No update to Monster Builder this month?

[Nikosandros]

Yesterday the Character Builder was updated, but nothing was released for the Monster Builder. I know that actual development on that program appears to be on hiatus, but this time not even the new data was added.

Anybody knows what happened?

 

[Baumi]

They skipped this month because they are already working on the new stat block format and all the MM3 Monsters for next month.

Since there were no big releases last month, we didn't miss much. But I hope next month they also update other things like Templates, Companions, print more than one monster per page and fix Errors like the Hit-Point problem of Custom Monsters. The MB was neglected far too long (it's still BETA after a year!)...

 

[Talysian]

I agree.

 

[Markn]

They skipped this month because they are already working on the new stat block format and all the MM3 Monsters for next month.

Since there were no big releases last month, we didn't miss much. But I hope next month they also update other things like Templates, Companions, print more than one monster per page and fix Errors like the Hit-Point problem of Custom Monsters. The MB was neglected far too long (it's still BETA after a year!)...

I hope this is the case but I'm skeptical. Do you have a link or a source for this info?

Edit: Looks like you are correct. Found the following on Twitter:

@Alphastream I hear you alpha - We should have the new monster stat block next month and hopefully more good news to come after

.@WolfStar76 Yes, DDI tools be updating. Just as a heads up - no new update to Monster Builder this month

 

[Markn]

Also found this on WotC boards:

June 2010 Character Builder and Adventure Tool News



No Monster Builder Update This Month:



We’re implementing the new Monster statistics block in our database, and we need to do more testing to make sure all the monsters get converted over properly from previous sources. This month’s upload was less than 30 creatures from HS1 – The Slaying Stone adventure and Dungeon® Issue 177. So get ready for the new stat block when we update with Monster Manual III creatures in the July 6th update. (Apologies for the delay, and we’ll keep you posted on our progress before next update.)



Here’s a summary of the new data and features for Character Builder.



Data Update:



Data from the following published materials are new this month:

•Books
•Player’s Strategy Guide
•Dungeon Magazine Annual
•HS1 The Slaying Stone
•Online Magazines
•Dragon® Issue 386
•Dungeon® Issue 177
•RPGA Adventures
Plus we’re doing the normal monthly errata, and some RPGA Adventure data.



Remember: you need an active D&D Insider subscription to update your Character Builder with the new data and features. Each account is limited to 5 updates, per application. Every month, when a new data set is released, this limit will be reset for each application.



Check the Character Builder FAQ [wizards.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wizards.cfg...] for additional information.



Studio:



This week marks my first full year at WotC. I can safely say we’ve never been busier since I joined. Summer/Fall content is looking great as we get ready for Dark Sun and the Essentials. The changes for MM3 with the new stat block are pretty universal to our foundational database structure, and conversion was a tad harder than we thought to program. Our QA team wanted a bit more time to ensure we’re 100% for July.



Community feedback:



I get emails and posts all the time around iPhone apps, iPad apps, Facebook apps, etc. Yes, while my main team is focused on the DDI Tools, if it is digital and D&D, ultimately it’s a D&D Studio thing. We’re very excited about all these platforms and modalities, but have to be careful around previous licensing deals, exclusives some distribution networks require, etc. It often translates to delays to market for certain things as we get plans, budgets and projects together. So, yes, we know these things exist, but we don’t talk about development until there’s something to talk about. (I know that can be frustrating.) Just know we’re working hard every day trying to deliver the best D&D digital experience we can, and we appreciate the continued insight and feedback from fans.



Game On!
Chris



About the Author



Chris Champagne is the Studio Director of the D&DI Digital Studio. He first rolled for initiative in the summer of 1978, and has been a life long fan of D&D ever since.

 

[mac1504]

They skipped this month because they are already working on the new stat block format and all the MM3 Monsters for next month.

Since there were no big releases last month, we didn't miss much. But I hope next month they also update other things like Templates, Companions, print more than one monster per page and fix Errors like the Hit-Point problem of Custom Monsters. The MB was neglected far too long (it's still BETA after a year!)...

What's the issue in MB with custom monsters and hit points?

 

[Holy Bovine]

What's the issue in MB with custom monsters and hit points?

I've noticed that sometimes custom monster HPs go way out of whack - like to the order of giving them 1000's per level. It can be fixed manually (at least all the times I've seen it happen I've been able to fix it) but it is an annoyance. I really hope to see an additional tool or three before the end of the year. That will be my 'break point' as to whether I renew in January.

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Hmmm... I haven't noticed the hit point problem, but then again I haven'r really checked too closely and have only designed monsters up to about level 11. That and even when designing a new monster, I use an old one as a base.

So, are they converting all the old monsters to the new format, then? Wonder if that means I will need to redo my custom monsters...

Looking forward to seeing what they change - MB is my favorite DDI product, and the more functionality they give it, the better.

 

[mudbunny]

From my reading of the post, they will be converting all the monsters to the new statblocks.

 

[Ebylon]

So, are they converting all the old monsters to the new format, then? Wonder if that means I will need to redo my custom monsters...

Your custom monsters should automatically be updated to the new style. It's just an organizational improvement.