Open Source d20 API/Engine

[Firzair]

Its still in the works.
Currently my RPG XML Rules Engine is in beta stage, I have done some major overhaul of the gui and I'm not finished yet.
As the base program can already handle most things I'm currently in the process of creating the xml code for the different editors etc.
At the moment I can create and edit features (for classes/races), languages, races, skills.
I have to put all these functions in the main menu (which is also done in xml-code).

After some thinking I stopped this for now, putting my effort into a PCGen-lst-converter, that produces xml-data. I think, that would bring about a much larger data base than waiting for users to code the srd-data.
Currently the converter can be used for languages, equipment and races with some exceptions. I need to build a conversion for all the different bonus tags and the somewhat complex expressions in these tags so that all fits together.

I think with some work a user could already create a full character editor with the program (RPGXML Rules Engine), but he would need to enter lots of data by hand. By converting PCGen data I will have data which can then be used to just create the functionality to use the data.

Perhaps I will publish my current verion of the program even though the gui isn't finished. Old versions had some major bugs and the audience was screwed and left, so I'm somewhat reluctant... also this is a free time project and there's not really much free time between job, wife and two kids

Greetings
Firzair

 

[karianna]

Its still in the works.
Currently my RPG XML Rules Engine is in beta stage, I have done some major overhaul of the gui and I'm not finished yet.
As the base program can already handle most things I'm currently in the process of creating the xml code for the different editors etc.
At the moment I can create and edit features (for classes/races), languages, races, skills.
I have to put all these functions in the main menu (which is also done in xml-code).

After some thinking I stopped this for now, putting my effort into a PCGen-lst-converter, that produces xml-data. I think, that would bring about a much larger data base than waiting for users to code the srd-data.
Currently the converter can be used for languages, equipment and races with some exceptions. I need to build a conversion for all the different bonus tags and the somewhat complex expressions in these tags so that all fits together.

I think with some work a user could already create a full character editor with the program (RPGXML Rules Engine), but he would need to enter lots of data by hand. By converting PCGen data I will have data which can then be used to just create the functionality to use the data.

Perhaps I will publish my current verion of the program even though the gui isn't finished. Old versions had some major bugs and the audience was screwed and left, so I'm somewhat reluctant... also this is a free time project and there's not really much free time between job, wife and two kids

Greetings
Firzair

You'll need to get hold of us if you intend to convert PCGen datasets, there are some IP issues etc with some of our datasets, please contact Paul King (kingpaul) for further information

 

[Firzair]

You'll need to get hold of us if you intend to convert PCGen datasets, there are some IP issues etc with some of our datasets, please contact Paul King (kingpaul) for further information

Trying to build the converter I just remembered, why I didn't use the PCGen-Files initially. They are just to PCGen specific... so I will go on creating my code from scratch and dump the converter.
Anyway thanks for the info. I wouldn't want to indulge on anyones copyrights.

My program will probably only come with some generic data and some data from the srd so there should be no IP in it. I'm not sure yet how I will implement the license issues for the srd, most probably the different licenses will just be objects that are referenced by other objects.

Greetings
Firzair

 

[karianna]

Trying to build the converter I just remembered, why I didn't use the PCGen-Files initially. They are just to PCGen specific... so I will go on creating my code from scratch and dump the converter.
Anyway thanks for the info. I wouldn't want to indulge on anyones copyrights.

My program will probably only come with some generic data and some data from the srd so there should be no IP in it. I'm not sure yet how I will implement the license issues for the srd, most probably the different licenses will just be objects that are referenced by other objects.

Greetings
Firzair

OK that's cool, we were just starting to do a round up of all of the 3rd party software products that were intending on using the PCGen datasets and I noticed this thread.

Our OGL/PI gurus realised that there would be problems for people wanting to convert our data in the fact that the agreements we made with publishers aren't automatically transferable, so we wouldn't be able to give permission unless the publisher gave permission as well. As always these things are a bigger minefield than expected . Good luck with your project!

 

[DickieBear]

I'm glad to know someone is working on an API. With the recent release of XNA, I decided to try to make a game. I started on a side-scrolling shooter, but decided I want to make a DnD game. I started working on the API and quickly realized how complicated it's gonna be. Are you gonna release the XML files at some point? I'd like to see how you are structuring your classes.

 

[Firzair]

I'm glad to know someone is working on an API. With the recent release of XNA, I decided to try to make a game. I started on a side-scrolling shooter, but decided I want to make a DnD game. I started working on the API and quickly realized how complicated it's gonna be. Are you gonna release the XML files at some point? I'd like to see how you are structuring your classes.

Oh, sorry for some misinterpretation. I'm working on a program that will use xml-files to create data and functions not exactly an API.
I've just uploaded the actual version of my tool to my homepage so can get a picture of it. It's still in beta and I have quite a lot of ideas for extending it (list component and a map component should be the mostly needed)...

Greetings
Firzair

 

[DickieBear]

Oh, yeah. Sorry for my confusion. I just got excited. I will take a look at your files though. It might give me some good ideas on how to model 3.5 D&D. I'm at work now, so it'll have to wait until I get home.

 

[azhrei_fje]

Our OGL/PI gurus realised that there would be problems for people wanting to convert our data in the fact that the agreements we made with publishers aren't automatically transferable, so we wouldn't be able to give permission unless the publisher gave permission as well. As always these things are a bigger minefield than expected . Good luck with your project!

I did a quick search at CMP.com and couldn't find the license agreement for the use of the data sets. Would you be so kind as to post it here? Or maybe have it posted in the FAQ section of the site?

Thanks.

 

[acon360]

DM Genie

Has anyone looked at how the creator/s of DM Genie approached or solved this problem?? I think it has a rules file that the engine interprets from. And then several types of objects to represent actual data. Perhaps one could look at DMG's rules file and try to interpolate how the engine functions.

 

[karianna]

I did a quick search at CMP.com and couldn't find the license agreement for the use of the data sets. Would you be so kind as to post it here? Or maybe have it posted in the FAQ section of the site?
Thanks.

Just to clarify, PCGen is _not_ CMP. PCGen (the Open Source project) has built a ton of datasets, some of which are OGL, some of which are closed content.

* All of these datasets are provided with PCGen for free (just as PCGen itself is free).
* We have permissions from each of the publishers that we provide data sets for.

We're aware of this new interest in converting our datasets and we're currently debating on how to proceed with this. We'll posting our views/position on this shortly.

I'm not sure what you'd have to do in order to get permission to convert CMP's data sets (these are the ones that CMP produce and sell), I'd suggest contacting Lone Jedi on their website.

Hope that helps