I imagine this game is not absolutely the same as the D&D game that is not played online, right? It's more in so you're typical MMORPG run of the block? If this is true, is it possible to play the actual offline game, online? Or does this mostly run into the MUD scenario of games?

I guess mainly my situation is that I wouldn't mind trying out the offline game, just there isn't much of a population around here for that (mostly WoW and other MMORPGs). 

 You worded this terribly, but I think I understand.

If by "the offline game" you mean Dungeons and Dragons the tabletop role playing game then yes it IS possible to play real d&d online. There are several ways of doing this:

1) Join a forum that has a dice roller built in and play Play By Post games. One example is www.giantitp.com go to the looking for game section and join up with a group.

2) Use some sort of chat application (aim, yahoo messenger, skype etc). Most of these have a dice rolling app that you can download.

3) Probably the best way to get a true tabletop d&d experience online is to use a program like MapTools or Gametable. These free programs replicate a gridded tabletop and give the DM (dungeon master) the ability to draw out any sort of maps, build houses and scenery etc. There are a wide variety of miniatures available for players, and pretty much any feature you would find at your table can be found in these programs, especially in MapTools, which is superior but harder to learn.

As far as D&D Online, the MMORPG, no it is not like tabletop D&D. Most of the rules are in the background working when you dont notice them, so you will feel like you are just playing an MMO. Only true tabletop players will understand how and why this MMO has the d&d label. 

Both games are fun.

Which D&D game are you talking about exactly?

It's obviously more like your typical MMO then the pen & paper version, but i think the D&D ruleset makes it a bit different from many other MMOs. The way your skills work, and the inclusion of traps, charming and stuff.

Why do you not just go and try it? It's free unless you want to pay for it.

Of course you can not access all content, but there is more then enough to judge if it's a game you would like.

*edit*

In reply to the above post: I never played any *not PC D&D game* and i still understand why it has the D&D label. Of course you have to think about the rules, how stuff works, and not just play it, but then, playing Neverwinter Nights, or maybe even Baldurs Gate, is enough to understand whats behind D&D Online.

Heck, i even noticed it in Knights of the Old Republic. I played it and it felt somehow similar like Neverwinter Nights, then i searched around and found that they used the D&D ruleset.

Playing pen & paper might be different then D&D Online, recreating Pen & Paper on PC might be different, but you'll notice the similarities when playing above mentiioned games.

Yes I apologize from my bad wording. I mean tabletop game when I say offline game, I can see how this can be especially confusing if this game had also an offline mechanism. I have played Baulders Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Knights of the Old Republic and I have also heard they followed the D&D mechanics very closely. Anyway, I appreciate both of your help and I'll check out both games (D&D online and the D&D tabletop-online route).

Thanks

Originally posted by ryman

Yes I apologize from my bad wording. I mean tabletop game when I say offline game, I can see how this can be especially confusing if this game had also an offline mechanism. I have played Baulders Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Knights of the Old Republic and I have also heard they followed the D&D mechanics very closely. Anyway, I appreciate both of your help and I'll check out both games (D&D online and the D&D tabletop-online route).

Thanks

good plan : )

the best way to find an online "tabletop" group to play with on maptools or whatever is by joining the giant in the playground forums and asking around there, very fun and helpful people.

Originally posted by Anireth

I never played any *not PC D&D game* and i still understand why it has the D&D label.

No, you do not.

but then, playing Neverwinter Nights, or maybe even Baldurs Gate, is enough to understand whats behind D&D Online.

No, it is not.