If you've ever thought, "Sure, I want to play a tabletop role-playing game, but why do I have to gather physically with other people and not in virtual reality," congratulations. First, for having very specific desires, and second, because there seems to be a solution out there for you in the form of AltspaceVR. At least for Dungeons & Dragons, anyway.
Now, AltspaceVR isn't specifically meant to play tabletop games. Gizmodo equates the platform to a kind of 3D Skype with virtual avatars, but really that just sounds like a VR Second Life to me. The D&D game is something that these online virtual avatars can play, kind of like an elaborate Roll20 session. An earlier version of this from back in April—dubbed v20—looks a little rough around the edges, but the version available right now has been significantly upgraded.
One major change? AltspaceVR is now officially working with Wizards of the Coast, the publisher of both Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. The partnership means that the small virtual reality company gains access to much-needed art and information it might not have had otherwise, and lends the whole project a sense of authority it didn't have before.
But how do you actually play a game of good ole-fashioned Dungeons & Dragons in virtual reality? First you need access to an Oculus Rift DK2 set. In fact, the whole party needs a set of their own, which could make things a bit difficult at the moment unless you have a circle of friends obsessed with VR tech. But it's otherwise similar to any regular tabletop gaming experience where one player sets up the fights, battlefield, and general story while the others play through and interact with the former.
On the other hand, you could always skip the VR headsets and get down with a physical version of the game and miniatures. But if you have the ability to do something in VR, you're arguably obligated to do that thing at least once. It's basically a law.
Via: Gizmodo
Source: AltSpaceVR
