Tabletop games have come a long way. No longer are we relegated to sitting around the table all the time. Sometimes, dedicated gaming groups get spread out the world over. Life takes people everywhere. Thankfully, technology has advanced enough to allow these fun gaming sessions to continue despite the team being spread apart. How you might ask? The answer is video chat software.
Skype
With use of voice chat and video combined, Skype allows one or more people to conference call in. When our group used Skype, we were only calling one person in so it was way easy to do. We used an external usb cam to display the table and gaming grid, and had a laptop to show us their dice rolls and of course, them. Unfortunately with Skype, you must have a paid premium account to call in more than one for video use.
Google Hangout
Our group has not yet tried to use this format, but I have heard rave reviews from other groups on using Google Hangout. Utilizing webcams and Google’s video chat software, they can hook up with up to 10 of their friends and game together as if they were right there in the same room. Google Hangouts are free.
Is that all?
So far, these are two of the biggest video chat programs that I’ve heard being used. Do you use something different? I would love to hear what others have used.
Published: Jul 10, 2013 11:58 pm