All you need for a tabletop adventure is a few friends, and thanks to apps like Roll20, you don't even need a table or to get everyone together for a face-to-face game. But some GMs like Bryan Versteeg (opens in new tab) like to put a little more effort into their campaigns, combining detailed maps and models with overhead projectors to create tabletop gaming magic.

Using the paint app Procreate, Versteeg can create all sorts of things and project them onto the table. In the following video, posted on Twitter earlier this week, he can be seen clearing away the fog of war. The projector casts a shadow over the desolate village, but Versteeg can brighten it in real time using a tablet.

"I use it for grid overlays, statistics, fog of war, simulation of effect coverage, and dramatic lighting," the wizard explains.

Let's take a closer look at his setup.

"Any projector with Airplay can be screen-matched to a tablet," he said in a follow-up tweet (opens in new tab).

"I have an open ceiling, so installation was a snap. Then any drawing program (I use Procreate). The building is 3D printed and hand drawn, but you can also project an entire map. The uses are endless.

I'm always impressed whenever I see someone using a custom lighting setup for a tabletop campaign, but this is next level. Anyone with the space could use it for their next adventure. That said, Versteeg is a concept artist, and his skills must come in handy. You can check out his work on his personal website (opens in new tab).

Versteeg has also uploaded a number of videos showing the creation of various Mars dioramas.

Now, if we could get him to fly in from Canada for GM. That would be my dream. In the meantime, I'm going to try to see how easy it would be to install an overhead projector in the gaming area.