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<blockquote data-quote="DMFTodd" data-source="post: 402135" data-attributes="member: 1202"><p>The computer-assisted gaming market has a lot to offer lately, huh? (Those of us competing for your gaming dollars might even call the market "crowded").</p><p></p><p>I think the competition is good. The more programs out there to choose from, the more people will start thinking they might want a computer at the gaming table. And that gives me a chance to win those dollars.</p><p></p><p>DMGenie looks interesting though I only gave it a very cursory look. Chris and Luke seem to see some problems. I would encourage people to compare. </p><p></p><p>So, for the prospective gamer who wants to delve into computer-aided gaming, what's out there? (If I miss anything or get anything wrong guys, be sure to let me know).</p><p></p><p><strong>Character Generation</strong> : These are programs to help create PCs/NPCs and do the calculations for you. Examples: PCGen, E:Tools, Campagn Suite, Roleplaying Master. </p><p> Interestingly, programs that don't do character generation are starting to import from programs that do. Examples: DM's Familiar, DMGenie. </p><p></p><p><strong>Combat Management</strong> A program that manages combat for you. Does things like rolling initiative, keeping track of rounds, keeping notes, makes attack/damage rolls, tracks spell durations, etc. These are programs meant to be used at the gaming table during the game. Examples: DM's Familiar, DMGenie, Role-playing Master, Crystalball (Mac), assorted Excel spreadsheets out there.</p><p></p><p><strong>Game Prep</strong> Software that helps you write adventures, setup your campaign world, and, in general, write notes. This might be software you use before the game, print it, and bring paper to the game, or it might be a program you use at the game table. Examples: DM's Familiar, Campaign Suite, Roleplaying Master, DMGenie.</p><p></p><p><strong>Rules Reference</strong> This is software that puts the rulles - Spells, Monsters, Rules, Feats, Skills, etc. - at your fingertips so you don't have to lug a bunch of books to each game session or know which book a particular thing is in. Examples: Pretty much all of them.</p><p></p><p><strong>Random Tables</strong> Programs that can generatre random results for you, whether it be the innkeep's name, treasure, wandering monster, etc. Examples: Tablesmith, Campaign Suite, RPM (I think?)</p><p></p><p><strong>Miscellaneous</strong> Programs that do assorted "little" things. Weather generation programs like WeatherMaster or Kaima Weather Generator. Anything else?</p><p></p><p>As you see, many of the programs encompass multiple desirable things. Check out a couple of them and see which ones you like. Some things to keep in mind when reviewing software:</p><p></p><p>* Interface: Does the interface make sense to you? Is it easy to use? D&D involves dice & books. If the program is making it much more complicated than that, it's probably going to detract from your gaming, not enhance it.</p><p></p><p>* Customizable: Can the program handle your house rules? Do you have house rules? Is it flexible enough to deal with the way you want to game? If it does allow a way to customize the program, how hard is it to customize?</p><p></p><p>* Support and Longevity: All of these programs are relatively new to the market. Is this a supported, growing program that is going to be around for a while? Are bugs getting fixed? New features introducted? How easy is it to ask questions and get answers?</p><p></p><p>* Cost: Price is probably something you'll want to think about at least a little. For me, I take my gaming fairly seriously. I'd much rather spend $30 on something that helps my game a lot than a free program that only helps a little. Those with different budgets/goals may think differently. </p><p></p><p>* Expandability: What happens when Company Y comes out with Product X and you want it? Can that information get entered into the program easily? Are you going to have to type all that information or does the program support some Import/Export features?</p><p></p><p>(Apologies to Crystalball for the Mac. I don't know anything about it. It probably does several of the things above and I didn't give it credit for. If you have a Mac, be sure to look into this program.)</p><p></p><p>(Apologies to DM Buddy, I know nothing about it.)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="DMFTodd, post: 402135, member: 1202"] The computer-assisted gaming market has a lot to offer lately, huh? (Those of us competing for your gaming dollars might even call the market "crowded"). I think the competition is good. The more programs out there to choose from, the more people will start thinking they might want a computer at the gaming table. And that gives me a chance to win those dollars. DMGenie looks interesting though I only gave it a very cursory look. Chris and Luke seem to see some problems. I would encourage people to compare. So, for the prospective gamer who wants to delve into computer-aided gaming, what's out there? (If I miss anything or get anything wrong guys, be sure to let me know). [B]Character Generation[/B] : These are programs to help create PCs/NPCs and do the calculations for you. Examples: PCGen, E:Tools, Campagn Suite, Roleplaying Master. Interestingly, programs that don't do character generation are starting to import from programs that do. Examples: DM's Familiar, DMGenie. [B]Combat Management[/B] A program that manages combat for you. Does things like rolling initiative, keeping track of rounds, keeping notes, makes attack/damage rolls, tracks spell durations, etc. These are programs meant to be used at the gaming table during the game. Examples: DM's Familiar, DMGenie, Role-playing Master, Crystalball (Mac), assorted Excel spreadsheets out there. [B]Game Prep[/B] Software that helps you write adventures, setup your campaign world, and, in general, write notes. This might be software you use before the game, print it, and bring paper to the game, or it might be a program you use at the game table. Examples: DM's Familiar, Campaign Suite, Roleplaying Master, DMGenie. [B]Rules Reference[/B] This is software that puts the rulles - Spells, Monsters, Rules, Feats, Skills, etc. - at your fingertips so you don't have to lug a bunch of books to each game session or know which book a particular thing is in. Examples: Pretty much all of them. [B]Random Tables[/B] Programs that can generatre random results for you, whether it be the innkeep's name, treasure, wandering monster, etc. Examples: Tablesmith, Campaign Suite, RPM (I think?) [B]Miscellaneous[/B] Programs that do assorted "little" things. Weather generation programs like WeatherMaster or Kaima Weather Generator. Anything else? As you see, many of the programs encompass multiple desirable things. Check out a couple of them and see which ones you like. Some things to keep in mind when reviewing software: * Interface: Does the interface make sense to you? Is it easy to use? D&D involves dice & books. If the program is making it much more complicated than that, it's probably going to detract from your gaming, not enhance it. * Customizable: Can the program handle your house rules? Do you have house rules? Is it flexible enough to deal with the way you want to game? If it does allow a way to customize the program, how hard is it to customize? * Support and Longevity: All of these programs are relatively new to the market. Is this a supported, growing program that is going to be around for a while? Are bugs getting fixed? New features introducted? How easy is it to ask questions and get answers? * Cost: Price is probably something you'll want to think about at least a little. For me, I take my gaming fairly seriously. I'd much rather spend $30 on something that helps my game a lot than a free program that only helps a little. Those with different budgets/goals may think differently. * Expandability: What happens when Company Y comes out with Product X and you want it? Can that information get entered into the program easily? Are you going to have to type all that information or does the program support some Import/Export features? (Apologies to Crystalball for the Mac. I don't know anything about it. It probably does several of the things above and I didn't give it credit for. If you have a Mac, be sure to look into this program.) (Apologies to DM Buddy, I know nothing about it.) [/QUOTE]
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