17 Jan 2012

RPGs just became a whole lot more interesting

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Tabletop RPGs such as Dungeons & Dragons and Talisman have had to compete with their modern, digital counterparts - the MMORPGs like World of Warcraft and Warhammer Online - for some time now, and to some it spelled the beginning of the end for our traditional RPGs. Now it's time for us to fight back.


ePawn Arena is a large, flat screen that connects to a smartphone, tablet or computer, and allows you to combine physical and digital objects that interact with one another. The result is the ability to play a dungeon-crawler type game by moving physical objects around the game board and have them interact with the digital interface. This is pretty exciting technology, and it has to be seen to be fully appreciated. Take a look at the video below (note: the typeface of the numbers and the skull motif look an awful lot like Warhammer 40K. Can anyone confirm this?). The ePawn Arena should be available at the end of this year.
  
What kind of applications does this technology have for us fantasy fans?
  


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24 comment(s):

  1. OMG! That is freaking awesome! I want one, now... lol! I'll have to go check this out. I'd love to get back into D&D. ;)

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    1. I think this will get a new generation of gamers hooked on more traditional style RPGs. As the video says too, the rulebook/tooltips will be built into the system so no need to learn the rules!

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  2. That is so sweet! For the first time I really want a tablet computer of some kind, so that I can use that!

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    1. I'm looking forlornly at my bank account knowing that I'll never afford this (they say it'll be affordable, but didn't they say that about the iPad too?) Still, it looks fantastic!

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  3. I just looked it up elsewhere online - I wonder how much that bad boy goes for?

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    1. I don't think any prices have surfaced yet - though the company have said that it will be 'affordable' ... I imagine that means you only have to sell the one kidney.

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    1. It looks to be something special. So far they've demonstrated stuff like Chess and Air Hockey as well as RPGs. Trading card games could get a lot more interesting too!

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  6. That's cool. The could really go far to make the RPG relevant again.

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    1. Let's hope so. If only I could afford it :(

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  7. Wow. That may just get me back to playing Dungeons and Dragons.

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    1. I've not played any RPGs in years. It'd be nice to get back into some tabletop action.

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  8. Seems cool! I don't know much about RPGs, but the tech is neat!

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  9. This looks pretty cool. I'd love to try this out. I'd love to be able to breathe virtual fire. LOL

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  10. Oops! Hit send too soon. I meant to finish with I'd love to breathe virtual fire, LOL since I can't breathe real fire. ;)

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    1. Breathing fire would be a plus, even virtual fire. I can't wait to see what other applications this will have!

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  11. Good to hear that they're keeping up, but not just re-packaging for an online version. I tried D&D in elementary school, but they wanted to make me Dungeon Master too soon so they could play. Then, my high school years pre-dated Geek Chic, so I didn't get into it.

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    1. Now is the time to get reacquainted. Plus you won't have to relearn the rules since they'll be built in to the tech.

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  12. very exciting and innovative!

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  14. Very cool. Though I admit I'm totally out of my depth when it comes to gaming.

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  16. This. Is. Cool. Combining my love of video AND board games? Bring it on.

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Thanks for commenting!

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