Why I got tired of heavy VTTs (and built my own): Meet PocketVTT


You know the feeling.

You just downloaded an amazing PDF for a Solo RPG or a Print and Play game. You just want to put the pieces on the table and test the mechanics. But to do that digitally, you have to: create an account on a website, wait for servers to load, configure "dynamic lighting," and navigate menus designed to manage entire D&D parties.

It’s like wanting to ride a bicycle in the park but being forced to pilot a Boeing 747.

I love the big platforms like Roll20 and Foundry. They are fantastic for connecting online groups. But for my day-to-day life—playing a solo campaign, prototyping a game design, or just organizing my PnP collection—they were simply "too much."

I wanted something as simple as opening a drawer and grabbing some dice.

Since I couldn't find it, I built it. Welcome to PocketVTT.

The "Local-First" Philosophy: Your Data is Yours

My first decision was radical: No servers. No login.

PocketVTT runs 100% in your browser (Chrome on PC is ideal right now), utilizing your machine's power.

  • Solo Focus: The tool is designed specifically for those who play alone. You are the GM and the player. No network lag, no waiting for anyone's turn.

  • Total Privacy: When you import an image, it doesn't go to "my cloud." It stays on your computer. I don't know what you are playing, and your .json save files belong to you.

  • Speed: Zero loading time. The 3D dice physics are calculated instantly on your device.

The "Workshop": The End of Alt-Tab to Photoshop

This is the feature I’m most proud of. In most VTTs, if you want to turn an image from a PDF into a Token, you have to open an external image editor, crop, save as PNG, and then import.

In PocketVTT, I built an integrated Workshop.

You load the entire game PDF directly into the app. With built-in cropping tools, you select a character's face, click "Crop," and voilà: it instantly becomes a Token or a two-sided Card. It’s perfect for converting "Print and Play" games into "Click and Play."

Radical Honesty: What to Expect Right Now?

To respect your time, I need to be clear: this is software focused on the Solo and Design experience.

If you are looking for synchronized online multiplayer, automated D&D 5e rule scripts, or voice chat, PocketVTT is not for you at this moment.

The focus here is the tactile digital experience. It’s about moving pieces, flipping cards, rolling 3D dice, and feeling like you are playing a physical board game on your screen, at your own pace.

The Future and The Invitation

Right now, the project is in Free Open Beta.

My goal with Claudio Games Lab is to create tools that empower solo players and indie designers.

If you are a solo gamer, a PnP collector, or a designer testing mechanics, I built this for you.

Try it now (No login, no install): https://pocketvtt-beta.netlify.app/

And if you want to download ready-to-play decks or discuss development, join our community on Telegram.

Happy gaming (and happy rolling)!

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