I think it would be cool is if FFG made or allowed someone to make an Arkham Horror program that was basically just a map of the board that could be used in online play between two or more people that have the game. I know they knocked down a full online game version, but this would force someone to have bought the game.

So it would be a screen representation of the board, and the only thing it would do is tell you the investigatorsAO used, tell you which items/spells are drawn, and which monsters appear. Once person uses their own cards for locations/mythos (voice chat would be necessary) and either that person uses cards for everyone else, or each player can keep track of their own if they have the game. None of the monsters, items, or investigators would have any information in the program, it could just keep track of money, stamina, and sanity. You tell it everything that goes on. So it would be just like it is in real life, as long as one person has the actual game, a group could play. It would just allow people to play that normally wouldn't, and would definitely be worthless to pirate since it won't work without the cards (although I guess you could just go to the wiki, but anyone could do that now and make copies of anything they want).

I think it would be cool and easier than skyping the way some of you tried it. And it could be very basic, as long as it lets two people see where things are at on the board. Do you think they would even allow something like this?

DoomTurtle said:

::Shrug:: maybe. I don't see that as being that much different from Skyping (except a bit easier and more aesthetically pleasing).

I'd rather them make a full-fledged program where you don't need the game, but it costs money (like Ticket to Ride online, which is hugely popular)

With the exception of the impossibly long setup time, I'd rather stick to perhaps Skyping the game out. Of course, this presents the issue where you have to plan a game in advance and everyone has to be available, but... an online version is certainly nothing I'd wait out for. FFG is primarily a board game company, and they hold that position well.

Tibs said:

Well, if I do the setup *before* the game next time, it'll be much faster. What I really need to access to photoshop for a couple hours so I can set up an abstract couple of map images and just use them for multiple printings. But :'/ I'm procrastinating on that ;'D

It would be possible with the program Vassal. Someone would just need to write a module for it. I would guess it wouldn't be to much effort compared to some of the things I've seen done with it.

There are already Vassal versions of AH out there, made for personal use and not shared publically. I've seen some listed on the Vassal server logs.

AH would be an ideal game to be able to play online or with a PC version, to eliminate the hassle of the setup, space needed and tear down. I understand FFG wanting to be careful about how their licensed material gets out there, but I hope they will either allow some kind of Vassal or PC or console version or better yet create one themselves, or hire someone to do it. If there is a fear of people playing that and not buying the board game, I feel that is unfounded, and the opposite may be true; I could add a long list here of board games that I purchased after playing an online or PC version. Also, with AH, the complexity is a factor that will deter many from even checking it out on Vassal... Vassal is not really that intuitive to begin with... but those that do and can grasp the game are likely to enjoy it and want to buy it.

But really, at this point, with seven expansions, I can't see why FFG wouldn't be downright eager to allow at least the base game, if only that, to officially be made into a Vassal version, or to create some computer or online version of the base game themselves. It could introduce many people to the game, and though a few might play just that and be content with just that, and not purchase the board game, many will surely want to check out at least some of those many expansions, which means they would then have to buy the base game as well as whatever expansions. It's like printer companies who sometimes sell the printer itself at a very low price, knowing that the real money is from the ink cartridges that will be continually sold thereafter. FFG should consider the base game of AH in that same sense, and a Vassal/PC/console version could really be the jumping off point for that. And long-time AH owners would be very happy to have some version of the game to play online or to play on a laptop once in a while.

Of course, what I'd most like is a PC version that includes all expansions, with options for mixing them up as you like, but at the very least, I think FFG should consider some PC or Vassal version of the base game, if they aren't already (and who knows, maybe they are).

I think the biggest bonus of something like this is having more than two people play online easily. Skype can be a pain trying to deal with more than one other person. Something like this can allow more, although you have to hope everyone is playing fair, and being truthful about dice rolls, since there is no one there to watch them.

IMHO, I wouldn't mind being part of a team to build an online demo version using half the cards, 3 investigators, 1 AOO, and only components from the base game simply to lure new players in easily. The hardest part I find in being a board game fan like myself is convincing other people to play as well. An online demo of sorts would be welcome to me, because nothing beats a REAL board game amongst friends.

jaklcide said:

That's a great idea... along the lines of what I suggested above but even more restrictive, which may alleviate some concern for FFG. For a fully playable but content limited version of the base game I would say there should be 6-8 investigators (so you could play a 4-5 player game and have backups if anyone is devoured), 2 GOOs, 4-5 encounter cards for each location, enough Mythos/Gate cards so it's playable with some variety, etc. And at the end of every game there could be a splash screen that says, "Want more investigators, GOOs, encounters, etc.? Buy the board game of Arkham Horror..."

It's FFG's property and they can do (or not do) whatever they like with it, but I really think they would have much to gain from something like that... new players can get a taste of the game, but will have to buy the base game to get more investigators and GOOs and such, and long-time players would at least have some version of the game to play online or on a laptop.

Of course, what I'd really like is a full version with all content and all expansions, but a partial content base-game only version would be something, at least. I know someone who makes Vassal modules very well and was going to make one for AH (base-game only), but FFG denied permission. I wonder if they'd consider a partial content version, though. I may have to ask about that.