[Fluid]

[tmaaas]

BTW, can it interface with e-Tools (Code Monkey's improvement version)?

Dundjinni will import from the Etools 1.0 data schema. After CMP changes the schema, it won't work. But...

* Fluid has said they will update Dundjinni to import the new schema pending available programming resources.

* It is almost certain someone will create a conversion tool, so it should still be possible.

 

[tmaaas]

I realise the demo looks OK, but so did the demo chargen that came with the original PHB.

The safest thing to do, of course, is to wait until the full version is out and listen for user feedback.

Of course, the relationship between the demo chargen and etools is much, much different that between the Dundjinni demo and full program.

The demo chargen had no real commonality with etools from a code perspective; they were complete separate (with the exception that both were produced by Fluid).

The Dundjinni demo is the Dundjinni full program... at a slightly earlier point in development and with a few features disabled.

 

[kingpaul]

The demo chargen had no real commonality with etools from a code perspective; they were complete separate (with the exception that both were produced by Fluid).

I thought that the chargen was a demo of MasterTools, which is what eTools came from as well?

 

[tmaaas]

I thought that the chargen was a demo of MasterTools, which is what eTools came from as well?

I believe that's what its original purpose was. However, the tortureous road from chargen to etools was anything but straight.

Remember that the Fluid programmers had the deck stacked against them. Changes in management, changes in direction, continually changing requirements (I'm a programmer by trade, and this is all a recipe for disaster).

I'm almost positive they scrapped all the work from chargen early on, spent way too much time working on a 3d mapper which was also scrapped (at WotC direction), and only at the end kicked out what became etools.

Etools could be a study in mismanagment of a project...

Back to the point I was trying to make:

1) chargen and etools really have little in common.

2) chargen was not a "demo" for etools in the same sense that the Dundjinni demo out now is a demo for the final version. Chargen was more of a "proof of concept" creation which had no other connection to the final work, while the Dundjinni demo is an actual "beta" version of the final product. It should be a far more reliable indicator.

At least I hope I'm right... I preordered the Platinum version

 

[Ranger REG]

I'm almost positive they scrapped all the work from chargen early on, spent way too much time working on a 3d mapper which was also scrapped (at WotC direction), and only at the end kicked out what became etools.

The mapper was to be a feature for online gaming as well as a GM tool. They were not only busy developing that but scanning minis into 3D and recording soundbites (so you can tell the difference between a troll and an orc). It was in that summer that Hasbro sold their electronic gaming rights to Infogrames/Atari. That means the MasterTools cannot have online gaming feature.

But I did questioned as to why the mapper is the first priority. They should have started with the character generation feature, especially when they scrapped the Chargen program.

As with e-Tools, I'll wait until the reviews come in for Dundjinni before I drop cash.

 

[argon_the_red]

Why Choose Dundjinni?

Is someone from Fluid going to drop by and convince us that this won't suck as badly as e-Tools?

I realise the demo looks OK, but so did the demo chargen that came with the original PHB. Also, will the release date be Iron Kingdom-ed?

With a friendly offer like that, how can I refuse? (Who am I? Dundjinni's webmaster.) Actually, you are more likely to be convinced by fellow gamers who have tried it. Monte liked it (see his post earlier in this thread), as have several other big names. Check out the forums on the dundjinni site (www.dundjinni.com/forums/) to read what others have to say. Better yet, try the demo.

I can understand some people's initial hesitation. I encourage you to at least keep listening until Dundjinni has been out for a month or so. Below is an excerpt from one of my posts on why I personally think Dundjinni is the best choice in mapping software:

* Easy to use (even for non-engineers and non-artists)
* Beautiful art
* Simple art import
* Great for battlemaps
* Frequent add-ons planned
* HTML Adventure creation
* Lots of d20 stat blocks
* Art Pack: Campaign will allow me to finally stop scanning copyrighted maps, because I will be able to quickly make my own that look even better.

 

[Piratecat]

Argon, thanks for checking in here. I just fired you some emails about the Dundjinni website.

I'm really looking forward to this product. I, too, am hoping it's as good as it looks.