(This is a guest post from our very own Reformed Republican!)
Seeing all the weekend posts, I noticed we have some boardgamers here. I thought it would be fun for us to gather together and play some boardgames. The VASSAL boardgaming engine, which can be found here, allows board games to be played online. There are many modules available for commercial board games.
For those interested, I would like to get together Saturday at 6:30 P. M. Eastern, with the intent of starting the game around 7. This would allow time for us to work through potential tech issues that may arise.
Though VASSAL has a chat window, I would prefer to be able to get us together on voicechat. Smack talk is much better when heard than read. For an absolutely free program that does not require a fee for a server, I am only familiar with Raidcall. However, it is Windows only. If he we any Mac or Linux users, that will rule that out. If anyone has another suggestion, chime in. If someone wants to listen in, but is not comfortable with speaking over voicechat, there is a chat window in game.
As far as what game we would play, we can figure that out when we know how many are playing. I would prefer to stick with games that one of us owns. For the first game, we can use one that I own. If this becomes a recurring thing, we will open it up.
If you want to play, post a comment. By the end of the day tomorrow, I will use the head count to pick a game, and I will post links to the rules and for the necessary VASSAL module.
So, who’s in?
My nerd heart just grew wings. I’m so interested in this. I’m sure I won’t be able to make every game if it continues, but I’ll sure try to catch the first one.
Fun idea! I probably wouldn’t participate every week, but I’d be interested in doing this sometimes.
My Internet connection is pretty slow (it failed when I tried to take part in a multiple-person Google+ video chat); I don’t know if that is an issue.
I have a Mac. I’m fine with just typing for chat, though.
I am so into this.
I will be in the wild this weekend. I am struck by an irrational and uncharitable desire to demand you postpone.
Have a blast. I need to see the module list hen I’m off mobile…
Aww. . too early for me, otherwise I would love to do these.
As far as chat clients go, Google Hangout would be my recommendation for something totally free.
I split a Mumble server with a friend and my gaming community has a TS3 server – both of those are great and have good clients for Mac and Linux, but you need a server. It’s not hard or particularly expensive to get one if you want, though.
I have friends that do D&D using twitch.tv, I’ve never used it and I’m pretty sure someone needs an account to stream over it, but it might be worth investigating. They have a great time, I know that much.
Do I have to understand everything in this comment to be able to participate? I freely admit that I’m uneducated.
There’s no reason for you to understand any of it, really. Just suggesting a few options to RR for voice chat programs.
I know I could not keep up something like this every week. We can figure out a workable schedule once it gets going.
Voice chat should be all or nothing, at least for everyone being able to hear it. If we cannot find a good solution that allows Mac users to participate with voice chat, we will skip it. It would put players at a disadvantage if they cannot hear things everyone else can.
I may be in for this sat. doing 12 hour drive thurs after my 10 hours shift so not sure i will be human by saturday. but will try.
Unfortunately I have Pathfinder on Sundays, so I generally won’t be free. If it doesn’t run on a particular Sunday though, I’d be keen to play.
Pathfinder! And here I was thinking I couldn’t love you any more. My own game is on Wednesday evenings (I’m a wreck at work on Thursdays).
Either one of you guys need another player? I can Skype in 🙂
I am ever so in.
Skype used to be free for voice-only conference calls. Has that changed?
I have never used Skype, but it looks like it can still be used for group calls. We will plan on using that for voice chat.
Wow, thanks for the link to VASSAL, that’s quite exciting. My own social circle adores Twilight Imperium but finds the actual work of setting up the game prohibitive. A computerized version could be exactly what we need!
I can make some of these. Though my normal gaming group plays Saturday night at that time. I will have to check into the voice chat…
There are a few maybes, so it looks like 4 – 6 people at the moment. My suggested game is Small World. It is a map control game, but it is light, fast, and fun. Races and powers are randomly combined, as you play out a race you get to pick a new one. The goal is to earn the most Victory Points. The game is for 3 – 5 players. If we end up with 6 or more, we can split groups.
Rules are here: static.daysofwonder.com/smallworld/en/img/sw_rules_en.pdf‎
A playthrough on Wil Wheaton’s Tabletop is available here: http://youtu.be/X9QtdiRJYro
Vassal Module is here: http://www.vassalengine.org/mediawiki/images/a/a8/Smallworld_4.0.vmod
I am out for this weekend… family in town for a baby welcoming party… but will be in on future events. Have fun!
On a related not, anyone who is interested but cannot do it this time, please let me know. This will help with planning future events. If the time is too early because you are out on the west coast, or if your Saturday evenings are always full, or whatever, post it. No single time will work for everyone, but we can figure out ways to try to involve everyone as well as possible in the future.
FWIW, I find that having a standing reservation that is reasonably accommodating is the best way to proceed. Saturday at 6:30 can be Monopoly night; Thursday at 9:30 can be Scrabble night. Etc. If you can make it, make it. Trying to coordinate a million schedules across multiple time zones is a fool’s errand.
Yes, yes, yes!! I would love to do this. My weekend isn’t currently sorted out, so I can’t commit for this time. Is it OK to just show up, or is it critical to know who is coming in advance?
We can work with drop-ins. We can all gather on Skype and get our virtual tables organized.
I might be able to do this. I’ll have to look at the links when I get home.
I for one prefer text chat — I wish that ALL of life was closed-captioned…
I am interested in playing! My connection can be crappy, though.
I’m definitely interested in the concept — not sure about this Saturday though (although I’ve heard good things about Small World and would like to try it out). Is the Vassal engine clear enough that it’s not too confusing to play a game on it that you’ve never played on a real board?
Also, out of curiosity, does it support a time limit for moves? I have a couple of (IRL) boardgame groups, and one of them tends to take about 25% longer than the standard time estimate for the game, and the other tends to take about 150% longer.
I have only fooled around a little bit, but it is very much like playing the actual board game, down to grabbing your tokens out of the token tray. It does not appear to handle any sort of calculations or anything like that.
I am not sure about the time limit. It is not something I have looked into. For Small World, it should not be a huge issue. I could see where it might for other games. Games can also be set up for PBEM.
It does not look like Skype will be the best way to meet our needs for chat, so we will be using Teamspeak 3. It can be downloaded here: http://www.teamspeak.com/?page=downloads
To get the server address and password, drop me an email at (no spaces): reformed republican 1 [at] gmail [dot] com
Also, I need at least 2 volunteers who would be willing to set up virtual tables, since it looks like we will have more than enough for 1. If you have played Smallworld before, that would be preferable. Even if not, a good understanding of the rules would be very helpful to keep your group moving along.
I have not heard from anyone, so I want to make sure no one has tried to email me, but possibly sent it to the wrong address.
just sent an e-mail right now. This thread is pretty buried, though. Maybe someone can post something on the front page to remind people.