What are the best Programs for Virtual Tabletop?

[Gafgarion]

 I really havent played a table top rpg, but I have been learning more and more about them for the past few months and really want to try. Thing is, none of my friends will give it a try because of it being "too geeky". So, I'm looking towards joining a virtual table top game tolerant of newbies. I would just like to know what I would need to be capable of joining one.

[Mourngrymn]

Fantasy Grounds was one I was looking into a few years back. I just never could get my friends to want to try it. It has the ability to run a number of different type of game systems as well as code it to put in your own system and world information if you so desire. It has a pretty extensive module list for purchase as well I just never found the reason to purchase it since no one would sit down and try it with me. I'd recommend that one though.

[Strolen]

Yeah, RPGs are way too Geeky. They are bus playing WoW and Diablo III and stuff and wouldn't play those dorky table top games.....hey, wait a second!

I know the feeling though. For some reason there is a big leap from video games that do the same thing, but not as well in may cases, than our imagination. But using your imagination is geeky and actually having to understand some rules is too much trouble.

You could always try a gateway drug like one of the many RPG board games out there too. Get them in a little with that and then break out the...gasp...rule book of a table top.

Good luck, not easy.

[dark_dragon]

Some good gateway games for your consideration:

Board games:
 - Small world (nice fantasy elements, good fun)
 - Revolution (SJGames)

Card Games:
 - Lord of the Fries (Zombie + fast food + poker)
 - Munchkin
 - Ninja Burger (card game)
 - Aye, Dark overlord. (Needs GM)

Collaborative storytelling:
 - The adventures of baron Munchausen

Roleplaying:
 - Werewolf/Mafia (quintessential RPG gateway) GM required
 - Ninja Burger (RPG)
 - Dogs in the vineyard
 - [urlhttp://www.onesevendesign.com/ladyblackbird/]Lady Blackbird[/url]
 - Dragon Age RPG (for the gamers)
 - A penny for my thought (Evil Hat - Rather dark game)

[Mourngrymn]

Shadows Over Camelot is a great board game. Learned to play it at the last convention I went to. With the addition of all the expansions a large number of people can play that game (8 I think) and it is Arthurian Legend so it is fantasy but it is something that most people know about. King Arthur, Merlin the Magician, etc. It was a bit slow going for the first few turns but once you get the basics down it's a breeze to play. I'm not one for board games but this one was great. I have another one I learned to play which is more Cthulhu-esque but I can not recall the name off the top of my head.

http://www.daysofwonder.com/shadowsovercamelot/en/

[Ted]

I would look into maptool.