Too cool for school

by **Baz King** » 8:29pm on 18 Apr 12

A proposal.

I'd like to run a game over Google Hangouts for some of the fine people who frequent this forum.

The Smart Party have been trying this out for a few weeks now and it works a lot better than any of us would have first thought. It really doesn't lose much that you would get sat at the same table, and actually cuts down on a lot of the things that slow down or hamper such games. The shared sketch pad, notes and chat window are all gravy.

I've fallen in love with a free game called Old School Hack. Don't read too much into the name, it's neither OS nor hacky, but it is a delightfully short but sweet D&D inspired rules light game. Check it out here, you can read the entire thing in less than 15 minutes.

http://www.oldschoolhack.net/

So, would anyone care to join me? I would want to run some classic fantasy gaming with some modern stylings. Irony free, and unashamedly adventurous.

It's likely to be just a 2 hour sesh, on an evening we can find in common.

Say yay, nay or whatever you like here, and if there's more than a passing interest I'll go through next steps.

Cheers!

by **Elina** » 9:21pm on 18 Apr 12

Hi there!

I would be interested in participating, if this takes off. I am currently in the gaming desert of Brussels, so an online game could be just right!

I had a look at Old School Hack and it seems interesting. I have not played a fantasy game for ages and I am also looking forward to a longer game than a one-off which is what my gaming diet currently consists off (on the basis of being in aforementioned the gaming desert and playing only at cons).

My only mild concern is that I have not used Google hangout before. A few years back, I was in an online campaign using Fantasy grounds and I managed to work that one, so my technical skills might just be enough for this endeavour!

Elina

by **Neil Smith** » 9:34pm on 18 Apr 12

I'd like to give it a go. The game looks good.

by **Neil Gow** » 10:51pm on 18 Apr 12

Yeah, I'd be interested in seeing how this works.... with an eye to the future.

Neil

by **old timer** » 11:02pm on 18 Apr 12

I would also be interested in this, but i am not yet on google+ and have never used the hangouts, though i think my technical skills may well be up to this.

by **Evilgaz** » 11:37pm on 18 Apr 12

I wouldn't get worried about technical limitations. As long as you've got a webcam and can sign up for a Google account you're away. There is nothing more hard work than clicking the odd link.

The capability is there to do more fiddling, but as a player you really only need to be able to get onto the internet. We've done the communication bit via iPad and Nexus phones as one point.

Its the future. Except now. Don't forget to coordinate snacks and hand out Awesome Points. :grin:

by **Magus** » 11:41pm on 18 Apr 12

Oooooooh yes please - if it fits into my schedule. I've thought about running OSR at the Indiemeet but this month it'll be Donjon.

by **wraithben** » 8:27am on 19 Apr 12

If numbers allow, colour me interested too.

by **Baz King** » 12:54pm on 19 Apr 12

Numbers absolutely allow! The nature of gaming and scheduling means I would like for there to be a big pool of players. That way no one feels obligated to play every week if they don't want, and folk can drop in or out at will. Don't worry, the campaign an handle it.

Tech wise, it's as Gaz says. You need to sign up to Google+ which is free and easy. When you do (or have) drop me a pm with your email address. I'll send out a start time with some decent notice to everyone in the group.

At the appointed time you log on to your G+ account and you'll see an invite to a Hangout pop up. Join it. You get to check your looks and sound before going live (so you will need a webcam). And that's it!

The system allows for 9 to be on at any one time. I doubt we'll ever hit that tbh.

We will still use old fashioned dice, and still talk things through. The only difference is a sketch pad on the screen we can all use, and a chat window which is brilliant for asides.

So, thanks to all those who have raised their hands so far. I'm going to give it the weekend to see if we get any more bites.

Then we'll do the hard bit: scheduling.

by **Murgh Bpurn** » 5:51pm on 19 Apr 12

Good to see the increase in VT love

by **GuyMilner** » 6:15pm on 19 Apr 12

I'd be up for this - and running, too, once I see how it works from the players' end.

by **jonnygray** » 7:35pm on 19 Apr 12

Without looking it up....how much do web-cams cost?

by **dpmcalister** » 8:07pm on 19 Apr 12

jonnygray wrote:Without looking it up....how much do web-cams cost?

I got a reasonable one for my mother-in-law for around £15-£20 earlier in the year.

by **Baz King** » 8:52pm on 19 Apr 12

If you don't have a webcam (or an inbuilt one) you can still join in on audio only.

by **thenovalord** » 10:04pm on 19 Apr 12

virtual works fine for rpgs

I play once a month on an online game using Skype (do u really wanna look at other geeks mugs!) and TTrpg

Too cool for school