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Pad and Slate Apps for RPGs


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Pad and Slate Apps for RPGs

Ars Technica has a review of the new XBLA game Comic Jumper up. http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/...sane-laughs.ars

I read Ars, Gizmodo, Engadget, OMGUbuntu, Download Squad, WebUpd8, Slashdot and a ton of other hardware and software sites, because I like to stay up-to-date on the latest technology and software. But I don't own a smart phone. I did not own a laptop until the end of last year. No iPad, no Blu-Ray player, my tv is only 720p. I like technology but I often find what I have is good enough.

[end_news_blurb]

But it's frustrating sometimes.

Dungeoneer

There are applications out for the iDevices that I cannot test. One in particular, Dungeoneer, (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dungeoneer/id379178382?mt=8) looks like the perfect way to carry your D&D 4th edition character(s) around with you. A skinned character sheet/folder with built in dice roller. I could see iPads (or other pads) changing gaming. The DM can send messages to individuals, can share pictures, even sounds. Players can track every aspect of their characters, from HP to abilities to attacks.

Dice rolling apps are common on all platforms but there are all sorts of dungeon master and player tools. This blog has links to quite a few http://www.enworld.org/forum/featured-news-flashes/274552-iphone-ipod-android-applications-rpgs.html so I won't repeat what's there.

I think when the prices go down, on pad/slates (the Windows 7 slates are due by Christmas http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/20...ations-2011.ars) we will see a revolution in gaming. A personal computing device that allows GM-to-player and player-to-player communication without interfering with the larger group dynamic. In-game games and puzzles like in Fable II are possible but also lock picking with graphic interface modified by the characters skills. As in Alpha Protocol. One would not have to do it that way, but think of how it could change things for rogues. Wizards could cast spells on the slate and show the effects in miniature. All of which takes programmers but Android has shown many developers are willing to work on great apps out of passion instead of desire for money.

Ah the flights of fancy. In my future there are still Flying Cars, damnit. Should anyone have any experience with Dungeoneer, or any technology to enhance your tabletop RPGs, please let me know.

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