"RPGs
like Dungeons and Dragons are traditionally played on a tabletop using
miniatures. The problem is that the players are only supposed to see
those parts of the map that they have explored. Gamemasters are reduced
to drawing explored sections of the map on the playing surface with
dry-erase markers or using cardboard tiles representing stretches of
corridor. Some fellows have an expensive but elegant solution. They map
out the playing area in a laptop using software such as Tabletop
Mapper, which allows to game master to dynamically hide and reveal
sections of the map. The laptop is attached to a 1600 lumen DLP
projector mounted on the ceiling and projecting an image of the visible
map onto the tabletop. The miniatures can then be moved on a dynamic
map. The eye candy factor is vastly increased, gamemaster labor is
reduced, and the players have more fun. The elegance is that this is an
intuitive enhancement of the traditional gaming experience, instead of
an unfamiliar new user interface to be mastered." |
Click on the image for more information. The map highlight area does not appear to be automated. Let's get it running. Who is with me?
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