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Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

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Re: Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

#11

Post by e12e »

devonchulick wrote: post #6
e12e wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Congratulations on launching! One thing - allow me to select a time zone and see game schedules in my local timezone... I'm currently playing in a group that's transferred from in-person to videochat - as we're several players that have moved to different cities (same timezone) and a GM who's emigrated to Canada (we're on GMT+1/2 depending on DST). It can work - but please make it easier to figure out - avoiding the…

Hi e12e! We actually show all games in your local timezone based off your browser. Do you think you'd still want to be able to change your timezone knowing that? Also, what are some details you'd want to see about potential GM's, we're always looking to flesh out more details for our users.

Oh, I guess the join this campaign field is free-form then:

https://startplaying.games/join-campaign/star-wars-echoes-in...

I see the other times appear to be local (although a timezone would be comforting to make it more obvious).

And personally, I'd love a 24h display option.

Re: GM - I was thinking along the lines of expectations etc - as this is (potentially) something players will be paying for. I'm sure I'm not the only veteran player/GM who's never really considered charging money for GMing (well, directly I did "teach" rpg as an elective subject for half a year).

Re: Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

#12

Post by oriesdan »

This is awesome! GM/DM are a rare resource, and as a forever-DM, I would love using such services to be actually able to play.

One thing I think would be a cool addition : play by post games.

I'm not a native speaker and I'm always more comfortable in written games rather than spoken ones, mainly because of the highly specialized vocabulary that I don't recognize immediately when spoken. Of course, this could be roleplayed (playing an outlander character), but I bet it would quickly grow old :)

I suppose any non-native speaker would feel that way too - and then, there's the timezone problem.

One thing I know from roll20 : localized games are not the answer. There is just not many enough players outside US to properly fit each timezone with enough diversity. That's also why PbP has been what worked best for me.

Anyway, I'm glad to see this happen, best of luck!

Re: Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

#15

Post by j0ncc »

I tried this service and ran 2 campaigns with different groups of friends. It was amazing. DND was something I wanted to try for a long time but the barrier to entry was (at least, perceived to be) really high.

Great to see this finally launching. I'll be recommending this service to anyone who's interested in dipping their toe into DND. I also love that you're making being a "Professional Dungeon Master" a plausible future career choice. :)

Re: Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

#16

Post by devonchulick »

e12e wrote: post #11
devonchulick wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hi e12e! We actually show all games in your local timezone based off your browser. Do you think you'd still want to be able to change your timezone knowing that? Also, what are some details you'd want to see about potential GM's, we're always looking to flesh out more details for our users.

Oh, I guess the join this campaign field is free-form then: https://startplaying.games/join-campaign/star-wars-echoes-in... I see the other times appear to be local (although a timezone would be comforting to make it more obvious). And personally, I'd love a 24h display option. Re: GM - I was thinking along the lines of expectations etc - as this is (potentially) something players will be paying for. I'm sure I'm not…

Ah yes, we def want to change that to be dynamic for campaigns! We will need to def need to make timezones more apparent. Thanks for these suggestions!

Re: Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

#18

Post by devonchulick »

j0ncc wrote: post #15

I tried this service and ran 2 campaigns with different groups of friends. It was amazing. DND was something I wanted to try for a long time but the barrier to entry was (at least, perceived to be) really high. Great to see this finally launching. I'll be recommending this service to anyone who's interested in dipping their toe into DND. I also love that you're making being a "Professional Dungeon Master" a plausible…

Thanks so much J0ncc! We're really excited about how things have been shaping up!
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