Figured Out One of my Main Problems with D&DI

[dmccoy1693]

Before I begin, I want to state that I am not currently a D&DI subscriber, but I have been following the updates as closely as possible, but I concede the possibility that I missed stuff and everything I say is completely baseless.

I think I finally figured out one of my main problems with the online gaming portion of D&DI: I don't feel like I can make the EXACT game I want and I don't feel it is 3rd party optimized. Say I find an adventure in Dungeon I want to run with my online gaming group. Does the map and the custom monsters come pre-programmed or do I have to tell the computer this is what the map should look like and this is what the monsters have.

Now take that and apply it to 3rd party publishers. Last I heard (and this was a while ago so it may be out of date) WotC was asking 3rd party publisher if they wanted to pay WotC to essentially weed out the wannabe's. But as far as I understand it, they're not going to get anything save the logo on their books. Well what if it also came with the possibility of being able to sell maps, adventures, and all the rest of their products online for use with D&DI. Maps already laid out so the DM doesn't have to recreate what's in the print/pdf module. Adventures with the basic storyline already laid out. I mean if I'm a DM and want to use alot of monsters out of the ToH, why should I have to enter in all the information when I can just pay Necro for the code to unlock the book online? And why can't a 3rd party company exist for the sole purpose of creating/selling custom online minis?

What about if I want to run a different campaign setting online? Say I want to run the 3.5 fluff version of dragonlance. Can I shut off Tieflings and create the gnome race? Can I add the classes/PrCs from the books?

Can I do all this?

 

[marune]

Before I begin, I want to state that I am not currently a D&DI subscriber, but I have been following the updates as closely as possible, but I concede the possibility that I missed stuff and everything I say is completely baseless.

Can someone explains me why many peoples doesn't want to suscribe to it while it's FREE ?

It doesn't even ask for adress/billing info !

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Say I find an adventure in Dungeon I want to run with my online gaming group. Does the map and the custom monsters come pre-programmed or do I have to tell the computer this is what the map should look like and this is what the monsters have.

I think they plan on doing this. It would certainly be a big added value.

Last I heard (and this was a while ago so it may be out of date) WotC was asking 3rd party publisher if they wanted to pay WotC to essentially weed out the wannabe's.

There was speculation that this might happen, but I've never heard any confirmation, and it does NOT look like how things are going to play out in reality. If WoTC accepts money from licensees, it implies approval of product; WoTC doesn't have the manpower or desire to do this, so I don't think they're going down that road - that's only one of the issues involved.

Well what if it also came with the possibility of being able to sell maps, adventures, and all the rest of their products online for use with D&DI. Maps already laid out so the DM doesn't have to recreate what's in the print/pdf module. Adventures with the basic storyline already laid out.

This would be extremely cool and useful, but I don't know if the 3rd party publishers have the resources to pull it off even if WotC decided to let them try.

What about if I want to run a different campaign setting online? Say I want to run the 3.5 fluff version of dragonlance. Can I shut off Tieflings and create the gnome race? Can I add the classes/PrCs from the books?

This would also be a great feature - I'd like things to be super-scalable in this respect - allow me to disallow everything from a line of books (all FR, just as an example), a single book, or even a single spell. Allow me to say the monsters from this book are OK, but the spells are not, or vice versa. Then allow me to save those preferences and give them to all the players in my gaming group so we're all accessign the exact same items.

 

[dmccoy1693]

but I don't know if the 3rd party publishers have the resources to pull it off even if WotC decided to let them try.

A third party company could contract that work out to another 3rd party company. Similar to how some companies contract out the publication of different translations of their products to other companies, it could be done like this.

Otherwise, it would be a pain if you want to play wilderness of high fantasy and the DM has to construct from the ground up the entire world.

 

[Morrus]

Before I begin, I want to state that I am not currently a D&DI subscriber, but I have been following the updates as closely as possible, but I concede the possibility that I missed stuff and everything I say is completely baseless.

I'd suggest taking a look at it, then - it's completely free at present. What is available in Dragon Magazine, Dungeon Magazine, and some 4E previews.

There's no software, yet.

Last I heard (and this was a while ago so it may be out of date) WotC was asking 3rd party publisher if they wanted to pay WotC to essentially weed out the wannabe's.

This was categorically ruled out at GenCon during the exact same meeting where the possibility was originally raised. The concept existed for about seven minutes.

What about if I want to run a different campaign setting online? Say I want to run the 3.5 fluff version of dragonlance. Can I shut off Tieflings and create the gnome race? Can I add the classes/PrCs from the books?

Can I do all this?

You're mistaking "D&D Insider" for the "Online Gaming Suite". The online tools are part of the former, but the former includes a lot more - including extra content for books, Dragon, Dungeon, etc.

I strongly suggest you check it out. There's not much there yet (the magazines only launched this month), but it should give you a basic idea.

 

[Henry]

My understanding is that when they go live, you WILL be able to take maps, pre-gen stats, etc. from Dungeon and plug them into their gaming table. Right now, "there ain't nothin' to see," to recall a phrase.

As for the "compatibility license" the last word I heard is that the d20 Trademark license will be rewritten, but the OGL will still be in place, meaning you can make compatible stuff that can't SAY it's compatible, and for whatever conditions in the new license are, you can publish with some sort of compatibility logo - it may not be the "d20" seal. Heck, it might be some sort of honest-to-goodness "Compatible with Dungeons and Dragons" type moniker, to drive sales.

 

[hexgrid]

I thought the virtual game table didn't automate rules at all, it just functioned literally as a game table- a surface to move around virtual miniatures and roll virtual dice.

If this is true, the question of 3rd party support is moot.

 

[Henry]

This was categorically ruled out at GenCon during the exact same meeting where the possibility was originally raised. The concept existed for about seven minutes.

Really? That is news to me, must have missed it. They didn't happen to give their thoughts on the future of d20 STL then, did they? I'm wondering if they're going to make some sort of "adventures and adventure aids only" clause, or leave it as open as it is now for almost anything.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I thought the virtual game table didn't automate rules at all, it just functioned literally as a game table- a surface to move around virtual miniatures and roll virtual dice.

If this is true, the question of 3rd party support is moot.

That's what I gathered, too.

 

[dmccoy1693]

I thought the virtual game table didn't automate rules at all, it just functioned literally as a game table- a surface to move around virtual miniatures and roll virtual dice.

Yea, but what I am saying is, if I understand this correctly, wizards gives a code in the back of the MM allowing a DM to unlock all the monster stats so he/she doesn't have to enter them in himself. Now what if the same was allowed for Necromacer. What if by buying the Tome of Horrors 4E plus code allows you to be able to unlock all the monsters in the ToH for use with the gaming table. Or how about one of Paizo's GameMastery Modules. Could I spend a few dollars more and have all the maps, monsters, handouts, etc from Crown of the Kobold King (Great Module, btw) already on the gaming table?