cup of coffee, and the tohers had other limitations as to map size and no posivbility to stack minitaures in a hex/square.
I really need something simple as something to present a CC2 map in png/jpg format where I can move around pieces. supports the metric format, failing that just displays the map and let me and my players move the pieces around pretty freely.
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