Is Online Cool?

[Big Bri]

I rolled the dice for the first time in a year on New Year's Eve. I noticed it was not as fun as it used to be. Now don't get me wrong, I love COTG, but I think I'm growing more towards loving the storyline writing and booking more than playing the matches themselves.

So, I've been toying with the idea of starting to play COTG Online, particularly for the match simulator. I would still play title, specialty, and big feud matches with dice, but for most other matches I think I would rather sim them to save time (I would like to catch up to the current stuff someday).

Questions...

1. Has anybody else switched to online for the same reason?

2. If so, were you happy with the decision?

3. Any drawbacks to switching?

4. Anything else you want to add?

Thanks in advance!

Bri

[maddog1981]

1. Has anybody else switched to online for the same reason?

I switched because Online provided better book keeping and I didn't have a great area for playing at the time.

2. If so, were you happy with the decision?

Mostly happy with it.

3. Any drawbacks to switching?

There are limitations to Online that you'll notice and have to adjust to. Overall, I enjoy it but Online does take longer than just slinging dice. But no paper limitations have really let me spread my wings with booking and writing.

4. Anything else you want to add?

Online provides some extra guys through the GWF years. Guys get tweaked over time so that's good incentive to play Online. I will admit that I do both. I was only Online for awhile but I've started going back to rolling dice. I have a playing area again so that's a big reason. I will probably be buying paper versions and Online versions of the GWF sets from this point forward.

[Mr. Beefy]

Online takes longer? I think it is super quick in comparison to rolling dice.....

I do a little of both. I like having the cards in hand but the PbP Sim is so nice for doing a majority of the matches if possible. Can't sim most specialty matches though so you will still roll them out.

[jmello]

1. Has anybody else switched to online for the same reason?

I initially switched to online for convenience, but there are things that I've noticed. Mainly, I feel it's quicker for me, plus more accessible. I can leave the table and my current card up on my laptop, close it and if I get 10 minutes anytime during the day, open it and play a match or two. Plus, all my stuff is in a folder on my comp., so I just type results as I play, no chance in losing info.(Unless my hard drive crashes in between saves!)

2. If so, were you happy with the decision?

I've been extremely happy with my switching, I can't go back. The only time I use my actual cards and dice are at conventions.

3. Any drawbacks to switching?

The only drawbacks I can see is that there aren't all the sets online. There is only certain Legends, all the old COTG stuff hasn't been put on it yet, and there is no POW or GWFZ. This severely disappoints me, since I'd like to play them all, but want all my options available if I delve into those feds.

4. Anything else you want to add?

As much as I like the simulator, I refuse to use it for my fed. There's just something about playing out the matches and with online, it seems quick enough as is. On average a card is very quick and usually takes no longer than 30 minutes. Most of my time now with my current fed is spent typing out results and filling in the storylines.

All and all, I enjoy it and I think you will too!

[MonkeyDBain]

yes, yes it is

[wildfire]

I think the concept is really cool, but there are still a fair number of glitches that prevent me personally from using it on a regular basis.

The main thing is the integration between the pbp sim and/or the game table and the stat tracker. If you could set up the card, click something and have the match happen, then post to the 'tracker, that'd be great. As it is, you can only do that under very specific circumstances. (no special match, no injury or champ advantage adjustment, no manager, etc)

[toasterboy]

I'll have to agree with wildfire's assessment. Online is a great concept but speaking for myself, and no one else, it would need a few more tweaks before I began using it regularly again. The main would be either and iPad/Phone app interface or compatible website. (Yeah, yeah, Apple's bad, they need to allow Flash to work on their devices, etc.)

I've purchased the classic sets through Civil War, the modern sets through 2125 and all the Legends sets, but have not felt the need to continue purchasing them as I rarely use Online anymore. Table top with cards and dice, my own dedicated wordpress website I can update via any source (including iPad/iPhone) and my Stats in a google doc offer more of a complete COTG/LOW experience for me.

Also, and again this is just my personal feelings, I'm not a big fan of the 'character progression' so that's not something that entices me.

This all being said, I commend the work that the Online Staff does, because they are constantly refining it, and I know if they could wave a wand and make everything work the way everyone wanted, they would.

[Avarice]

I'll say that it's very cool! It's the only way to go for me with a 3 year old and 3 month old (will be walking around before I know it). Easy to store data and unless COTG's server crashes, it's all safe there even if my notebook gets lost.

I do get both card and digital sets when they come out, and primarily use the cards for cons unless I don't have it online.

Like JMello, I pine for the GWFZ to be online as I'd love to integrate them into a fed of their own and bring some into my GWF realm.

I don't use the pBp sim like JMello...just something about using it don't feel "right." Almost like why not just pick a winner if you're gonna let the computer do it for you any how? I do play out all my matches, it's more fun that way. The only thing I sim is a rare battle royal that I may have.

[Big Bri]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

I figured online would be a lot faster, especially for matches I could care less about (Beast Rider vs. Mutant, etc.). I won’t even mind sim for matches like that.

I’m not too worried about not all the sets being online yet, as I am still in EC (I plan to just enter the characters as CACs. I figured by the time I get current, all the sets will be online.

Avarice – I hear ya brother! My kid is almost 2 and my second is due at the end of the month. I have little free time as it is and it’s about to be even less, so I want a way to still play and move along through the sets but still save time. Funny thing is I love playing out battle royals. For me, a 20-man battle royal takes about 2 hours to play out but it’s so much fun.

Well, it looks like my mind is made up – I’m going Online!

[Avarice]

Also a good point is if you're at work or somewhere near a PC, it's very convenient to just pop on and play as well.