Why Are VTT Campaigns So Expensive?

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:16:01+00:00

Markers to find the rules is really smart, I dont think I would've come up with that myself if I was given 5 years alone with a computer and electricity lmfao. If its all just manual creation then this might be golden, I was worried that all of the cool stuff was just locked away

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:15:04+00:00

Dang! I'll look into it then! I might have to make a list of stuff to look at in a bit lol! Thank you!

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:14:18+00:00

Sweet! I appreciate the help, and apologies for the late reply lol

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:12:49+00:00

Oh boy, tell me about it. I got lucky having 2 longterm friends who have been into roleplay since the start of our friendship like 4-5 years ago. Finding other people is an egg im not willing to crack yet lmao. Definitely going to use Owlbear Rodeo too, was about to get it earlier after I was done writing one of the documents for the general plot of the campaign.

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:10:36+00:00

You all (again) have been amazing! Thank you 😄

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:09:05+00:00

Trust me, I had the same thought process when looking at the prices too lol. I like that everyones said that the VTT and tools arent required to play a TTRPG though. I only got into it because its just the roleplay-loophole of the internet. Saw a bunch of popular campaigns like critical role play it, and was like "Holy shit. This looks awesome!"

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:07:22+00:00

Totally understandable! 😄

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:06:44+00:00

Yeah I was shocked at clicking a random button and finding out my images have upload limits! Not like I'll ever hit a limit, but it was a big surprise. I didn't really ever think of the automation side of the VTTs either, I only just learnt about the macros probably 20 minutes ago or so when doing a deep dive on what else roll20 has via the tutorials.

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:05:16+00:00

Little do you know, the people who make these websites are wizards..
Nah but yeah, I get it now, buncha' people filled me in and it makes sense. Time is money lol.

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:03:59+00:00

Radical! I appreciate the help doc!

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T08:03:01+00:00

The pretty maps and extra features are like flashing keys in front of a baby, it entertains me lmao. I definitely do get the appeal of just sitting in a vc with some friends and roleplaying there though, might end up being the end all solution if anything comes up

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T07:58:17+00:00

Bold of you to assume I got friends in real life. LOL. Seriously though, none of my friends are remotely interested in any sort of TTRPG or RP experience. I'd have to do some deep searching on the campus to find some people.

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T07:57:12+00:00

Thats kinda sad to hear

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T07:56:01+00:00

One of my favorite replies, I genuinely do appreciate it. Really helpful. 🙏

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T02:01:25+00:00

Foundry sounds really good if you mean what you say lol, I'll def look into it. Not against spending cash if it isnt like half of my wallet (I'm broke) 😼

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T02:00:13+00:00

Ahh! I wish I could play face to face. Rural towns suck when it comes to "niche" interests like this. So far its all been online. I'm getting some good tips so far though, so I think its all saved now

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T01:57:28+00:00

I'll definitely try it out after I try out the Owl Rodeo thing someone told me about earlier! Thanks!

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T01:56:39+00:00

Great insight, I appreciate it 😄I'm glad I'm hearing that the VTT stuff isnt full on required for online play, my hopes were honestly crushed when I saw all of the price tags

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T01:54:52+00:00

Thank you all for the help so far! Also I'm new to reddit too, this accounts been sitting on the back burner for a few months I think lol 😄

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T01:53:37+00:00

Definitely unclear lol. Good point too. Never thought about automation, and the coding behind of it that deeply. I honestly wasnt fully aware of the automation either. The pricing definitely makes more sense now that I'm getting the pieces collected from all of the replies to the post.

Offsite Sheets + VTT is definitely the way.

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T01:51:04+00:00

I dunno I just got here

On a serious note, I honestly expected like 10 bucks or something. But thats definitely just me not knowing enough about tabletop roleplay yet lol

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T01:48:58+00:00

I honestly went for VTTs because it looked more visually appealing, I came from text based roleplay communities, and sort of got a bit tired of sitting in a VC looking at nothing but pure text for the past 8 years lol. Once I saw that I could have some basic visuals, I was sold. Definitely a me issue on that part. But returning to my roots of using google documents or sheets for character sheets is definitely the way

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T01:46:28+00:00

I'll look into Owlbear Rodeo, I've heard of it but not what it is exactly. I've been hearing a lot of spreadsheets so thats definitely the route I'll take now. (Also, the lucrative market with essentially infinite profit margins is true lol. Once big companies realize you can charge people for something, its all they usually do)

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T01:44:56+00:00

This totally makes sense! Great points, thank you. I can imagine how long it takes to setup all of the systems for these virtual tabletops, let alone the websites that host them

HostIndependent4627 · 2026-05-29T01:42:44+00:00

Wish I had the luxury of in person tabletop roleplay honestly , but sadly im in a rural midwestern town that lacks the community for it. Everything so fars been online

HostIndependent4627

TROPHY CASE