TOPIC: GHC Electronic Combat Table

For about 8 months I have been working on an electronic combat table as a prototype for True Dungeon. It was unveiled at Game Hole Con to get the communities feedback (sorry no pictures here yet I forgot to take a few photos at GHC).

In general it is a 55" 4K Smart TV embedded in a wooden table and had a full size plexiglass sliding top. The feedback from everyone that saw it was virtually unanimous - they wanted to see it (or something like it) in True Dungeon. Because the feedback was so strong I changed the question to would they still want to see it if it resulted in a ticket price increase. Understanding that ticket price is a very sensitive subject but still wanting to get their opinion.

I would say the results of about 80 people polled were:

• 10% said they wanted the electronic combat table only if it meant no impact to the ticket price
• 35% said TD could raise the ticket price just $1
• 50% said TD could raise the ticket price $2
• 5% said TD could raise the ticket price more than $2 and it would still be worth it

I will post some pictures and maybe a video if I can get a chance but here are some of the benefits of the electronic combat table:

• The combat board does not need to be covered or rolled in to the room (has a title screen on it).
• It is on rollers so it could be moved if the room requires it
• Since it doesn't have to be moved at all it could be built in to a story scape - think of a coffin in the room you have to open and it becomes to the sliding table.
• Hi Resolution monster pictures provide more immersion then black/white combat boards
• Number zones on the monster can vary by difficulty (high numbers for Normal, smaller numbers for Nightmare)
• Monsters pose could change between rounds of combat (1st round no shield, 2nd round shield)
• Monsters picture could match NPC costumes improving immersion
• Monsters could have brief (3-5 second attacking animations between rounds)
• Hi Resolution monster pictures may occasionally substitute for NPC in regional conventions where volunteers are harder to get
• Game effects like Invisibility and Phasing could be represented better than by a 50/50 die roll
• Future feature merged with an electronic party card could significantly speed up combat potentially getting 6-9 combat rounds in every room.

And these are just some of the benefits that come to mind

If you saw the electronic combat table at GHC please post your thoughts and definitely include your opinion on whether it would justify a ticket price increase and if so, how much.

Thanks to everyone that provided their feedback at GHC and in advance for everyone posting here!

Ed

Reserved

I didn't attend GHC so I can't comment on the board itself, but in general I'm in favor of anything that adds to the immersion and can help with streamlining combat.

I wouldn't mind a $2 increase, but given the price jumps we've seen over the past few years I imagine more than a few would object.

My major concern is a table failing during a combat and the time it would take to swap it out for the replacement.

WOW, Ed!! This is such a great idea! Especially for many of the uses you pointed out

I didn't get out to GHC, so I'm really look forward to seeing photo of it when you get time.

I would love to see this mixed with the technology from the sand table puzzle, where maybe the system reacts to where pucks land. Crit animation.

I'd be ok with a $2 price increase, and regardless I'm going to get my tickets, but with the year over year price increases I'm already worried about the PR of TD's price point (even though it still sells out at GenCon)

Brokkr wrote: My major concern is a table failing during a combat and the time it would take to swap it out for the replacement.

Maybe the old style white board can be kept behind the scenes as a fall back. If needed you would put it on top of the table.

The features you've described are great. The one that sounds the most appealing to me is the monster pose changes from round to round.

That said - ticket prices jumped by quite a bit last year so I'm strongly opposed to another increase.

Isn't it possible to implement this without raising prices? I mean, token sales are higher than ever...right?

Another idea which I find to be more reasonable - A 1-year increase in prices as opposed to flat-out evergreen increase.

There was ample explanation for the ticket price jump last year. All rooms at Gen Con were going to achieve a level of immersion that was not really seen before. That certainly justifies a permanent increase.

The implementation of an Electronic Combat Table seems like it would be a heavy up-front cost. After that it's just maintenance. This sounds like it could justify a temporary increase to get the project off the ground, but not a permanent one (IMHO).

I thought the ECT (Electronic Combat Table) was an awesome idea. The potential for so many diffrent uses other than combat seem limitless. I would offer an alternative to ticket price increase might be crowd source funding. This would allow for anyone in the gaming community to participate, not just those who attend TD. My 2 cents worth .... Spud ....

Jeffrey "Spud" Lunsford wrote: I thought the ECT (Electronic Combat Table) was an awesome idea. The potential for so many diffrent uses other than combat seem limitless. I would offer an alternative to ticket price increase might be crowd source funding. This would allow for anyone in the gaming community to participate, not just those who attend TD. My 2 cents worth .... Spud ....

This is a really interesting idea. I would probably contribute.

Another concern is transport.
The current system is a bunch of flat whiteboards and tables. Portability to different cons would be an issue depending on storage, etc.

I would pay at least $2 more per ticket for this, but my concern is the size.of ticket cost and its proximity to $100 per ticket. Perception is a big concern for me.

I have not seen the table, but how much would it increase the price if it was only used in the final room of each dungeon?

I liked the functionality of the table but I saw it in the lighted conference hall. I wonder what effect that would have on the feel of the dungeon???
Would that be too much light in the room?

I love the concept.

I think it would be wise to test it in Grind.

I wonder about transport issues and durability.

After last years price jump, I'm leery about another jump.

Graven wrote:

Brokkr wrote: My major concern is a table failing during a combat and the time it would take to swap it out for the replacement.

Maybe the old style white board can be kept behind the scenes as a fall back. If needed you would put it on top of the table.

That is the backup plan.

Ed