Topic: REAL-ish Table Top RPG?

@FaeKnight I'm sure it could be worked out, if I spent some time, 2-3 I could probably come up with a system that would work, if I could find some private Nindie programmers, I could make the system setup, I just need some programmers to put the system in function, I've done it before with other things in the phsics dept. at University of South Alabama, this wouldn't be much different

But that's just the thing @jhewitt3476, you'd have to create a way for the Switch to do things it flat out doesn't do. How would you transfer map files from your PC/Tablet (after creating the file) to the Switch, when the Switch has no means of transferring data from the PC to the switch?

You could make a map creator feature, but this would be limited to generic map types, not the specific layouts and features that can be found in maps for published adventures.

Then there's the formatting issues that would be involved. Let's say you developed a thumb drive to transfer images to the Switch, how do you get around the fact that the Switch's OS and formatting is incompatible with a PC's OS and formatting.

All in all, I don't see this as being a viable thing to work on. Not to mention you'd be trying to break into a market that already exists on PC and tablets/surfaces. The portable nature of the Switch wouldn't be a selling point since programs like D20 Pro can run on a lap top, thus are portable. And there's virtual tabletops that run on tablets/surfaces too. Which are again, portable. And tend to again have bigger screens. Not to mention they can import images due to compatible storage formatting.

@FaeKnight never said data/info would be interchanged/shared between pc/switch, it would be it's own thing, like Mario Kart or any number of Switch co-op games, you would download new and expanded content from Nintendo service like any other DLC, sorry if I miss-spoke or accidentally implied a pc/NSW co-op system, yah, Nintendo would probably not allow that even if it was possible for security reasons

but all other issues I think from experience could be dealt with, just need to find some Nindie-philes who also make Nindies to get involved, many Indie programmers are rebels and do things because no one else will or to prove a thing CAN be done

it seems Gift Ten Industries out of Japan has a similar idea, to expand a few capabilities and create a Nintendo Direct co-op group does seem very doable

And that is where you keep forgetting a critical component of virtual tabletop programs used to run a role playing session. The ability to import maps from pdf and Paint files. Which the Switch can't do.

It's not just having a dice roller or voice chat system. Nor is it just making maps, although that's also an important feature. Running combat is also not the most important thing for a VTT program. I've been in VTT run campaigns that never use D20 Pro's ability to run combat, or the built in dice roller. But importing maps/images? That's one of the main features of VTT programs.

So how would you get around the inability to import maps and images? If you do so via paid dlc people have to buy for every single published adventure you have to deal with licensing issues, and then convince people they should pay for the map/token bundles instead of just importing the maps and images for free with their VTT program of choice. If you release the dlc for free, then a good chunk of your profits from selling the program will probably go towards paying licensing fees.

Or will you try charging a monthly/yearly fee to use the program? Good luck with that when there's options that they can choose that are free or only have one single price tag. As an example, I paid $50 for a GM License with D20 Pro. This lets me run a campaign using that program with up to 4 people just using my license's guest seats. And I can buy additional guest seats for a flat $10 each with no reoccurring costs. If someone already has a Player or GM license they don't take up one of my guest seats. Similarly I can join someone else's game being ran through D20 Pro without taking up a guest seat.

So far I played in one long running campaign using D20 pro. I have ran 3 different Pathfinder Society Organized Play sessions using it. And I'm running one weekly campaign right now. It was $50 well spent, and I bought the program 6 or 7 years ago.

What in your hypothetical Switch app would make me say "you know what, I should convince everyone in my campaign to buy a Switch and that app so I can run the campaign on my switch"?

@FaeKnight data sharing like imported already solved

once you buy the cart or digital base program, you are already paying for Nintendo direct which provides live data sharing, so except for one time fee of the original ware, and any digital expansions like the Psionics Handbook, or others like it, no actual service fee, everybody's already paying for Nintendo Direct, Fantasy grounds charges fees or one timer, this will be the one timer, so money is not an issue

as for why would someone want to buy a Switch just to table top on it, I did point out earlier, it is an option and would show the abilities of the Switch can be expanded, it would also create a larger base for those who would not normally table top in person or on Roll20/Fantasy Grounds, and maybe players of those services would also find new friends and new play opportunities.

I understand the apprehensiveness, I actually used to Table Top, but lack of transportation killed that and the laptop I had was so horrid, online table top just didn't work and I felt bad for slowing down the game all the time...when I had internet at home, spen so much time at work and sometimes sleep here, no reason for having service at home, but the Switch has what you would need to power such an endeavor, it is doable