The VTT Landscape

Sitting down in front of my computer to GM the next session of my five year TTRPG campaign with my friends. I open five separate applications to handle the playspace, audio, data libraries, comms and use the crude scripting language the playspace provides and I think ‘there has to be a better way’.

Playing TTRPGs online has exploded in popularity since the pandemic and many tools have attempted to cater to the varied needs of those who run and play these games. However, even with multiple VTTs, mapmakers and knowledge database tools already on the market, no platform has successfully integrated these elements into a single, streamlined tool. This ‘holy grail’ of VTTs remains elusive, and the lack of feature rich applications on the market requires users to juggle multiple secondary applications just to facilitate a single session.

In order to address these limitations, I set out to develop ‘Chronicles’; a unified and accessible tool combining mapmaking, play spaces, knowledge databases, audio streaming, data generation and automation. While existing tools place limits on users through subscription tiers, or data file caps, Chronicles offers true data freedom, allowing you to import, export and share files without size restrictions. It is a comprehensive tool that leverages the Unreal Engine ecosystem to combine all of these elements, creating a one stop shop that can be used to not only play TTRPG’s online, but also design the data used for IRL games or other tools.

Chronicles will be the only product on the market providing this level of integration of tools and creative autonomy. It will be available as a downloadable application costing a nominal fee and allowing hosting of games. Within the application users will be able to play their games, stream video and audio as required, and import and export whatever data Unreal Engine’s interchange pipeline allows.

Chronicles is designed to be modular and extensible by the user base, creating a pathway for TTRG players to transition into creators within the Unreal Engine environment. By structuring the project to be user-friendly, I have ensured that players can easily navigate and build upon my work. My goal is to refine and release these core systems alongside comprehensive tutorials, fostering a creator-led ecosystem that grows far beyond the base application.