FANTASY GROUNDS Virtual Tabletop's D&D License!

Officially licensed D&D electronic tools! For real! Fantasy Grounds, one of the leading virtual tabletops, has just released a set of D&D 5th edition licensed data packages. These include the D&D Basic Rules, packs for each of the core classes, and a pile of monster packs. Each states specifically that "This product is licensed from Wizards of the Coast." This appears to be the first officially licensed and branded electronic product. (thanks to Matchstick for the scoop)

Check out their D&D wares here. They mention that "The DMG is still in the works, along with the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, The Rise of Tiamat and Princes of the Apocalypse." and that "The basic 5E ruleset will continue to be provided directly within Fantasy Grounds to all licenses. These purchasable options add a new graphics theme that is officially branded, along with the library module support, and whatever other enhancements we could squeeze in, like tokens or portraits or decals."

Here's the announcement:

We are proud to announce that we are officially licensed to sell D&D source material and content inside of Fantasy Grounds! This is the beginning of a great new partnership between SmiteWorks and Wizards of the Coast that will benefit gamers worldwide.

You can purchase the D&D Complete Core Class Pack with all the class, feats, spells and equipment or you can purchase individual classes only. You can also buy the monsters in packs or as the D&D Complete Core Monster Pack. These products have been converted to work really tightly with Fantasy Grounds to give you the best possible gaming experience - we know you're going to love them. They contain all the great artwork and content from the official products and all the smarts and integration to work with Fantasy Grounds. Not only will you get the same content that can be found in print, but you also get an exciting new Fifth Edition theme, adventures and content customized specifically for ease of play inside of Fantasy Grounds.

For Dungeon Masters and players on a budget, you might pick up a Player Customization Pack and one or two Class Packs of your choice. Dungeon Masters can often get by with just the Adventure of their choice and one or two Monster Packs.

Don't forget that players can gift purchases through Steam for Dungeon Masters who have linked their license on Steam.
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[Nylanfs]

I think he is referring to a custom extension some of the FG users wrote. There was one floating around the forums called enhanced images. We haven't incorporated this feature into the core app yet since we wanted to spend a little more time working out the exact architecture that we really wanted there.

Yea, I keep forgetting that was community made.

 

[Mirtek]

Note that you don't need the Complete Core Class Pack plus the PC Customization Pack. It's content is already included. The product details indicate this at the top of the product description. If you bought both, send your receipt to support@fantasygrounds.com and I can refund the double purchase.

Wow, already received the refund. Top-notch customer support!

 

[Nylanfs]

And that's why Smiteworks is awesome.

 

[Werebat]

Price WILL go down, folks -- they're just trying to milk the fanbois while they can. This product will be a must have for me once it does.

 

[Dire Bare]

Price WILL go down, folks -- they're just trying to milk the fanbois while they can. This product will be a must have for me once it does.

That's insulting. Both to the "fanbois" (man I hate that condescending term) and to the fine folks at Smiteworks. Welcome to my ignore list, sir!

 

[Werebat]

That's insulting. Both to the "fanbois" (man I hate that condescending term) and to the fine folks at Smiteworks. Welcome to my ignore list, sir!

Thanks, but I'm not interested in being on your list, and do not wish to receive any unsolicited e-mails to this address.

 

[RSKennan]

I've never known Smiteworks to operate that way. For example the license I bought years ago was the same price then as it is today.

 

[fewilcox]

I'm still trying to figure out why I would want to spend that much when I can get Roll20 (which we Kickstarted) and MapTool for free.

That's a lot of filthy lucre, considering you can get all three dead-tree rulebook for about $100 on Amazon. But I guess in the digital age this kind of pricing scheme makes sense?

Kingdom of Loathing? It's one of the very few video games my wife and I still play.

 

[RSKennan]

I don't know if I said this here or not, but Roll20 is like a bicycle, Maptool is like a car you build yourself (or have a friend build), and Fantasy Grounds is like a luxury car. All three will get you where you're going, but at different speeds, and with different amounts of automation.

With Roll20, you have to do all the work to move the pedals, unless you pay money and learn how to code it into a motorcycle. Unfortunately, though, someone else owns the bike, and you rent or borrow it.

With Maptool, you rely on your own mechanical aptitude or that of others to make it go. It may not be as pretty as an expensive car, but it can do nearly as much. It's all yours, and you can do whatever you like with it.

With Fantasy Grounds, you pay for flawless engineering, and sleek design. You get where you're going in style, and the car is virtually self driving. To strain the analogy, it definitely has bells and whistles like a rear-view camera, and self-parking at the very least. You still have the option to get under the hood and improve it though. It's yours too.

 

[Herobizkit]

[MENTION=87795]smiteworks[/MENTION]: How modular are the various packs across different settings?

For example, I'm currently running a Kingmaker (Pathfinder) game using 5e rules. If you were to have maps, encounters, xp values etc. "keyed" to the Pathfinder system, how much unfurling would need to be done to use the same information with a 5e ruleset?