I'm curious if any gamer/programmer is interested in taking up a project. I'm going to throw out a software idea because I do not have the programming knowledge required to actually produce it.
Let me preface this suggestion with a statement that I've tried numerous "online RPG" packages and have found none of them that meet my desires. They're all decent packages and their creators should be proud of their efforts, but I'm looking for something specific and think that my idea would fit a particular niche in the gaming community. So here goes:
As an owner of Profantasy's Campaign Cartographer e (CC2) line of products, I would like to see an application that uses the products of the CC2 software for use in online gaming. D&D desperately needs a combat map in order to be played properly, which means that online play is difficult at best. I love the CC2 software's output, but currently I'm not happy with the means by which those products can be used online.
What I'd like the application to do is take the FCW file format of CC2 and convert it into a vector graphics format (SVG?), so that players can meet online, and move previously created CC2 symbols around a CC2-generated map, just like you would with miniatures on a table top map. Profantasy's latest release of Symbol Set 2 includes a number of CC2 "Skirmish" symbols that are like combat counters used on tabletop maps. The ability to take those symbols and turn them into counters for use online would be a valuable addition to online gaming.
This idea is similar to what (I think) the Mastertools mapping application was originally intended to do before it was scrapped. The beauty of using CC2 is that (despite its learning curve) the software is unbound by the types or styles of maps you can create. As such, the online "combat arena" would be similarly non-game/setting-specific.
The end result (as I envision it) would be an easy to use program without trying to put in all the frills of character creation, combat management, campaign notes, etc. All of that can be taken care of on the DM's desktop. What I need/want is something that allows me to quickly load a map of my own creation, add the PCs/NPCs/creatures I desire, and give the players the ability to move their "miniatures" around the map to keep combat straight. The descriptions and dialogue can be dealt with in a basic free chat utility or IM.
I know this is a rambling discourse. I'm a bit tired, right now, but I wanted to get this idea out to other gamers in the hopes that someone will (or is already) working on something like this.
If anyone feels like responding, I'd appreciate it if we could steer clear of discussion of the current applications available. I've tried OpenRPG and other online gaming aides and found them not to my liking.
Cheers and good gaming!
Niveria
Let me preface this suggestion with a statement that I've tried numerous "online RPG" packages and have found none of them that meet my desires. They're all decent packages and their creators should be proud of their efforts, but I'm looking for something specific and think that my idea would fit a particular niche in the gaming community. So here goes:
As an owner of Profantasy's Campaign Cartographer e (CC2) line of products, I would like to see an application that uses the products of the CC2 software for use in online gaming. D&D desperately needs a combat map in order to be played properly, which means that online play is difficult at best. I love the CC2 software's output, but currently I'm not happy with the means by which those products can be used online.
What I'd like the application to do is take the FCW file format of CC2 and convert it into a vector graphics format (SVG?), so that players can meet online, and move previously created CC2 symbols around a CC2-generated map, just like you would with miniatures on a table top map. Profantasy's latest release of Symbol Set 2 includes a number of CC2 "Skirmish" symbols that are like combat counters used on tabletop maps. The ability to take those symbols and turn them into counters for use online would be a valuable addition to online gaming.
This idea is similar to what (I think) the Mastertools mapping application was originally intended to do before it was scrapped. The beauty of using CC2 is that (despite its learning curve) the software is unbound by the types or styles of maps you can create. As such, the online "combat arena" would be similarly non-game/setting-specific.
The end result (as I envision it) would be an easy to use program without trying to put in all the frills of character creation, combat management, campaign notes, etc. All of that can be taken care of on the DM's desktop. What I need/want is something that allows me to quickly load a map of my own creation, add the PCs/NPCs/creatures I desire, and give the players the ability to move their "miniatures" around the map to keep combat straight. The descriptions and dialogue can be dealt with in a basic free chat utility or IM.
I know this is a rambling discourse. I'm a bit tired, right now, but I wanted to get this idea out to other gamers in the hopes that someone will (or is already) working on something like this.
If anyone feels like responding, I'd appreciate it if we could steer clear of discussion of the current applications available. I've tried OpenRPG and other online gaming aides and found them not to my liking.
Cheers and good gaming!
Niveria
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