The Daily Grind: What do you think of table-top games?

by Samuel Axon Oct 10th 2008 at 8:00AM

Filed under: World of Warcraft, EverQuest, EverQuest II, Culture, Warhammer Online, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Trading card games

There exists a very close relationship between MMOs and table-top games.

Yesterday saw the launch of Ethernauts, the fifth expansion to EverQuest-related collectible trading card game Legends of Norrath. LoN is digital, but gameplay-wise, it's totally a table-top game. World of Warcraft has an entirely material trading card game. Warhammer Online is of course based on the Warhammer miniatures game, and WoW is getting a miniatures game of its own. And of course, the RPG genre originated on the table-top with Dungeons & Dragons.

We're wondering: how much crossover is there between digital and table-top games? How many of our readers play them? Tell us! What do you think of table-top games?

Tags: ccg, collectible-card-game, discussion, dungeons-and-dragons, ethernauts, everquest, legends-of-norrath, lon, miniatures, opinion, pen-and-paper, role-playing-game, rpg, table-top, tcg, tdg, the-daily-grind, trading-card-game, warhammer, warhammer-online, world-of-warcraft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

MightyIdle said on 8:24AM 10-10-2008

I'd still rather play table top as opposed to computer games. As you get older, it becomes logistically impossible.

The social aspect of the tabletop scene can't be beat.

Dab said on 8:25AM 10-10-2008

To be honest, I have never tried a table-top or PnP game, even though I love MMOs. They do seem to have a synergy, but I have always been daunted by the rules and setup for the PnP games.

It seems there is some real snobbery with some PnP gamers out there, and a lack of patience with table-top newbies. If there was ever some sort of table-top teaching or coaching session for new players somewhere local to me, I think I would give it a try.

The Prince of Cats said on 10:03AM 10-10-2008

That was one thing Games Workshop was good for. Not only did they seem happy to teach newbies, they always seemed to have a game-table set up ready to start playing within minutes. That little trick is how I ended up buying most of the GW games I own; every time I went in to buy a paintbrush, they would get me...

Snorii said on 8:25AM 10-10-2008

I enjoy table-top games, but usually just play them during holidays.

mikejl said on 8:57AM 10-10-2008

I miss playing good old Axis and Allies. Seems had to get (and complete) a A&A game now.

MeowCat said on 8:59AM 10-10-2008

I used to love table top games as a child but they do become difficult as an adult. Maybe as my son gets older we'll have some table top fun. I would rather enjoy a table top game with him than root him to a computer.

John said on 9:37AM 10-10-2008

I LOVED them when I was younger and always had a group I could call to come over. Life calls though and as we get older its harder to find people who have the time for this type of game. I often wish they could be played the same with smaller groups.

Jeromai said on 10:03AM 10-10-2008

Love 'em. Never have time for them nowadays. As one gets older, the amount of friends with time and willingness to play these shrinks.

The Warhammer CE miniature is serving as a great temptation back into at least painting again. Giving serious thought to making some time for that hobby. That'll eat into MMO time though. Darn.

The Prince of Cats said on 10:12AM 10-10-2008

I come from a table-top background, but I make computer games, so I barely have time to play them any more. I would have to say that table-top gaming, whether it is Warhammer or D&D, is about the experience for me. You have friends physically there with you, the pizza and Mountain Dew (imported to the UK at great cost, just to make the experience authentic) mingle with the smell of sweat and paper.

Something that MMOs will always lack is that sense of immediacy. You can stop a tabletop game half-way and come back later without finding a safe spot to log, but there is something more 'real' and urgent about a handful of friends all leaning over the table to see if you rolled the 17-20 you need to slay the dragon.

Kevin said on 11:01AM 10-10-2008

I Have a necromunda gang and I love playing with it. Painting the miniatures was a blast once I got decent at it. But the cost of miniatures is crippling to say the least. I am still 90 bucks away from even a legal necron army in the 40k game and I can't seem to fit that in on a limited budget considering that doesn't include paints or brushes ore 20 dollar paperback booklets

DeathMutant said on 11:22AM 10-10-2008

For all of those former RPGers who lament the fact their friends moved away or it is too hard to find new players or a group you might want to look into Virtual Tabletops (VTT) like OpenRPG or Fantasy Grounds (or even D&D Insider's Gaming Table -- if and when it ever releases).

VTTs allow you to play an RPG over the internet by through client software, some web-based, and with a live game master running the show. These systems are rules independent but usually have plug-ins for specific game systems, like D&D, to handle things like tracking initiative, hit points or even on-line character sheets.

Die rolling and chatting, both public and private, are standard features. Some might have voice communication but some people just third party products like Ventrilo or TeamSpeak instead.

Most VTTs have a game grid (square or hex) and support virtual miniatures. The game master precreates a map on which to place miniatures and the players can move their own figure during play.

Some VTT products also allow the game master to display various media to the players during play like maps or (virtual) handouts.

Anyway, enough evangelism, if this sounds interesting to you I strongly recommend you look into Virtual Tabletop RPGs as an alternative to MMOGs.

Jack said on 11:46AM 10-10-2008

table-top games... I hate them... I think they boring. But I enjoy playing WoW and other games but can not stand any D&D online games like they lay too much on the table-top crap.

Jess said on 3:13PM 10-10-2008

Simply put, in the 15 years that I have been playing Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000...I have yet to find a more fulfilling, engaging, immersive, creative (and expensive ack!) hobby. MMO's are fun, and make for some awesome moments, but nothing compares to two well painted armies of hundreds of miniatures lined up on a well detailed table, along with the several-hour long epic battle that ensues. Nothing!

Alcevious said on 5:13PM 10-10-2008

I wonder if table top games can ever truly be transfered to a MMORPG. Probably not. The unique thing about table top games is that you are one hero among the same group of heros traversing a world populated by lush and diverse NPCs (depending on your GM). A group centric MMO could probably work, but I'm not sure it would appeal to everyone considering the desire to be the hero of your own story, not one hero among many (although perhaps games could make end-game play more solo-able whereas beginning play requires a group - I think I'd like that). The hardest part though would be the creation of the world and the AI of the NPCs.

Jess said on 6:26PM 10-10-2008

BTW @ MASSIVELY: I find it a little insulting that you have a Blizzard image on an article regarding tabletop games. Games Workshop or TSR/Wizards of the Coast would be much more appropriate for obvious reasons!!!