Proof of concept: Ogre over the internet via Google Docs

[sgbeal]

Hi, all!

Just thrown together via Google Docs:

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...dBNempOkA/view

(Requires a Google account!)

That demonstrates a simple proof of concept for how one can use GDocs' collaboration features as a gameboard.

:-D

[Stabliser]

Ooh, shiney - how would you handle die rolling?

I had also tried using tabletop forge which uses the google Hangouts API - I found it a bit slow and didn't really give it enough of a try.

[sgbeal]

Originally Posted by Stabliser

Ooh, shiney - how would you handle die rolling?

I had also tried using tabletop forge which uses the google Hangouts API - I found it a bit slow and didn't really give it enough of a try.

Dice? With a bit of spreadsheet scripting: another PoC here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...V3hwTnc#gid=11

see the "ScriptTest" sheet and click the little solder to roll the dice.

i didn't know about the Forge - i'll give it a look.

[Stabliser]

Tabletop forge are now on kickstarter ... darn copycats! ;) - I don't know if that makes it better for playing ogre online or not, I guess we'll need to see how it develops.

EDIT: I just found this in a comment on the tabletop forge kickstarter:

"Also, we do plan on integrating an in-app store so people can purchase licensed content such as commercial maps"

I wonder if this is an avenue SJG might explore to deliver future ogre material online?

[Buzzardo]

Originally Posted by Stabliser

Tabletop forge are now on kickstarter ... darn copycats! ;) - I don't know if that makes it better for playing ogre online or not, I guess we'll need to see how it develops.

EDIT: I just found this in a comment on the tabletop forge kickstarter:

"Also, we do plan on integrating an in-app store so people can purchase licensed content such as commercial maps"

I wonder if this is an avenue SJG might explore to deliver future ogre material online?

The trouble with that idea is that everyone, their dog, and their dog's fleas all have different formats for how to store a map electronically. SJG only wins with something like that if they can make one file and have it work for all kinds of platforms (which is why they love PDF). The time it would take to support more than one format kills their profit margin.

They could try an XML-based format (SVG, perhaps). Then loonies such as me who work for their channel partners could transform* that format into other formats (within the scope of the licensing agreement with the channel partner, of course).

*Data transformation is my primary specialty when I program

[Stabliser]

I think you lost me with the XML bit Buzzardo ...

I think the idea of licensed material for the tabletop forge idea is that it will be stored centrally (google drive or similar) in one format and pulled (by paying customers) onto the Google+ online app without anyone's dog being able to change it. Sure you can create your own additional maps n chits (in various formats) but they wont get stored centrally and you would need to upload it every session.

Time will tell how Tabletop forge really works, but I think having google+ behind it will give it a wide audience.

[Buzzardo]

I shan't bore you with the details, other than to point out that a map is just data arranged in a particular way (and a 2D map is a whole lot simpler than the data warehouses for which I've written data transformations). Give me a list of hex numbers and the terrain type for each, and I can pump out a map in any of a variety of formats.

Anywho, I hope tabletop forge takes off. I should go back it, in fact. I've had it on my watch list for a while.

ETA: And now I've backed Tabletop Forge. Thanks for the reminder.