D&D 4E Heroforge plans for 4e

[Mercule]

HF is already violating copyright and doesn't follow the OGL or D20STL.
I'm pretty sure its open, amateur freewheeling murky legal status is why WotC didn't kill it.

Absolutely. Sorry if I was unclear -- I think the GSL represents a different thought pattern on IP for 4e. It shows considerable less tolerance to gray implementations. Taking HF commercial definitely makes it "charcoal", at the very least, and "pitch" isn't unreasonable.

My expectation is that any 3rd party software (barring a license) might be able to implement the rules framework for 4e, but the amount of actual data (race, class, spell, etc.) they'll be able to include will be pretty minimal. Most likely, it'll be useless without extensive user-supplied data-entry, which will negate most benefits for the average user.

Actually, I thought WotC had said that there would be a software clause in the GSL. If nothing else, that warrants not making any broad proclamations.

 

[ZombieRoboNinja]

So wait... they're going to make their program a standalone, multiplatform executable, exactly like PCGen, but they're going to charge money for it?

Riiiiiight...

 

[Andre]

I think this email is the death knell of HeroForge(tm).

It's just too blatant for WOTC to ignore. And to be blunt, I wouldn't blame WOTC at all. The company has been wonderful to all 3E HeroForge fans, ignoring the very questionable legality of the current version, with all the proprietary information it includes. But at some point, if the other guy pushes hard enough, you have to push back.

Unless the GSL specifically allows what HF Software is planning, this is doomed. And announcing it without even seeing the GSL first is just plain silly.

 

[Orcus]

I really hope this works out. I am a HUGE fan and supporter of HeroForge.

I use it for my own personal campaign. It is as important to me as d20srd.org.

Clark

 

[Orcus]

So wait... they're going to make their program a standalone, multiplatform executable, exactly like PCGen, but they're going to charge money for it?

Riiiiiight...

I happen to think HeroForge is way better than PCGen. I, for one, would pay for it. I really hope this winds up being allowed.

 

[Wormwood]

And to be blunt, I wouldn't blame WOTC at all.

Nor would I. Boneheaded.

edit: and I love Heroforge. I would have dropped 3.5 entirely had it not been for Heroforge*.

I just think they're pushing their luck big time here.




* Which says more about 3.5 and myself than it does about Heroforge, now that I think about it.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

yeah, its pretty good. Also on the topic of d20srd.org, i really hope they are able to work the same way they do now only with 4e (and hopefully 3.5e will still be made available on d20srd.org)

 

[Mercule]

I happen to think HeroForge is way better than PCGen. I, for one, would pay for it. I really hope this winds up being allowed.

In general, yes. The major weakness being house rules and hacked characters.

 

[Belorin]

As a regular member of the HeroForge list and part time beta tester I have seen most of these issues raised there since the announcement went out.
Legal issues with Wotc;
the principal developers are in talks with WotC concerning their status.
Pricing;
this is still being discussed and might not be available till the legal issues are addressed.
Platform;
the 4E version will be a new built from the ground-up executable, work continues on the 3.5 version as the group is trying to incorperate the final WotC core offerings, the remaining settings, DL & Ravenloft. And third party support for Pathfinder. This product will continue to be free. There may be an executable 3.5 version later on.


Bel

 

[Waylander the Slayer]

Without the GSL or some other licensing agreement you might enter into, the announcement might be jumping the gun a bit. Best of luck either way; heroforge is pretty helpful.