Online D&D versus In-Person D&D

#1 Online games don’t generate the same comradery nor social experience

At its heart D&D is a social game. It’s meant to be experienced socially, with others, and was originally designed to be played in person. Now just because something was made X way, doesn’t mean that’s the only way it can be experience, sure. However, when you play D&D in person, deeper relationships are formed than will ever be playing online.

You see, online play simply has a “human disconnect.” Sure, you can see everyone – that is if everyone is using video cameras, which isn’t always the case. You know, this is a really good point – I’ve run online games before where a player or two did NOT have their cameras on, and I can tell you, it was way more difficult for me to run the game for that person, because I couldn’t see their face nor read their body language. I’m pretty sure I did a bad job of including them in the actions of the game, and I bet they felt a little left out. It wasn’t intentional, but it happened. Without the video, there was a disconnect. Not seeing their face DISTANCED them even more from the experience we were all sharing. And the same can be said when you’re playing online versus in person. When online, you’re simply distanced and disconnected from a shared social interaction that you would experience and enjoy far much more if you were in person.

Finally, human beings are social creatures. We need social interactions. IN PERSON SOCIAL INTERACTIONS. Social media and online stuff just doesn’t satisfy our human need for this. And the thing about D&D is that it can provide that mechanism for social interaction that we might otherwise be lacking in our real lives. However, we only really experience it to the fullest when we are together, in person at the game table.

#2 Online games don’t have the same “table energy”

And this is something I really can’t explain. All I can say is that there is something about being together at the game table that generates this “energy” and excitement when you’re playing D&D. This ultimately makes the game far more fun for everyone. There’s something about the ATMOSHPERE of playing in person that just makes the game better.

#3 Technology gets in the way

Holy crap, this is probably my number one reason I hate playing online. I am sick of dinking around with Roll20. Sick of it freezing up. Sick of having to reload it. People having trouble with their videos working. People having audio problems. Having to create digital maps – instead of just drawing them on a dry-erase battle mat. The frustrations of dealing with technology are so numerous, and there is not a single online game session that happens without at least some of them cropping up.

The bottom line is that it is EASIER for me to run the game in person. I can draw things quickly on the battle mat; I can also prepare the maps in advance if I want. I have OPTIONS. I can see all my players. I can read their body language easier. There are FEWER DISTRACTIONS. Come on – come on – how many of us are looking at something else on the second monitor when we’re playing the game online? I know I do. It’s harder when you’re the dungeon master to do that, but players – yeah, they’re doing other stuff than just playing D&D.

Now, cell phones come out when you’re in person, sure. And many players use their laptops at the game table, sure. But the fact remains that it is far easier to remain focused on the game and NOT get distracted when you’re in person. When we are in-person nothing is inhibiting our game play. Unless the pizza just arrived. Then, of course, we need to take a break to get said pizza. And it’s hard to talk when you have pizza in your mouth. Of course…when the pizza runs out, that’s also a problem. OKAY, OKAY, pizza is the only impediment to running D&D in-person. Fine. Fine!

#4 Prepping for an online game can take longer

Now, your mileage may vary with this, buy my personal experience has been that prepping for in-person games takes me less time. Now, this is mainly because I don’t have to dink around with creating digital maps, but maybe you’re running a module and you bought it on the VTT you use, so you don’t have to fuss with maps. Or maybe you just buy pre-made maps to create adventures around, such as the digital map packs available on the DM Lair store. (See how seamlessly I slipped that sleazy plug in? Link below…) Okay, maybe this point is a wash. Just, just, move on to the next.

#5 People talking over each other makes the game unplayable

Yeah, how many times does this happen. You’re on Zoom or Discord and two people talk at the same time, and the garble gook that comes through is completely unintelligible. Or there is a side conversation – which doesn’t work too well online – and the game grinds to a halt. Okay, you know, the same problems kind of exist for in-person play. Side conversations are rather annoying and detract from the flow of the game. And people taking at once doesn’t really – FINE. This point is pretty weak, too. BUT SURELY THE NEXT POINT WILL BE BETTER!!!

#6 The Video game feel of online play leads to video game behavior

Yes, I got you with this one! What generally characterizes RPG video games: first, min-maxing your character. Then speed-clicking through NPC dialogues because you can’t be bothered with plot or story. Killing everything you come across for mad lootz and crazy XP. Minimal interactions with other players around you. Grinding for the grind. Speed-running dungeons. I’m sure there’s lots of video game behavior that is undesirable at a D&D game, and that when introduced to said D&D game will detract from the game and make it worse.

Your millage may vary with this, obviously, but when most of the group wants to play a tabletop RPG and one of the players approaches it like a video game, issues can result. And when you play online, especially with the really fancy virtual tabletops, there can be a strong temptation to slip into video game mode. It doesn’t always happen, but it is a risk.

#7 Increased player attrition

I seem to get this question a lot in live streams and stuff. “Luke, how can I get players to stick around longer? I always get players who come for one game session and then never come back.” Now, my first response is usually “Run a better D&D game and players will stay longer.” However, it also seems to be the case that dungeon masters who struggle a lot with player attrition are also the DMs running online games. Look, when you meet random strangers ONLINE, it’s pretty easy to just ditch the game if you’re not enchanted by it. I mean, there are so many options, why stick around?

It’s far easier to just bail and try out a different game. And you know, you keep doing that until you find one you think is worth sticking around for. It’s like speed dating only since it’s D&D, if the date doesn’t work out, you can just stab them in the back. Because an online D&D game doesn’t have the same camaraderie or table energy as playing in person, it’s pretty easy for someone’s first game session to just be lackluster and not hook them. You are fighting an uphill battle when running an online D&D game. If you want perfect strangers to stick around, you need to run a REALLY good game.

#8 People can feel less comfortable roleplaying online

Who likes being on camera? [raise hand] Yeah, I do, but this is what I do for a living, so that’s my excuse. Many people, though, don’t like being on camera, and it can make them feel uncomfortable, and that detracts from their game experience. Or for whatever reason – camera or not – they feel less comfortable roleplaying in online games, but when in-person they open up and feel more at ease. Of course, I bet the reverse is probably true for some people, too….okay, we have another questionable point. I don’t know, I’m doing my best here.

Okay, but Luke, BUT LUKE, you know that playing in-person has disadvantages, too, don’t you? Yes, yes, I do. Let me list them:

1. Players need to live near each other.
2. You need to travel a bit and take your books and minis with you

That’s – that’s – that’s really about it. There is a lack of convenience. But is that lack of convenience worth the price to be paid? Is gaining convenience worth losing out on all the increased fun and other benefits to be had by playing in-person? I think not.

But Luke, BUT LUKE, online play has advantages, too, don’t you know? Okay, okay, fine. Let’s talk about them:

1. Virtual tabletops make large dungeons easier to run.
   Yes, Dungeon of the Mad mage, EVERYONE is looking at you.
2. Large pool of potential players and can play with friends across distance.
   Sure, if you and your friends move apart and you still want to play, online might be your only choice. And, yes, when you run groups online there are WAY more players available.

Another advantage is… No, no, I think that’s about it.

100 Years of GM Experience at Your Fingertips!