Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is primarily a productivity app used in businesses for its integration of the Microsoft suite of tools, an inbuilt tool for voice and video meetings, and collaborative text channels. Of course, it wasn't long at all before these features were repurposed by enterprising nerds to support their tabletop roleplaying game hobby! Microsoft Teams allows a gaming group to create video chat "meetings" to communicate during sessions and recreate the feeling of sitting around the table. It also supports text channels where players can chat, exchange memes, share notes, and schedule the next session. Integration with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint lets players share and collaborate on session notes, access spreadsheet-automated character sheets, and create detailed presentations where they pitch their plan for the group's next move (hey, it could happen)! Microsoft Teams' popularity as a virtual gaming platform (or a supplement for another virtual tabletop that lacks a video chat feature) likely arises from players who have a subscription to the service from work repurposing those privileges to support their hobby, but there are doubtless those who swear by Teams as their platform of choice!
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Microsoft Teams Tutorial in 10 Minutes
First, you'll need to create an account to sign up or sign into Microsoft Teams. For full functionality, you'll likely want to download the desktop application as well. To start a group, go to the Teams panel in the left sidebar and select "join or create a team." Create a new team if you're going to be the host, or join a team if you've been invited to one with a code. If creating a new team, you can customize what this group will be used for and make the team public or private. In your new team's setting, you can add members or get a link to share the team to those you wish to invite.
Within the team, members will have access to its chat channels, which you can create and rename according to your needs. The chat panel in the sidebar also lets users create custom small groups or direct messages to chat in. It also allows them to begin impromptu voice and video calls. The calendar tab on the sidebar is for scheduling meetings, and a great way to manage your session schedule. Creating a new meeting on the calendar, filling in the participants, and setting the date and time will inform everyone involved when to meet and who's coming.
Before you join a meeting, you can configure audio and video, use your webcam, microphone, and headphones, turn on virtual backgrounds and filters, and adjust audio. In the meeting, you can text chat, mark a raised hand when you have something to say, share your screen, record the session, and access tools like a whiteboard or other collaborative document.
Finally, you can use the files tab to create, store, and access documents that you want everyone in your team to be able to use and view; it's a great way to share session notes, handouts, and other files you want players to access.