very very cool. keep it up

loose the controll objects and let them just use fingers. is that posible

Speed up the dice appearing on the screen the zoom in effect will get very boring after 100 times

A dream come true !
I work on the boardgame and roleplaying game business.
The first time I see a touch table I dreamed about a roleplying game application and the revolution it can be for this hobby.
Just one advice...
Gamers like dices. Real dices. They like to buy them, to have tons of them and... to throw them.
I think that real dices on the table is an obligation to meet the success.
I don't know how to do it technically (real dices with an interaction on the virtual board) but work on that if you want to please the gamers.

The big problem with the new hybrid (digital and cards, digital and miniatures,...) is that these products are too videogame oriented and don't please to classic gamers.

I'll follow the developpment of yout project with high interest and hope that I can play it one day...

Tanguy

PS: Sorry for my poor english, it's not my language...

It's too much like a video game than tabletop. I think the most IMPORTANT part of any RP games is the individual's characters. Allow gamers to have custom virtual dice, character "sheets" with an avatar, the map (minus the video game squares), pictures (or animations) of the creatures... etc.

It's a good concept but remember your market... think about people who play at conventions such as PAX. Think about how passionate these gamers get about their lvl 38 warrior dual wielding legendary axes of sharpness. To me, that's what tabletop gamers want.

For DM's, give them a great map maker with a software builder. Allow them to almost control a campaign like Never Nights but in TABLE TOP form. THIS is a true seller. THIS is an evolution in table top games. Your current form is really nothing more than a video game with touch control :/

Wow. That's pretty incredible.

I'm one of the hosts of The Podge Cast, an RPG podcast. If WotC ends up letting you guys move forward with that, let me know. I'd love to do an interview. ;)

Just awesome.

Nice concept, but please the next time you do a demo flip the video. The whole demo is upside down.

AMAZING! I cant wait OMG I want to play right now!

Absolutely love the concept. The ability for the DM to put in their own art, etc is flippin' sweet. As long as the DM can customize the interface, it is revolutionary.
As someone who much prefers to get to storytelling and not worry about the math of battle, this is really, really cool. I know this is a stretch, but is it possible to create dice that can be physically rolled on the screen and detected?

I can see a video editing program that would go along with this where a DM could create their own intros.

Great work! Is the software based on anything (like rptools.net/ )? Would be nice to be able to see some code.
As with other comments I think that physical dice would be a great addition (not sure if the table could recognize the number on the the underside?) and at minimum make die rolling extremely fast (

nice, now just lower the price of the surface to say 500$ ...

Very cool! A great first step, but as a long-time DM I think they’re heading in the wrong direction – here’s some initial thoughts on it:

NO
-no character sheets on the table - too personal, too dynamic
-no auto combat, too complex
-no virtual dice

YES
-import of .obj files for textured 3D models (terrain, dungeons, buildings)
-rotate, tilt, & zoom of 3D terrain, think Google Earth
-hexagonal, orthogonal, or no grid
-distance calculator between objects on the surface (taking altitude into account), in game units (inches)
-3D map shroud & DM interface to control it
-3D area of effect
-ability to import & display pictures & videos at any time, not just during “the slideshow portion”
-ability to maintain several in-game maps concurrently, players split up
-access to large scale maps at all times

Admittedly, it appears as though they are looking to develop a commercial app for the Surface, so it appears they’re trying to cram a bunch of DM mgmt tools into it.

Virtual dice should be removed. The whole point of something like this is to speed things up, not wait for dice to roll. SHOW what the under-lying dice rolls are, but allow it to happen automatically. Allow the players to choose if they want to see that or not.

I second the mention of rptools.net
I really think you should take a look at that open source project and think about applying that existing work to surface. Maptools is system-agnostic. By applying a different set of macros, you can use any game system.
Also, you can use it as I use it. We handle most things analog, but use maptools (over a projector down onto the map) for battle map, minis, shadows and line of sight.

i wish you could roll real die and have it pick up your result via sensors. I know it would cost more to create the sensor die for each die type. but cool if ya could pull it off.

I love the GUI its amazing ... You guys will go a long way ... awesome concept ! Great job guys !!

This is a beautiful start on the system. I love the way the virtual space interacts with the real game pieces.

My big suggestion would be, in general, make all the transitions and animations much faster. The major advantage of a system like this over traditional methods of play is that the computer can handle a lot of the grunt work for you, speeding up gameplay. However, right now, it looks like it takes significantly longer to roll the dice than it would take to roll real dice, and likewise with moving the virtual direwolf figure. Until doing it on the computer is actually faster than doing it in real life, I'd rather do it in real life.

That Dire Wolf was just trying to get by...

Was it really necessary to kill it?

Another vote for physical dice. It has to be a relatively easy thing to embed electronics that would allow them to communicate with the table. Hell, just make the control objects in polyhedral shapes

Pretty awesome.

But yeah, physical dice would be so much better. And I'm pretty sure the Surface table could read the dots on the bottom face of the physical dice and deduct what was just rolled.

Also, a more generic version of it would be nice (e.g. with only the map feature at first) so it can be used with any other RPG system.

want now

I want one. Badly.

Why waste this good stuff on crappy ass 4E? That's not D&D, you realize that right? Do this stuff with 3.5e D&D or Pathfinder RPG. Much more true to D&D than 4E is. Idiots.

I really like the concept. But I would rather see physical die implemented instead of virtual ones. There is a feeling of "personal chance" lost with virtual die.

I would suggest an entropy tower ( instructables.com/id/Making-a-Formboard-Dice-Tower/ ) that has a camera overlooking the tray, which reads the result of the dice (with color/shape recognition to know what die is for what purpose) that inputs the result into the program. Also the "control objects" are an okay idea, but I think multi-touch would work better on the map, with the control object used for navigating the program, instead of the other way around. Also, can't you program the mini to be the player's control object? Move it slightly to pop a temporary menu, which goes away after 2 seconds if nothing is touched.
Also I would like to see some kind of - aknowledgment maybe - something to indicate that the system knows where the mini is. Maybe just highlight the square, or something, with a different color to denote which player is in that space.
I might also suggest a tally sheet on one side that indicates who's turn it is in the initiative, with an option to not show the creature's turn till that creature goes. On that list you can show damage taken, and indicate status changes, ie: stunned, immobilized, bloodied, etc. Basically just use it to keep track of things in combat.

what version are you running? 4.0 is garbage, please tell me 3.0 or 3.5...

also, if you want to use real dice, just play the table top game.

Wow. Just Wow.
I love the character sheets on screen, but in some games it's necessary for P.C.'s to hide their sheets from each other.
Maybe if the table is wifi/blue tooth it can link to handheld devices for character sheets.

Love the control devices.

Love the virtual dice - but to give it a more authentic feel allow gamers to customize their dice so that they can have unique dice. Also the dice rolling has to be as fast as it is in RL otherwise people will just use their dice.

Love the graphics and the DM screen. Maybe you could use the DM screen programming for player screens also.

Map customization will be key as well. There are a lot of games out there and while i understand this is just for DnD you will have people bangning down your door asking when it will be available for Rifts, Shadowrun, Classic Marvel, or any number of games.

Seriously this is sick and it's awesome to see that people are keeping RPG's alive. Thank you!

this would be great for dnd 3.5 or pathfinder!!!! At least 3 groups have given up 4.0 because it is absolutely dreadful!!!!

This is really awesome!

Gods, will you people PLEASE stop harping on 4th Ed? I'm willing to bet that if you're saying you hate it you either haven't played it, or have been biased against it from the beginning. It's a great, fun, streamlined experience, and makes sense from a gameplay perspective, and I've been roleplaying since the 80's. If you don't like it, fine play your own game, but there's no reason to keep harping about it here!

Very awesome. I have to agree however with those who are against the use of Virtual Dice. There is something infinity more gratifying about rolling real dice. However if the Device can visually identify images and objects that are placed upon its surface, then might it be possible to simply roll a real die and have the device/program read the die when placed in a specific location (perhaps a virtual dice box?). After all, the opposite of the 6 is always 1 on a d6, and a 20 is opposite a 1 on a d20.
The program could also incorporate RFID tags since they are so tiny, making it easier to identify objects. Though part of me is torn on desiring Virtual minis for players so you can move around the map if characters are in different areas. Maybe the use their real mini to help visualize their movement on their turn and then take the mini away when they are done, leaving a virtual mini in its place. I dont know, i'm just spit balling.

There should be enough flexibility in the system to automate or not automate any function to suit the game play style of the players.

For instance I would personally prefer that as much automation is incorporated so that we can get on with actually playing the game.

Others will prefer a minimum amount and yet others every variation in between.

I feel that the whole point of using this type of technology to reduce the manual calculations to make the games flow better. Recreating manual tasks like dice throwing are not using the technology to its fullest. Using a grid system for movement and line of sight etc seems a bit archaic on this equipment. Why not take advantage of being able to calculate true line of sight and be able to move in any way you wish as well as move up and down

Granted paper based D&D has its charms, that’s why it’s still so popular, but if you’re going to use this system why not do away with all the tables, calculations, dice throwing, movement based on a 2D grid system and the stop start game play.

You should still be able to do things like print character sheets at a beginning of a game if secrecy is required between PC’s. Print a map, or any other bits of paper that some players would prefer to have in their hands.

This technology will obviously be using for a myriad of applications, but in the context of D&D flexibility is the key.

WOW! Someone has been reading my (and my groups collective) mind.

This is a great proof of concept. Your initial proto-type here is very intriguing. Do you have an underlying data structure or systems for primary game data control? Is it a game master editing interface for updating game data or does it support player input/editing as well? Could players access a separate 'view/sheet' of their character information apart from the table, say as a web page, XML document or RSS feed?

I've worked for many years, here in Pittsburgh, on very complex databases and web-based applications and systems. As a long time gamer, I would enjoy talking with you about this project.

this rules i keep watching it.

Nice idea AND you need to change the grid layout to a hex one(!). Wagamers know that a grid layout is distortedwhen objects move diagonally

Tangible or not tangible ?

I like what's been done so far, but regarding the dice, I would still like the option of rolling physical dice.

My suggestion: retain the option for simulated (random number generated) dice, but also support the optical reading of the pips/numbers of dice rolled on the surface. If that isn't doable with stock dice, then modified dice with Surface-readable patterns would be fine as well (whether they were human readable or not).

There's just something satisfying about rolling a die that this proof of concept lacks. Also, I'm always a bit leery of simulated 'randomness.'

I don't like the fact that you throw virtual dice... Wouldn't the surface give you the capability to throw on it a real dice and that the game knew the result?? I think that would be way cooler, it's preferible (at least for me, and I guess for many others) to be able to manipulate real objects in their tridimensionality, than doing it virtually. It would give it a feeling that would be nearer to the actual role playing game, and it's just more organic. Hope you can integrate it.

Great idea!

I just ran my printer out of ink printing maps for King of the Trollhaunt Warrens!

Anything that lets me spend more time playing and less time preparing is good - no - fantastic.

I would buy something like this, or at least go in on it with my gamer group.

Love your 'surface scapes' logo and the player's user interface.

I guess you've already turned this in, but as a TV professional, I feel I should mention these critiques of your video in case you want to do something else with it, or for when you need to make another one:

1] call it a 'werewolf.' Not everyone knows what a dire wolf is, and it sounds like you are saying 'die roll' with and 'f' at the end.

2] edit out the silent part between 1:33 and 1:47. You shouldn't have 'dead air,' and shorter is better.

3] at 2:59, you need a shot of the 3d6 actually rolling. You should probably say 'three six-sided dice,' as '3d6' is gamer lingo too.

Tis sad its only for D&D 4th edition. But that was expectable. 4th edition lost all flavor of 3rd edition, and became all more CRPG-like... too simple, too uncreative, and too boring.
Yes, in that case it is able to wright all need scripts for any programs on any devices like this one. But PnP RPG is not about high tech gadgets and machine doing DM/GM job. Its about damn PEN and PAPPER...

P.S. Although 3rd edition of World of Drakness isnt hard in mechanics, and yet RPG is very intresting. May be only if for WoD latter. But for 4th ed of DnD? Hell no... old PnP stile on 3rd ed still will bring much more fun...

P.P.S. Looks like DnD is dies after a Gygax...

Awesome! How can I get in on the project?

I love this idea and would like to buy one if you could make it more open ended. I have been playing paper and pen rpgs since the 80s and I think that something like this would really improve my gaming experience. Just one suggestion simplify it make it so gms can use it for any game give me the maps the miniatures and let me workout the rules to the game be it D&D 3.5 or some thing from white wolf. It would open your product up to a much larger audience.

D&D died after that idiot gygax decided anything more then OD&D was needed. Poopfinder, Turd edition, $th edition... bah humbug... grumble grumble grumble rage rage rage! yer aaaaaaaall a bunch of unimaginative kids who couldn't RP their way out of a wet paper bag. back in my day we had to roll our dice uphill, both ways, in the snow and against the wind! AFTER writing in the numbers in crayon!.

grumble grumble grumble rage rage rage!

STAR WARS CHESS!!!!!!! lets see this happen!

Amazing!
I believe a BattleTech version would be cool as well.
The rules are simpler and there is a lot of models avaliable for animations!
You should consider that for presentations, as well as for possible buyers (TT BattleTech is typically played by 2 players).
I'm also waiting for the holographic version.
And +1 on the real dice recognition.
Keep up the great work!

It occurs to me that allowing physical dice onto the surface wouldn't be terribly difficult - if you can identify different control objects, surely a set of dice can be set up so that each side provides a different signal to the table? Set it up so that it will only read the dice signal if it's stable for a couple of seconds, and you have an easy dice system.

You'll have some slight issues with dice actually staying on the table, I guess, but it's definitely feasible.

obviously it's a work in progress so I'm sure you're already working on a lot of the 'issues'. I'm intrigued by your UI for player options. I'm not entirely convinced on the radial thing but I'll wait till I see it in action like when you create a demo. The fact that it works is good. The creatures animate, the spells animate, There's really not a lot conceptually that I think needs to be added. Privacy shields for the player sheets maybe. the only way i can think to do that would be to have it show up in the corner and have the player use a cardboad block so no one else can see that part of the screen.

I for one fully appreciate the digital dice. I guess the only thing i really have to suggest in terms of help is to remember to keep options in there. Sure some people like to use physical dice so maybe have it as an option with the DM inputing the results. Obviously the DM should be able to choose random dice rolls or actually select results for the monsters just like a real DM. Not every DM is out to kill the players.

Love the concept, but I am a bit sceptical about adding too much "media" to it. Fireballs, sound effects, animated enemies... It adds stuff that you don't need in a tabletop rpg imo.
When you play a PnP rpg, you shouldn't let anything getting in the way of your imagination. this application would be awesome on its own even if the monsters just was a illustration on a circle you could move around.

Creating physical dice which registers with the board would be very helpful and fun, but only if the price is right. I ain't paying $50 for a d6 that I'm going to lose under a couch.

I think a lot of people have already commented on the dice, but here is my say. I think it is a cool concept, but not needed. When playing I think most people will want to know what the number is and the animation will become a slow point. Maybe have the dice stationary like the Computer Game version of "Risk." Or like other people have suggested make it an option for people who want to continue using the physical dice.

Over all, the biggest thing is going to be screen refresh rate and processing time. How fast and smoothly will the animation and screen respond to user interaction? We are moving in a time where instant down to the millisecond makes a difference. "Michael Powell" made a comment above "3 days ago" that hits on this that I would agree with.

These are the top five things I want with the release of this new technology

1. Fast response time
2. Ability to move through the world "See Chandler Driggs" comment.
3. Ability to customize (Create Worlds, Maps, Characters, Monsters, etc)
4. Animation
5. DM Privacy Screen Accessory (Make it so I can plug my laptop or provide a small touch screen accessory that people can buy and use for Players and DMs.)

Expanding on the idea of the Privacy Screen Accessory (PSAs):

1. Size – Clipboard or smaller
2. Touch screen
3. It would be something that you hold in your hand / lap and can read information just like the Surface Scape.
4. Capability to link to the Surface Scape
5. Useable by the DM and Players
6. Offers D&D Rules
7. Provides Character Sheets to Players, and DM has access to ALL Players information as well as world information.
8. Users to pull up Spell information, Special Ability Information, etc.
9. Communicate between Players and DM
10. Etc.

Other things to think about for the Surface Scape

6. Water resist in case players spill their beverage while playing
7. Is this a table or something that sits on a table?
a. Ability to tilt, rise, or lower the screen
8. Save different campaigns
Oh and change to HEX grid, easier for diagonals plus it opens up more options.

Great concept look forward to it, I have thought about this idea ever since STAR WARS Chess in the movie "A New Hope." Look forward to seeing what you accomplish.
Definitely wish I could be working with a team on this. Cheers.

Software looks amazing, but as has been stated by others: 4e is terrible, please make a 35e version.

I agree with some of the other comments. The virtual die is a bit of a let-down, as one of the fun things about playing D&D on tabletop is the dice rolling. Implementing a function that can detect and total a normal dice roll would be great.

I just came so hard my boner needs a second wind. Please make this thing real.

This is pretty awesome, but there is room for improvement.

1. Physical Dice MUST be incorporated. It is the only thing that keep my PCs involved.

2. There should be an option for the DM rolls to be automated (i.e. don't need to roll real or virtual dice). This is especially important for initiative.

3. Initiative should be displayed on the screen somehow. There should be an options for showing just PC initiative order and full initiative order. Also, some means of re-ordering initiative would be helpful for readied actions.

4. Opportunity attack avoiding Auto-movement should be an option, not forced. Sometimes you want stupid things to run through threatened space or that is simply the way that creature fights (special ability activation).

5. Some means of setting up which spots offer cover or concealment will be useful.

6. A random encounter generator would be AMAZING!

7. The DM should be able to directly input numbers or otherwise override any die role.

8. The DM appears to be able to use a separate computer as a private screen. If this is not the case, then it should be.

9. Some means of editing the 'DnD rules' aspect of the program should be available for DMs who want to incorporate variant rules or different rule sets (3.5, WoD, etc.)

Instead of virtual dice, how about using real ones surface can read the face's of [of course it would read the bottom but from that... shape recognition for the kind of dice and character for the number] if the die rolls off it have it so the program recognizes that and a simple multiple choice screen comes up that players can select their rolls totals from quickly with a tap rather than having to re-roll.

Awesome concept. For me, the real bonus to this thing would be being able to upload maps and other cool pics to display. I can see my group still playing half pen and paper and half using this surface to customise maps, have cool animations and sound effects, and so on. So I would envisage still using real dice, working out the damage etc ourselves, but just using this tool as a pure win map/pic display. If you make one, I'll buy one.

Biggest flaw I see so far is: No one owns a touch table television. And no one is going to pay 10 grand to own one just so they can play D&D.

This is a great application for the Surface! I hoped that someone would do something similar, but using augmented reality instead, however this will do just fine. I know it has been mentioned several times already in the comments here, but it would be preferable to use real dice, or have an option to hide the digital ones.

WOW after 30 years industry techs may have come close......
key word ``close``

Hey folks love the idea and concept
What would i like and me clan of wardogs who play D&D in a secret location in the northern woods of canada....and spend lots money on resources and minis

First several wardogs we want to
-be able to import all past to current D&D 1E to 3.5E and pathfinder module maps or have feature/tool/tab...to a usable scale and EDIT
that then expands into world maps, terrain maps
then the application has merit
when one can plan over land encounters.....then blow up the area classic maps, of ruins, hamlets
or better yet to be able to embed the maps of the previously said modules into the world map
so one cna do some real world building...help the newbies and old farts who can remember
the digital battle map presented......na....should be the option for y generation
Now a DUNGEON application-
THE random dungeon tables from 1E dungeon master guide..to start with...with all the tables and treasures, monsters. for the weekend warriors to start and then the replay ability is there forever...then we would be hooked.....almost
-a fog of war idea based on LOS or candle or ability...general for party....PLEASE
- traps such that activate or flare up or flash...when the minis move there....the area of effect concept.......love it example... flame traps or blade barrier.....ya get the idea....then the more the more fiendish....YES.traps rolling own damage automatically ok in dungeon master screen only or again an option

Sea and large scale battles
-square grid........but have hex too....at various scales and blues backgrounds....reefs...shoals....narrows.....
for other battle maps minis like ships or whole regiments, units
-how about import tool for Profantasy CC3 maps and fractal terrain...not just goggle maps
-dice rolling option should an option......characters rolling own dice....YES YES that is the whole spirit of the game

-build in 1E, 2E, 3E interactive character actual sheet that pops up to be filed in
that sit on the side of the screen as a thumb nail or character icon to be tapped and popped up and written on......with a tap screen pen...and save.....and linked to dm screen to pass messages or secrets
-the portrait pop up..option...of a monster critter......the old a adage of you see...this......and always been a favorite of my group...the old monster cards.
-the music....seemed good hopefully some theme tunes options like the old conan movie battle theme or creeking doors or even scraping sounds
-nice to have stats for encounters.....seems like it was there....but on the DM screen.....again everything for 1E to 3E D&D monsters.
- save mode for the next day
-encounter tables for variety of environments and map areas option or very open to enhancement and modification....with links to monster statsépictures
-City maps.....town maps.....like dungeon maps

Again the emphasis is to make the DM job easier
and the players more interactive.
As long in the tooth veteran Dungeon master of from the 70`s to now......
KISS principle........ya got the ideas......but don`t make overly geeky....leave that for add ons
make it an interactive «ATLAS......but don`t take the spirit out of the game or the dice rolling

Last point
the cartoon or dire wolf graphics and movement....yes awesome........but i have 50 orc minis...SURROUNDING, attacking, AMBUSHING...the party....what if i throw them on the screen..because of encounter or previous determined adventure.....for a raid or some other nasty surprize....for placement......and where i move them will the screen application recognize and give LOS or movement....and and and nice ......nice option.....then the details of Bows or swords etc for range.....
-how about 4X6 screen options...we love big skirmishes......what else do you do with 10,000 minis.....but war....and real adventure
We have always liked the idea of random encounters..... but hated not having the minis...but having enough figures...now is not an issue...hint ......so imagine the less career oriented, layed off or...and recession poor gamers....who still use bottle caps, extra dice, erasers, odds and ends to be monsters because money is tight.....
just some wisdom quickly blurted out by the reddog clan of........ built it and we want it......
but it must meet our needs and have options
or back to the chalk board or better yet white board

which we have several table tops made of...hint hint

As you might have guessed
we have all the 1E and to 4E D&D stuff......boot hill, gama world...........
and we want to use our stuff again.....

and so where did all the this stuff go....for other gamers
hmmmmm........built it and they will play again

WOT 4E......ya what ever......but if it is the only system in it......then not on my watch 3E/3.5E till orc burn my ranch