Ten Tips for Starting an Online RPG Campaign

 

 Running an online RPG campaign presents unique challenges compared to a traditional in-person game. Here are ten tips to help you launch a successful online RPG:

1. Choose a Virtual Tabletop (VTT) - Familiarize yourself with platforms like Roll20, Foundry, or Astral and use their tools to your advantage. Make sure players know how to use basic features.

   
   
   The first step is selecting the virtual tabletop (VTT) platform you will use to run your online game. The most popular options are:
   
   - Roll20: Very full-featured and good for beginners. Integrates well with major systems. Free to use basic tools.
   
   - Foundry VTT: Powerful and highly customizable. Requires one-time purchase of "self-hosted" license. Steeper learning curve.
   
   - Astral: Focuses on synchronous video/audio. Best for more social games over combat-heavy ones. Free trial available.
   
   Evaluate each platform's features, learning curve, and price model to determine the best fit for your game. Consider:
   
   - Mapping/Fog of War: How robust are tools for building battlemaps, exploring unseen areas?
   
   - Character Sheets: Are official sheets available or can players easily create custom ones?
   
   - Monsters/NPCs: What level of automation exists for enemy stats/abilities in combat?
   
   - Audio/Video: What video/chat options exist within the VTT or do you need an external app?
   
   Spend time experimenting hands-on before your session zero. Create test maps, characters, and encounters to get comfortable with basic use.
   
   In session zero, walk players through account setup, how to upload character sheets, moving tokens, rolling dice, and any other essential functions. Offer ongoing tech support as needed.
   
   Picking the right VTT up front smooths the transition to online play. Strategic use of virtual tools enhances gameplay rather than becoming a hindrance.
   

    

2. Establish Communication Channels - In addition to your VTT, set up a Discord server or other voice/text chat for out-of-game discussion. This builds community.

   
   Discord is a very popular free option that allows:
   
   - Voice Channels: For player hangouts, planning sessions outside main games.
   
   - Text Channels: Topic-specific text forums (memes, game talk, character bios).
   
   - File/Image Sharing: Easily share references, handouts, campaign artwork.
   
   - Roles & Permissions: Designate moderators, set posting/voice privileges.
   
   Other choices include Skype, Teams, or WhatsApp. No matter the platform, encourage players to:
   
   - Introduce Themselves: Share names, pronouns, something fun about themselves.
   
   - Ask Questions: About rules, setting lore, their character ideas/backgrounds.
   
   - Plan Together: Collaborate on party goals, anticipated storyline threads.
   
   - Socialize Casually: Foster real relationships beyond just the game itself.
   
   Be active in online spaces between sessions. Pose prompts, share memes, get to know players personally. This builds the social connections that motivate long-term commitment to your campaign!
   
   With the right channels established, your online group can feel just as engaging as an in-person one. 

   
   

3. Prepare Campaign Materials Digitally - Convert or create monsters, maps, items and other content in digital formats optimized for your VTT of choice. This streamlines play.

   To run a smooth virtual game, prepare all reference materials in digital formats ready to utilize within your VTT. This includes:
   
   - Maps: Create top-down battlemaps in your VTT's native format using built-in drawing tools. Add dynamic lighting/fog of war as desired.
   
   - Tokens: Include tokens for PCs, NPCs, and monsters. Coordinate sizes. Import images or draw directly.
   
   - Bestiary: For all planned monsters, prepare statblocks with abilities/actions formatted cleanly for easy reference.
   
   - Handouts: Scan or re-create any player handouts, letters, maps, diagrams as digital files to share.
   
   - Item Cards: Create virtual cards for magic items, treasures with descriptive text and stats.
   
   - Music/Sound Effects: Add atmospheric background music/sounds triggered by macros.
   
   - Macros: Set up rolls, attacking scripts for recurrent actions to streamline combat.
   
   Store materials on your VTT server, Google Drive, or OneDrive for access from any device during sessions.
   
   Practice importing/distributing beforehand. Have a backup locally on your PC just in case.
   
   With puzzles, triggers, and dynamic events also implemented digitally, you can focus on storytelling instead of shuffling physical props under the virtual table!
   
   Digital prepfront saves time mid-session and prevents technical hurdles from disrupting gameplay flow. 

   
   

4. Test Technology Ahead of Time - Run a one-shot with your players to test audio, video, character sheets and other tech elements before your full campaign begins. Iron out any kinks.

   Before committing to an extended online campaign, schedule a one-shot playtest session to identify any technical hurdles. This allows time to:
   
   - Test Audio Setup: Have everyone speak to check microphone levels and minimize background noise.
   
   - Test Video Quality: Adjust camera angles and lighting to ensure visibility without lag/distortion if using video.
   
   - Test Character Sheets: Walk through character creation together to ensure sheets are importing and filling out properly.
   
   - Test VTT Interface: Try basic navigation, dropping tokens, rolling dice, using triggers together to iron out interface hiccups.
   
   - Test File Sharing: Send test files through your chat and VTT tools to check for access and download issues.
   
   - Identify Trouble Players: Note anyone consistently dropping in/out or unable to participate reliably due to latency or equipment. Address barriers before committing to long campaign.
   
   Survey players afterwards to assess:
   
   - Comfort with virtual tools and familiarity with your planned usage.
   - Feedback on audio levels, video appearance if used, overall interface experience.
   - Issues to address like distractions, time commitment, technical challenges.
   
   Resolving bugs before your first "real" session avoids immersion-breaking troubleshooting later and builds confidence. A trial run makes online play feel far smoother down the road.

    

5. Consider Timezone Accommodations - Online play allows greater flexibility but coordinate schedules carefully. Record sessions if you have players in very different timezones.

   Online play opens doors for including players across long distances. However, significant timezone differences require careful scheduling and accommodations.
   
   When polling schedules:
   
   - Note each player's timezone in minutes from UTC/GMT.
   
   - Use a scheduling tool to map time options everyone can reasonably attend.
   
   - Consider splitting into two groups if gaps are too large.
   
   For multiple timezones:
   
   - Record sessions using your VTT or a separate tool.
   
   - Upload videos promptly for asynchronous viewing convenience.
   
   - Allow time-shifted discussion on Discord to include all.
   
   Other options include:
   
   - Rotating hosts each session based on majority timezone.
   
   - Offering sessions on weekends to bridge weekday work schedules.
   
   - Playing at unusual hours 1-2 times/month for far players.  
   
   - Including absent players via voice chat even if just listening.
   
   Adjust expectations - some may participate less frequently. Compensate with bonus roleplaying/development time offline.
   
   Ensure all feel included through online presence even if attending sessions is difficult. Prepared DMs can make the international gaming table feel cohesive. 

   
   

6. Emphasize Descriptive Narration - Without physical props and miniatures, lean heavier on vivid storytelling to bring your virtual world to life through words alone.

   Where in-person games rely on tangible battlemaps, minis and physical props, online play demands bringing settings and interactions to life through narrative skill alone. GMs should:
   
   Paint Vivid Pictures - Populate scenes with vivid sensory details. Conjure images of blazing sun on stone walls, drifting scent of pine forests, crash of waves on a shore.  
   
   Develop Distinctive Voices - Give monsters, NPCs and even PCs distinctive accents, cadences or mannerisms when speaking. Brighten dialog with character.
   
   Stylize Action - Don't just state "the orc attacks." Describe its raging bull-like charge, pulverizing blow resonating through its club. Inspire cinematic sense of participation.  
   
   Environmental Storytelling - Describe how sights, sounds and terrain influence encounters. In a mist-wreathed graveyard even a perception check feels eerie.
   
   Aural Cues - Set the tone with short music clips or sound effects to punctuate key moments without overreliance on actual maps/minis.
   
   Elicit Descriptions - Ask players to narrate their own actions, observations and experiences too through descriptive, vivid language to build the shared vision.
   
   Dynamic narration is an art that takes some GMs out of their comfort zone. But leveraging description well more than compensates digitally for what's lacked physically on tabletop gaming nights.

    

7. Use Webcams When Possible - Seeing each others' faces, even in a limited way, maintains social engagement that text chat alone can lack.

   
   While not always practical, encouraging webcam use can significantly enhance the online roleplaying experience where bandwidth allows. Seeing faces:
   
   - Adds a Personal Touch - Putting a face to a voice helps form real connections between distant players.
   
   - Conveys Nonverbal Cues - Facial expressions, gestures help telegraph moods, reactions in a way text alone misses.
   
   - increases Immersion - Feeling of "being there together" versus disembodied voices in an otherwise empty virtual room.
   
   - Spices up Roleplaying -Players can directly portray emotions, think through faces in intense moments.
   
   However, be flexible as low bandwidth or self-consciousness may preclude turning cameras on. Text-based socializing still builds community. Where possible:
   
   - Recommend simple webcam setups without unnecessary background clutter.
   
   - Lead by example with your own camera to set a welcoming standard.
   
   - Avoid making anyone feel obligated if truly unable or uncomfortable.
   
   In combat or complex scenes, cameras may need toggling off. But overall, webcams facilitate the small non-verbal human connections online play otherwise challenges to recreate. Use sensitively to enrichment, not exclusion.
   

    

8. Be Understanding of Equipment Issues - Players may encounter microphone muting, bad connections or other glitches beyond their control. Adapt graciously.

   
   Online gaming depends on fallible technology, so flexibility is key when inevitable glitches occur. As GM, pledge to:
   
   - Assume Best Intent - Trouble is rarely a personal failing. Help troubleshoot issues without annoyance or pressure.
   
   - Allow Retroactive Catch-Up - Summarize any missed story bits so players not present due to tech don't fall behind.  
   
   - Adjust Pacing - Slow things down gracefully if interruptions arise to let others reconnect unhurriedly.
   
   - Offer Strategic Assistance - Suggest alternate audio setups, equipment upgrades, data usage tips if recurring problems appear solvable.
   
   - Document Solutions - Maintain a tech support channel listing resolutions to common problems for reference.
   
   - Empathize with Frustration - Express understanding rather than frustration yourself over delays out of anyone's control.
   
   - Avoid Critical Decisions - Don't eliminate PCs or progress major story when participation compromised by issues.
   
   - Declare Tech-Free Zones - Designate times/channels strictly social to freely troubleshoot without FOMO.
   
   Patience and compassion for flaky connections preserves fun and commitment better than punitive responses to temporary absences. With caring support, players feel safe risking technologically complex games. 

   
   

9. Foster Community Between Sessions - Maintain an active Discord to build connections among distant players. Schedule optional social events too.

   To maintain player enthusiasm between gaming nights, foster opportunities for socialization and bonding outside the campaign itself. As GM:
   
   - Pose thoughtful discussion prompts and questions to spark engagement.
   
   - Highlight player accomplishments both in-game and out with congratulations.
   
   - Host regular optional social nights for hanging out, creative collaborations.  
   
   - Organize regular game or movie nights to enjoy together remotely.
   
   - Schedule one-on-one mentorship sessions to develop characters in-depth.
   
   - Facilitate sharing media like character art, memes, podcast episodes.
   
   - Play light-hearted cooperative games together as a group for fun prizes.
   
   - Get to know players personally with fun questions and getting-to-know-you games.
   
   - Mark major milestones, holidays with group celebrations on voice chat.
   
   Nurturing an active online community between sessions boosts investment in the long-term of your campaign. Social bonds strengthen resilience to inevitable hiatuses or personality clashes down the road. Gathering informally outside game nights fosters cherished memories beyond one campaign alone.

    

10. Have Fun! An online game requires extra effort but can be just as rewarding as a traditional one if you emphasize the roleplaying experience over technical problems. Enjoy adventuring together virtually!