Tabletop Simulator
Tabletop Simulator is a toolbox and physics engine for creating and playing analog games in a digital space. Players download the game, then gather around a literal virtual tabletop, which allows them to create and manipulate assets like dice, cards, maps, miniatures, and more to play almost any game imaginable. Tabletop Simulator has preset configurations for playing several classic games, and it's trivial to create a basic setup for playing tabletop roleplaying games as well. The real asset is Tabletop Simulator Workshop, a vast library of user-created assets available for a gaming group to assemble into a fully custom setup for their game of choice. Custom maps with grids, 3D-modeled miniatures, specialized card decks, and every type of dice you can imagine mean that any game you can play at a real tabletop, you can play in Tabletop Simulator. There are even options for scripting and automation which can be created or downloaded from the workshop. Players and GMs will need independent access to things like game rules, and while the program has functionalities for notes and text chat, you might want a supplementary program for character sheets, voice or video. But there is one thing Tabletop Simulator offers that few others can: the ability to, at a moment of high tension and drama, press a button that flips the table, upending its contents and sending them careening into the void (don't worry, another button resets it once your bout of rage is over).
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14 Tips to Master Tabletop Simulator
This video from Dicebreaker covers the general usage of Tabletop Simulator for board games and RPGs. The basic controls will be familiar to PC gamers: panning with WASD, rotating with the arrow keys, and zooming with the scroll wheel, trackpad, or +/- keys. Use the left mouse button to pick up and move objects, and right clicking for a menu of options. You can also use keyboard shortcuts like the R key to shuffle cards or roll dice.
The basic kit of RPG supplies includes animated minis, terrain, and furniture, but you can download more from the workshop as well as upload custom images for character sheets, maps, and handouts. If you're mid-session or campaign, you can save a game state and reload it later. You can also "additive load" components from multiple packages or mods to create a custom combination for your campaign, gathering unique dice, additional miniatures, or props for your game.
There's also some great tips on using tab to ping, mousing over holding the Alt key to get zoomed-in view of a component, and using the picture-in-picture feature to keep an eye on an important part of the board at all times. Altering permissions is a key tip for GMs as well, if you don't want your players to be able to flip the table, draw on it, or pick up your beautifully crafted dungeon and fling it into the abyss. You'll want to assign yourself to the Game Master role in Tabletop Simulator to gain access to hidden zones and player information. You can also add music to your game and keep notes, both public and private.
Everything You Need to Play D&D on Tabletop Simulator
For the aspiring Tabletop Simulator Dungeon Master, here's what you'll need to know to run a game on the platform. Learn about a host of tools you can add to your Tabletop Simulator game to make running easier. One World lets GMs easily upload and adjust maps. Wall spawner tools and fog of war let you obscure portions of maps from your players. Player panel add-ons give the GM finer control over what players can see and do, and lighting panels let you control the atmosphere of your table.
A mini injector add-on lets you edit miniatures, add HP bars and other resources, and track their initiative and any status effects on the character. Character sheets, notebooks, and ability and spell cards can serve as helpful play aids for your group as well. These tools are just a few to get you started; the workshop is always expanding with useful new tools for game masters!