A while back I ran a few sessions of Star Wars: Edge of the Empire on Roll20. The results were not entirely satisfactory from my perspective as a GM. The combination of a new game system run over a virtual tabletop that I was not entirely familiar with, added to that very ambitious multiple plots...topped off by a developing chronic illness...it could have been far better. There were even technical issues as well with Roll20 (along with a less than potent internet provider at the time).
Fast forward...having just seen The Force Awakens and I got the bug to run Star Wars again!
Some of the lessons that I take away from the previous experience go like this.
Running any game over a Virtual Table Top (or VTT) requires very good organization. Having your files where you can find them quickly is pretty much an imperative for a smooth game.
You need to sit down...study and practice with the VTT until you thoroughly understand it. Imagine sitting around a table trying to run a game without understanding how a pen or dice work (but magnified x4 fold). Having all of the options of Roll20 means very little if you can't utilize them fully.
FFG Star Wars with their dice mechanic does not have a fine graduation system. Imagine a trying to tune in an AM radio station but the dial moves in increments of 5 instead of 1. Getting to the point where you understand what difficulty level is going to be appropriate takes a bit of time with this game.
Keep it simple when you start off. Simple plots and small encounters are going to better serve you as you acclimate to a new game and running it over a VTT. The players may also be learning the VTT. It is very tempting, especially as an experienced GM, to load up with complicated plots and massive encounters. Yet, it is those very things that are going to frustrate you as you try to handle the all of the unfamiliar elements. Even if it means that the players are going to find the challenges a little simplistic you shouldn't be troubled by that...you are after all building up to big and better things.
Overall I would say prep time for a VTT can be upwards to 4 to 1...4 hours of prep for every hour played. Having access to GIMP or Photoshop is going to be extremely helpful! The good news is that the internet is full of images that you can make use of for your game.
The other take away from my Star Wars games on Roll20 is that they felt extremely focused. There really wasn't a lot of chit chat or side tangents going on. We would log on...deal with about 15 minutes of technical issues and then play pretty much straight through. The duration of the games was about 3 hours, which some felt was too short.
With all of those lessons learned I am ready to start up another Star Wars campaign.
Fast forward...having just seen The Force Awakens and I got the bug to run Star Wars again!
Some of the lessons that I take away from the previous experience go like this.
Running any game over a Virtual Table Top (or VTT) requires very good organization. Having your files where you can find them quickly is pretty much an imperative for a smooth game.
You need to sit down...study and practice with the VTT until you thoroughly understand it. Imagine sitting around a table trying to run a game without understanding how a pen or dice work (but magnified x4 fold). Having all of the options of Roll20 means very little if you can't utilize them fully.
FFG Star Wars with their dice mechanic does not have a fine graduation system. Imagine a trying to tune in an AM radio station but the dial moves in increments of 5 instead of 1. Getting to the point where you understand what difficulty level is going to be appropriate takes a bit of time with this game.
Keep it simple when you start off. Simple plots and small encounters are going to better serve you as you acclimate to a new game and running it over a VTT. The players may also be learning the VTT. It is very tempting, especially as an experienced GM, to load up with complicated plots and massive encounters. Yet, it is those very things that are going to frustrate you as you try to handle the all of the unfamiliar elements. Even if it means that the players are going to find the challenges a little simplistic you shouldn't be troubled by that...you are after all building up to big and better things.
Overall I would say prep time for a VTT can be upwards to 4 to 1...4 hours of prep for every hour played. Having access to GIMP or Photoshop is going to be extremely helpful! The good news is that the internet is full of images that you can make use of for your game.
The other take away from my Star Wars games on Roll20 is that they felt extremely focused. There really wasn't a lot of chit chat or side tangents going on. We would log on...deal with about 15 minutes of technical issues and then play pretty much straight through. The duration of the games was about 3 hours, which some felt was too short.
With all of those lessons learned I am ready to start up another Star Wars campaign.
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