CMON & Xplored Bring Teburu Digital Components To Their Games
July 19, 2019 by brennon
It looks like digital integration with tabletop games is not going the way of the dodo. One of the big hitters in the market, CMON, has joined forces with Xplored in order to bring the Teburu system to the tabletop via Kickstarter.
You can check out how the system works below but in effect, it is a mat and app/program which allows you to track and follow your games via an array of sensors and chips built into both the game components and the very board itself.
The Gamemaster App will take control of the game to some degree, throwing up surprises and tweaking the experience based on your actions. This reminds me a lot of the apps that Fantasy Flight Games have been building for their games. This then links in with the Companion App which can be added to everyone's devices at the tabletop, showing off character abilities, information and such.
Zombicide Evolution: Las Vegas is going to be the first of the games that will use this system and you will be able to see this all in action at Gen Con this year.
What do you make of the idea?
Supported by (Turn Off)
Supported by (Turn Off)
Supported by (Turn Off)
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Its a interesting option but may be easier just playing a full computer game?
Thanks but no thanks. This looks like a solution looking for a problem. More expense and more things to break and now games have to be developed for this system specifically.
There are probably helper apps that can make some games more efficient and someone should create a framework for developing those apps but the rest to me is not necessary.
It will be fun to see if it funds.
I was thinking something similar. It looks really clever and innovative but it’s not exactly essential. It’s a nice to have item for a hobby that is already just a nice to have. This is only slightly below a custom built gaming table on the list of non essential gaming items.
As a concept ? … interesting and it is cool to see CMON explore this as an option. It looks like they’re using NFC tags and a mat that is effectively multiple antennas (one per quadrant) linking to a single reader (the tiny device at the top of the board). As such this is not new tech, but the use case is new (or at least new to me). I’m not sure if filling the dice themselves with electronics is a good idea at all. However … this thing depends on a lot of electronics and software. The one thing… Read more »
The idea is nice but… – Is the system going to be open source or licensed? Will only CMON titles ever be used or could FFG, Mythic, Fireside, Manti and such use this? If others are given access will it be for free or a fee? A percentage? – If licensed, then how? The NFC and antenna system is stock idea used in many other places (including in games systems like Golemn Arcana). The software is unique and a controllable IP but locks and controls make it less usable. – Why Zombicide. Arn’t we over this yet? How many versions… Read more »
I suspect Zombicide was chosen because : (a) it is a known franchise (b) the layout of the board appears to be a good match to the amount of antennas this board can handle (at least in pictures) If the system was open source they would have mentioned it, so I suspect it is propietary with the associated (dis)advantages and long-term support issues. I do wonder how they’re going to attract other companies, indie game developers or even gamers. One issue they will need to resolve is how they’re going to handle user created content, which is one of the… Read more »
Not sure if this product is going to use the computer to affect changes from the base game, or if it’s just replacing the physical aspects (cyber dice….really!!!). I seem to remember there’s was another one out a few years ago that let you play D&D type combat on a iPad/tablet (with the miniatures placed on the tablet surface). Anyhow, at first look, seems like a re-tread of a board game with a lot of expensive gimmicks (although a D&D system might work better as it has a LOT of in depth rules to keep track of). Probably give it… Read more »
I think you are referring to this :
https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-on-the-microsoft-surface-5385625
and
https://youtu.be/n94E3IeBquY
I’ve seen hobbyists attempt to re-create the big table using projectors and big touch screens.
The promo video seems to indicate that (some) story scenes will be presented on the GM screen as and when they happen on the board (like entering the location of a NPC).
I can see @avernos being all over this
I wonder how long it actually takes to set the game up before you can play?
Another attempt at a digital boardgame table. Another fail. We’ve been seeing these for years now, and none of them stuck. Apps which hide information (eg. Mansions of Madness), save game state (eg. Gloomhaven), or save us from looking up rules are about it. Dungeon tiles with LED’s have been well-received, but that’s about it. I’ve also seen virtual tables and overhead table projectors for RPG’s. But if a digital board only goes halfway (afaik, it’s only sensors and you now have to learn how the UI works) and I have to lay down bits on a table, that’s not… Read more »