"D&D Insider: Virtual Tabletop" Topic

I can't find any info on it at their website. Did they scrap it or is it still in testing?

I believe it is indefinitely postponed. They had major issues.

If I understand things correctly, they've gone through three development companies which have so far failed to deliver the envisioned project.

Wyatt

They haven't had any problems, nor had to change development companies, for this project, as far as I've heard (and I keep my ear fairly close to the ground on this).
They had a fairly well working in-house alpha shown at some conventions. (Clunky interface and limited.)
It's also a very expensive piece of software – it takes a lot of time to code 3d models of all possible variations of monsters available.

But customer surveys have shown that very few of their current customers are interested, and that there are other tools that they (we!) want. Like the Monster Builder (which is out now). Or the map creator they are hinting about.

It seems that those who want to play D&D online with a virtual tabletop are a very small proportion of their customers. There are also a couple of fairly well working alternatives.

So, the Virtual Tabletop has been put on the back burner. They don't mention it anymore, and have apologised for promising it.

A shame. If there was one thing that would have sold me on D&D online, it would have been that.

I find the resource of the D&D Insdier very useful. The lack of a virtual game board is not an issue as I can almost guarantee 6 players when I run a game.

I'm in a group that has started using Fantasy Grounds II for a 4e virtual tabletop and it worked pretty slick. That was $40 USD one time as opposed to a subscription. It's a good option for those that want to play online.

Never heard of Fantasy Grounds II, I'll check it out. I agree with XRay I've been putting off my subscription until they get the tabletop finished.

Just how much of a resource is Insider? If you have the books do you still need the subscription? To bad they don't offer time codes for Insider with the purchase of their books.

Currently the Insider gives you all of the 4e content from the Dragon, Dungeon, the character builder and the Monster builder. The last 2 are updated monthly with materials from all of the recently published works. From the look of it (OK, I did not really read the lisense) if you are not subscribed you lose the update function. So for example you get all of the Races, Classes and powers from PH3 without having to buy the book (though I have been buying them to have for in game reference).

A Satisfied customer

It's not postponed. It's called World of Warcraft.

Yes, like Saber says, you get the Character and Monster builders, and if you do not renew your subscription you cannot update them.
The license is such that you can download and update them five times every month – so you can get a installation for a DM and four players.

The Dragon and Dungeon has new articles several days a week – lots of good stuff.

That which has already been published is just a small part of the whole, though it's nice to be able to see it all (and find it) using the compendium – which has not only all the monsters, magic items, feats and whatnot from all the books, articles, etc., but also from all scenarios – in print or in Dungeon.

You also get access to the Assassin class and Revenant race (which won't be published anywhere else), as well as fully functional previews from PHB3.

All in all it's very good – well worth my money.
If you're a DM I really recommend it. Those who never DM will get a little less out of it, but I'd say it's still worth it.

(Good grief, I sound like a Wizard sock puppet, but I swear I'm not. Just a fan. ;-) )

Preach It BROTHER!

Monster Builder? Does it allow me to create any thing imaginable? Does it have image tools to work with?

No image builder, but you can drag and drop powers/attacks from any thing that has been published. Want a Troll with dragon breath? Find the power and drag it onto the troll. save, copy and paste!