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Best Use of Microsoft Surface Ever: Dungeons & Dragons

surfacescapes

Microsoft Surface just got a +1 to Charisma thanks to the Surfacescapes developers at Carnegie Mellon University. They’ve created an application that could be the future of my Dungeons & Dragons table top experience.

No need for tons of miniatures and crappy graph paper maps — just roll your virtual d20 and watch the animated dire wolf go up in flames from your 8th level Firestorm spell. Best thing is, you still keep what I love most about the D&D experience: a table for you and your comrades to congregate around and roleplay your geeky little hearts out.

Check out the demo:

Via Engadget

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8 Comments

  1. Lady Farthing says:

    As if the D&D books weren’t expensive enough… j/k looks cool!

  2. Nar Williams says:

    Lady Farthing,

    Please tell me that’s your character name… Yeah, I’ve spent a lot on 3.5 books — still clinging to them so I don’t have to shell out more for 4.0 books!

  3. u2snumberonefan says:

    That.
    Looks.
    Awesome!

  4. Nar Williams says:

    Hey u2,

    I’ve heard you’ve made quite an impression on the forums over at Geekscape.net!

  5. u2snumberonefan says:

    Yes sir! :) My first thread was surprising success over at Geekscape (and I’m fairly new)

  6. The OldeOne says:

    Don’t touch my dice….

  7. Jimmy says:

    I must say, this is on of the ultimate uses for Microsoft Surface. No more maps, no more posterboard with 1 inch squares on it…real graphics.

    I do have a few requests:

    1. Can you expand on the DM’s capabilities and the UI involved with creating the game? Also, is that software available as a standalone w/out Surface? Seems like D&D moving into the computer age is a really good idea to me…
    2. Sound capabilities – It would be incredible to play this on surround sound and have creatures/players/stuff (like a waterfall or something) location on the Surface map correlate with where the sound is coming from in 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1. It might be a big ask, but is that a possibility?
    3. Any updates on where it is in POC status or Beta testing?

  8. Jimmy says:

    Just found the SurfaceScapes Forum – I know what I’ll be reading at home tonight. Thanks!

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