MB When did you first play an RPG and what was it?
TP My first RPG was AD&D second edition, I think it was when I was 13 or so.
MB What's your favourite RPG system and setting?
TP I'll answer the easier question first. My favorite setting is the latest one I've come up with at a particular time, and
managed to get into a shape that I can run games with. I did use Forgotten Realms once upon a time pretty heavily, but I
can't call it my favorite even if it is the one published setting I have the most experience with. Being able to improvise a
side track just based on the history and feel of the world is something I want to have confidence in when I GM and I don't
feel I can do that using a setting someone else has made.
The same applies to an extent to RPG systems, and as a software engineer I'm a big fan of standardization. Most of the
time I don't see a point in not running a fantasy game other than D&D. However, I do like reading new rules every now
and then just to get theoretical with the decisions they have made. Rules systems made specifically for a setting are
always a good excuse, I think, especially if they build on the mood.
MB Would you mind telling us what your latest setting is?
TP I would since some of my players will most likely be reading this . Actually, for some reason I've been drifting
towards low fantasy over the years and the next campaign I'm running will probably be some honest high magic stuff. I
haven't had time to pull all my ideas together recently, I'm looking forward to getting some of that done over the summer.
MB What made you decide to develop a Virtual Tabletop software package?
TP It wasn't a decision as much as an experiment. I moved away to study, which I think is a pretty common reason for
people to look into such things. I had the idea brewing at the back of my mind for some years, but finally got to work on it
at one point. I think one turning point was a test session where we noticed that it's actually possible to get more things
done in-game per hour using chat than it is at the table (unless some combat is involved).
MB Some people are of the opinion that some form of voice software enhances the VT experience. From your reply
above, do you disagree with this?
TP Not at all. There are a couple of strong benefits to not using voice, such as stronger in character interaction and
staying focused on the game. More than that though, I think those who want to have this option have plenty of voice chat
products to choose from. The fact that there are several perfectly good options out there and the fact that they involve
some pretty specialized know how (that we'd have to compete against) are the reasons why this is not built into Fantasy
Grounds.
MB Do you plan on supporting any other rulesets apart from D20, or will you leave that to the fans and developers
like Digital Adventures?
TP This is really hard to say at this time. We're still busy finalizing the documentation and some user requested
functionality in Fantasy Grounds itself. Regardless of who does what, however, I think it would be nice to get more
officially licensed rulesets out just to show people using other systems what can be done.
MB Talking of the documentation at what level will it be aimed? Will a keen RPGer with no programming experience
be able to use the documentation to make her favorite ruleset?
TP Technically, you have all the material at hand with the documentation to learn the ropes. You will have to be
familiar with XML, and be willing to go through the trouble of looking up examples in the d20 ruleset even with the
documentation we have. It all also depends on how complicated the things are that you're trying to make. By the time I
write this, the technical documentation is already out there. One of the cool things about Fantasy Grounds II is the
templating feature, which allows advanced users to create building blocks for more basic modders. We'll be watching the
situation and trying to get this going so there would be a chance for the community to provide more meaningful
assistance for beginners as well.
MB What do you wish that Fantasy Grounds could do, but doesn't?
TP At this time, small things. There's a long list, though. I think the basic functionality is there, we just need to keep
working on it as the virtual table top community develops. Stuff such as virtual conventions would be nice to see, but they
can already be arranged (as shown by things like iCon) and are not entirely technical in scope.
MB As VTs are gaining in popularity do you believe one particular system will win out over the others, or do you
believe that there will continue to be a variety of systems promoting the growth and development of the VT concept?
TP I think there might come to be two systems that get more attention, one that is seen as the standard commercial
package, and one that is seen as the standard free package. However, like it is with RPG systems themselves, I don't
think one system can drive out others entirely due to the sheer variance in tastes and rules systems. While the entire
concept is gaining in popularity, I think each one has their chance to make it in their own right.
MB Why is Fantasy Grounds better than the competition!?
TP You are really asking the wrong guy! I think the fact that it doesn't look like a windows application is one good
aspect. Another might be the fact that it is not a computer driven rpg system, but rather a computer driven tabletop.
There's freedom for the GM to run his game.
MB Would you have preferred to wait longer to release Fantasy Grounds II and iron out more of the (minor) bugs, or
were you swayed by the eagerly awaiting masses?
TP It's a given that with releases such as Fantasy Grounds version II there's bound to be something that comes up
after it has been released to the public. We were aware of the fact that there's nothing much we could do about that.
Overall, I think the release was smooth enough, although we did have a pretty hectic week or two. The only question to
me was whether we should have completed the documentation first as well, but knowing we had an established user base
already who could take advantage of an early release, I'm think it went OK.
MB There are rumours of a Wizard of the Coast VT system, what are your views on this?
TP Rumours are just that, and I'd like to see some substance before I can really form an informed opionion.
Whatever the case, the hardest hurdle for VTT systems is definitely gaining more widespread awareness and just getting
the idea about what the heck they really are across to the potential users. A system targeted at a very wide customer
base such as what Wizards has can only help with that, and at some point it's sure to boost the use of the entire range of
virtual tabletops. Also, I think Wizards probably won't be eager to support systems other than their own. That would leave
a spot for other systems to shine.
MB Finally, if you hadn't developed Fantasy Grounds what VT system would you use!?
TP Pen and paper. Sounds corny, I know, but I can't bring myself to suspend my disbelief at running my own game
with programs that use the windows UI as opposed to looking like a game (having to use windows all day anyway). I even
tried using Neverwinter Nights at one time, but there's about 10 hours of work per 1 hour of game time, and it does not
allow for that many narrative liberties. This is mostly a personal preference, call me crazy.
TP My first RPG was AD&D second edition, I think it was when I was 13 or so.
MB What's your favourite RPG system and setting?
TP I'll answer the easier question first. My favorite setting is the latest one I've come up with at a particular time, and
managed to get into a shape that I can run games with. I did use Forgotten Realms once upon a time pretty heavily, but I
can't call it my favorite even if it is the one published setting I have the most experience with. Being able to improvise a
side track just based on the history and feel of the world is something I want to have confidence in when I GM and I don't
feel I can do that using a setting someone else has made.
The same applies to an extent to RPG systems, and as a software engineer I'm a big fan of standardization. Most of the
time I don't see a point in not running a fantasy game other than D&D. However, I do like reading new rules every now
and then just to get theoretical with the decisions they have made. Rules systems made specifically for a setting are
always a good excuse, I think, especially if they build on the mood.
MB Would you mind telling us what your latest setting is?
TP I would since some of my players will most likely be reading this . Actually, for some reason I've been drifting
towards low fantasy over the years and the next campaign I'm running will probably be some honest high magic stuff. I
haven't had time to pull all my ideas together recently, I'm looking forward to getting some of that done over the summer.
MB What made you decide to develop a Virtual Tabletop software package?
TP It wasn't a decision as much as an experiment. I moved away to study, which I think is a pretty common reason for
people to look into such things. I had the idea brewing at the back of my mind for some years, but finally got to work on it
at one point. I think one turning point was a test session where we noticed that it's actually possible to get more things
done in-game per hour using chat than it is at the table (unless some combat is involved).
MB Some people are of the opinion that some form of voice software enhances the VT experience. From your reply
above, do you disagree with this?
TP Not at all. There are a couple of strong benefits to not using voice, such as stronger in character interaction and
staying focused on the game. More than that though, I think those who want to have this option have plenty of voice chat
products to choose from. The fact that there are several perfectly good options out there and the fact that they involve
some pretty specialized know how (that we'd have to compete against) are the reasons why this is not built into Fantasy
Grounds.
MB Do you plan on supporting any other rulesets apart from D20, or will you leave that to the fans and developers
like Digital Adventures?
TP This is really hard to say at this time. We're still busy finalizing the documentation and some user requested
functionality in Fantasy Grounds itself. Regardless of who does what, however, I think it would be nice to get more
officially licensed rulesets out just to show people using other systems what can be done.
MB Talking of the documentation at what level will it be aimed? Will a keen RPGer with no programming experience
be able to use the documentation to make her favorite ruleset?
TP Technically, you have all the material at hand with the documentation to learn the ropes. You will have to be
familiar with XML, and be willing to go through the trouble of looking up examples in the d20 ruleset even with the
documentation we have. It all also depends on how complicated the things are that you're trying to make. By the time I
write this, the technical documentation is already out there. One of the cool things about Fantasy Grounds II is the
templating feature, which allows advanced users to create building blocks for more basic modders. We'll be watching the
situation and trying to get this going so there would be a chance for the community to provide more meaningful
assistance for beginners as well.
MB What do you wish that Fantasy Grounds could do, but doesn't?
TP At this time, small things. There's a long list, though. I think the basic functionality is there, we just need to keep
working on it as the virtual table top community develops. Stuff such as virtual conventions would be nice to see, but they
can already be arranged (as shown by things like iCon) and are not entirely technical in scope.
MB As VTs are gaining in popularity do you believe one particular system will win out over the others, or do you
believe that there will continue to be a variety of systems promoting the growth and development of the VT concept?
TP I think there might come to be two systems that get more attention, one that is seen as the standard commercial
package, and one that is seen as the standard free package. However, like it is with RPG systems themselves, I don't
think one system can drive out others entirely due to the sheer variance in tastes and rules systems. While the entire
concept is gaining in popularity, I think each one has their chance to make it in their own right.
MB Why is Fantasy Grounds better than the competition!?
TP You are really asking the wrong guy! I think the fact that it doesn't look like a windows application is one good
aspect. Another might be the fact that it is not a computer driven rpg system, but rather a computer driven tabletop.
There's freedom for the GM to run his game.
MB Would you have preferred to wait longer to release Fantasy Grounds II and iron out more of the (minor) bugs, or
were you swayed by the eagerly awaiting masses?
TP It's a given that with releases such as Fantasy Grounds version II there's bound to be something that comes up
after it has been released to the public. We were aware of the fact that there's nothing much we could do about that.
Overall, I think the release was smooth enough, although we did have a pretty hectic week or two. The only question to
me was whether we should have completed the documentation first as well, but knowing we had an established user base
already who could take advantage of an early release, I'm think it went OK.
MB There are rumours of a Wizard of the Coast VT system, what are your views on this?
TP Rumours are just that, and I'd like to see some substance before I can really form an informed opionion.
Whatever the case, the hardest hurdle for VTT systems is definitely gaining more widespread awareness and just getting
the idea about what the heck they really are across to the potential users. A system targeted at a very wide customer
base such as what Wizards has can only help with that, and at some point it's sure to boost the use of the entire range of
virtual tabletops. Also, I think Wizards probably won't be eager to support systems other than their own. That would leave
a spot for other systems to shine.
MB Finally, if you hadn't developed Fantasy Grounds what VT system would you use!?
TP Pen and paper. Sounds corny, I know, but I can't bring myself to suspend my disbelief at running my own game
with programs that use the windows UI as opposed to looking like a game (having to use windows all day anyway). I even
tried using Neverwinter Nights at one time, but there's about 10 hours of work per 1 hour of game time, and it does not
allow for that many narrative liberties. This is mostly a personal preference, call me crazy.
Interview with Tero Parvinen of SmiteWorks, one of the Fantasy Grounds II
development team
First of all I would like to thank Tero Parvinen for taking time out from his hectic schedule, to conduct this interview.
development team
First of all I would like to thank Tero Parvinen for taking time out from his hectic schedule, to conduct this interview.
Once again many thanks to Tero Parvinenfor for taking time out for this interview.
Murgh Bpurn 23/05/07
RPG Virtual Tabletop
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