Dice rollers, and other RP-happy functions

[Azisien]

Just a ponderous request page. Part of the reason why some RPs don't work out is because forums aren't an ideal medium for statistics and dice rolling.

One way to make them a better medium is to introduce things like a dice rolling function. Other ideas might be a "GM" title allowing the GMs of games to edit the posts of other posters, delete them, etc.

Just thoughts. I know it's probably a lot of work, for not a whole lot of overall gain, but that's what this forum is here for. Also, I know these kinds of functions exist, so the code might actually ALREADY be out there, waiting to get implemented.

[Meister]

One way to make them a better medium is to introduce things like a dice rolling function. Other ideas might be a "GM" title allowing the GMs of games to edit the posts of other posters, delete them, etc.
Editing other members' posts is a mod function, and I'm pretty sure we can't limit such privileges for one user to one single thread, sorry. Dice rollers, now there's an idea. I'll leave decisions to shiney and Rai, but do you happen to know any dice roller plug-ins?

[Azisien]

I had figured it would be, just threw it out there anyway. I don't know of any dice roller plug-in's off hand, but I can sniff around.

I've seen them function like spoiler tags and such, where you would do something the equation would be:

(xdy)[result]

The problem is making sure you can't edit the dice rolls. Anyhoo, are there any other doable, easy additions that could improve the RP atmosphere? Easy being not a total overhaul of the mod system (as in the single thread crap). In the meantime, I will search for a dice rolling plugin.

EDIT (Findings of possible interest):

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=113972

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=113972

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=113972&page=12

[Meister]

Some more hacks have been found. The rest is up to shiney or someone.

[shiney]

Fuitad. Hacks involve (generally) modifying files or uploading files, and I do not have access to the NPC webserver.

[Nique]

I'm not familer with RPing really, but I'm on a posting spree and had a thought so, heregoes -

Is it possible that some external program could serve this function just as well? I mean, once you assigned a GM in the thread, he/she takes care of the "dice roll" right? There must be something out there that can perform this or even keep track of charcter sheets/ dossiers for any given game? It would be a glorified calculater essentially.

I can see how an in-forum system would be convienient though.

[Major Blood]

I'm not familer with RPing really, but I'm on a posting spree and had a thought so, heregoes -

Is it possible that some external program could serve this function just as well? I mean, once you assigned a GM in the thread, he/she takes care of the "dice roll" right? There must be something out there that can perform this or even keep track of charcter sheets/ dossiers for any given game? It would be a glorified calculater essentially.

I can see how an in-forum system would be convienient though.

Yo! (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20040517a)

Really, all you would need is a GM that isn't lazy.

[Azisien]

I am aware of external dice rolling programs. I use several in actual PnP sessions to streamline combat, but the function on the forum serves just that purpose. It doesn't have to do with being lazy. That's like saying well, we do have a plane to fly to Australia, but it would be lazy to do that, let's swim there.

Every dice-RP I've run and seen run, it's slowed down, and RPing itself is heavily detracted, because you have to write this brief post as a player and wait for the GM to make a brief response showing the dice results. Sure, a lot of private messaging could occur, but that's slow and in many ways, another detraction from the game.

What the dice rolling program allows is fairly secure post-by-post dice functions, useable by all the players and the GMs. I doubt people would be dishonest, and blatant cheating would get obvious, but there's no "Player makes post with intentions, GM posts results via dice, Player posts reaction to results." It becomes closer to the, I think, more enjoyable freeform RP with "Player writes post including intentions, rolls his own dice using the function, and makes reaction." In the background, the GM moderates the player actions, and presents the challenges etc.

But yeah, you guys should totally install this. :D