FAQ

Yet another VTT?¶

Exactly. I know perfectly well there are a lot of VTTs around, many of them are AI slop, some of them are extremely valid, and some even open-source.

However, I decided to set out in this adventure to create yet another VTT because I wanted an easy to use, powerful, stable software that was easy to deploy and update and with all the basics to just plug and play, but also with enough flexibility to allow for the creation of complex automated systems.

And I knew I wanted to make it free and self-hostable! I am very privacy-conscious and the choice was straightforward. I can finally give back to the open-source community!

Isn't YaVTT AI slop?¶

I will make this clear. YaVTT has AI-generated code (thankfully not all), especially for the UI (I know very little of front-end).

Yet, I would not call YaVTT AI slop. The software is stable (can't wait to be proven wrong!), tested, strongly architected and well cared for! I review code, test new features, and the underlying architecture that powers it has been a thing I have studied thoroughly. I also often sought the advice of expert software engineers when in doubt. I want YaVTT to be a good thing.

I have not studied as a software engineer, as I am a data analyst; to be fair, I did not even study as a data analyst, yet I seem to be good at it. But I had fun building this and I managed to apply safe data practices to the software foundation, and I am happy with it.

My aim is to gradually reduce my reliance on large, do-it-all AI models, for many reasons, and prefer small local models that can help me learn but not substitute me!

Is that wishful thinking? Who knows. I still suggest you give YaVTT a try!

What problem does YaVTT solve?¶

Honestly? None. There are many VTTs out there, excellent ones too (you can find some of them cited in the homepage.

Having said that, I believe YaVTT has some interesting features, as I set out to make a complete VTT that allows quick testing of novel systems. The framework it uses (SQL rulez!!) forces the users to think thoroughly about game choices, and I believe that is a good thing!

My system, YaRS, was the baseline for the framework's definition and it certainly helped me understand when was I overcomplicating things and when I was on the right track.

I also believe YaVTT is a very efficient piece of software that runs excellently even on older machines due to it being a native application.

And, finally, YaVTT is also free as in free beer, easy to use and deploy and jump in a game with a system that can be as simple or complex as the users want.

P.S. Try out YaRS and the first tutorial adventure that ships with YaVTT, and tell me what you think of the world of Darkness Falls!

Will you keep supporting YaVTT in the future?¶

I certainly hope so! I had fun building this project and I want to support it, since I also use it to play with my friends, who are scattered around the world.

I know TTRPGs are best when played around a real table; yet, I also believe software like this can strengthen the bonds that too often risk thinning out or breaking when life happens.

I will certainly be more motivated to support it the more it is used!

Wow you are so cool! Can I donate my money to you?¶

Well, that is very generous of you, but no! I have the privilege of being a lucky person. If you were about to donate something for YaVTT, I suggest you donate to one of the following charities or open-source foundations that are surely more deserving than me :) and if you were in this page just for fun, still take a look at the link above. Maybe you will be inspired!

Where can I find a guide for YaVTT?¶

Whether you are a developer, a player or a master, head to the official documentation for YaVTT. You will find the basics of YaVTT, the advanced concepts of the software such as the difference between the Import Manager and the things you find in the side panel of your screen, the system authoring guide, the guide to uploading your own content, and the endpoint guide.

Are you, perhaps, a forever master?¶

Preach. But I am 75% certain you are too, dear reader.