|
Post by Gilvan Blight on Jul 21, 2005 12:20:04 GMT -5
Based on a few different sites this software is noted as being the best choice for using while running a game. I still dream of the day when my DM screen is replaced by an LCD.... www.enworld.org/RolePlayingMaster/Being at work right now, I can't try this out so if anyone does let us know what you think.
|
|
|
Post by ThardonBlackfist on Jul 21, 2005 12:47:52 GMT -5
I think I even checked out an older version of this software, but I'm grabbing it again to give it a look see..
|
|
|
Post by ThardonBlackfist on Jul 21, 2005 13:09:41 GMT -5
wierd, it seems to be some sort of web thing.. the only application I could find gave me a could not find program balh blah blah error and that was all.. A shame because when I opened up the html char sheet it actually looked rather good... ahh.. turns out the first download you find on the main page isn't the software, but some networking component to it...
checking again.... Well now that I've found the real software, I'm impressed.. and annoyed...
The software is mindboggllingly complete.. the character generation is fantastic, I barely scrathed the surface of the vast amount of information compiled here..
Unfortunatley the reason I barely scratched the surface was because the interface is reminiscent of something that would be created by a 10year old working on an amiga 500 Colourful, windows based, but horrendous for anyone but the group that it was designed for I expect. I would be MUCH better software if they just stuck to a standard MS style interface and alloed skinning and colourizing.
That being said, I suspect were I playing DnD hard core regularly, I might still be interested to chip in the 24 bucks for at least the DM to get a copy, if not a copy for all and a bunch of laptops for character management rather than icky and forgable pencil and eraser.
Based on first 10 min impression I'd say a 6.5 out of ten...
|
|
|
Post by Gilvan Blight on Jul 21, 2005 13:17:27 GMT -5
Hmm cought one important note in that quick review. D&D? This is for D&D only?
How can websites claim "most comprehensive rpg software" and have it only support one system. Well I guess if its D20 then it supports pretty much everything (you can buy D20 Call of C'thulhu now).
The screenshots made me worry about that, looks like a Grade 10 Visual Basic project and those are never pretty. Must have some great stuff for networking or something for it to have the reviews I had seen.
I personally loved the TSR Core Rules software, too bad it came out about 3 months before skills and powers and quickly became obsolete to me (after shelling like $100 for it)
|
|
|
Post by ThardonBlackfist on Jul 26, 2005 10:25:57 GMT -5
Well I understand they did do some upgrading to the old D&D software, although I'm sure by now it's been completely superceded.
I have to admit I didn't search to deeply for anything other than D&D in that software, mostly because that was what jumped up and bit me when I loaded it. Character gen seemed to be pure D&D but monsters, maps and such are usually at least transferable.
Very accurate descrip of the visual style though.. VERY high school VB project.
|
|
|
Post by Gilvan Blight on Jul 26, 2005 12:18:06 GMT -5
Hey, Thardon, you used to love to program huge complex software packages that took millions of lines of code to do something relativly simple (simple IRL like rolling up a charcter or bouncing a ball between 4 walls).
I have a new hobby for you: Make one of these pieces of software for the new Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. It obviously doesn't have to look like much since most of these 'tools' sell for about $30-$40 US and look like high school projects.
|
|
|
Post by ThardonBlackfist on Jul 26, 2005 15:10:06 GMT -5
I barely have enough time to keep track of the hobbies I already have, aside from the fact that my DB skills have suffered a rather sorrowful attrition... 3 years ago I probably would have leapt at the idea.. now.. not so much.. It is however a project I will keep in the back of my mind.. the worst part of it would be the data entry that comes with such a project. Never been one of my strong points.
|
|
|
Post by Gilvan Blight on Jul 27, 2005 7:41:27 GMT -5
My concept for databases.
This is something learned in the field as it were.
Don't enter data. Create the basic fields needed then create a form for entering data and a form for entering a new field.
You build a DB backbone and then the user creates the actual tables without realizing that is what they are doing.
So for a roleplaying database you could start with simple fields like Players, Character and World. Then taking the object oriented thought process allow people to add fields to player (things like address and a link to character) or fields to Character - like race. Then you could add a field to race later (like starting skills).
In this manner you would have a DB that was not at all system dependant and would grow with use without any initial data entry. The GM or player would just enter data as they need.
The only drawback to this type of DB is that it generally ends up being all one table (ouch!), since you generally can't have a user entered field generate a whole new table. Now with todays processing speeds this isn't really an issue but you may see some slowdown.
|
|
|
Post by ThardonBlackfist on Jul 27, 2005 15:35:11 GMT -5
sounds like creating a project for someone else.. If I were goint to create a system for WHFRP, then I'd create a system for WHFRP, at the very least classes races and such need to be put in to have their proper bonuses applied.. Now items and such.. well hell with that.. name generator.. same thing..
|
|
|
Post by Gilvan Blight on Jul 28, 2005 7:54:22 GMT -5
Doesn't it seem like we may be having the same conversation in 3 threads.
Perhaps, but if I had RPG software I would want something generic. I know its been a while since I ran/played but last we did it was rare that we stuck with the same game every week. There was always something that would come up every couple of weeks that would generate a night of Dream Park or other pick up game.
What I would really like is some type of menu - listing all my current campaigns. Click on a campaign and it brings up the info for that game. If the camp. was in Dream Park everythign from that point on would be Dream Park, if Warhammer then warhammer rules behind everything.
|
|
|
Post by ThardonBlackfist on Jul 28, 2005 9:59:14 GMT -5
Every hear of a nifty program called Access?
|
|
|
Post by Gilvan Blight on Jul 28, 2005 10:07:39 GMT -5
Yep.
That is the software used to basically make the DB model I mentioned above.
Problem is I want somethign executable that works and looks nice. Not your standard Access DB - thought it could be created in it.
I remember the Goldenboy was huge into making DBs. I be I could recruit him to make something, plus he's one of those people who actually do try to sell his stuff when done.
Church was supposed to try to recruit him onto here... Church?
|
|
|
Post by ThardonBlackfist on Jul 28, 2005 10:35:54 GMT -5
Access CAN create stand-alones.. I learned that and it saved my 4th year ass on my thesis project.
|
|
|
Post by Gilvan Blight on Jul 28, 2005 10:47:38 GMT -5
Aye I know that, but its a bitch to get everything look looking like Access.
Goldenboy where are you? He created a DB program, with Access, that he actually sold to a couple local industries. Messed up on the fine print though offering them lifetime tech support or something like that.
|
|
|
Post by ThardonBlackfist on Jul 28, 2005 10:54:38 GMT -5
my only real problem with access is reports... I've never been good with generating reports.. that's one of the main reasons aI had to have VB for my thesis...
|
|