We’re currently working on the Virtual Tabletop card system. This is a simple card system feature that will allow players to draw and hold cards during their game. Some games require the use of cards for initiative, or special actions, etc. We’ve devised a simple system to allow for players to create their own decks and use them in the game.
Its in the initial stages right now, but we’re getting closer to getting it functional. The aim is only to create a card system that allows the basics of using cards in a game. The card manager shown will be right under the rolled dice, and it will be able to be minimized to the side when not in use.
We’ve posted a new version of the RFG. In this version, there are two tabs on the force builder. One is a quick look at the randomly created force, the other tab is a detailed view of the force. The detailed force can be saved as an HTML document.
This paves the way for us to expand RFG in the future, including using images as well as notes. You can get the random force generator from the resources page.
We’re putting together a few simple terrain pieces for the alpha, here is a little sample of ’skrylep’ trees. We have high poly and low poly versions of them, so that people can choose the level of detail they want.
The skybox in this shot is from http://www.3delyvisions.com/
After playing with a few of the basic features of Virtual Tabletop, we decided to toss in a feature to assist in those games that need to line up your troops (pretty much all ancients and up to near modern games). So, now in VT when you move a model over another model, it will attempt to dress with it, on the back, front or sides.
Its a nice start to some more advanced features that we’ll have later on in beta. In this screenshot, the paper model in the rear is being moved up against the one in front (and some debugging info is shown there too).
We’re officially gathering players who want to test out some of the features of Virtual Tabletop. In this test build, a few features won’t be available (network play) for a while longer, but getting in on at this level will give you the chance to test the network play when its ready.
So, if you’re wanting to jump into Virtual Tabletop to make your own models and check it out, you can email micah@racingspidergames.com. We’ll be including the paper model maker too, so if you can get a 2d version of any model, you can put it on the board.
Once we have enough people and the package is ready to go, we’ll send out the download information. You don’t have to be able to make 3d models to be a tester, just give some feedback.
The Conquest engine gives you the ability to play campaigns that behave more like a regular PC game, with units that you can create (or use the basic conquest units).
We’re working on a module that allows you to not have to play battles on the tabletop, and works out the combat for you. Using the ‘conquest’ engine, you’ll be able to design you own units and scenarios. We’re hoping to be able to make a regular PBEM game out of the Campaigner system, and it will still be categorized as version 1, so if you already bought Campaigner, you’ll be able to use the conquest engine with your version (after updating the build of course).
We’ve made a change the the way the RFG works, using weights instead of single entries. This clears up the interface for more complex lists without the previously required repetition that “Duplicate Down” used. Previous lists will work just fine, but when you load them, they will be modified with the correct weight (1) for all items. You might want to revise your lists from:
1: Infantry
1: Infantry
1: Infantry
1: Armor
to
3: Infantry
1: Armor
We’ve just completed a simple random force generator utility that a lot of players will find useful. You simply create an RForce file with our force generator utility and then load up all the RForce files you want to create a random army list. Extremely simple yet wildly flexible. In the screenshot, we’ve included scenario data as an RForce file. The sky is the limit with this little utility. You can get it from our main page at racingspidergames.com
We’re happy to say that within the coming weeks, we’ll be asking for volunteers to help test Virtual Tabletop. There are still features that need to be added, but we’ve decided that getting some extra eyes from people that play different games will help flesh out the feature list. So, watch carefully and when its time, we’ll let you know how to get an invitation.
Those who have purchased Campaigner will be moved to the top of the list.
We’ve found a wonderful source of paper model images over at http://www.juniorgeneral.org/paper.html and we’ve added them to our blogroll. With assets from that site and VT Paper Model Maker, you should have PLENTY of stand-in models. Enjoy!
