D&D (2024) D&D's Upcoming Digital Tabletop

Perhaps the showstopper of todays D&D Direct event was a preview of the upcoming D&D digital playspace. Hosts Gina Darling and Ify Nwadiwe met with Kale Stutzman, principal game designer of D&D Digital, where he ran them through an adventure using the technology. The video shown in the presentation, though, was labeled “Pre-alpha gameplay footage.”

Perhaps the showstopper of todays D&D Direct event was a preview of the upcoming D&D digital playspace. Hosts Gina Darling and Ify Nwadiwe met with Kale Stutzman, principal game designer of D&D Digital, where he ran them through an adventure using the technology. The video shown in the presentation, though, was labeled “Pre-alpha gameplay footage.”

DnD_VTT_Screen1.jpg


The upcoming D&D VTT uses Unreal Engine 5 to power it.

“There are a lot of ways to play D&D online and we don't think a lot of them hit the big three things we think are important – fun, convenience, authenticity,” said Stutzman.

DnD_VTT_Screen2.jpg


In the demo, you see the dice roll on the screen, and it bursts into the result. Encounter mode is when you roll initiative

DnD_VTT_Screen3.jpg


“The DM can set the mood, the lighting, what time of day is it. Is it raining? Are there fire embers falling from the sky?” said Stutzman.

The community will be able to create and share assets. “We want to make content that's building blocks that people can break apart and make their own content with. That remix is core to the DNA of D&D, said Stutzman.

DnD_VTT_Screen4.jpg


Stutzman didn't answer when the VTT will release, but he did say that D&D staff and limited friends and family are trying it now and that they're going to gradually open it up. “...and a lot of people listening will be able to play it this year,” Stutzman added, which means a play test in “late 2023.”
 

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Beth Rimmels

Beth Rimmels


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It's hard to describe. To me, it has looks like it was developed to be a videogame first and foremost, and then someone figured out they could use it to also play D&D. (I'm sure that's not the case...it's just how it looks.) It blurs the line between video game and tabletop a lot more than I like.

I'm sure it'll be a smash hit, but it's not doing it for me.
It looks like fancy minis on a board. And even then thy said you can do 2d maps on it.
 

It looks really good. I have no interest in online play currently, but I think it looks really good.

I also can't help but think: How much will the tavern map set me back? What does a cool fig for a PC cost? How much are the dice textures? Can I upload anything that I created and retain full ownership of it, or am I limited to what WotC will sell me? How much is that carpet? How much is that bench?

Is it a toolbox, or is it horse armor?
 




Zaukrie

New Publisher
It's hard to describe. To me, it has looks like it was developed to be a videogame first and foremost, and then someone figured out they could use it to also play D&D. (I'm sure that's not the case...it's just how it looks.) It blurs the line between video game and tabletop a lot more than I like.

I'm sure it'll be a smash hit, but it's not doing it for me. If I want to draw my own map or create a custom monster, I'm either out of luck or I've got hours of prep work. It doesn't look like I'll just be able to scribble something up in an hour, save it to PNG format, and be good to go.
I have no idea how you get that from this at all. It literally comes with drawing tools and 2d map import, so I don't get the hours of work thing either.
 



Imaro

Legend
Looks great! But I don't think that it will be usefull for GMs who like to improvise. But buying and playing full ready to go Adventures might work very well. I am very curious about the pricing model they plan to have with it.

I know that was just a presentiation thing, but having all palyer on the same table with each their own laptop using the online 3D VTT seems like a strange usecase :p

I don't think its as strange a use case as one might believe. For those that like to use minis and terrain in their home games... that setup and a tv/monitor could very well replace all of that.. especially if storage, breakage, etc. Have become an issue. Honestly that's the line, depending on price, that I'm thinking of utilizing the vtt for.

Edit: I don't think its anymore hard than utilizing regular terrain and minis if you improvise... you make sure you have some general assets to pull out and customize what you can.
 

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