Simulated Dogs

Hair of the Dog is now available on Tabletop Simulator! Below the cut is a simulated Q&A, so if you’re eager to hop online and pet some dogs, follow these instructions:

  • Get a Steam account (free).

  • Get Tabletop Simulator through Steam (which is not free, but offers numerous other non-dog games).

  • Subscribe to Hair of the Dog – Prototype.

  • Hair of the Dog should now appear under your “Workshop Games” when you create a new game in Tabletop Simulator.

    • If we’re missing a step, please let us know.

Now that you’ve downloaded Tabletop Simulator and played a few rounds of Hair of the Dog, let’s try to preemptively answer some questions.

Why Tabletop Simulator?

Tabletop Simulator provides us the right balance of reach and control. We wanted to use a program that a large portion of the tabletop community already owns. We realize there’s a price tag on the base software, which may be a deterrent for people, but we promise to always offer a free print-and-play version. Hair of the Dog is also still in development. Tabletop Simulator lets us update the mod as necessary (as far as we know…)

What’s in the Tabletop Simulator mod besides the components?

Nothing. The mod is just the raw pieces without any “business logic”. We want to test the game as a board game. Plus, this lets us iterate of the core game faster, without having to redo programming logic that will only exist in the mod.

What do you want people to test?

Test the mechanics, not the implementation. We’re treating Tabletop Simulator as a delivery mechanism for a bunch of pieces you can move around. So, while we’re acutely aware we could script setup for different player counts, we’d love to hear about your actual setup experience. Of course, if something is implemented incorrectly (like we’re missing a dog card or something), please make us aware of that problem. Beyond that, we’re open to all sorts of feedback.

Why is Hair of the Dog not listed in the Steam Workshop?

We’re doing a “soft open” right now. No one on the team has experience with Tabletop Simulator. If there are issues, we’d love for them to be discovered by our loving fans, rather than scary internet randos. Also, we’re not sure how the community feels about in-development games. We’ll list it when we feel more comfortable.

When will you update the prototype? Will this be the same version as the print-and-play?

We will update the Tabletop Simulator mod and print-and-play on a regular basis. We try to review feedback, add more content, and get more-refined assets every week. Everything should be kept in sync, but we’re human and can only try our best.

How long will Hair of the Dog be available on Tabletop Simulator?

Until we’re ready to start manufacturing. Actual date, TBD.

Why are you making a Tabletop Simulator mod when you’ve previously been against them?

I (Alex) made a public statement about not wanting to make a digital version of Far Away. I stand by those thoughts, despite acknowledging the timing of limiting digital versions sucks. We’ve also had a helluva time getting playtests going for Hair of the Dog. Between the world’s general malaise and the irresponsibleness of getting more than a handful of people in a room, we haven’t had many meaningful tests. So, we’re dipping our toes in the digital tabletop space for this new game. We’re nervous and more-or-less bumbling through creating this thing (big thanks to Adrian of Taco Truck Games for helping us get anything working). It has been, and will continue to be, a good learning experience, even if things go awry.

Why didn’t you use TTS or HotD to abbreviate anything?

Great question...