Critique my D&D tool

[doublewumpus]

Hi guys,

I've been lurking for a long time now, but this is my first real post.

Anyway, I made a tool for 4e D&D:

http://power2ool.com

Demo video: Power2ool prototype on Vimeo

Would love some feedback. Is it useful? What's missing? Would you actually use it for a campaign? etc. Please be harsh.

Also, if you find any bugs or have trouble logging in, please let me know as well (either here or e-mail feedback@ power2ool.com)

 

[Dungeoneer]

I was just watching your demo and about to link to it. Cool tool! Great job!

Yet another great tool for D&D that the community has developed for free while WotC futzes around with redoing tools they've already developed.

 

[SparqMan]

Well done!

Some notes:
- There seems to be a max width set that is forcing a horizontal scroll bar. Either max the size and scroll vertically, or let the user opt to go wider than their resolution or browser window supports.

- It would be nice if items snapped to the grid.

- It would be nice if you could automatically arrange the cards in the area.

 

[Abstruse]

I fiddled with it a little after Mike Krahulik tweeted about it. Looks really promising since I like printing out little cards for items and monster stat blocks in my adventures. I haven't tried making a custom element yet, but if that's easy, I'll fall in love with it.

Also, if I could make a request, please please please get the traps integrated soon? They're a pain in the ass to do myself and there aren't a lot of them released in published materials.

 

[Dannager]

Saw Mike Krahulik's tweet as well and watched the video. Excellent stuff. I typically run games with a laptop at the table and often resort to keeping word processor windows open with each individual custom stat block in them. This is far more elegant.

 

[666Sinner666]

I like it a lot! Especially how the program automatically parses the info from the compendium into you power cards so you can enter your own info.

Couple questions:

1.) Does this somehow violate the EULA or is that bypassed by requiring the user to input their DDI log in info?I assume its doing something similar to the DDIDownloader used by Lone Wolf.

2.) Will your tool be updated as the compendium is updated?

 

[doublewumpus]

Thanks guys! I'll add them to my to-do list:

- Card snapping/auto arrangement
- Traps
From e-mails:
- Multiple surfaces per account
- Sharing surfaces between accounts
- Disease cards (?) need to look that one up
- Initiative tracker w/ HP and status tracking

 

[doublewumpus]

I like it a lot! Especially how the program automatically parses the info from the compendium into you power cards so you can enter your own info.

Couple questions:

1.) Does this somehow violate the EULA or is that bypassed by requiring the user to input their DDI log in info?I assume its doing something similar to the DDIDownloader used by Lone Wolf.

2.) Will your tool be updated as the compendium is updated?

The power2ool site provides a proxy for requests to the Compendium. It doesn't store any Compendium information itself. So, for example, when you look at all "Level 3 Bard powers" in power2ool you're just doing a proxied search for "Powers > Level: 3 to 3 > Class: Bard" on the Compendium website. As such, it will always be up to date.

As far as EULA issues goes, I don't believe there's anything illegal in the way p2 functions, but Wizards can easily shut my down with just the threat of legal action, warranted or not. It's up to them whether they think it's a cool idea or not.

 

[Abstruse]

The power2ool site provides a proxy for requests to the Compendium. It doesn't store any Compendium information itself. So, for example, when you look at all "Level 3 Bard powers" in power2ool you're just doing a proxied search for "Powers > Level: 3 to 3 > Class: Bard" on the Compendium website. As such, it will always be up to date.

As far as EULA issues goes, I don't believe there's anything illegal in the way p2 functions, but Wizards can easily shut my down with just the threat of legal action, warranted or not. It's up to them whether they think it's a cool idea or not.

There's several tools that do the exact same thing that have been out there for years. I don't have the link anymore due to a dead hard drive, but there was a random encounter generator that did the same thing with monster stat blocks. Plug in an encounter level and whether you want it easy/medium/hard and you have an encounter with a room and a set of monsters. With both of them, you still have to pay for your DDI account and it still has to be active. The program's just acting as a front-end for searching. Possibly a violation, but I seriously doubt WotC will care since it encourages people to subscribe.

 

[moxcamel]

This is a fantastic beginning! As you say, it's a little raw, but I see a lot of promise in it. Keep developing it, please!