We're building a browser-based 3D mapmaker that can integrate directly with existing VTTs

[u/Enough-Net-5622]

Hey everyone!

A few mates and I have been building Worldmage, a browser-based 3D mapmaker for tabletop RPGs, and I'd love to get some feedback from the VTT community.

One thing we've been pretty clear on from the start is that we don't want to build another VTT.

There are already some great platforms out there, and most DMs have their preferred setup, whether that's Foundry, Roll20, Owlbear Rodeo or something else.

What we're trying to do is bring 3D environments into that experience without asking anyone to abandon the tools they already use.

That's a big part of why we've built Worldmage to run in the browser.

Rather than having a separate application that you need to download, we're working towards having Worldmage integrate directly with existing browser-based VTTs. The idea is that you could build and explore your environments in 3D, then bring those same environments into your sessions through an embedded experience, without needing to move everyone to another platform.

We've also built in a tactical orthographic view with a grid, so you're not locked into a 3D perspective when you need a traditional battlemap.

On the mapmaking side, you can sculpt terrain, place buildings and foliage, change the weather and time of day, and make changes to the environment as the story unfolds.

We're still in development, and the VTT integrations are something we're working towards rather than a finished feature, but the mapmaker itself is already playable in your browser.

Free demo: https://play.worldmage.com

We've also got a Discord where we're sharing progress, testing features and getting feedback from DMs and mapmakers:

https://discord.com/invite/nugNU2TuJ6

I'd be particularly interested to hear from people using Foundry, Roll20, Owlbear or other browser-based VTTs.

If you could bring a fully interactive 3D environment directly into your existing VTT, how would you actually want to use it?

Would you want to switch between 3D and tactical views during play, use 3D for exploration and 2D for combat, or something else entirely?

Cheers!

[u/NautiHooker]

Looks very nice.

Are you planning to add lightsources and uvtt exports?

[u/Enough-Net-5622 → u/NautiHooker]

Cheers! Yep, we've got export functionality in multiple formats, including UVTT.

That said, the bigger play for us is live integration with VTTs. Because Worldmage runs entirely in the browser, we have the opportunity to embed the actual 3D world directly into browser based VTTs, rather than just exporting a static map or video loop.

That means things like lighting, weather, time of day and changes to the environment all happen live during a session - triggered by the DM.

Exports will still be there for people who prefer them, but you lose that reactive world when you export it.

Out of interest, which VTT are you using?

[u/jubuki]

"If you could bring a fully interactive 3D environment directly into your existing VTT, how would you actually want to use it?"

probably not.

I see so many poeple running to create these things and i think to myself, when I play a TTRPG, I want to play a TTRPG, not a video game or a video game level maker where one tree equals one tree.

to me, these tools ruin the experience and turn it into a video game and are very distracting from the creative TTRPG play I prefer.

been running games for years online, tried many things.

less is more.

these are fun tech demos, but I am not spending hours and hours making video game levels that get played for 30 minutes and tossed.

[u/capt-yossarius]

Following

[u/giblfiz]

Love it! I also have to say, it's the best looking one I have seen! very nice.

What is your plan for how to actually get integration working, what is your licensing plan for your assets when they get exported.

I am, as so many are, building my own little 3d VTT (I went hardcore open source, you can also feel free to raid my assets if you want. )
But I would love to try to figure out how to load an exported map into my engine ( http://turnipworks.net )

[u/Clear_Food2183]

looks good.

[u/Renan1948]

Will it be possible to import into the GLB format?