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Review of the New Online Version of Monster Builder by WotC
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<blockquote data-quote="Alphastream" data-source="post: 5505076" data-attributes="member: 11365"><p>This was a very good review of the situation. The online MB release was on one hand a communication failure. From beta testers to community members, the impression was that this next release would be a functionally useful release. If the drive really was to enable the VTT, then that should have been the message from start to finish (including to beta testers). </p><p></p><p>But, on the other hand, this is a failure to manage software development projects because it is likely that the goal changed at various points in time. This has been a common theme. Seldom do we sense a clear vision as to what is being developed. The steps are not a progression around functionality but a back-and-forth dance around what to provide, drastic reactions to perceptions of what the user base wants, and fears of the impact of piracy on profits.</p><p></p><p>It is possible that the VTT's surprisingly positive reaction caused a change to focus on the VTT over the MB. I am not sure that this is in their interests. While the VTT is sound, it is not clear to me that a robust VTT is as good for business as a robust MB. A robust MB enables a ton of gaming (at a real table, at conventions, at stores, online on a myriad of platforms, etc.). There are already many competing online platforms. Several offer more functionality, thought they are complex and integration of content is difficult. VTT integration is a logical goal because it offers a good value, but it isn't clear that VTT functionality is a better place for limited resources than other tools (such as the MB or an Encounter Builder or a Mapping Tool). </p><p></p><p>Similarly, the lack of online MB functionality may be a reaction to fears around piracy and IP loss. The classic MB is a fantastic tool... or was until they introduced a few bugs after the MM3 update. The bugs cause recharge rates and triggers to often disappear, along with a few other pains. Other than that, the classic MB offers amazingly useful functionality to scale, edit, and create monsters. The output allows the monsters to be shared on forums, inserted in proper format in organized play adventures, and used by DMs in their home games. It is possible that this degree of power was seen as a threat. In my opinion, it sells the game. A tool of such power is a reason to play 4E over other systems. I play a lot of RPGs, and this tool made adventure preparation and authoring a snap compared to other complex systems. </p><p></p><p>In the end, it appears that WotC continues to suffer from an inability to nail down a vision for where they want to be with online tools. Their message appears to change, even internally. They seem to have an inability to manage software development projects. They have bursts of great ideas, even of great tools, but then things change, are discarded, are downgraded, are delayed. All of this has had a seriously negative effect on their customers. </p><p></p><p>I am personally a great fan of many RPGs, but D&D has a special place in my heart. I absolutely want to see WotC succeed. I have seen a lot of positive steps in the last few months. I feel that things are actually turning around, even if the online MB was a step back.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Alphastream, post: 5505076, member: 11365"] This was a very good review of the situation. The online MB release was on one hand a communication failure. From beta testers to community members, the impression was that this next release would be a functionally useful release. If the drive really was to enable the VTT, then that should have been the message from start to finish (including to beta testers). But, on the other hand, this is a failure to manage software development projects because it is likely that the goal changed at various points in time. This has been a common theme. Seldom do we sense a clear vision as to what is being developed. The steps are not a progression around functionality but a back-and-forth dance around what to provide, drastic reactions to perceptions of what the user base wants, and fears of the impact of piracy on profits. It is possible that the VTT's surprisingly positive reaction caused a change to focus on the VTT over the MB. I am not sure that this is in their interests. While the VTT is sound, it is not clear to me that a robust VTT is as good for business as a robust MB. A robust MB enables a ton of gaming (at a real table, at conventions, at stores, online on a myriad of platforms, etc.). There are already many competing online platforms. Several offer more functionality, thought they are complex and integration of content is difficult. VTT integration is a logical goal because it offers a good value, but it isn't clear that VTT functionality is a better place for limited resources than other tools (such as the MB or an Encounter Builder or a Mapping Tool). Similarly, the lack of online MB functionality may be a reaction to fears around piracy and IP loss. The classic MB is a fantastic tool... or was until they introduced a few bugs after the MM3 update. The bugs cause recharge rates and triggers to often disappear, along with a few other pains. Other than that, the classic MB offers amazingly useful functionality to scale, edit, and create monsters. The output allows the monsters to be shared on forums, inserted in proper format in organized play adventures, and used by DMs in their home games. It is possible that this degree of power was seen as a threat. In my opinion, it sells the game. A tool of such power is a reason to play 4E over other systems. I play a lot of RPGs, and this tool made adventure preparation and authoring a snap compared to other complex systems. In the end, it appears that WotC continues to suffer from an inability to nail down a vision for where they want to be with online tools. Their message appears to change, even internally. They seem to have an inability to manage software development projects. They have bursts of great ideas, even of great tools, but then things change, are discarded, are downgraded, are delayed. All of this has had a seriously negative effect on their customers. I am personally a great fan of many RPGs, but D&D has a special place in my heart. I absolutely want to see WotC succeed. I have seen a lot of positive steps in the last few months. I feel that things are actually turning around, even if the online MB was a step back. [/QUOTE]
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