Particpated in the "online" table-top game last night. We are playing D&D4E using a combination of MapTools and Ventrilo voice chat. It's been interesting, but odd. I find it great because I now get to game once again with a friend of mine I haven't gamed with in ages due to real-life distance. I also feel oddly disconnected, though. So much so that it approaches the feeling of playing a very clunky version of those old D&D computer games (think Pool of Radiance) with some human intelligence thrown in.
Also, I trule love immersive role-playing, and I am finding a difficult time with that with no body language and limited voice inetraction on my part. Limited voice? How can this be, you say? How does one of the most talkative people at a role-playing table have "limited voice interaction"? Simple. Much of my role-playing is spontaneous and is cued off of body language from the other players. We're all in separate places, thus, no body language. Second, the voice chat software we are using is sort of a "walkie-talkie" push-to-talk sort of thing. When you are pushing the button, the sound from the other players is cut off to prevent feedback. Being limited of hearing in the first place, I am hesistant to use the "talk feature" for fear of missing an important clue or piece of information. The whole set up really has shut me down and made me kind of uncomfortable.
I will probably give it one r two more decisions before I make a final one, but as much as I am enjoying "playing" with my long-lost friend, and I appreciate the opportunity to do so, I'm kind of leaning toward ducking out of this one. It's not a bad set-up... It just doesn't seem like it is conducive to the type of role-play gaming I like to do...
My $0.02... Your milage may vary...
-- GopherDave
I watched the live broadcast of Erik Tenkar's ACK session using Tabletop Forge through Google+, and it seemed to be a much smoother experience than what you are describing.
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