Using Roll20 and found it worked great for my more casual table. I'm a forever DM and know some programing so I've tinkered around with macros a bit and looking to get into it a bit more with the modding API. I tried Foundry and our table had issues with it and it actually lacked some vital accessibility features we needed that just worked in a more browser centric setting. I admit it had a cleaner visual style to it and I liked how modding and dynamic lighting were just baked in to the purchase, but it just didn't work for us. They are more interested in D&D and Call of Cthulhu so it's nice that that I can switch between both pretty seamlessly. That and it's generally just a bit easier to pick up and play and get a game going in my experience. Anything that Roll20 can't do we can do in Discord or something. Pretty easy from a novice / casual perspective. It just works.
I played Roll20 for years. And I mean YEARS. play from about 2014 till 2021. Then I got Foundry VTT when it came out and played it. I could never go back, and I mean that. After playing on Foundry VTT for years at this point, I went back to roll20 and tried to use it and my goodness it is such an archaic program in comparison. My personal feeling of people who say they tried foundry but it was too clunky. Is that roll20 is the beast they KNOW so they hesitate to learn something new and stick with that which they already know. I’m convinced if people gave foundry VTT the same time as they’ve spent on roll20 they wouldn’t want to go back either. But to each their own. Long as you enjoy playing your games that’s all that matters. I could never go back though. I’ve tried. It’s had and miserable for me.
I dislike it, actually. Foundry VTT is much better in my experience. Been running two campaigns on it, one been going for 3 years and the second is approaching 2 years. Edit: that being said, that's a personal preference. Anything that gets people playing RPGs is great!
Honestly, yeah Roll20 has a lot going for it, but my experience is that making Roll20 work for most campaigns I run requires a number of marketplace purchases along with a subscription. It doesn't come across as the best use of money when compared to Foundry or HLO. Granted, I've not spent anywhere near the same time on Roll20 because it has those extra transactions required for most of what I run, so I could be missing something. Do you have a similar video showcasing the pros of other VTTs?
Yeah I'm considering making a video talking about the downsides of Roll20, but I tried to point out some of the things I don't like (such as the pay wall) in this video without taking away from the main topic. And to answer your last Q, I do! I've made quite a few different videos covering Foundry (my main and current favorite VTT), and I'm planning on making similar videos to this one for as many VTTs as I can.
Has Roll20 gotten better over the years? The last time I played it, six or eight years ago, you had to code the website yourself before you could use it. It was TERRIBLE. Fantasy Grounds was FAR simpler, because it was already an existing program.
It has come a LONG way since those days I can assure you. A lot of basic quality of life features that weren't around then are implemented now, and it's not a bad VTT at all...besides the paywalls. 😅
Been using R20 for about 8 years and like it. Found FVTT to be a bit of a gas factory. Have had some hard times with R20 due to bugs in the platform, but not to the point to leave it. I have a pro account, I am a web dev and I am creating character sheets and MOD scripts for it, but my best bud is not (neither pro nor dev) and can still run great campaigns.
I've also had a pro account for Roll20 for years but I went the other way and switched to Foundry VTT and greatly prefer it. What in Roll20 do you prefer over Foundry?
@@midniteoilsoftware I played a few times as a player in Foundry and was a bit overwhelmed by the interface, found it a little too complicated and confusing. I am not fan of the technical architecture with everyone connecting to the GM machine, and hosting on The Forge kind of defeats the purpose of the one-time payment selling point. Plus I have been using Roll20 for so long it’s in my comfort zone, although again, I have had a few hard times with pesky bugs that had me re-consider the monthly 9€ subscription.
Been using Owlbear for awhile now for 5e, and it has been perfect for us. Just enough tools to enhance combat, and all for free! But I do ofc encourage joining their patron =) With me transferring to PF2e, I've now purchased Foundry and will test it the coming weeks with the Beginner Box. Thanks for your vids on Foundry!
Dropped Roll20 as soon as the owners said they don’t want anymore “white people” on their official streams. It’s cheap and online yes - but nope. I don’t get down with people that decide they won’t let a certain demographic play on their official channel. No matter the demographic.
@@Kevlar-78downside to the legitimacy of taking20 is hard to validate as they have since been shown to be a drama creator since their pf2e review that showed they didn't understand or communicate well with others. *This is my take
