Baldur’s Gate 3 should become D&D Beyond's VTT

I love BG3. One of the best games of all time. 

Where is the map editor, yo?

I’m on my second full run. Each time I play this game, as a creative type, all I want to do is create maps using this game engine to have others play.

During COVID, I played a few D&D games with friends using D&D Beyond and Roll20. They worked well together, especially as a player. I started putting together my own campaign, but I quickly realized how much I would hate the Roll20 system as the DM. I just hate flipping through slides, layers, and to do that during games seemed impossible.

Also, I’m not a math brain. Keeping a hundred numbers in my head is not my idea of a fun night. As a player of D&D, I can manage my one character. As a DM, this seems like a headache. I have been exceedingly close to purchasing a bunch of books and stuff on DnD Beyond, however the clunkiness of online gaming systems holds me back.

But I love online D&D for a few big reasons: I don’t have to drive home late at night after hours of playing. Literally, I can turn my computer off and flop into bed. Also, I can play with friends who live far away. That’s a big one!

All this makes me think... what if Baldur’s Gate didn’t just have a map editor... what if it BECAME D&D Beyond’s version of Roll20.

What if Dungeon Masters could use BG3’s game engine to create maps, set up worlds, and play online together? That's what a VTT (virtual table top) is all about. What if it was all integrated into D&D Beyond so that the game would fully align with character sheets, purchased books, etc.?

So, this would work like this: Each person plays their own character. One person plays as the DM.

Here, I put together a mock up:

One beautiful thing this would solve for DMs right off the bat: it does all the math for you. HP tracking on monsters and characters. Dice rolls with modifiers. Movement speed. Passive features that you almost forgot about. Passive perception checks for traps. Turn orders and initiatives. The number of bonus actions that rogue has left. Number of rounds that curses or bonuses stay in effect. Etc. Etc.

Absorbing the math element would allow for DMs to focus on the storytelling aspects more.

However, the DM would still have ultimate control. 

 The ability to pause the game (so they can act out character interactions, for example). Add stuff as needed. Turn on/off different options. Skip turns or give bonus rounds. Override game options to allow characters to get creative or use “theatre of the mind” options.

For example, let’s say the players want to solve something on the map in a creative way that the game engine doesn’t allow. Like, maybe there is a decorative ventilation system in a dungeon. Not meant to be used. However, the players want to open it and get to the other side of a wall. The DM can pause and opt for a “theatre of the mind” option. The DM could make them roll a strength check to open the vent. If passing, the DM could add a warp from the vent to the other side or wherever the DM decides to have it lead. Unpause the game. The game continues as normal. The ability for the DM to change things, add things, remove things, or break the game rules as creativity allows would be a really fun way to keep the spirit of “free” D&D in a solid game engine system.

Also, imagine the different ways a DM could create an NPC. Like, drop an elf into a town. The DM can click on it, write dialogue options and paths that are pre-set and ready to go when the players interact with it. OR, click a “Roleplay Override” option, where the DM can just speak into the mic and “be” the character.” Could add voice changers or use those face-tracking and AR filters that Snapchat uses to make the DM into the dragonborn NPC, for example.

The DM could choose to turn an NPC hostile or friendly as they deem fit. They could fully control each NPC in a battle, or, they could let the game engine’s AI to play out the battle. Or, perhaps the DM allows the minions to be controlled by the game engine and directly just controls the bosses. Either way, the DM can override at any point and take the wheel.

Of course, one huge thing: the DM can play the maps they create over and over. No need spend hours redrawing out on the dry-erase grid board and placing figures. It’s just saved to the cloud. They allow many different groups to enjoy their creations with no hassle.

A shocking thing I just learned is that Larian Studios, who created BG3, already made a Dungeon Master mode for one of their previous games, Divinity Original Sin 2. Here’s what that looks like:

Wizards of the Coast would also make a ba-jillion dollars, obviously.

Imagine being able to purchase new monster packs. Rainbow Mephits Pack! New flavors, such as the Lemon Mephit, which is yellow and has acid and plant powers. Then, you can just drop him into your games. Add a “gift” feature and players will reward their DMs for a game well played.

Same for new map biomes, furniture, hero skins, music packs, decorations, spells, playable races and classes, quest packs, plants, weapons, armor, even junk. Imagine all the stuff they could sell to DMs. They would love it just as much as I would.

New pirates pack is out! Now, your players can steal a ship and take to the seas. Etc. Etc.

Maybe even players could design and upload their own creations to sell on the market.

Other ideas:

AI voices pre-set for NPCs. Shy DMs could have characters still fully voiced by AI. Not to mention the Baldur’s Gate 3’s narrator voice could be used to narrate the scripts DMs write!

In game shops are pre-set by DMs, too. They would also be able to override and allow characters to try and haggle or steal.

Quest Pack Mode: No DM? No problem! Play pre-scripted quest packs that are put together by D&D Beyond or even other players around the world. Maybe creators could even earn money (or D&D Beyond store credits) for the sales of their quests. I envision playing through a number of D&D history’s most famous moments.

VR mode. OK, now you can play in first person. Imagine the DM floating above the players at all times. VR hands placing new monsters on the board. Could be cool!

Camp Headquarters: the DM can create a map that player can use DM-like placement tools to customize and place trophies, furniture, stuffed monster, etc. around, also storage and places where allies could gather. This could be a literal camp site, building, pocket-dimension, etc. Imagine those campaigns that you played for years. How awesome would it be to see the HQ of a player group change or grow over time? Maybe they even would have to defend it?   

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