Reworked

I’ve reworked the table and hopefully streamlined it a bit.

1. Upgraded from 3 computers for the GM with 3 screens to one more powerful PC running two widescreen monitors. This means less hassle trying to get the software that allows all three computers to work with one keyboard and mouse.

2. I’ve removed the individual Player PCs (4 units) and put in one more powerful PC with a 32″ LCD TV at the end of the table. There are 4 mice and 2 keyboards. This freed up the table space and cut down on the individual distractions that having your own web browser was causing. It also allows for more then 4 players in those instances where we have our remote players up for the weekend.

3. I’ve added a PC running Skype with a web cam to allow for video chat with our two remote players. This sits at the end of the table next to the 32″ LCD.

I’ll have updated pics for the new setup soon.

Important Hardware Addition!!!

At the request of the players to make game play fluid, I’ve added two bottle openers mounted on a leg on each side of the table. Down the road I will add another two so each outside leg has an opener.

KloogeWerks

KloogeWerks is the VTT (Virtual Table Top) software of choice for my UDGT at the moment. In 2004 we used an earlier version to run with one Master Client (GM) on a laptop with a Player Client (PCs) on a central computer for all the players to use. It replaced tiny scraps of paper, dry erase/wet erase battle mats and miniatures, allowing the use of digital maps, handouts and tokens which greatly speed-ed up play.

Now with each player having their own PC with a KloogeWerks client on it they can control their characters and be on different maps, along with keeping individual notes and allowing for direct and private messaging between themselves and the GM.

No longer did you need to stop play and draw in the next room or erase the map because you had run out of room. Not to mention the mid battle end of a session and trying to reassemble the entire thing a couple weeks later in an attempt to pick up where you had left off.

It does require a larger amount of prep time but eventually we built up a vast collection of maps and tokens making prep time diminish considerably. Also having digital notes that where search able and not lost, misplaced or used as a coaster along with all digital version of the hand outs made each session from start to finish more cohesive.

There are other software clients out there but I found KloogeWerks to be the most game system independent along with having the most functionality.

HCS

HCS stands for Hero Combat Simulator. Right now the RPG of choice is the HERO system and a couple of avid gamers with some JAVA programing skills worked up this little program that helps track all the combat number crunching necessary to utilize all the rules that makes HERO combat gritty and more realistic then most RPGs out there.

Couple a quick pics

Here are a couple of the first pics of the table as I was setting it up for gaming. It hasn’t changed much but I am working on adding extenders for the GM end so there is more table top space on the sides.

Currently the table measures 4′x8′. As noted above I want to add some sort of extender(s) either on one or both sides for the GM area to create more desktop for the GM and a slide out for each player with cup holders and a place to store papers.

UDGT

I’ll be uploading pics of the UDGT with specifications on hardware and software soon.