ScreenMonkey™ - Virtual Table Top
"Play RPG's online!"

Looking to re-create that gaming table feel when playing traditional paper and dice RPGs online? Try ScreenMonkey v1.0! ScreenMonkey is a program GM's can use to moderate their online campaigns. ScreenMonkey can be used to play any traditional paper and dice RPG. 

Only the GM needs the program - players only need their web browser!

How it works
ScreenMonkey is a server program that GM's run on their computer. Specifically, ScreenMonkey is a highly specialized Web Server designed for online game moderation. The program features a map display area, several grids for information about characters and NPCs, an event log, and a chat panel. The players in the game (other than the GM) connect directly to the GM's computer with a web browser. A built in announcement system lets GM's announce games in various ways, and provide URL links to the GM's computer. This means the GM and players do not need to mess around manually entering TCP/IP addresses and ports. 

GM's have access to the full functionality provided by the ScreenMonkey program. GM's can move and edit all miniatures on the map, set the background picture, set and recall encounters, and see all chat items sent by all players. 

Players use a web browser interface. Players can add and remove characters, set character information, move their characters around the map, set and remove facing/looking arrows, and chat.

New in version 1.5!

• New! All new, redesigned player interface! The new 'advanced' interface offers a much more sophisticated web based interface for your players. Designed for recent browsers such as Internet Explorer 6.0 and FireFox 1.0, the new interface makes extensive use of DHTML to bring a rich web experience to your players. 
  • Both the map and chat area are on the same page.
  • Scrollable Map display
  • Map zooming (IE Only)
  • The chat area maintains a full chat record for that session.
  • Resizable and collapsable panels to maximize your screen.
  • Send sounds to your players. Send .wav or .mp3's!
  • Add and remove customized chat buttons
  • A truly dynamic web based interface that works like an application!

  The original, simple web interface still available so that those using older browsers can still join in.

Comprehensive Feature List:

• Only the GM needs the program. Players only use a web browser!Players connect to the ScreenMonkey program from any modern web browser from all popular operating systems. No need to install Java or other application software on players' systems!
• Your players don't need to purchase anything extra. They just use the web browser they have now!
• Shared game map. The GM and players can place and move miniatures on the map.
• Integrated chat system featuring dice rolling, whispering to other players, archives, and clipboard features.
  

  GM's interface

• Overlay square, hex, or offset square grids on the map.
• Multiple Monitor Support. Use ScreenMonkey at the game table and project the player map onto a second monitor!
• Base HTML files for the Player interface are easily customizable.
• Integrated scripting API for advanced control of the program. Scripts can be used to react to events in the program (such as someone logging on) and to create custom chat commands.
• GM's can hide the portions of the map that aren't visible to the players.
• Easily track hit points for each miniature.
• Integrated announcement system. Game announcements can be made from the ScreenMonkey program to NBOS's web site, via email, or by user-defined web site urls.
• New! Automatic router configuration for routers that support Universal Plug & Play.
  

  Players use only a web browser!

• Option to predefine player login names and passwords.
• FTP Upload for optional hosting of map images on higher-speed remote servers.
• Map annotation capability for showing the unfortunate players where the NPC's Fireball went off. or where the Lightning Bolt went, or where the Wall of Ice was placed,...
• Facing and Looking arrows can be assigned to each miniature on the map.
• Built-in Scenario and Encounter system to allow the GM to pre-set the game map for expected encounter locales.
• bonus! Initiative tracking scripts included! Automatically roll and track combat initiative.

Extendable
But ScreenMonkey is more than a simple gaming server. ScreenMonkey is aplatform that allows you to alter and add functionality to enhance your game. ScreenMonkey can be customized in two ways - editing the player HTML files, and by using the built-in scripting API. 

All the HTML files that players see in their web browser are editable by the GM. Colors can be edited, fields and text changed, and features added.

The scripting API hooks directly into ScreenMonkey and allows you even greater control over how the program operates. Using VBScript, you can create custom chat commands and respond to events that occur within the program (such as someone logging on, a line of chat text being sent, etc). By combining the Scripting API and the editable HTML files, it's possible to create completely new features!

ScreenMonkey Lite
If your online gaming needs are modest, NBOS offers ScreenMonkey Lite. This is a free version of ScreenMonkey. ScreenMonkey Lite doesn't support all the features found in the full commercial version of ScreenMonkey, but is still very useful for running online games.

ScreenMonkey Lite is available on the ScreenMonkey Downloads page.

Feature Matrix ( = Feature Supported)

Feature	ScreenMonkey	ScreenMonkey Lite
Web based player inteface
GM server application
Automatic router configuration
Interactive miniature map
Integrated chat w/ dice
Chat archives
Game announcements to NBOS site
Custom game announcement sites
Map annotation
'Masking' hidden areas
Facing and looking arrows
Grids and grid numbering
Scenario saving/restoring
Fractal Mapper integration
Customizable HTML templates
Scripting Engine
Multiple monitor support

The system requirements for ScreenMonkey Lite are the same for the full commercial version.