In most telecommunications organizations, a virtual channel is a method of remapping the program number as used in H.222 Program Association Tables and Program Mapping Tables to a channel number that can be entered via digits on a receiver's remote control.A 'virtual channel' was first used for DigiCipher 2 in North America and then later used and referred to as a logical channel number (LCN) for private European Digital Video Broadcasting extensions widely used by the NDS Group and NorDig in other markets.
Pay television operators were the first to use either of these systems as a method of channel reassignment or rearrangement that suited their need to group multiple channels by their content or origin as well as to a lesser extent to localize advertising to a particular market.
Free-to-air ATSC uses the DigiCipher 2 method to maintain the same television frequency channel allocation that the NTSC channel was using when both were simulcasting so the same number could bring up either service.
Free-to-air DVB network operators such as DTV Services Ltd. (d.b.a. Freeview) and Freeview New Zealand Ltd. use the NorDig method and follow the same practice as pay TV operators. The exception is Freeview Australia Ltd., which also use the NorDig method and partially follow the ATSC practice of using the same VHF radio frequency channel allocation that the PAL channel is simulcasting on from the metropolitan station's main transmission point (i2, 7, 9 and 10) with the major and minor format emulated by multiplying by ten.
- 2Digital television multiple channels
- 2.1North America
- 2.3Australia
- 2.4Europe, Africa and the Middle East
- 2.6New Zealand
Implementation[edit]
The DigiCipher 2 method uses a privately defined virtual channel table (VCT) to set the channel's major and minor numbers that appear on-screen separated by a decimal point. The major number for ATSC represents the original analog or non-simulcast channel frequency while the minor is a sequentially assigned number for the selected channel with zero reserved for the analog channel. The channel may also be marked as hidden from the viewer.
The DVB extensions use privately defined descriptors within the Bouquet Association Table for DVB-S or the Network Information Table for DVB-T. The NorDig version allows for marking a channel as hidden, while the NDS Group version simply omits the channel entry.
The DVB system neither promotes nor mentions either system due to the simple fact that the already defined H.222Program number and Transport Stream ID can achieve the same purpose and also hide a channel by simply omitting it from the Program Association table.
All these methods share the same principle of not allowing any kind of viewer reordering as could be achieved under analog and generic digital systems. This locked-down ordering is one of the main criticisms of using either method.
Digital television multiple channels[edit]
Because DTV can carry any number of streams referred to as multiplexing, program numbers can be used to group them into more than one channel which can then be reassigned by virtual or logical channel numbers.
North America[edit]
An example of the ATSC major and minor numbers used for a station in the United States or Canada would be to typically have its main programming airing on say channel 8 (the 'major channel') with analog on 8.0 and digital on 8.1 (the first two 'minor channels') with other entertainment channels being below 8.99 on channels 8.2, 8.3, and up and any additional informational data channels ranging from 8.100 to 8.999. The channels can also be displayed using a hyphen (such as 8-1) or a space; however, on a common seven-segment display, a decimal point would not waste a whole character. The decimal point is more familiar to FM radio listeners who tune by frequency rather than channel, and avoids confusion with ranges of values (for example, 2-4 may be misinterpreted as the range 2 to 4 instead of the fourth sub-channel of channel 2).
Most stations in the United States follow the ATSC numbering guidelines; however, there are some exceptions for low-power stations such as New York City's WNYZ-LP, which was temporarily broadcasting on VHF channel 6 in digital, but used the virtual channel 1.1, instead of 6. This operation lasted for approximately one year beginning in November 2008, after which WNYZ-LP reverted to low-power analog.
The assignment of virtual channels in the United States is defined within the stream via terrestrial or cable versions of a 'Virtual Channel Table' as outlined by ATSC document 'A/65', Annex B.[1][2] Rules for assignment of major channel numbers are as follows:
- Existing analog stations were assigned a major channel number matching their existing analog number
- New digital stations assigned to a channel whose matching major channel number is not in use must use that number
- New digital stations assigned to a channel whose matching major channel number is in use (by a former analog station) must reciprocate, using the major channel number that matches the actual channel of the station in question.
These rules generally ensure that no overlapping will occur, although in the case of stations where large numbers of stations in adjacent markets are in close proximity to each other, it is possible that such overlap can occasionally happen (see, for example, the case of WJLP). Additionally, stations may apply for a license to broadcast some of their subchannels under a secondary major channel in the 70–99 range; these numbers are certain to be unused, as 69 was the highest assigned channel prior to the conversion to digital broadcasting. The document does not address the use of certain other major channel numbers:
- Numbers below 70 that were never used in NTSC (0, 1 and 37)
- The real numbers of stations that are using virtual channels from 52 to 69 (these stations are not covered by the reciprocity rule, as real station numbers are not assigned above 51)
- Numbers in the range of 52–69 that are not being used by a former analog station
Additionally, broadcasters owning more than one station that overlap in coverage area may set all of the channels to use the major channel of just one of the stations, so long as different minor channel numbers are used to avoid overlap.
When the United States began buying back licenses in a broadcast spectrum auction in 2017, it also allowed companies that had a duopoly in a market to sell one of the licenses but continue to use the virtual channel of the sold channel on a subchannel of the other. For example, Sunbeam Television sold WLVI in the auction, but in turn was allowed to use its virtual channel 56 on WHDH, which uses virtual channel 7 for its main channel; thus, the WHDH license uses both virtual channels, 7 and 56, on the same license.
The range for pay TV free-to-air local stations is from 2 to 29. All other channels are based on the service provider's preference.
Usage examples[edit]
The order for cable provider Charter:
- Reserved for subscriber on-demand services
- Basic subscriber channels are from 30 to 120
- Extra subscriber channels are from 121 to 199
- Informational subscriber channels are from 200 to 244
- Sporting subscriber channels are from 245 to 279
- Movie subscriber channels are from 280 to 299
- Latin American targeted subscriber channels from 300 to 399 and 800 to 899
- Extra HD subscriber channels are from 400 to 499
- Extra movie subscriber channels are from 500 to 599
- Extra foreign subscriber channels are from 600 to 699
- Extra season pass NBA/NHL/MLB subscriber channels from 700 to 769
- Premium adult subscriber channels from 770 to 799
- Extra audio only music subscriber channels from 900 to 999
The order for cable provider Comcast:
- Reserved for subscriber on-demand services
- Basic subscriber channels are from 30 to 99 and 170 to 200
- Extra subscriber channels are from 100 to 170 and 201 to 299
- Extra foreign subscriber channels are from 300 to 399
- Extra sporting subscriber channels are from 400 to 469
- Extra Christian subscriber channels are from 470 to 499
- Extra movie subscriber channels are from 500 to 599
- Latin American targeted subscriber channels from 600 to 699
- Extra HD subscriber channels are from 700 to 899
- Extra audio-only music subscriber channels from 800 to 999
The order for satellite provider DirecTV:
- Reserved for DirecTV subscriber information (as well as 201)
- Local free-to-air stations are from 2 to 69
- Shopping subscriber channels are from 70 to 99
- Extra movie subscriber channels are from 100 to 200
- Basic (and extra HD) subscriber channels are from 202 to 389
- NY east and CA west coast FTA network subscriber channels from 390 to 400
- Latin American targeted subscriber channels from 401 to 499
- Premium subscriber channels from 500 to 573
- Premium adult subscriber channels from 575 to 599
- Extra regional sporting subscriber channels from 600 to 699
- Extra season pass NFL/NBA/NHL subscriber channels from 700 to 799
- Extra audio only music subscriber channels from 800 to 999
- Extra non-North/Latin American subscriber channels from 2000 to 2199
- DirecTV system/hidden interactive channels from 9000 to 9539 and 9950
- DirecTV system/hidden HD channels from 9540 to 9559
- DirecTV system/hidden instrumental channels from 9560 to 9599
Mexico[edit]
Upon the introduction of digital television in Mexico, most stations used virtual channels that matched their former analog channel positions, with a select number of stations branding as their physical channel (such as XHMNU-TDT in Monterrey, which eschewed virtual channel 53 for 35). However, Mexican television is considerably more centralized than in other ATSC countries, with three of the four national commercial networks branding with their Mexico City channel numbers. There was also the potential that new entrants, which would almost universally be on UHF, would be disadvantaged by higher virtual channels than existing stations that began on VHF—a particular concern given the recent award of a national television network to Grupo Imagen.
In December 2015, the Federal Telecommunications Institute opened a public comment period on public guidelines for the assignment of virtual channels, and on June 17, 2016, the IFT officially released the final version of the guidelines.[3] The plan called for standardization of virtual channels according to network, not former analog position, with automatic assignment based on the programming information on file with the IFT; it also set a date of October 27 for a coordinated switch of all virtual channels. In early September, a full list of virtual channel assignments was released.[4]
The plan eliminated much of the local variance for national and regional networks. Prior to standardization, Canal 5, a national network, was seen on 25 different virtual channel numbers in different Mexican cities; the plan standardized it as channel 5 nationwide.
In all, the IFT accredited nine national television networks and awarded them national rights to a virtual channel. Five were commercial: Azteca Trece (channel 1, changed from 13 at the request of TV Azteca); Las Estrellas (channel 2), Imagen (channel 3), Canal 5 (channel 5), and Azteca 7 (channel 7)). Additionally, the national public broadcasters received channels: Canal Once (channel 11), Una Voz con Todos (channel 14, later renamed Canal Catorce as a result), TV UNAM (channel 20), and Canal 22 (channel 22). The IFT also awarded common numbers to 14 regional networks (primarily operated by state governments) and virtual channels to nearly 100 local stations across the country.[5] Local stations were mostly assigned to channels 4, 8, 10, 12, and less commonly 9, as well as other numbers. Some retained existing channel numbers, particularly if they broadcast on UHF in analog. Initially, channel 6 was reserved, in the event that a 2017 auction of local TV stations produced a national network (which was not the case).
The largest exception to standardization is on the US-Mexico border, where due to the presence of US stations on desired virtual channels and objections from the US Federal Communications Commission, 11 Mexican stations operate on virtual channels other than would be expected. In Tijuana, only one Mexican station was able to change its virtual channel.
Australia[edit]
In Australia, allocation of logical channel numbers is governed by guidelines set by the commercial broadcasters' association, Free TV Australia.[6]
These are defined within the terrestrial broadcast stream using the NorDig descriptor format within the DVB 'Network Information Table.'
LCNs in Australia may have one, two or three digits. Each network is allocated LCNs starting with a certain prefix - for instance, all metropolitan Nine Network services use LCNs beginning with the digit '9'. Generally, but not always, the single-digit LCN is allocated to the primary SD service (Network Ten's sub-channel One being the main exception). LCNs need not be contiguous, and a channel may be identified by more than one LCN. For instance, ABC Television's primary ABC service is allocated LCNs 2 and 21; the latter allows it to be easily accessed amongst other ABC services which lie in the 21–24 range.
Regional affiliates of the three metropolitan networks are provided with a different LCN prefix. For instance, channels owned by affiliates of the Nine Network (in this case NBN Television) are prefixed with the digit '8' rather than '9'. This allows areas that are part of both a metropolitan market and a regional market, such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Central Coast, to receive all local commercial services. The ABC and SBS use the same prefix in all areas.
Prefixes for remote-area services are intended to be overlaid over this model. When digital transmission starts in these areas, services licensed for the Remote Central and Eastern Australia licence area (Imparja and Southern Cross Central) have been reserved the 'metropolitan' prefixes corresponding to their affiliation; those in Remote Western Australia (GWN and WIN WA) the 'regional' prefixes.
A number of LCNs are reserved for various reasons:
- LCN 4 was originally intended for a free-to-air video program guide. In practice, the LCN 4 prefix has for most of its life been largely unused, except in Sydney (where it was used by the Digital Forty Four trial datacasting service from 2004 to 2010). Since 2010, capital city community television stations (or 'Channel 31' stations, after their typical analogue channel position) use LCN 44.
- The LCN range 350-399 is intended to be allocated by receivers to channels which either duplicate a stronger signal's LCN, or are transmitted without an LCN. For instance, if two broadcasts of LCN 2 were found, one signal (generally the stronger) will be allocated to LCN 2, and the weaker should be allocated to, say, LCN 350.
- The LCN range 450-499 is intended for use by trial services by non-broadcasters.
Usage examples[edit]
The order for Freeview (aka FreeTV) is defined by broadcaster transport:[7]
- Ten network metropolitan HD channel is on channel 1
- ABC primary SD channel is on channel 2
- SBS primary SD channel is on channel 3
- VAST regional news guide
- 9 regional primary SD channel is on channel 5
- 7 regional primary SD channel is on channel 6
- 7 network metropolitan primary SD channel is on channel 7
- Ten regional and 9 Network Northern NSW primary SD channel is on channel 8
- 9 network metropolitan primary SD channel is on channel 9
- Ten network metropolitan primary SD channel is on channel 10
- Ten network metropolitan other TV channels are from 11 to 19
- ABC HD channel is on channel 20
- ABC other TV channels are from 21 to 29
- SBS HD channel is on channel 30
- SBS other channels are from 31 to 39
- local public service is 44
- Miscellaneous/Government-owned channels are from 40 to 43 and 45 to 49
- 9 Network HD channel is on channel 50
- 9 regional other TV channels are from 51 to 59
- 7 Network regional HD channel is on channel 60
- 7 regional other TV channels are from 61 to 69
- 7 network metropolitan HD channel is on channel 70
- 7 network metropolitan other TV channels are from 71 to 79
- Ten regional and 9 Network Northern NSW HD channel is on channel 80
- Ten regional and 9 Network Northern NSW other TV channels are from 81 to 89
- 9 network metropolitan HD channel is on channel 90
- 9 network metropolitan other TV channels are from 91 to 99
- Ten Network extended other TV channels are from 100 to 199
- ABC Audio Only channels are from 200 to 219
- ABC out of region/extended channels are from 220 to 299
- SBS out of region/extended channels are from 300 to 349
- Any out of region channels are from 350 to 399
- Regional VAST news channels are from 400 to 499
- VAST community channels are from 600 to 699
- 7 network extended other TV channels are from 700 to 799
- VAST informational channels are from 800 to 899
- 9 network extended other TV channels are from 900 to 999
The order for Foxtel (who wholesale to Austar and Optus) is largely based on the channel's content:
- System Services from 1 to 99 and above 989
- General Entertainment from 100 to 149
- Time-shifted from 150 to 169
- Specialist from 170 to 179
- Community from 180 to 199
- High Definition from 200 to 299
- Interactive/Miscellaneous from 300 to 399
- Movies from 400 to 499
- Sport from 500 to 599
- News/Informational from 600 to 699
- Young Children from 700 to 799
- Music from 800 to 829
- Music Audio Only from 830 to 849
- Free to Air Audio Only from 850 to 899
- Pay Per View from 900 to 939
- European from 940 to 959
- Adult Pay Per View from 960 to 989
- Help on 999
Europe, Africa and the Middle East[edit]
In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, there is no special numbering system for subchannels; two related 'channels' (that is, programme streams) may have completely unrelated numbers (for example, in the United Kingdom, ITV is channel 3 and its digital sister channel ITV2 is channel 6 on Freeview).
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Freeview channel numbers are defined within the terrestrial broadcast stream using the NorDig descriptor format within the DVB 'Network Information Table'.
Usage examples[edit]
The order for Freeview/Sky hybrid bundling is largely based on the channel's content:
- General Entertainment from 1 to 99
- High Definition from 100 to 119
- Young Children from 201 to 219
- News/Public Service from 230 to 239
- MHEG-5 non-broadcast Internet streaming are from 260 to 299
- Reserved for YouView from 300 - 599
- MHEG-5 Interactive from 600 to 609
- Adult Pay Per View from 670 to 695
- Audio Only from 700 to 777
- ITV3 HD on 778
- Tests and old channels from 790 to 799
- D RATED Channels (on first day) (Samsung only) 800-850
The order for the Republic of Ireland's Saorview is based on the priority of the channel to that of the state owned broadcaster:
- State owned RTÉ primary HD TV channel
- State owned RTÉ secondary HD TV channel
- other TV channels from 3 to 5
- other state owned RTÉ TV channels from 6 to 8
- state owned RTÉ Audio Only channels from 200 to 209
In continental and eastern Europe, virtual channels are not used, since television sets and receivers there allow users to freely assign arbitrary 'programme numbers' or 'programme letters' to channels.
Stations still market themselves as 'first', 'second', or 'third' channel (and so on), or 'channel A', 'channel B' or 'channel C', etc., but this reflects the programme number at which the channel should be stored, not the RF channel used for transmitting the signals.
Virtual channels are also used on direct broadcast satellites, such as Dish Network, DirecTV, and Astra. Rather than a few dozen channels with a few subchannels each, these services map to a range of hundreds of individually numbered channels. This is true of digital cable and satellite radio services, as well.
Japan[edit]
In Japan, digital terrestrial TV broadcasters in each region are allocated a 'remote control key ID' (or, 'remocon key ID'), currently numbered from 1 to 12.[8] Remote control ID allocations for broadcasters outside the Kanto region generally follow their Tokyo-based network flagships; however, some stations in some prefectures deviate from this. Current technical standards allow for expansion to a maximum of 16 broadcasters per region.
Each underlying channel is then assigned a three-digit number, which is based on their assigned remote control ID, followed by the sub-channel number. For example, NHK Educational TV is assigned remote control ID 2 (nationwide). Their primary channel is therefore assigned virtual channel 021. If the broadcaster multichannels (of which the ISDB-T standard allows up to three standard definition streams), the additional streams would be assigned virtual channels 022 and 023, respectively. Current standards allow for a maximum of eight virtual channels per broadcaster (in this example 021-028).
Additional datacasting services use virtual channels in the 200–799 range – in this example, the network could use the 22x, 42x and 62x ranges.
New Zealand[edit]
The allocation of logical channel numbers is governed by Freeview and inserted into the transport stream by mostly Kordia maintained equipment with the encoding done by TVNZ who also do the encoding for all other non critical DVB metadata such as the EPG and channel naming.
SKY Network Television also define their own channel numbering which uses a similar NDS encoded format. They wholesale their channels to the only other NZ Pay TV operator Vodafone and to the short lived TelecomFirst Media.
The Freeview LCNs are encoded within a terrestrial broadcast stream using the NorDig descriptor format within the DVB 'Network Information Table.' And within the two satellite broadcast streams also using the NorDig descriptor format, but is instead within the DVB 'Bouquet Association Table.' The BAT is used on satellite so channel region-ization can be done on certified receivers (i.e., channel order locked receivers).
Usage examples[edit]
The order for Freeview is based on how a channel pays[9] for broadcast services:
- nationwide high viewership TV channels are below 20
- nationwide lower viewership TV channels are from 20 to 29
- locally inserted TV channels are from 30 to 40
- local non-Kordia operators are from 41 to 49
- nationwide high priority audio only channels are from 50 to 69
- nationwide low priority audio only channels are from 70 to 79
- TVNZ Provided MHEG-5 Interactive (currently unused) are from 80 to 99
- Broadcast Test channels (no longer used) are from 100 to 199
- TVNZ Provided MHEG-5 non-broadcast Internet streaming are from 200 to 299
- TVNZ Provided System Services (currently unused) from 300 to 399
- TVNZ Provided MHEG-5 Interactive informational channels are from 500 to 599
- TVNZ Provided MHEG-5 Interactive test channels are from 600 to 699
- TVNZ Provided Receiver Downloads are from 700 to 799
The order for Sky is largely based on the channel's content:[10]
- General Entertainment below thirty (before April 2013 was below twenty)
- Movies from 30 to 39 (before April 2013 was 20 to 29)
- Sport from 50 to 69 and 333 (before April 2013 was 30 to 39 and 333)
- Pre-Teenage from 100 to 109 (before April 2013 was 40 to 49)
- Informational from 70 to 79
- Public Service from 80 to 84 (before April 2013 was from 85 to 89)
- News from 85 to 99 (before April 2013 was from 90 to 99)
- Music from 110 to 119 (before April 2013 was 60 to 69)
- Movie Pay Per View from 120 to 139 (before April 2013 was 200 to 219)
- Adult Pay Per View from 140 to 139 (before April 2013 was 200 to 219)
- Religious/State Funded from 200 to 299 (before April 2013 was 110 to 119)
- Asian Language from 300 to 309
- Asian Audio Only from 311 to 314
- Non-Asian Eastern Language from 315 to 319
- Music Audio Only from 400 to 419
- Free to Air Audio Only from 420 to 429 (before April 2013 was 500 to 599)
- Timeshift from 500 to 599 (before April 2013 was 80 to 84)
- System Services from 800 to 999
- Interactive/Miscellaneous (before April 2013 was 50 to 59)
- European (before April 2013 was 100 to 109)
The order for Sky/TVNZ/Kordia Freeview hybrid bundling called Igloo is as follows:
- Primary Freeview national channels from 1 to 5
- Sky Pay TV channels from 6 to 19
- Secondary Freeview national channels from 30 to 39
- Sports related Freeview channels from 40 to 44
- Infomercial Freeview channels from 45 to 49
- News related Freeview channels from 50 to 54
- Religious Freeview channels from 55 to 59
- Secondary language Freeview channels from 60 to 64
- non-English Freeview channels from 65 to 69
- locally inserted English Freeview channels from 80 to 89
- Local non-Freeview channels from 100 to 109
- Freeview audio only channels from 110 to 119
Philippines[edit]
As the Philippines started its transition to digital terrestrial television back in 2008, virtual channels have been tentatively assigned to TV networks who are now in operation. In June 2010, the National Telecommunications Commission finally adopted ISDB-T as the sole digital terrestrial television standard in the country.
LCN used in ISDB-T in the Philippines was pre-assigned to the currently operating networks in digital TV. Small-player GEM HD on DZCE-TV was the first ever Philippine TV network to go ISDB-T, being assigned to LCN 2.11 which is using the analog channel 49. Government-owned People's Television Network or PTV was assigned to 1.1 using its analog channel 48 because of its status as government-owned. High definition channels are being assigned with the decimal with '11', while a multiple-SD channel uses decimal with '1, 2, 3.. and so on' as its subchannel.
In the first quarter of 2011, the NTC convened to form the TWG-IRR that will draft the implementing rules and regulations on digital TV. Aside from that, it will cover the frequency planning for the upcoming TV networks that will go digital.[needs update]
Digital radio[edit]
Digital radio also uses channels and subchannels in the DAB format. iBiquity's HD Radio uses HD1, HD2, .., HD7 channels. HD1-3 are available in FM hybrid mode, while all seven HD channels are available in the pure digital mode.
IBOC system (Digital Radio Mondiale) stations do not currently use any virtual channels because of the limited bandwidth available in analog sidebands.
References[edit]
- ^'ATSC Standard: Program and System Information Protocol for Terrestrial Broadcast and Cable(PSIP)'(PDF). 23 December 1997. Archived from the original(PDF) on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ^Eyer, Mark; Mark C. Whitaker (2002). PSIP: program and system information protocol; naming, numbering, and navigation for digital television. pp. 105–107.
- ^IFT Press Release, June 17, 2016
- ^IFT Press Release, September 2, 2016
- ^'IFT List of Virtual Channels - September 2, 2016'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^Free TV Australia (July 2005). Free TV Australia Operational Practice OP-41: Logical Channel Descriptor (Issue 3). Retrieved on 2009-09-01.
- ^‘Driving Digital’ A Review of the Duration of the Analogue/Digital Television Simulcast Period(PDF). Broadcast Australia. Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. November 2005. p. 31. Archived from the original(PDF) on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
- ^Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (2006). ARIB Technical Report TR-B14 version 2.8: Operational Guidelines for Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (official English translation, Fascicle 3). Volume 7: Provisions for Carrier Operations. Accessed on 2009-09-01.
- ^'Archived copy'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2012-12-05.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
- ^http://www.skytv.co.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=202&art_id=44011
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virtual_channel&oldid=882675818'
This Oracle tutorial explains how to use the Oracle CREATE TABLE statement with syntax, examples, and practice exercises.
Description
The Oracle CREATE TABLE statement allows you to create and define a table.
Syntax
The syntax for the CREATE TABLE statement in Oracle/PLSQL is:
Parameters or Arguments
- table_name
- The name of the table that you wish to create.
- column1, column2, .. column_n
- The columns that you wish to create in the table. Each column must have a datatype. The column should either be defined as 'null' or 'not null' and if this value is left blank, the database assumes 'null' as the default.
Example
Let's look at an Oracle CREATE TABLE example.
This Oracle CREATE TABLE example creates a table called customers which has 3 columns.
- The first column is called customer_id which is created as a number datatype (maximum 10 digits in length) and can not contain null values.
- The second column is called customer_name which is a varchar2 datatype (50 maximum characters in length) and also can not contain null values.
- The third column is called city which is a varchar2 datatype but can contain null values.
Now the only problem with this Oracle CREATE TABLE statement is that you have not defined a primary key for the table. We could modify this CREATE TABLE statement and define the customer_id as the primary key as follows:
Learn about primary keys.
Learn about foreign keys.
Practice Exercise #1:
Create an Oracle table called suppliers that stores supplier ID, name, and address information.
Solution for Practice Exercise #1:
The Oracle CREATE TABLE statement for the suppliers table is:
Practice Exercise #2:
Create an Oracle table called customers that stores customer ID, name, and address information.
But this time, the customer ID should be the primary key for the table.
Solution for Practice Exercise #2:
The Oracle CREATE TABLE statement for the customers table is:
Practice Exercise #3:
Based on the departments table below, create an Oracle table called employees that stores employee number, employee name, department, and salary information. The primary key for the employees table should be the employee number. Create a foreign key on the employees table that references the departments table based on the department_id field.
Solution for Practice Exercise #3:
The Oracle CREATE TABLE statement for the employees table is:
Creating Remote Sources and Virtual Tables in HANA to Hive and Vora can be accomplished using HANA Studio to create remote sources and virtual tables, but what about using DDL?
There are 3 types of connections that can be created from HANA to Vora or Hive using a Remote Source. Two use the SparkController, while the third uses the newly available HANA Wire Protocol.
SparkController 2.0 can support HANA 1.0 SPS11 or 12 and HANA 2.0 and access Vora 1.2 or 1.3 or Hive on a Hadoop Cluster.
The use of the HANA Wire Protocol requires Vora 1.3 and the enablement of the wire protocol support in the Vora Transaction Coordinator service. (As of this writing, only Vora Disk tables can be accessed using the HANA Wire Protocol connection, not in-memory tables).
For these examples, we will be using HANA 12 SPS122.5, Vora 1.3.65 and the SparkController 2.0.0.
Details on configuring the SparkControllers for this exercise can be found in: https://blogs.sap.com/2016/10/13/configuring-multiple-sparkcontrollers-ambari-hana-dlm-hive-vora-access/
First things first, let’s set up some simple test data.
- Log into a console and create the test data:The test data is now in the local file system and hdfs.
Now we need to load this into Hive and Vora. We can run everything from the Vora spark shell:
- First we will create a Hive ‘test’ table in the ‘default’ Hive database:
- Now, let’s load the same data into Vora in-memory engine:
- and for the last table, we will load the data into the Vora disk engine:
Now we have 3 tables loaded into various datastores, we can switch to HANA Studio, but as we are using DDL, we can also use hdbsql.
We will use the SparkSQL HANA adapter to connect to the SparkControllers for Hive and Vora in-memory access.
Creating the Hive remote source
- Start HANA Studio and navigate to the server you want to use. Open a SQL Console window. To create the Hive Remote source, issue the following command (using the DSN name of your Hive-configured SparkController):
Creating the Vora remote source
- Issue the following in the HANA Studio SQL Console to create a Vora remote source using the Vora-configured SparkController:
Lastly, we will use the new HANA Wire Protocol to access the table in the Vora disk store.
Creating the HANA Wire remote source
Creating the HANA Wire remote source
- First, Vora has to be configured to use the Wire. Log into the Vora Manager GUI:http://<Vora Manager Node:19000/vora-manager/web/select ‘Services’ and open the ‘Vora Transaction Coordinator’ service ‘Configuration’ tab. Ensure that ‘HANA Wire activation’ is selected and that an ‘Instance number for Vora Transaction Coordinator’ has been assigned:
- From the HANA Studio SQL Console window, you can now issue the following command (replacing the <TC Server DNS Name> with the server name of your Vora Transaction Coordinator service and the <TC HANA Wire Port> with 30<Instance number for Vora Transaction Coordinator>5 e.g. 30115):
Refreshing and Expanding all the folders underneath the Provisioning folder should show the new remote datasources and the tables available for virtual table creation in HANA:
Any of these tables can be created in HANA as a virtual table for access by HANA by selecting the table and using a right-mouse click and creating the table in a HANA schema:
but we will use DDL to create these tables instead.
- From the SQL Console, issue the following DDL commands for each table:
The tables will now appear in your Catalog/<schema>/Tables folder as virtual tables:
You can now use them as you would any other virtual table.
As of this writing, the following notes apply:
- The HANA Wire activation only supports tables cataloged in the Vora disk engine.
- Re-starting Vora will require the Vora disk tables to be re-loaded (see the ‘SAP HANA Vora Developer Guide’).
- As you can see from step 4, cataloging a Vora disk table in HANA requires the table name in Uppercase and additional tableSchema options to allow HANA to use HANA datatypes instead of Vora/Spark datatypes (e.g. Varchar(x) instead of string)
Chris
I’ve been meaning to blog about this for a while – today’s the day :-). Inside Power BI Desktop is a relatively new feature called “New Table”.
This is only available in Power BI Desktop and not in any of the Excel versions or SSAS Tabular. This feature is essentially a “Calculated Table” function. You can pass any valid DAX measure that returns a table of values, and the table will be materialised and loaded into the data model.
I generally recommend pushing data shaping as close to the source as is practicable. If your source (eg SQL Server) doesn’t contain the data in the shape you always need, then it is in your interest to get it changed back at the source if you can – that way it will always be available in the shape you actually need it. But that is not always possible of course. If that were not possible, it would normally be my preference to reshape the table during data load with Power Query rather than creating a table in Power BI Desktop with New Table. Having said that, there are some use cases I can see where New Table can be helpful.
One advantage of using New Table vs Power Query is you have access to all your measures in the data model. As an example, assume you want to produce a visualisation like this one.
In this case, the above table (Adventure Works) is not overly complex and could be created quickly at run time in a Table Visual in Power BI Desktop. But in real life it is possible that the measures may be very complex and you may have 10s of millions of rows of data. In this scenario you may want to pre-calculate a summary table like this and have it loaded as a table of values during data refresh. Using New Table in this way pushes the calculation effort so it is executed when the data is loaded, not at run time. In addition because the table is created in the data model (not Power Query) you are able to use the measures written in the data model rather than have to recreate the logic elsewhere.
Virtual Board With Tables Plans
A Little DAX Query Language Helps
DAX as a query language is not hard to pick up, and you can use New Table as a tool to help you learn. To create the table above, I simply clicked “New Table” and entered a summarize statement as you can see below. Note that DAX as a query language normally requires you to start every query with the EVALUATE statement, but this is not needed in a Calculated Table.
In the example above I have started with a SUMMARIZE statement. The most important thing to know about SUMMARIZE is you must start with a data* table (1 above) and then add one or more columns that you want to see in the new summarized table (2 and 3 above). Each column after the table name must be in either the data table itself or it must be accessible from a many to 1 relationship from the data table (it can pass through many tables as long as the relationships are all many to 1 from the data table).
*NOTE: You can write a SUMMARIZE starting from a lookup table and add columns from the lookup table, but you can’t then also add columns from a data table.
As you can see above, this simple query creates a list of all sub categories and financial years only if there were transactions for that tuple in the sales table (35 rows in total). In this sense it is different to CROSSJOIN as CROSSJOIN would produce all technically possible combinations of 2 tables. In the formula below I use CROSSJOIN to create a summary table of all the possible values of Product[SubCategory]) and Calendar[Fin Year] by first converting these columns to tables (with values) and then joining them. There are 148 possible combinations (rows) below.
Now I have the Sub Category and Year in my original SUMMARIZE table, I want to add the sales, cost and margin for each tuple. This can be done using SUMMARIZE, but best practice is that you should use ADDCOLUMNS instead. ADDCOLUMNS takes a table (in this case the SUMMARIZE table I created above) and then you can add one or more additional columns to the table as required. So I already had line 3 below, so I simply wrapped it inside ADDCOLUMNS and then added the 3 columns you can see below. Note that ADDCOLUMNS operates in a row context and doesn’t have a filter context, hence it relies on the implicit CALCULATE wrapped inside each measure to get the right outcome.
In the simplistic example I am showing you here the measures [Total Sales], [Total Cost] and [Total Margin] are not at all complex, however you can probably imagine that this would be a good approach if you had very complex measures in very large data models that required a summary table for some reason.
The other reason I like New Table is to use it to debug a stubborn measure. There are lots of measures that take a table function as in input. Table functions common inside measures include ALL(), VALUES() and FILTER() to name a few. It has always been difficult (especially for Excel pros) to “visualise” what each of these table functions is doing because they essentially create a virtual table that is never materialised. You only ever get to see the final scalar value result from the measure itself. And if the scalar value result is not working as expected, it can be hard to work out if it is the table or something else that is causing the problem. Enter New Table as a debugging tool.
I am going to refer back to this blog post I wrote 2.5 years ago (OMG, has it been that long!). In that article I explained how I didn’t really understand the nuances of filter propagation and context transition in my learning stages of DAX. Here is a quote from that blog post.
This FILTER( ) function will return a table. I can’t actually see the table, hence for debugging purposes I am going to wrap the entire Function in another COUNTROWS( ) function just for this test.
Test:=COUNTROWS(
FILTER(
Products,
COUNTROWS(Forecast)>0
)
)
Test:=COUNTROWS(
FILTER(
Products,
COUNTROWS(Forecast)>0
)
)
The point I am making is that I used the COUNTROWS function to help me “visualise” what FILTER was returning, because I couldn’t actually see the table. But in Power BI Desktop that all changes. All I need to do now is copy the FILTER portion of any formula and create a New Table as shown here
Now I get to see that all the rows are visible and also I can physically see the data – this gives me a warm fuzzy feeling of comfort that I really understand what is going on under the hood. The point of the post I am referring to (from 2.5 years ago) is that I was missing a CALCULATE in my FILTER Function. If I now change the Calculated Table in Power BI Desktop to include the correct formula with a CALCULATE(), I get the following result.
Now I can see that the FILTER function is returning a correctly filtered table (as I needed for the example), and “seeing” it materialised by using a Calculated Table has really helped me get my head around what is going on.
ALL is a function that I normally use inside CALCULATE to remove filters. But it can return some other interesting tables using columns in the syntax, and these are easy to visualise with New Table.
When you wrap ALL around a column, you get a distinct list just like you would with the VALUES function.
But you can also pass multiple columns like this ALL(Products[SizeRange],Products[Color]).
Visualising these tables using New Table makes everything easier to understand.
Here we present links to other useful tools and resources to use with Battlegrounds: RPG Edition and/or Battlegrounds Gaming Engine.
While we think you might find the information useful, the fact that a product or site is listed here does not necessarily mean that we endorse them or their products.
If you would like to be listed here, or wish to suggest that we list a particular site or product, please visit our Forums and post your suggestion there.
Links that are not hyperlinks are known to be defunct websites, and are recorded here for historical purposes only.
MAPPING SOFTWARE
Dundjinni
Produces beautiful maps (especially battlemaps). Recommended.
Note: This software cannot currently be purchased, due to the DJ Store being offline.
http://www.dundjinni.com/
Produces beautiful maps (especially battlemaps). Recommended.
Note: This software cannot currently be purchased, due to the DJ Store being offline.
http://www.dundjinni.com/
ProFantasy
The makers of Campaign Cartographer 2, CC3, CC3+, and other mapping programs.
http://www.profantasy.com/
The makers of Campaign Cartographer 2, CC3, CC3+, and other mapping programs.
http://www.profantasy.com/
AutoREALM
http://sourceforge.net/projects/autorealm/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/autorealm/
RPGMapMaker
Mac-only
http://fmteau.perso.neuf.fr/rpgmapmaker/rpgmapmaker.htm
Mac-only
http://fmteau.perso.neuf.fr/rpgmapmaker/rpgmapmaker.htm
MapCrafter
Note: The link below is now defunct.
http://www.empowergames.com/
Note: The link below is now defunct.
http://www.empowergames.com/
DungeonForge
http://www.dungeonmapping.com/df/public_html/
http://www.dungeonmapping.com/df/public_html/
MapMaker
http://www.demonspawn.net/games/map/default.htm
http://www.demonspawn.net/games/map/default.htm
zMapper
http://www.zuggsoft.com/zmapper/zmapperinfo.htm
http://www.zuggsoft.com/zmapper/zmapperinfo.htm
Benny’s Dungeon Map Maker
Note: The link below is now defunct.
http://www.sev.org/members/bmazur/dndminis/dmm.html
Note: The link below is now defunct.
http://www.sev.org/members/bmazur/dndminis/dmm.html
StoneSword.com
Free mapping software that works right in your browser.
http://www.stonesword.com/
Free mapping software that works right in your browser.
http://www.stonesword.com/
Dungeon Tile Mapper
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20061121t
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20061121t
Dungeon Crafter 3
http://www.freenew.net/windows/dungeon-crafter-iii-silver-edition-3033/19872.htm
http://www.freenew.net/windows/dungeon-crafter-iii-silver-edition-3033/19872.htm
Inkarnate
Browser-based mapping site, currently in beta.
http://inkarnate.com/
Browser-based mapping site, currently in beta.
http://inkarnate.com/
Hexmapper
Registration to the Yahoo Group is required to download the program.
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hexmapper_Haven/
Registration to the Yahoo Group is required to download the program.
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hexmapper_Haven/
HexDraw
http://www.hexdraw.com/
http://www.hexdraw.com/
Hexographer
Free and commercial versions available.
http://www.hexographer.com/
Free and commercial versions available.
http://www.hexographer.com/
Dungeon Demon
Previously commercial, free version now available. Windows-only.
http://www.rustyaxe.com/apps/dd/index.php
Previously commercial, free version now available. Windows-only.
http://www.rustyaxe.com/apps/dd/index.php
Grumble Mapper
Donation-ware. Cross-platform (Adobe AIR).
http://evanjacover.com/grumblemapper
Donation-ware. Cross-platform (Adobe AIR).
http://evanjacover.com/grumblemapper
Grid Mapper
Donation-ware. Windows-only.
http://www.superdan.net/gridmapper/
Donation-ware. Windows-only.
http://www.superdan.net/gridmapper/
Dungeonographer
From the developer of Hexographer.
Free and commercial versions available.
http://www.dungeonographer.com/ Excel password recovery.
From the developer of Hexographer.
Free and commercial versions available.
http://www.dungeonographer.com/ Excel password recovery.
Dungeon Painter
Free; runs in a browser.
http://pyromancers.com/dungeon-painter-online
Free; runs in a browser.
http://pyromancers.com/dungeon-painter-online
Ortelius
Professional cartography/mapping software.
Mac OS X only.
http://www.mapdiva.com/ortelius/
Professional cartography/mapping software.
Mac OS X only.
http://www.mapdiva.com/ortelius/
BG MapEditor
Free; WIP
http://109.123.73.99/hosting/bgmapeditor/#avertissements
Free; WIP
http://109.123.73.99/hosting/bgmapeditor/#avertissements
Ye Olde Map Maker
http://yeoldemapmaker.com/
http://yeoldemapmaker.com/
Explorations
http://www.explore-rpg.com/
http://www.explore-rpg.com/
Lior’s Map Creator
Free, Windows-only
http://liors.net/software/map_creator/help/index.html
Free, Windows-only
http://liors.net/software/map_creator/help/index.html
Worldspinner
Currently in beta. May require a subscription.
http://worldspinner.com/
Currently in beta. May require a subscription.
http://worldspinner.com/
Fantasy Map Builder
Currently in beta. Browser-based, with Fog of War feature.
http://www.fantasymapbuilder.com/
Currently in beta. Browser-based, with Fog of War feature.
http://www.fantasymapbuilder.com/
Map Maker
Free. Browser-based.
http://mapmaker.dwarvenforge.com/
Free. Browser-based.
http://mapmaker.dwarvenforge.com/
Dungeon Painter Studio
Currently on Steam Greenlight.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=772020449
Currently on Steam Greenlight.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=772020449
MapForge
Commercial app for Windows and Mac that also offers free use level (limited to low-resolution output).
MapForge Software
Commercial app for Windows and Mac that also offers free use level (limited to low-resolution output).
MapForge Software
FREE ART
RPGMapShare.com
A highly recommended repository of maps and artwork for RPGs. Be sure to set the Usage Rights for any artwork that you upload here, or it will be promptly deleted.
http://rpgmapshare.com/
A highly recommended repository of maps and artwork for RPGs. Be sure to set the Usage Rights for any artwork that you upload here, or it will be promptly deleted.
http://rpgmapshare.com/
Dundjinni Forums
An extremely friendly and helpful community that posts new artwork daily. You might even be able to request a specific prop that you need, and have it a few days later. All the artwork posted on these forums is free to download for personal use, and much of it can even be used commercially.
http://www.dundjinni.com/forums/default.asp
An extremely friendly and helpful community that posts new artwork daily. You might even be able to request a specific prop that you need, and have it a few days later. All the artwork posted on these forums is free to download for personal use, and much of it can even be used commercially.
http://www.dundjinni.com/forums/default.asp
Dundjinni’s Free Download of the Week
Discontinued.
http://www.dundjinni.com/art/dotw.asp
Discontinued.
http://www.dundjinni.com/art/dotw.asp
ROLEPLAYING AIDS
CSUAC
The new home of the CSUAC art archives (a treasure-trove of free artwork originally compiled from the Dundjinni forums, but perfect for use with BRPG).
http://www.musicalquests.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=135&func=select&id=32
The new home of the CSUAC art archives (a treasure-trove of free artwork originally compiled from the Dundjinni forums, but perfect for use with BRPG).
http://www.musicalquests.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=135&func=select&id=32
CrystalBall3
Mac-only.
http://www.crystalballsoft.com/crystalball.html
Mac-only.
http://www.crystalballsoft.com/crystalball.html
PCGen
RPG character generator & maintenance program
Java-based (multi-platform).
http://pcgen.sourceforge.net/01_overview.php
RPG character generator & maintenance program
Java-based (multi-platform).
http://pcgen.sourceforge.net/01_overview.php
RPG Patsy
A replacement for your pencil and paper character sheet
Java-based (multi-platform).
http://www.rpgpatsy.com/
A replacement for your pencil and paper character sheet
Java-based (multi-platform).
http://www.rpgpatsy.com/
Roleplaying Tips
A weekly newsletter/e-zine.
http://www.roleplayingtips.com/index.php
A weekly newsletter/e-zine.
http://www.roleplayingtips.com/index.php
DA: The Roleplayer’s Digital Assistant
A game-independent software toolset (Windows-only).
http://www.mjhkstudios.com/DA/Frameset.htm
A game-independent software toolset (Windows-only).
http://www.mjhkstudios.com/DA/Frameset.htm
Map Mage
Lots of different software tools (some free, most for sale, Windows-only).
http://www.mapmage.com/
Lots of different software tools (some free, most for sale, Windows-only).
http://www.mapmage.com/
Turn Watcher
An initiative tracker for GMs (Windows and Linux only)
http://www.turnwatcher.com/
An initiative tracker for GMs (Windows and Linux only)
http://www.turnwatcher.com/
On-Screen DM Screen
A handy online reference tool for d20 System.
http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/resources/systems/pennpaper/dnd35/soveliorsage/toolsScreen.html
A handy online reference tool for d20 System.
http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/resources/systems/pennpaper/dnd35/soveliorsage/toolsScreen.html
Arr-Kelaan Software’s RPG Tools
Lots of different software tools (free, for Windows 95 only).
http://www.rmcomics.com/ak/tools.htm
Lots of different software tools (free, for Windows 95 only).
http://www.rmcomics.com/ak/tools.htm
Treasure Tables
Advice, tips, ideas, and resources for GMs.
http://www.treasuretables.org/
Advice, tips, ideas, and resources for GMs.
http://www.treasuretables.org/
MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS
The RPG SoundMixer
A tool specifically designed to create music and effect backgrounds for “Pen&Paper” RPG sessions.
http://www.rpgsoundmixer.com/
A tool specifically designed to create music and effect backgrounds for “Pen&Paper” RPG sessions.
http://www.rpgsoundmixer.com/
SoundDogs
The largest sound effects library on the internet.
http://sounddogs.com/
The largest sound effects library on the internet.
http://sounddogs.com/
FindSounds
http://www.findsounds.com/
http://www.findsounds.com/
SoundBible
http://soundbible.com/
http://soundbible.com/
FreeSFX
http://www.freesfx.co.uk/
http://www.freesfx.co.uk/
Tabletop Audio
http://tabletopaudio.com/
http://tabletopaudio.com/
VOICE CHAT APPLICATIONS
Using these can significantly speed up play of online game sessions, but all users will probably need to have a broadband internet connection. Most of these are available in both Windows and Mac versions.
Using these can significantly speed up play of online game sessions, but all users will probably need to have a broadband internet connection. Most of these are available in both Windows and Mac versions.
Skype
Also supports video conferencing (which is not free)
http://www.skype.com/
Also supports video conferencing (which is not free)
http://www.skype.com/
Ventrilo
Great push-to-talk feature
http://www.ventrilo.com/
Great push-to-talk feature
http://www.ventrilo.com/
Gizmo
http://www.filehippo.com/download_gizmoproject/
http://www.filehippo.com/download_gizmoproject/
Ineen
http://www.ineen.com/
http://www.ineen.com/
TeamSpeak
(Note: the unofficial and unrelated “TeamSpeex” Mac client is still in beta)
http://www.goteamspeak.com/
(Note: the unofficial and unrelated “TeamSpeex” Mac client is still in beta)
http://www.goteamspeak.com/
Dolby Axon
Supports surround sound (but not in the free client, which is good for up to 5 users)
https://axon.dolby.com/
Supports surround sound (but not in the free client, which is good for up to 5 users)
https://axon.dolby.com/
Discord
Free, supports browsers, Friends list, multiple channels, direct messaging
https://discordapp.com/
Free, supports browsers, Friends list, multiple channels, direct messaging
https://discordapp.com/
VIRTUAL TABLETOP (VT) PROGRAMS FOR RPGs
Below are links to every virtual tabletop program I could find, both free and commercial, so you can judge for yourself which tool best fits your needs. Note that if there is no hyperlink, it’s on purpose. The site is known to no longer exist, and I’ve simply posted the last known link that used to work, in case someone wants to track it down on Wayback Machine.
Commercial Programs:
Battlegrounds: RPG Edition
That’s what the rest of this site is about. I’m just including BRPG to make the list complete.
http://www.battlegroundsgames.com/nutshell.html
That’s what the rest of this site is about. I’m just including BRPG to make the list complete.
http://www.battlegroundsgames.com/nutshell.html
Fantasy Grounds
Windows-only. Many people like the look and feel of this app, and the 3D dice rolling.
http://www.fantasygrounds.com/
Windows-only. Many people like the look and feel of this app, and the 3D dice rolling.
http://www.fantasygrounds.com/
D20Pro
Java-based, 2-week free trial license.
http://www.d20pro.com/
Java-based, 2-week free trial license.
http://www.d20pro.com/
ScreenMonkey
Only the GM must pay. Players play free, using their web browser. The GM app is Windows-only. A Lite version is available for free.
http://www.nbos.com/products/screenmonkey
Only the GM must pay. Players play free, using their web browser. The GM app is Windows-only. A Lite version is available for free.
http://www.nbos.com/products/screenmonkey
iTabletop Pandoren (v2)
Browser-based (requires MS Silverlight, Adobe Flash, and 1 GB RAM) Windows or Mac OS X. Features built-in voice chat, and streaming video/webcam support.
http://www.itabletop.com/
Browser-based (requires MS Silverlight, Adobe Flash, and 1 GB RAM) Windows or Mac OS X. Features built-in voice chat, and streaming video/webcam support.
http://www.itabletop.com/
EpicTable
Windows-only.
http://www.epictable.com/
Windows-only.
http://www.epictable.com/
RPG Table
Mac OS X-only (v10.5.8 or greater). No online play in v1.0.
http://www.codechemistry.com/
Mac OS X-only (v10.5.8 or greater). No online play in v1.0.
http://www.codechemistry.com/
3DVT
In beta.
No system requirements publicly available.
http://myvirtualtable.com/
In beta.
No system requirements publicly available.
http://myvirtualtable.com/
3D Virtual Tabletop
Free for solo play, subscription-based for online play.
iOS and Android
http://www.3dvtt.com/
Free for solo play, subscription-based for online play.
iOS and Android
http://www.3dvtt.com/
Roll20
Browser-based.
Free, or monthly subscription for extra features.
http://roll20.net/
Browser-based.
Free, or monthly subscription for extra features.
http://roll20.net/
Tabletop Connect
Windows and Mac OS X.
http://www.tabletopconnect.com/
Windows and Mac OS X.
http://www.tabletopconnect.com/
Psi-DiCE VTT – Dice Roller 1.0
Windows, Mac and Linux.
VTT is currrently in development, but Dice Roller 1.0 has been released.
https://www.psifire.com/products.html
Windows, Mac and Linux.
VTT is currrently in development, but Dice Roller 1.0 has been released.
https://www.psifire.com/products.html
Beyond Tabletop
Browser-based (web app), one time fee (no subscriptions)
http://www.beyondtabletop.com/
Browser-based (web app), one time fee (no subscriptions)
http://www.beyondtabletop.com/
Battlemat Miniatures Battle System
Windows, Mac, Linux
http://store.steampowered.com/sub/54333/
Windows, Mac, Linux
http://store.steampowered.com/sub/54333/
Revolution: Virtual Playspace
Windows, Mac, Linux
http://www.revolutionvirtualplayspace.com/
Windows, Mac, Linux
http://www.revolutionvirtualplayspace.com/
Skirmish! VT
Windows only, currently seeking funding on Kickstarter
http://www.skirmish-vt.com/
Windows only, currently seeking funding on Kickstarter
http://www.skirmish-vt.com/
Infinitas DM
Android and iOS
http://www.infinitasdm.com/
Android and iOS
http://www.infinitasdm.com/
GM Forge
Local app for GM (Windows only); players join for free using a browser.
https://www.gmforge.io/
Also on Steam.
Local app for GM (Windows only); players join for free using a browser.
https://www.gmforge.io/
Also on Steam.
Role Gate
Play asynchronously on mobile or browser.
https://www.gmforge.io/
Patreon-supported
Play asynchronously on mobile or browser.
https://www.gmforge.io/
Patreon-supported
Astral
Browser-based app. Free or subscription-based (monthly or yearly). Formerly known as PowerVTT.
https://www.gmforge.io/
Browser-based app. Free or subscription-based (monthly or yearly). Formerly known as PowerVTT.
https://www.gmforge.io/
Arkenforge
Windows and macOS
https://arkenforge.com/
Windows and macOS
https://arkenforge.com/
OpenRPG
Once had the biggest user base of any VTT app.
http://www.rpgobjects.com/index.php?c=orpg
Once had the biggest user base of any VTT app.
http://www.rpgobjects.com/index.php?c=orpg
OpenRPG+
This site hosts the development version of OpenRPG.
http://rpg.wikia.com/wiki/Installing_OpenRPG
This site hosts the development version of OpenRPG.
http://rpg.wikia.com/wiki/Installing_OpenRPG
MapTool
Java-based. Developers are actively enhancing this program regularly.
http://www.rptools.net/index.php?page=maptool
Java-based. Developers are actively enhancing this program regularly.
http://www.rptools.net/index.php?page=maptool
VTable (formerly known as Gametable)
Java-based.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/gametableproj/
Java-based.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/gametableproj/
Interactive Dungeon
Windows-only
http://www.big12inch.com/id/
Windows-only
http://www.big12inch.com/id/
Dave’s Flash Mapper
Possibly still in development.
http://www.csgmedia.com/files/david/fm/
Possibly still in development.
http://www.csgmedia.com/files/david/fm/
RPG Manager
Windows-only. v2.0 is in development, and screenshots for it are now available.
http://www.rpgmanager.net/Home.htm
Windows-only. v2.0 is in development, and screenshots for it are now available.
http://www.rpgmanager.net/Home.htm
Playing Fields
Java-based.
http://gdiac.cis.cornell.edu/Projects/2006sp/PlayingFields/index.html
Java-based.
http://gdiac.cis.cornell.edu/Projects/2006sp/PlayingFields/index.html
Dices
Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dices/files/dices/
Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dices/files/dices/
Dungeon Helper
Windows-only.
http://dh.abomb.info/index.php
Windows-only.
http://dh.abomb.info/index.php
Avalomhilly
Windows-only.
http://www.avalomhilly.20m.com/
Windows-only.
http://www.avalomhilly.20m.com/
TTopRPG 2.0
Windows-only.
http://www.gamemodel.com/TTopRPG/index.htm
Windows-only.
http://www.gamemodel.com/TTopRPG/index.htm
Rolistik
Windows & Mac OS X. In French.
http://rolistik.free.fr/
Windows & Mac OS X. In French.
http://rolistik.free.fr/
Virtual Tabletop
Windows-only. Note that the link below is a download link, not a website.
http://64digits.com/users/brighteyes/Virtual_Tabletop_v0.6_.zip
Windows-only. Note that the link below is a download link, not a website.
http://64digits.com/users/brighteyes/Virtual_Tabletop_v0.6_.zip
Virtual Game Table (VGT)
Windows-only.
http://www.siliconstorm.net/vgt/vgt.html
Windows-only.
http://www.siliconstorm.net/vgt/vgt.html
Irony Games’ MapMagical Encounter Editor
Java-based, runs in a web browser.
http://pages.infinit.net/pdclarke/mmee/index.html
Java-based, runs in a web browser.
http://pages.infinit.net/pdclarke/mmee/index.html
Map Maker (beta)
MS Silverlight app, runs in a web browser.
http://dnd.gudjonhrafn.com/mm/
MS Silverlight app, runs in a web browser.
http://dnd.gudjonhrafn.com/mm/
Qex
Windows-only.
http://qex.skyfire.ca/
Windows-only.
http://qex.skyfire.ca/
Masterplan
Windows-only. No online component
http://www.habitualindolence.net/masterplan/
Windows-only. No online component
http://www.habitualindolence.net/masterplan/
Taulukko
Donation-ware.
http://www.taulukko.com.br/
Donation-ware.
http://www.taulukko.com.br/
Infrno
Unclear whether this is free for good, or free while-in-beta.
Windows & Mac OS; has video-conferencing feature. Closing down in June 2018
http://infrno.net/base/welcome
Unclear whether this is free for good, or free while-in-beta.
Windows & Mac OS; has video-conferencing feature. Closing down in June 2018
http://infrno.net/base/welcome
RPGrounds
Unclear whether this will free when released, or just while-in-beta.
Will supposedly be a 3D VTT.
http://www.rpgrounds.com/
Unclear whether this will free when released, or just while-in-beta.
Will supposedly be a 3D VTT.
http://www.rpgrounds.com/
Live-Tabletop
Not even alpha yet.
Will support RPGs and boardgames
http://code.google.com/p/live-tabletop/
Not even alpha yet.
Will support RPGs and boardgames
http://code.google.com/p/live-tabletop/
Fabletop (formerly known as Tabletop Quest)
Browser-based. Open beta.
Unclear whether this will free when released, or just while-in-beta.
http://fabletop.com/
Browser-based. Open beta.
Unclear whether this will free when released, or just while-in-beta.
http://fabletop.com/
MyRPG
Browser-based.
Unclear whether this will free when released, or just while-in-beta.
http://myrpg.ca/
Browser-based.
Unclear whether this will free when released, or just while-in-beta.
http://myrpg.ca/
Mote
Java-based. Based on the MapTool codebase.
https://front.idleideas.biz/
Java-based. Based on the MapTool codebase.
https://front.idleideas.biz/
Rolisteam
Windows, Mac OS X, Linux. Based on Rolistik (see above), with some improvements.
http://www.rolisteam.org/
Windows, Mac OS X, Linux. Based on Rolistik (see above), with some improvements.
http://www.rolisteam.org/
Skwyre
Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android (iOS eventually), commercial app, but free while in beta
http://www.nbos.com/products/skwyre
Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android (iOS eventually), commercial app, but free while in beta
http://www.nbos.com/products/skwyre
DM Tools & Virtual Table
Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.konrad.dungeonanddragons.dmtools
Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.konrad.dungeonanddragons.dmtools
Dodontof
Strictly for Japanese users, Browser-based, requires Flash Player.
http://www.dodontof.com/
Strictly for Japanese users, Browser-based, requires Flash Player.
http://www.dodontof.com/
Discontinued, Abandoned, or Unsupported Programs:
WebRPG
http://www.webrpg.com/gamesystem/
Note: The link above seems to be dead, which to me indicates that this is a discontinued product, but I’ve found a mirror site here, in case you still want to check this out.
http://www.webrpg.com/gamesystem/
Note: The link above seems to be dead, which to me indicates that this is a discontinued product, but I’ve found a mirror site here, in case you still want to check this out.
KloogeWerks
Java-based. Steep learning curve, but powerful.
http://www.kloogeinc.com/
Java-based. Steep learning curve, but powerful.
http://www.kloogeinc.com/
Tabletop Mapper
Windows-only.
http://www.tabletopmapper.hpg.ig.com.br/
Windows-only.
http://www.tabletopmapper.hpg.ig.com.br/
Interactive Adventures
Wizard of the Coast pulled the plug on this when they revoked their D&D license, so these are no longer available as of November 30, 2006.
http://www.codemonkeypublishing.com/
Wizard of the Coast pulled the plug on this when they revoked their D&D license, so these are no longer available as of November 30, 2006.
http://www.codemonkeypublishing.com/
GhostOrb
There was never an official announcement that this was cancelled, but the website homepage hadn’t been updated since December 2005, and now the site is gone entirely.
http://www.ghostorb.com/
There was never an official announcement that this was cancelled, but the website homepage hadn’t been updated since December 2005, and now the site is gone entirely.
http://www.ghostorb.com/
Vellum
An abandoned project that looked promising.
http://vellum.berlios.de/
An abandoned project that looked promising.
http://vellum.berlios.de/
Battle Aide
Free. Windows-only.
http://www.drakevision.com/projects/battle_aide/index.html
Free. Windows-only.
http://www.drakevision.com/projects/battle_aide/index.html
DNDMapper
Theoretically in development, but no updates since December 2005.
http://www.eeconsulting.net/tmp/
Theoretically in development, but no updates since December 2005.
http://www.eeconsulting.net/tmp/
Online RPG Battle Tool
Presumed to be an abandoned project. Probably Windows-only.
http://home.comcast.net/~r.soult/
Presumed to be an abandoned project. Probably Windows-only.
http://home.comcast.net/~r.soult/
V-FORT
Windows-only. The site is no longer available.
http://v-fort.org/
Windows-only. The site is no longer available.
http://v-fort.org/
BattlePawn
The site is no longer available.
http://www.battlepawn.com/
The site is no longer available.
http://www.battlepawn.com/
Make A Virtual Board Game
RolePlayingMaster
Windows-only.
http://www.enworld.org/RolePlayingMaster/
Windows-only.
http://www.enworld.org/RolePlayingMaster/
YumiChat
Windows-only server, Windows and Mac clients.
http://www.rabidcomics.com/yumichat/index.html
Windows-only server, Windows and Mac clients.
http://www.rabidcomics.com/yumichat/index.html
TRIS
Text-based only.
Note: This site seems to no longer be available.
http://trisrpg.bronzeforge.com/index.htm
Text-based only.
Note: This site seems to no longer be available.
http://trisrpg.bronzeforge.com/index.htm
AjaxVTT
Linux-only. Not for the technically-challenged.
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/GAMES-ENTERTAINMENT/RPG/AjaxVTT-18260.shtml#
Linux-only. Not for the technically-challenged.
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/GAMES-ENTERTAINMENT/RPG/AjaxVTT-18260.shtml#
Tabletop Mapper
Windows-only.
Note: This site is no longer available.
http://www.tabletopmapper.hpg.ig.com.br
Windows-only.
Note: This site is no longer available.
http://www.tabletopmapper.hpg.ig.com.br
GlitterComm
Windows-only.
http://glittercomm.com
Windows-only.
http://glittercomm.com
RPGWorkbench
Runs in a web browser.
http://rpgworkbench.blogspot.com/2007/08/content.html
Runs in a web browser.
http://rpgworkbench.blogspot.com/2007/08/content.html
Virtual Battlemat
Runs in a web browser.
Note: This site is no longer available.
http://virtualbattlemat.com/
Runs in a web browser.
Note: This site is no longer available.
http://virtualbattlemat.com/
BYOND Tabletop Gaming
Presumably still in development, but no updates since August 2005.
http://shadowdarke.byondhome.com/tt/intro.html
Presumably still in development, but no updates since August 2005.
http://shadowdarke.byondhome.com/tt/intro.html
D&D Game Table
Windows and Mac OS X. Cancelled. Again.
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/26286405/The_Dungeons__Dragons_Virtual_Table
Windows and Mac OS X. Cancelled. Again.
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/26286405/The_Dungeons__Dragons_Virtual_Table
Scene Grinder
Runs in browser. Subscription-based.
http://www.scenegrinder.com/
Runs in browser. Subscription-based.
http://www.scenegrinder.com/
weRole
Subscription-based. Features built-in webcam and voice chat.
http://www.werole.com/
Subscription-based. Features built-in webcam and voice chat.
http://www.werole.com/
Online Pen & Paper World
Windows-only.
http://www.opnpw.com/
Windows-only.
http://www.opnpw.com/
Tri Axe Dungeons & Dragons Chat
Windows-only.
http://www.triaxe.co.uk/
Windows-only.
http://www.triaxe.co.uk/
D20Map
Windows-only.
http://bd20map.runboard.com/
Windows-only.
http://bd20map.runboard.com/
RPGui
Windows-only. The site is no longer available.
http://www.togamario.com/
Windows-only. The site is no longer available.
http://www.togamario.com/
Battle Map v2.0
Flash-based, runs in your browser.
http://www.incend.net/treasure_trove/index.htm
Flash-based, runs in your browser.
http://www.incend.net/treasure_trove/index.htm
Diavida VTT
Runs in a web browser.
http://diavida.com/
Runs in a web browser.
http://diavida.com/
GRiP
No longer developed.
Update: The site is no longer available.
http://www.rpgrealms.com/grip
No longer developed.
Update: The site is no longer available.
http://www.rpgrealms.com/grip
tabledice
Runs in a web browser (Firefox or Chrome).
http://tabledice.com/
Runs in a web browser (Firefox or Chrome).
http://tabledice.com/
RPG Tonight
Runs in your browser.
http://www.rpgtonight.com
Runs in your browser.
http://www.rpgtonight.com
ViewingDale
Windows-only. Great zoom feature. No longer sold.
http://www.viewing.ltd.uk/cgi-bin/viewingdale.pl?category=main&sx=1280
Windows-only. Great zoom feature. No longer sold.
http://www.viewing.ltd.uk/cgi-bin/viewingdale.pl?category=main&sx=1280
SyncRPG
Based on a MapTool fork.
https://www.syncrpg.com/
Based on a MapTool fork.
https://www.syncrpg.com/
Epical Online – 3D RPG Virtual Tabletop
Runs in your browser.
http://www.epicalonline.com
https://www.facebook.com/EpicalOnline/info?tab=page_info
Runs in your browser.
http://www.epicalonline.com
https://www.facebook.com/EpicalOnline/info?tab=page_info
SimpleBM (short for Battle Map)
Browser-based.
http://sbm.elagplus.com/
Browser-based.
http://sbm.elagplus.com/
You might wonder why a commercial VTT site such as this one has links to every “competing” VTT (both commercial and free). Many people have said (or at least thought) that I am nuts for doing this, but I want you to make an informed decision before purchasing my products (or choosing another VT), and while I believe Battlegrounds holds up very well when evaluated against other VTs, I also realize that no one program is going to appeal to everyone. Fortunately, gamers have lots of options when it comes to choosing which VTT is right for them.
VIRTUAL TABLETOP PROGRAMS FOR WARGAMES, BOARDGAMES & CARD GAMES
Battlegrounds: RPG Edition (BRPG) and Battlegrounds Gaming Engine (BGE)
That’s what the rest of this site is about. I’m just including the Battlegrounds software here to make the list complete.
http://www.battlegroundsgames.com/nutshell.html
That’s what the rest of this site is about. I’m just including the Battlegrounds software here to make the list complete.
http://www.battlegroundsgames.com/nutshell.html
Vassal
Free. Cross-platform (Java-based).
The most popular VTT for wargaming, with a huge library of game modules available.
http://www.vassalengine.org/community/index.php
Free. Cross-platform (Java-based).
The most popular VTT for wargaming, with a huge library of game modules available.
http://www.vassalengine.org/community/index.php
CyberBoard
PBEM-only. Windows-only.
http://cyberboard.brainiac.com/
PBEM-only. Windows-only.
http://cyberboard.brainiac.com/
ZunTzu
Free. Windows-only. Built-in voice chat.
http://www.zuntzu.com/
Free. Windows-only. Built-in voice chat.
http://www.zuntzu.com/
Aide de Camp 2 (aka ADC2)
Commercial app. Windows-only.
http://www.hpssims.com/pages/products/adc2/ADC2-Main.html
Commercial app. Windows-only.
http://www.hpssims.com/pages/products/adc2/ADC2-Main.html
ACTS
Free. PBEM.
http://acts.warhorsesim.com/
Free. PBEM.
http://acts.warhorsesim.com/
OCTGN
Free. Windows-only.
http://www.octgn.net/
Free. Windows-only.
http://www.octgn.net/
Taebl
MS Silverlight-based.
http://taebl.com/
MS Silverlight-based.
http://taebl.com/
Ditzie
Still in beta.
http://ditzie.com/
Still in beta.
http://ditzie.com/
FlexibleRules
Windows-only.
http://diuf.unifr.ch/pai/flexiblerules/index.php
Windows-only.
http://diuf.unifr.ch/pai/flexiblerules/index.php
Sleep Is Death (Geisterfahrer)
Cross-platform
http://sleepisdeath.net/
Cross-platform
http://sleepisdeath.net/
Wildcard (alpha)
Mac OS X only.
http://www.blacktree.com/
Mac OS X only.
http://www.blacktree.com/
Board Games Online (beta)
Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/boardgames/
Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/boardgames/
ScanPlay
Free. Windows and Linux only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/scanplay/
Free. Windows and Linux only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/scanplay/
Thoth Engine
Windows-only.
http://digilander.libero.it/zak965/thoth/
Windows-only.
http://digilander.libero.it/zak965/thoth/
Virtual Card Table
Free. Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/vcardtable/
Free. Windows-only.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/vcardtable/
Protohut
Free. Browser-based.
http://protohut.com/
Free. Browser-based.
http://protohut.com/
HexWar
Subscription-based, cross-platform.
http://www.hexwar.com/
Subscription-based, cross-platform.
http://www.hexwar.com/
Virtual Board
Free. Work in progress. Intended for TCGs. Java-based.
http://www.imcsoftwarefactory.com/VirtualBoard/
Free. Work in progress. Intended for TCGs. Java-based.
http://www.imcsoftwarefactory.com/VirtualBoard/
NanDECK
Free. Windows and Linux. Virtual table is for local use only.
http://www.nand.it/nandeck/
Free. Windows and Linux. Virtual table is for local use only.
http://www.nand.it/nandeck/
Magic Set Editor
Free. Windows or Linux. Intended for designing cards.
http://magicseteditor.sourceforge.net/
Free. Windows or Linux. Intended for designing cards.
http://magicseteditor.sourceforge.net/
Apprentice
Free. Windows 95 or 98. For playing card games online.
http://www.magic-league.com/guide/apprentice.php
Free. Windows 95 or 98. For playing card games online.
http://www.magic-league.com/guide/apprentice.php
Zillions of Games
Commercial. Windows-only.
http://www.zillions-of-games.com/
Commercial. Windows-only.
http://www.zillions-of-games.com/
Axiom Development Kit
A plug-in for Zillions of Games to allow rules enforcement, AI, etc.
http://www.zillions-of-games.com/cgi-bin/zilligames/submissions.cgi?do=show;id=1452
A plug-in for Zillions of Games to allow rules enforcement, AI, etc.
http://www.zillions-of-games.com/cgi-bin/zilligames/submissions.cgi?do=show;id=1452
LackeyCCG
Free. Windows, Mac, or Linux. Play any CCG online.
http://www.lackeyccg.com/index.html
Free. Windows, Mac, or Linux. Play any CCG online.
http://www.lackeyccg.com/index.html
3DVT
No system requirements publicly available.
http://myvirtualtable.com/
No system requirements publicly available.
http://myvirtualtable.com/
Virtual Deck
Free. Java-based but Windows-only.
http://www.rlsoftwares.com/baralhovirtual/index.php
Free. Java-based but Windows-only.
http://www.rlsoftwares.com/baralhovirtual/index.php
Anywhere Board Games
Free. Intended for use in conjunction with mobile devices.
http://anywhereboardgames.com/
Free. Intended for use in conjunction with mobile devices.
http://anywhereboardgames.com/
Fortune Engine
Programmed ruleset built in. Claims to be both a VTT and a video game.
http://www.funhavergames.com/fortune-engine/
Programmed ruleset built in. Claims to be both a VTT and a video game.
http://www.funhavergames.com/fortune-engine/
GameGenesis
Not yet released. Will presumably be browser-based, and provide the ability to program game rules.
http://gamegenesis.net/
Not yet released. Will presumably be browser-based, and provide the ability to program game rules.
http://gamegenesis.net/
TripleA
Free. Downloadable open source Java-based app.
http://triplea.sourceforge.net/mywiki
Free. Downloadable open source Java-based app.
http://triplea.sourceforge.net/mywiki
iWarSim (aka Heaven)
Free. Windows and Mac.
http://gold.natsu.gs/WG/
Free. Windows and Mac.
http://gold.natsu.gs/WG/
Cockatrice
For playing card games. Free, open source. Windows and Mac.
http://cockatrice.de/index.php?a=project
For playing card games. Free, open source. Windows and Mac.
http://cockatrice.de/index.php?a=project
The WarGame Processor
Commercial ($25). Windows only.
http://wargamesbymail.com/
Commercial ($25). Windows only.
http://wargamesbymail.com/
Above the Fields
Free. Windows only.
http://www.abovethefields.com/wargame/download.htm
Free. Windows only.
http://www.abovethefields.com/wargame/download.htm
Tabloro
Free. Browser-based.
http://www.tabloro.com/
Free. Browser-based.
http://www.tabloro.com/
Card Forest
Free. Browser-based.
http://www.cardforest.com/
Free. Browser-based.
http://www.cardforest.com/
Tabletopia
Commercial. Browser-based. Native apps being developed for Windows, Mac, and tablets.
http://tabletopia.com/
Commercial. Browser-based. Native apps being developed for Windows, Mac, and tablets.
http://tabletopia.com/
Tabletop Simulator
Commercial. Windows, Mac, Linux. Also available on Steam.
http://berserk-games.com/tabletop-simulator/
Commercial. Windows, Mac, Linux. Also available on Steam.
http://berserk-games.com/tabletop-simulator/
Tabletop Zen
Currently in beta, runs in browser
http://tabletopzen.com/
Currently in beta, runs in browser
http://tabletopzen.com/
The Virtual Wargames Room
Expected to be commercial, if it is ever released. Windows-only.
http://www.thevirtualwargamesroom.com/
Expected to be commercial, if it is ever released. Windows-only.
http://www.thevirtualwargamesroom.com/
Universal Battle
Free, with option to unlock advanced features with a subscription. Windows-only.
http://www.universalbattle.com/guide.php
Free, with option to unlock advanced features with a subscription. Windows-only.
http://www.universalbattle.com/guide.php
Gamegineer
Free. Java-based (requires Java 6 or greater), so ostensibly supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gamegineer/
Free. Java-based (requires Java 6 or greater), so ostensibly supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gamegineer/
It’s taken a lot of Google searches over many months to come up with this comprehensive list of virtual tabletop software. I compiled it so that anyone interested in VTTs could use it to easily compare the various products, and it is now the most comprehensive VTT list on the internet. I also hoped that by providing such a useful collection of links, that it would draw people to this site and they might have a look around while they’re here.
However, more and more I am seeing my list reposted on various forums. I would rather people not do that, of course, but if you do, at least give credit where credit is due, and don’t try to pass of the information as your own. Thanks. Age of mythology greek units.
Comparing and Choosing Virtual Tabletop Software:
Guide to Choosing a Virtual Tabletop
With so many VTTs to choose from, it can be difficult to find the one that is right for you and your gaming group. This guide should help. To comment on the guide, please post here (forum registration not required).
(5-page PDF, 80 KB)
Link
With so many VTTs to choose from, it can be difficult to find the one that is right for you and your gaming group. This guide should help. To comment on the guide, please post here (forum registration not required).
(5-page PDF, 80 KB)
Link
VTT Comparison Chart
This chart was originally hosted at the Four Ugly Monsters site. Now that FUM no longer exists, I have offered to host the VTT comparison chart here. VTT developers are encouraged to periodically email me updated information about their VTT for inclusion in this chart.
Link
This chart was originally hosted at the Four Ugly Monsters site. Now that FUM no longer exists, I have offered to host the VTT comparison chart here. VTT developers are encouraged to periodically email me updated information about their VTT for inclusion in this chart.
Link
Sites that cater to Virtual Tabletop Software users:
RPG Virtual Tabletop
A good source of information about many VTTs, and content for VTTs such as tokens, maps, and adventures.
http://rpgvirtualtabletop.wikidot.com/
A good source of information about many VTTs, and content for VTTs such as tokens, maps, and adventures.
http://rpgvirtualtabletop.wikidot.com/
Four Ugly Monsters
Note: This site ceased to exist as of the end of September 2010. It was a great VTT-agnostic site, and will be sorely missed.
http://www.fouruglymonsters.com/
Note: This site ceased to exist as of the end of September 2010. It was a great VTT-agnostic site, and will be sorely missed.
http://www.fouruglymonsters.com/
FUMcon (formerly known as iCon)
A virtual tabletop game convention, held once a year
Note: This site ceased to exist as of the end of September 2010
http://www.fouruglymonsters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=119&Itemid=91
A virtual tabletop game convention, held once a year
Note: This site ceased to exist as of the end of September 2010
http://www.fouruglymonsters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=119&Itemid=91
BOARDGAMING & WARGAMING SITES
BoardGameGeek
The ultimate source of boardgame and wargame information.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/
The ultimate source of boardgame and wargame information.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/
Boardgaming.com
A less-intimidating (than BGG) boardgame site.
http://boardgaming.com/
A less-intimidating (than BGG) boardgame site.
http://boardgaming.com/
Fortress Ameritrash
A haven for lovers of Ameritrash games.
http://fortressat.com/
A haven for lovers of Ameritrash games.
http://fortressat.com/
ConSimWorld
A haven for wargamers.
http://www.consimworld.com/
A haven for wargamers.
http://www.consimworld.com/
Board Game Designers Forum
The place to go if you are interested in designing your own boardgame, card game, wargame, etc.
http://www.bgdf.com/
The place to go if you are interested in designing your own boardgame, card game, wargame, etc.
http://www.bgdf.com/
Want to link to this site? Here are two banner ads you can use.
The URL you should link to is http://www.battlegroundsgames.com/
The URL you should link to is http://www.battlegroundsgames.com/