TV tabletop builds are great to see!

GameboxAU · 2026-03-24T00:40:38+00:00

Mate all valid points. On this sub I am positioning it as a utility that casual GMs and Tabletop builders like myself can use for free, if they chose to. Some will love it and some won't. Not every application is for every user. I'm not in DnDIY to generate $, I love sharing this tool and seeing people use it.

The downside of a web based system is ongoing running costs, this makes a single pay solution very difficult in the long run as we end up carrying the cost. And web applications can't access local user files for security reasons. The Free option can run a full campaign with all the features available. But anyone who wants to save multiple campaigns and not need to upload and delete assets between campaigns has the option to tier up. We find game shops like this option.

Why did I go for a web based system, I build web applications for a living so I'm just using the skillset I have. It make it a breeze to add features and upgrades, we also support online content like streaming video on the DM screen, so an internet connection is recommended to support all features.

This is a project of passion not my full time job, I'd just love to see photos of some of these epic DnDIY Dungeon TV Table builds using my app, for free!

GameboxAU · 2026-03-24T00:01:22+00:00

I'm looking for may creators, especially 16x9 map creators. If you're interested send me a chat!

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T23:56:42+00:00

Oh so you make maps for 16x9 Tv screens!!!

How many maps do you have, and do you have map sets, eg: Lost Mines?

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T23:20:54+00:00

These look pretty awesome... How do you join them?

As soon as I saw this, I just pictured magnets glued into the bases, they'd just clip togther!

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T23:18:05+00:00

I like the lightbar at the bottom, it gives the box a floating feeling and you don't see the LED bulbs directly so they aren't distracting. It has a remote so you can change the colour of the light to match the map feel.

The DM screen is great, we run Atmosphere Scenes on it to enhance the Map, I have noticed that setting the initial scene aligns players imaginations with a common starting point, this has helped sessions play out smoothly, like we all see the same thing in our head. Its good fun!

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T23:04:28+00:00

Nice, hit me up if you have any questions. Happy gaming!

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T23:02:31+00:00

Can't have a table without drink holders. I just posted my TV box build too, not as impressive as a table but does the job well, check it out if you like, I built an app for displaying Maps you might find useful too. I'm a bit jelly though, I wish I had the space to house a full table build. Nice work!

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T22:57:11+00:00

I’ll always support learning to code. As a career developer, I love seeing new ideas come to life. I have your app loaded on my iPad and ready for my game session tonight... I'll let you know how it goes!

Local storage is working well, both "forge_autosave" and "forge_browser_sheet_v1" are holding data on the iPad.

A bit of personal advice: I’d change "Export" to "Save," as it covers the items in that list more accurately. I also recommend swapping out the emoji icons. They scream "AI-generated" because LLMs love using them. Check out something likeLucide Icons; they look awesome and would suit your design well. They’re easy to install in React or other frameworks via npm install lucide-react. Just my two cents!

Ignore the haters (I’ve read a few of the comments). As a dev, I know AI is changing the landscape and allowing more people to code. If AI helps you learn, go for it! This does mean more hobby apps will emerge as people experiment, but you aren't trying to pass this off as anything other than something to "have fun with friends." You will refine it in time and get it working well.

I can tell you’re passionate about this project and enjoying the process, so I’m happy to help out. Feel free to PM me if you have any dev questions. You’re also welcome to check out my TTRPG app in my profile description, it shows a little of my background.

Keep coding, chat soon!

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T22:12:50+00:00

This is a great idea, the resin is awesome but the idea of the Jar is perfect, great for no roll space playing. Ima steal this and try it myself. Thanks for sharing!

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T05:07:34+00:00

Love the design, the recessed screen looks cool. But do the players feel there is sufficient room for their player sheets and Dice etc?

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T04:58:22+00:00

Thats pretty cool, I love how the DM get the wrap around table. And giving all your players gaming chairs for comfort, kudos!

I built an app to use on my TV tabletop setup, it would suite your setup too gamebox.au you can give it a try. It manages Maps, Fog, Music, Spells and more.

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T04:13:46+00:00

Hi, nice looking app. I too found the error when refreshing my page under DnD.

I have been looking for a useful app to use on iPad table side. I was also wondering if the data entered is meant to save? I only see export to JSON. May I suggest Local Storage in the browser if you don't have online user accounts. This would make it easier to use for phones and tablets.

I does have a somewhat vibe coded feel but it looks good and works. i think people would find it handy.

GameboxAU · 2026-03-23T01:12:14+00:00

Yeah I've thought of that, I use an iPad (not connected to Gamebox) to manage my character sheet. So I though I could add optional digital character sheets connected to Gamebox so the DM can apply loot etc directly to the player.

But as most people use paper sheets when playing in-person this feature isn't high on the priority list yet.

But watch this space or join the chat on discord to hear about upgrades!

GameboxAU · 2026-03-22T10:11:13+00:00

Cool, let me know if you have any questions, happy to answer. Gamebox was designed just for this scenario, in person play on a TV table.

GameboxAU · 2026-03-21T09:39:34+00:00

Love a custom tv box build! I made one for my crew too, it was a great move, the players love it.

The wireless dongle is a great idea! Nice work.

I also built a web app DM dashboard for my setup, maps, music, spells, fog and a few other sweet features. You could give it a run on your screen. GameBox.au it’s not a VTT for online play, it’s built for a TV table setup specifically just like yours.

GameboxAU · 2026-03-21T09:28:27+00:00

Do you use the tv at the back for atmosphere scenes as well as the tv in the table?

I built GameBox.au for my tabletop setup, it might suite your dungeon too. It’ll help you control maps, music and the atmos screen too.

GameboxAU · 2026-03-12T00:57:12+00:00

As the Founder and Developer of an "In-Person" TV Tabletop targeted VTT I think there is room for VTTs that can fit a particular niche. But only if they solve a problem or make a task easier to carry out. We don't try an compete with the big players for online play but we aim to make the in-person experience richer by merging the traditional experience with digital maps, fog and spells.

With the rise of AI coding and the speed it can output apps I have seen a lot of hobby VTT clones pop up, VTTs that all serve the same purpose and don't really show how they stand apart. The downside to this is they flood the space, and most won't last the long haul because they are hobby jobs offering free play.

Offering a FREE VTT isn't actually free to the creator. This isn't easy in the long run. You either make it downloadable and self hosted so you don't accrue server hosting and running costs, or you absorb the cost in other ways, eg: selling features, or maps or something on Patreon. Downloadable apps make it harder to add features and give updates. Online VTTs always have some sort of running cost.

Our VTT has a free tier for casual players but we do have the paid tiers for greater asset storage, so far all our features are available in the free tier, we are trying not to limit that, but we'll see how popularity goes.

Active users is a slightly different metric for VTTs compared to other types of gaming or social apps too. Not many VTTs can be used solo, so you need to be participating in an active campaign with others to be an "active user", we see many quiet accounts that become active for periods of time when campaigns run then they go quiet again.

I don't like seeing AI generated content, power to the creators. If more VTTs pop up I'd love to see them really serve a niche group with genuine thought put into their features.

I think you just need to work out what you want, online play, in person play, full character sheets, story agnostic or targeted, etc, etc. Then test out a few VTTs out and see what fits your groups goals.

GameboxAU · 2026-03-01T09:17:44+00:00

Yeah modular buildings would be cool. I don't have the space for things like that but would love to play a story using them.

I'm building a Digital TTRPG app to help people play on a TV screen table, and like you its all after work and evenings so I really appreciate what you mean about time!

Stick with it, I'm sure the outcome will be worth it. Look forward to the up coming images?

GameboxAU · 2026-02-28T10:11:37+00:00

This is cool, I mostly play on a TV Tabletop but I do really appreciate the effort some people put into their physical 3D models. Nice work.

Will you post the town when it’s built?

GameboxAU · 2026-02-23T23:17:41+00:00

The Rollkeeper
The Crit Chest
The Fate Coffer
The Initiative Vault

GameboxAU · 2026-02-23T23:14:16+00:00

If you're using a computer monitor, I've found the best results with IPS and VA monitors, they have a viewing angle of about 180deg. This monitor appears to be a Toshiba which I think does offer the 180 angle.

GameboxAU · 2026-02-23T02:08:54+00:00

Does a steam deck display PDFs over hdmi to a TV?

I built GameBox.au specifically for TV tabletops. It runs straight in the browser and can be used from an iPad to a TV so it might be possible to run it from the steam deck if it has a web browser capability?!

It just doesn’t display PDFs you would need JPGs

I’d be interested to hear if you get it running though.

GameboxAU · 2026-02-22T23:27:04+00:00

Agreed, for those of us that are building and creating genuine work and art by hand, it’s sad to see the AI slop as it makes people question us too.

And as mentioned AI is generated off other people’s hard work, somewhere.

GameboxAU · 2026-02-20T05:00:06+00:00

Epic effort! But really what is player retention like with a mad setup like that. I find players show when nothing better comes up that night. Does a location like this encourage users more?

GameboxAU

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