PCgen to start charging for Data?!

[Conaill]

The worry about syntax changes after the 1 year free update period is somewhat misplaced, I think. Since PCGen is still an Open Source product, there should be plenty of volunteers to write conversion tools to translate your data files into the new syntax version.

Sure, the data files may be IP, but there's nothing stopping you from writing a little program to "massage" those data files.

(Kinda like how WotC was cracking down on thos handy spell cards Dr. Midnight made - I just wrote a little perl program to parse the SRD spell files and reformat them into index card format - entirely legal )

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Hmmm, there seems to be a general belief that this is purely a decision made by PCGen.

I rather suspect that WoTC also had a bit to say about the issue.

We don't know at this juncture how much of the price per item is being kept by CMP and how much is going to go to WoTC.

As I stated before I myself am willing to purchase the data packs for PCGen.

I do not own E-Tools, having lost interest when it got trimmed down to being just a character and encounter generator. (I was so very much looking forward to Master Tools... I have an addiction to mapping software.)

Hopefully among the upgrades CMP is making to E-Tools will be tucked something similar to E-Tools Helper. As I do not use Forgotten Realms the ability to add custom material is a much greater concern than some of the data sets. If they can make E-Tools into something worth having they will have accomplished more than Fluid has in 6 months.

The Auld Grump

 

[jdavis]

Well Bash 3.5 is starting to quiet down and bash Dragon magazine week was last week, I guess it's bash codemonkeys week now. How dare they "might and what if" around with my wallet, I mean I am all for everything being free (unless you are buying it from me then you need to pay). I really wish we could end all the anger and indignation until we actually know what is going on. I'm all for speaking of opinions and all but all I ever hear is "the sky is falling" I really don't think we are going to be crushed or the wolf is in with the sheep or anything. I think it is good to send a message to them on what we think of the situation but no need to get out the tar and feathers just yet.

Personally I rather spend more for a one time purchase than yearly small payments, if they stretch it out to three years then I am totally ok with that as there is no telling where computers will be in three years and I will be figuring on updated programming to match the updated technology anyway. Being that I am a e-tools user then It is hard for me to see any e-tools news as bad news at least somebody is doing something. That said I will withold my awe inspiring fury until they give me something to actually be mad about.

 

[Veander]

I know it's not fully related but for me this is a non-issue.

Campaign Suite and DM Genie and there isn't anything I can't do very easily in regards to RPG software. I have all the splatbooks (and tons more) already added into both of them. Took me very little time and it had nothingt o do with any LST files. Just menus and maybe a look at a help file here and there. So for those not sure what to do in regards to buying something, this is what I use.

Sincerely,

Veander

 

[Jay Lofstead]

Exclusivity of the CMP/WotC deal?

So far, the only information we have heard is that CMP will get the rights to use (sell) the datasets for non-OGL products. Knowing there are other good character generator/maintenance programs out there, are they going to be excluded by this being an exclusive deal? I'd hate to see this be the end to these other programs (as far as the competitive landscape being balanced).

The only other option I see is that all other programs adopt the E-Tools/PCGen data importer so they can get access to the data legally (ugly to say the least).

Does anyone have any knowledge about this angle on the deal? I haven't found anything saying whether or not it is exclusive. Knowing that the other publishers frequent here, I thought this a better place to ask.

 

[Fast Learner]

Re: Exclusivity of the CMP/WotC deal?

The only other option I see is that all other programs adopt the E-Tools/PCGen data importer so they can get access to the data legally (ugly to say the least).

Personally I think this is rather elegant: purchase them from an official source and then import them into whatever program you favor. Since the eTools format will likely be straightforward XML (or should be), the other folks like RPM and such should be able to write importers with reasonable ease.

 

[Hollywood]

Re: Re: Exclusivity of the CMP/WotC deal?

Since the eTools format will likely be straightforward XML (or should be)

Don't be on it.

the other folks like RPM and such should be able to write importers with reasonable ease.

This is not necessarily the case. Sure its pretty easy to import text, but importing the rules and use cases for each new feat, skill, spells, etc. can be difficult. Not to mention, may be against the various licenses.