D&D 5E Really want access to DungeonScape

[transtemporal]

Two things.

1. It was a core constraint by WotC that the tools be designed for tablets first. Tablets are the form factor that works best around a table (laptops take up too much room, and phones are too small).

2. They're lead developer had a background in iOS, it's what they know best. Besides, as anyone who develops for mobile knows, iOS gets about 5 times as much app revenue over Android.


The web and android beta will likely be mere weeks behind the iOS release, and will probably be nearly as polished as the released iOS version.

Lol, those two reasons make me doubt even more.

1) WotC create and publish books. They're undoubtedly good at that but over the years they've proved they're awful at software. They've dragged their feet, they don't understand it. Tablets at a tabletop IS ONE scenario where you might want to use software. Off the top of my head:

In-session - players using tablets, DM using laptop (I have a tablet that I use as reference but its limited so I use a laptop mostly), players remoting via web, DM remoting via web.
Out-of-session - players using web or tablet or laptop to create and maintain characters, DM using web or tablet or laptop to create and maintain campaigns/adventures.

Only ONE of those scenarios is exclusively tablet and they're restricting themselves by starting with iOS.

2) Lead developer knows iOS. FFS. What does revenue have to do with it? Its a niche market product anyway. Or are you trying to say that the appeal of iOS is so fantastic that it'll cause people who wouldn't otherwise play DnD to pick up the iOS version? Nice try buddy.

But you know what, if they pull it off in a few weeks and they bring out web and android, I'll be pleasantly surprised but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Astrosicebear]

I play in a group of five 30 & 40 somethings that all use iPads at the table. They got them specifically for Pathfinder (where they are practically required).

Tablets are now a part of the tabletop landscape, much as minis became for many, and battlemats before that. Not everyone will use them, but those that do want good support and options.

 

[Osgood]

My buddy and I are among the lucky few beta testers, and I can safely say Dungeonscape is pretty sweet. The character creation better than any of the previous electronic tools WotC produced. Since I ma the DM, I haven't had much opportunity to use the character tool in play, but given how much time my players spend thumbing through the book looking up spells and the like I think it will be a godsend.

Personally, I'm more interested in the DM tools which are next in line for development. I'm not a fan of flipping back to the monster section or MM for stats when running an adventure, so being able to tap for that info will make my day. I can't wait for fully integrated party support, where I can send messages, treasure, and the like.

 

[fjw70]

My buddy and I are among the lucky few beta testers, and I can safely say Dungeonscape is pretty sweet. The character creation better than any of the previous electronic tools WotC produced. Since I ma the DM, I haven't had much opportunity to use the character tool in play, but given how much time my players spend thumbing through the book looking up spells and the like I think it will be a godsend.

Personally, I'm more interested in the DM tools which are next in line for development. I'm not a fan of flipping back to the monster section or MM for stats when running an adventure, so being able to tap for that info will make my day. I can't wait for fully integrated party support, where I can send messages, treasure, and the like.

Sounds great. Thanks for posting this.

Earlier this year I started moving away from the 4e tools primarily since they didn't work on my ipad. Well there was a nice compendium app but that was it. Outside of work I rarely use a computer these days. I mostly prep sessions and run games without electronic aids. However, if I can do everything on the ipad then that would be awesome.

i am contemplating not getting the hardcopy MM if I can get the DS Ebook by then. I am sure I will pick it up at some point but if I can get both I just don't think the hardcopy will get much use.

 

[TheSwartz]

http://www.dnddungeonscape.com/dungeonscape-beta-lets/

Today, we are announcing the start of the public DungeonScape beta

We will begin sending out invitations for the WEB BETA starting next week!!

If you’ve already signed up for the beta and selected EITHER WEB OR ANDROID:

• You don’t have to do anything! Even if you signed up for Android, we will be sending you an invitation to the web beta.

If you haven’t signed up for the beta yet:

• Head over to trapdoortechnologies.com/beta to sign up and select web when you are given the choice. If you’d like to use your Android tablet moving forward, that’s fine. Just select Web for now!