Why do games companies fill the player's side of the screen with pretty artwork and not put things that would be useful to players?
In the case of EotE, things like the table for spending advantages and a guide to the symbols on the dice.
If we DMs / players were designing the screen what would you want on the player's side?
Edited by DoctorWhatThe problem with the text on this screen (lovely as it is) is that the players wouldn't be able to see it anyway.
Why wouldn't players be able to see text or charts on the screen?
Edited by DoctorWhatAs the players sit further away from the screen and the text/background/contract isn't the easiest to see on this screen.
I think it would be a good idea to repeat the info from the GM side on the player side as most of it is relevent to them in this game.
Why wouldn't players be able to see text or charts on the screen?
I can barely see what's on the GM side of the screen without squinting. It's not the screen's fault, I just have crappy vision.
It's easy enough to print out some of the excellent sheets in the resources thread and then just binder clip them to the outside of the screen. I don't actually hide behind a screen (just a laptop) so I reckon that wouldn't really work for me.
At a lot of games I have played in the GM's screen is too far away or at a bad angle to read any information on it anyway. Unless it was printed in 60 point font. A pretty picture and a player reference is good enough for me.
I like that the character folios in the beginner game included a lot of information on dice symbols, etc.
I usually have a notebook or something with any additional information that I feel is important to me and my character and play style, because putting all that on the back side of the GM screen, the gm would need 1 screen per player with all of their information on it on the back side.
We usually play on couches and comfy chairs around a coffee table, so the screen usually never gets set up. It's usually just sitting nearby so anybody can grab,it to use for reference. It's really just as handy for players as the GM.
Yeah, I have to lean down and squint to read the text on the GM's side of the screen! I wouldn't be able to see it at all if it were on the player's side.
Before acquiring that luxurious specimen of GM bling, I'd just print out my own tables and tape them to a sturdy D20 screen like a loser (one of the many reasons I always want a PDF version of every game book I buy...) Now I can print whatever I want on my side and stick campaign-specific artwork on the players' side -- no more ghetto screenage.
Why wouldn't players be able to see text or charts on the screen?
My game table is a regulation 4'X6'. You can see my 4e screen in a few pictures there.
http://www.worldworksgames.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8453
Heck Garry Gygax ran D&D games with up to 20 players. I'm pretty sure there was more than one table. :-)
You could make cheat sheets for your players...
Why wouldn't players be able to see text or charts on the screen?
My game table is a regulation 4'X6'. You can see my 4e screen in a few pictures there.
http://www.worldworksgames.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8453
Heck Garry Gygax ran D&D games with up to 20 players. I'm pretty sure there was more than one table. :-)
You could make cheat sheets for your players...
I want your table!
Edited by Talley Darkstar
Why wouldn't players be able to see text or charts on the screen?
My game table is a regulation 4'X6'. You can see my 4e screen in a few pictures there.
http://www.worldworksgames.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8453
Heck Garry Gygax ran D&D games with up to 20 players. I'm pretty sure there was more than one table. :-)
You could make cheat sheets for your players...
I want an Emissary pretty bad. If you don't mind me asking, how many Republic Credits did you put into yours after config?
Why do games companies fill the player's side of the screen with pretty artwork and not put things that would be useful to players?
In the case of EotE, things like the table for spending advantages and a guide to the symbols on the dice.
If we DMs / players were designing the screen what would you want on the player's side?
Totally agree. It's a wasted opportunity in my opinion.
I want an Emissary pretty bad. If you don't mind me asking, how many Republic Credits did you put into yours after config?
They needed a more substantial currency than Republic Credits when I was in the market. :-)
It was a long time ago. It was $4500US I think. It was one of the first ones brought into Canada. Its a tournament legal 4'X6' playing area. Mine is unusual in that the leaves are width wise. I can leave a leaf in on either end. (If I do that I have a regulation 4'X4' playing area, and somewhere for the players to leave their books.)
I want an Emissary pretty bad. If you don't mind me asking, how many Republic Credits did you put into yours after config?
They needed a more substantial currency than Republic Credits when I was in the market. :-)
It was a long time ago. It was $4500US I think. It was one of the first ones brought into Canada. Its a tournament legal 4'X6' playing area. Mine is unusual in that the leaves are width wise. I can leave a leaf in on either end. (If I do that I have a regulation 4'X4' playing area, and somewhere for the players to leave their books.)
Republic credits? Republic credits are no good out here. I need something more real.
Why do games companies fill the player's side of the screen with pretty artwork and not put things that would be useful to players?
In the case of EotE, things like the table for spending advantages and a guide to the symbols on the dice.
If we DMs / players were designing the screen what would you want on the player's side?
Totally agree. It's a wasted opportunity in my opinion.
Yep.
What I'd put is the spending of advantage and threat summary, the dice substitution table, and a summary of the range bands and maneuvers to change ranges. But, I also prefer screens in a landscape format, rather than portrait.
Players that are interested could always buy a screen of their own. Its not really that expensive.