D&D Table/computer Idea

[Thomas Niemann]

I was wondering if there is a way to connect upto 7 players on one PC (I know some of this is gonna be software), the objective of this project is:

 

1. allow 1 player omnipotent control over the main screen that all players view.

2. have 6 players control one icon on the main screen (using mouse and keyboard controls), and have a second screen for personal use (mainly showing excel and pdf documents)

3. not require login to a outside network (like steam)

4. Contain a number randomizer for dice rolls if needed

5. have the ability to play sounds/music

6. Capability to saved multiple players data

 

the idea i have would be to have 1 small screen for each player (6) 2 larger screens for the DM/GM (Game leader) and one 60" tv in the center where a map and player icons would be displayed. each person would be able to move their character on the board/TV from their station, as well as be able to view their character information on their personal screen. The DM/GM would be able to move all characters as needed, be able to view all character data for each player, and look up required information on reference materials/online.

 

I am thinking this would be something like 7 gamers-1 PC, but should not cost as much because the graphics only need to be good on one screen.

 

 

[KuJoe]

Sounds like you want a self hosted Roll20.net setup... I don't know if one exists though. Does each player have access to a cell phone or tablet?

[Thomas Niemann]

yes they do, and roll20 is kinda what i think of with this, but all would be co-located and no membership would be needed.

[KuJoe]

2 minutes ago, Thomas Niemann said:

yes they do, and roll20 is kinda what i think of with this, but all would be co-located and no membership would be needed.

It is a neat idea. I was working on a similar project back in college with some friends, I can't remember how far along I got but I'll try to dig up the source code.

[Force.Sensitive.Squirrel]

Instead of having players move their characters with a keyboard and mouse, I would much rather have something like miniatures with bases that can interact with the tabletop surface. If you could even rig up dice so the table knew which face was pointed down, you could have all the players still interact with the game in the same way, but all the number crunching and etc would be handled by the table and fed to the DM.

[KuJoe]

9 minutes ago, Force.Sensitive.Squirrel said:

Instead of having players move their characters with a keyboard and mouse, I would much rather have something like miniatures with bases that can interact with the tabletop surface. If you could even rig up dice so the table knew which face was pointed down, you could have all the players still interact with the game in the same way, but all the number crunching and etc would be handled by the table and fed to the DM.

When one of those old Microsoft Surface tables showed up at my work for a 6 month demo, this is exactly what I pictured the future of tabletop gaming would be. RIP Microsoft Surface table! 

[Thomas Niemann]

On 11/13/2017 at 7:35 AM, KuJoe said:

It is a neat idea. I was working on a similar project back in college with some friends, I can't remember how far along I got but I'll try to dig up the source code.

I know it has been a while but were you able to dig anything up?