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Digital tabletop game

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A digital tabletop game is a video game genre characterized by gameplay similar to physical tabletop games such as board games, card games, and role-playing games. Many digital tabletop games are adaptions of existing physical games, although some digital tabletop games were created only as video games. Players can also use tabletop game simulators to recreate tabletop games using various game pieces.

Digital versions of physical games

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Many digital tabletop games are virtual recreations of physical games, which can range from simple card games such as Microsoft Solitaire to complex tabletop role-playing games such as Gloomhaven. The digital versions typically support online multiplayer, as well as computer opponents for single players.

Digital collectible card game

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Main article: Digital collectible card game

In digital variants of collectible card games (CCGs), players create decks of cards from their library to challenge opponents. In the 1990s, digital collectible card games (DCCGs) followed the popularity of games like Magic: The Gathering as a way to play online with other players.[1] Although early DCCGs were reproductions of the physical version of a game, the release of Hearthstone in 2014 resulted in one of the first examples of a wholly digital CCG.[2] Hearthstone led to a surge of new DCCGs, which includes both the recreation of existing CCGs and the development of new digital-only titles.[3]

Most DCCGs are server-based games that retain the player's card library on the server. Players can create multiple decks to challenge computer opponents or online players. To expand their library, players can win games to earn booster packs or purchase additional cards through microtransactions.

Video games emulating board games

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Main page: Category:Digital board games

Some video games incorporate board game principles into gameplay mechanics to emulate a board game experience. One notable example is the Mario Party series, in which players move around a game board based on roll results of one or more die, gaining or losing coins depending on where they land. Periodically, players participate in more action-based mini-games to earn bonus items towards winning the game.

Virtual tabletops

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Virtual tabletops (VTTs) or tabletop simulators are video game programs that allow users to recreate existing games or create their own games for online play, such as Tabletop Simulator and Tabletopia. The VTT or simulator typically provides a game engine with pre-made game assets like dice, tokens, and cards, often allowing players to create or import their own assets. The game may support limited scripting so that some tabletop game functions can be automated, but otherwise, players are expected to know and follow the rules, using the VTT primarily as a game board. This can create copyright concerns because art assets from published games can be distributed freely through user mods. Some tabletop game developers have embraced these programs by offering their games as official downloadable content for simulator programs.[4]

There are a number of specialized virtual tabletop applications designed around role-playing games that provide character sheets, tokens, maps and combat-related gameplay rulesets. These VTTs include standalone programs such as Fantasy Grounds and Foundry VTT, as well as web applications such as Astral and Roll20.[5][6][7] D&D Beyond, the official digital toolset and game companion for the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons, was developed through a partnership between Curse and Wizards of the Coast.[8][9][10] In 2022, Wizards of the Coast's parent company Hasbro acquired D&D Beyond;[11] the company is now developing a standalone VTT with D&D Beyond integration options, with the closed beta scheduled to launch in 2024.[12][13][14] Wizards of the Coast previously attempted to develop a VTT for the 4th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons as part of their D&D Insider online tools.[15][16][17] Although this VTT was in beta from 2010 to 2012, it was never fully launched.[18][19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ David-Marshall, B.; Dreunen, J.v.; Wang, M. (2010). Trading Card Game Industry - From the T to the C to the G (Report). SuperData Research.
  2. ^ Goldfarb, Andrew (August 24, 2013). "Gamescom: The Origin and Future of Blizzard's Hearthstone". IGN. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  3. ^ Minoitti, Mike (August 2, 2018). "SuperData: Hearthstone reigns over forecasted $1.5 billion digital card game market". Venture Beat. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  4. ^ Desatoff, Sam (May 11, 2018). "Can projects like Tabletop Simulator ever replace physical board games?". PCGamesN. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  5. ^ Hall, Charlie (March 17, 2020). "How to play Dungeons & Dragons and other pen-and-paper games without leaving home". Polygon. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  6. ^ Girdwood, Andrew (August 25, 2020). "Wizards of the Coast take a multi-platform approach to the world's largest virtual tabletop game". Geek Native. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  7. ^ Obari, Dreamchild (2023-03-25). "What Is a Virtual Tabletop (VTT) and How Does it Work?". Make Use Of. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  8. ^ "D&D Beyond's Dungeon Master and player tools will launch August 15 [update]". VentureBeat. 2017-07-18. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  9. ^ Naudus, K. (July 18, 2017). "New 'Dungeons & Dragons' site manages the rules so you can just play". Engadget. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  10. ^ Hall, Charlie (2017-03-13). "Dungeons & Dragons is finally getting a proper digital app (update)". Polygon. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  11. ^ White, Scott (September 15, 2022). "The future of tabletop games is digital". Polygon. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  12. ^ Lambertsen, Carrie (2023-04-04). "DnD's VTT: Everything You Need To Know About One D&D's Virtual Tabletop". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  13. ^ Sheehan, Gavin (August 2, 2024). "Dungeons & Dragons Provide More Info About Project Sigil". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  14. ^ Randall, Harvey (August 1, 2024). "D&D's upcoming VTT, codenamed Project Sigil, will come with Baldur's Gate 3 minis—further cementing WoTC's plans to franchise the heck out of it". PC Gamer. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  15. ^ "4th Edition 'D&D Insider'". ICv2. April 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 18, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  16. ^ Zenke, Michael (June 6, 2008). "The Miscast Spell: D&D Insider's Missed Opportunity". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  17. ^ Tito, Greg (2012-02-14). "Without a Table: Playing D&D Virtually". The Escapist. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  18. ^ "9 Things Fans Need To See In One D&D". CBR. 2022-09-18. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-21. The D&D Insider virtual tabletop never panned out. D&D Insider was never what it was intended to be, and its Virtual Table never left beta, opening in 2010 and closing in 2012.
  19. ^ Harnish, M. J. (January 9, 2012). "5th Edition D&D Is in Development -- Should We Care?". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
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