Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

screentop.gg

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 56 posts

Re: Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

#31

Post by reificator »

I would also like to see a screenshot/video gallery to get a feel for this platform, but I think you've probably gotten the message by now. Instead I'll throw a couple more questions your way:

Are you prepared for the incoming wave of DMCA takedown requests if this proves to be popular?

If someone spends the time to create content for this platform, how can they be sure that it won't shut down next week?

Can players create private content, such as for a D&D campaign?

If a player starts using content created by someone else, and it gets taken down for either copyright or because the author removed it, can that player continue to use that content?

In fact, can an author remove content at all?

Is there a system in place where the legitimate owner of an IP can create content for this platform and monetize it in some way? Tabletop Simulator may be a den of piracy[0] but there are some games for sale there as well: https://www.tabletopsimulator.com/games

[0]: Ignoring that some number of users own the physical game and are merely playing with friends who are not in the area. Legally it might be piracy (IANAL), but ethically there's some discussion to be had there.

Re: Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

#32

Post by davidye »

reificator wrote: post #31

I would also like to see a screenshot/video gallery to get a feel for this platform, but I think you've probably gotten the message by now. Instead I'll throw a couple more questions your way: Are you prepared for the incoming wave of DMCA takedown requests if this proves to be popular? If someone spends the time to create content for this platform, how can they be sure that it won't shut down next week? Can players…

Thanks for the questions!

Are you prepared for the incoming wave of DMCA takedown requests if this proves to be popular?

I don't expect this to actually happen but if it does, I would comply.

If someone spends the time to create content for this platform, how can they be sure that it won't shut down next week?

This currently runs on just one server and even with the incoming HN traffic, the server utilization is pretty low. This won't cost much to keep running.

Can players create private content, such as for a D&D campaign?

Authors can create private games. This means only they are allowed to create a room. Rooms themselves are only semi private (the 4 digit code is guessable) and will expire after a period of inactivity. Not sure if the current setup would work for private D&D sessions but would love to support that use case.

If a player starts using content created by someone else, and it gets taken down for either copyright or because the author removed it, can that player continue to use that content?

If the game itself is deleted, all rooms of it are also deleted.

In fact, can an author remove content at all?

Yes, authors can delete their own games.

Is there a system in place where the legitimate owner of an IP can create content for this platform and monetize it in some way? Tabletop Simulator may be a den of piracy[0] but there are some games for sale there as well: https://www.tabletopsimulator.com/games*

At this stage I expect most games to be from hobbyists who want others to playtest their games or kickstarter creators who want to offer a digital game copy to backers. Would be open to creating opportunities for monetization if this gets more traction.

Re: Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

#33

Post by elviejo »

mathgladiator wrote: post #15
IIAOPSW wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really need a word for when I'm pissed someone beat me to an idea but delighted that it exists because of them. I'd really like to know more on how to specify a game for your platform. A scripting language is a good idea, but I'd like to see it limited in scope. You don't want your board games to just become video games. I never could figure out where exactly those limits should be.

I'm planning a startup around a programming language just for board games.

Do you have a design document or wishlist or blog post for such a language?

I think you are on to something here.

Re: Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

#34

Post by grawprog »

davidye wrote: post #29
grawprog wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This looks really awesome. I just commented today actually in the VR article how the tabletop simulator is about the only VR game that looks appealing just to get a group of people together to play a game like this, but I'd prefer something more quick and easy to pickup and play. This looks exactly like something I was thinking of. A question though, how do you plan on dealing with the inevitable cease and desists as…

I would take them down - though my understanding is that a lot of publishers actually want a digital version of their games available as a way to promote physical sales. So I would love to work with publishers to put official games on Screentop.

That would be pretty cool. I'd just mostly hate to see this project get into trouble over something like that. Honestly, I hope however it would work out it ends up being positive. Having some more popular games on there would help with exposure.

Re: Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

#35

Post by samstave »

IIAOPSW wrote: post #14
davidye wrote: post #2

Author here. Screentop is a tabletop sandbox that supports cards, dice, boards, counters, and hidden player state. In the future I'd like to add scripting support so that more complex game mechanics and rules can be implemented. Client stack: Typescript, React, Apollo, and a custom react-reconciler renderer that targets canvas Server stack: Elixir, Phoenix, Absinthe Happy to answer any questions and would love your f…

I really need a word for when I'm pissed someone beat me to an idea but delighted that it exists because of them. I'd really like to know more on how to specify a game for your platform. A scripting language is a good idea, but I'd like to see it limited in scope. You don't want your board games to just become video games. I never could figure out where exactly those limits should be.

Serendipity+zeitgeist

Serendeitgeist

Re: Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

#36

Post by mathgladiator »

elviejo wrote: post #33
mathgladiator wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm planning a startup around a programming language just for board games.

Do you have a design document or wishlist or blog post for such a language? I think you are on to something here.

I have several documents, but nothing coherent yet. On the bright side, I'm about to finish implementing hearts in my own language, so that's exciting.

Re: Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

#37

Post by armagon »

davidye wrote: post #2

Author here. Screentop is a tabletop sandbox that supports cards, dice, boards, counters, and hidden player state. In the future I'd like to add scripting support so that more complex game mechanics and rules can be implemented. Client stack: Typescript, React, Apollo, and a custom react-reconciler renderer that targets canvas Server stack: Elixir, Phoenix, Absinthe Happy to answer any questions and would love your f…

It isn't entirely clear to me what this is. Maybe I've got too much DynamicLand on the brain, but I was picturing using a projector (aimed down) to play games on a tabletop, and wondering how you were doing input, etc.

"Screentop is a digital platform for tabletop gaming. Choose a game, invite friends, and start playing directly in your browser." Is there actually any 'tabletop' in the gaming? Is it for playing virtual (tabletop) boardgames? Do you play with your friends over the internet, or is it a local multiplayer situation?

I'm sure the answers to these questions are painfully obvious to you, but as a visitor to the site, an about page to help orient me would be much appreciated. :-)

Re: Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

#38

Post by davidye »

armagon wrote: post #37
davidye wrote: post #2

Author here. Screentop is a tabletop sandbox that supports cards, dice, boards, counters, and hidden player state. In the future I'd like to add scripting support so that more complex game mechanics and rules can be implemented. Client stack: Typescript, React, Apollo, and a custom react-reconciler renderer that targets canvas Server stack: Elixir, Phoenix, Absinthe Happy to answer any questions and would love your f…

It isn't entirely clear to me what this is. Maybe I've got too much DynamicLand on the brain, but I was picturing using a projector (aimed down) to play games on a tabletop, and wondering how you were doing input, etc. "Screentop is a digital platform for tabletop gaming. Choose a game, invite friends, and start playing directly in your browser." Is there actually any 'tabletop' in the gaming? Is it for playing virtu…

Yeah I need to clean up the marketing a bit!

For now try it out by clicking the Play button on one of the games such as: https://screentop.gg/@BrotherMingGames/code-geass

Also just posted a few screenshots on the product hunt page which may help clarify: https://www.producthunt.com/posts/screentop-gg

Re: Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

#39

Post by armagon »

davidye wrote: post #38
armagon wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It isn't entirely clear to me what this is. Maybe I've got too much DynamicLand on the brain, but I was picturing using a projector (aimed down) to play games on a tabletop, and wondering how you were doing input, etc. "Screentop is a digital platform for tabletop gaming. Choose a game, invite friends, and start playing directly in your browser." Is there actually any 'tabletop' in the gaming? Is it for playing virtu…

Yeah I need to clean up the marketing a bit! For now try it out by clicking the Play button on one of the games such as: https://screentop.gg/@BrotherMingGames/code-geass Also just posted a few screenshots on the product hunt page which may help clarify: https://www.producthunt.com/posts/screentop-gg

Thank you.

Re: Show HN: Screentop.gg – a platform for tabletop games

#40

Post by apatters »

davidye wrote: post #38
armagon wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It isn't entirely clear to me what this is. Maybe I've got too much DynamicLand on the brain, but I was picturing using a projector (aimed down) to play games on a tabletop, and wondering how you were doing input, etc. "Screentop is a digital platform for tabletop gaming. Choose a game, invite friends, and start playing directly in your browser." Is there actually any 'tabletop' in the gaming? Is it for playing virtu…

Yeah I need to clean up the marketing a bit! For now try it out by clicking the Play button on one of the games such as: https://screentop.gg/@BrotherMingGames/code-geass Also just posted a few screenshots on the product hunt page which may help clarify: https://www.producthunt.com/posts/screentop-gg

Is there mobile support? I tried to play with the 52 card deck on Firefox for Android and nothing was responding to my tapping.

I second the call for having more info on the site about what this is, it looks very interesting

Post reply on HN