The Skinny on Adventure Tools?

[Dannager]

Then why do "they" (Wotc-Trevor eg) keep insisting, as recently as a couple months ago on the official forums, that this is all being worked on? I think we suspect the truth, but I just wish they would come out with it and give it over to licensed open-source or out-sourced development.

Because it probably is all being worked on.

Unfortunately, the gaming community shot itself in the foot on this topic a year and a half ago.

Clearly, development is taking quite some time (as I imagine it would, with an understaffed team). But that doesn't mean it's not happening. What it does mean is that the DDI team isn't going to tell us anything until they're absolutely sure that it's coming out in the near future, because the gaming community demonstrated previously that it is unable to handle in a reasonable manner the delay of a software product (something that happens pretty frequently in the software development business) that they aren't even paying for yet. Because of the (I would argue) crazy over-the-top outcry the initial delay caused on the various internets, WotC switched to a policy of not talking about it until it's definitely going to happen (a policy shared by quite a lot of software development groups).

 

[doctorhook]

Unfortunately, the gaming community shot itself in the foot on this topic a year and a half ago.

Forgive the question, but can you clarify what you mean? For those of us who aren't sure what you're referring to, I mean.

 

[Dannager]

Forgive the question, but can you clarify what you mean? For those of us who aren't sure what you're referring to, I mean.

The public (read: internet forums and blogging community) outcry at the delay of the promised software suite for 4e at its release resulted in WotC becoming a lot more conservative in its announcements - they no longer speculate on or discuss openly possible projects, or projects that are merely "in the works". Only projects that will definitely see release are discussed for fear of provoking another, similar backlash. This has, of course, had the side effect of preventing those who would like previews of what might be in the works from hearing anything. I'm sure there are a number of people who were part of this initial backlash, and are also asking out loud why they haven't heard anything about new projects. The response is, of course, that you can't have it both ways - if you blow up at a company for a delay, don't expect them to be especially willing to hand you information on an incomplete product that might simply lead to you blowing up at them again if it doesn't come out in a timely manner.

 

[davethegame]

Even so, I think most of us here with jobs have had to take over projects from others. It can be difficult, but not impossible, and something should be accomplished by now.

This is not a rant. My dream answer goes like this:

"Dave Chalker: OK, I've made some calls and done some interviews and talked to some sources, and you can read the inside scoop at Critical-Hits.com

Me: I bet this is a good story. Maybe there's hope for new tools after all."

It's a call for the real story rather than a complaint about the perceived situation.

Heh. I honestly got a kick out of that imaginary conversation

So here's what I can tell you (and unfortunately, it's not much)...

Chris Champagne is the Studio Manager of DDI, and a fairly recent hire (sometime late last summer). Under his watch especially, they're in the mode of not promising anything until it's ready to roll out to try and avoid all the vaporware early DDI stuff. I get the sense this is why we haven't heard any updates at all: they've swung completely the other direction as far as transparency goes. That means even I haven't heard what's they're working on.

From other sources, I know that the digital team has been cut to the bone, so while they'd like to be working on other things, a considerable amount of their time is taken up with bug fixing (CB especially) and keeping up with the new releases.

Finally, there are projects that have been rumored for a while that are in that nebulous area of "they're working on it but not ready to announce yet" like an Encounter Builder and a Mac version of Character Builder. Like all the early stuff, that just means they've done some work on it, no guarantee that we'll ever see it.

I wish it were as easy as sending some emails, but that first bit of info is the biggest factor in no news- they've really clamped down on what they're allowed to say. I'm hoping once they are getting ready to launch a new product, I'm the one to get the scoop early.

(And I really hope for my own use that they come out with more tools soon... I'm on a Mac running VMWare just to run the DDI software, and WAS using Masterplan to make and print my encounters...)

 

[Zaukrie]

It would be great to start with making the monster builder use the new stat block....and then the other stuff....That tool alone has been worth the DDI money to me.

 

[Talysian]

If the Monster Builder could handle traps, Templates, themes and print more then one monster at a time. I would be quite content with what we have. I do not need any more then that. I can calculate xp in my head. A dungeonbuilder would be nice, but frankly Dungjinni and FantasyGrounds is far superior to anything I think wizards would ever put out.

 

[Ferghis]

... Dungjinni and FantasyGrounds is far superior to anything I think wizards would ever put out.

At this juncture, I'm a bit irritated that they're preventing others from doing the job while not showing any progress. There's a bit of a use it or lose it reaction in my corner. And I'm not saying this as a legal analysis. Just my reaction.

 

[Talysian]

I'm on the same page, sadly from a legal standpoint they are holding all the cards so to speak. Trust me I as much as the rest of the world wished they would have delivered on their full promise.

 

[Jack99]

You keep comparing Iplay4e and Master Plan to what WotC is doing. You shouldn't. If WotC had released either, there would have been a massive uproar over people having to pay for crap programs.

Look, I am not saying either program is bad. Just that if they had been made by WotC, they would be considered so. We expect more. Especially after the CB and the MB.

 

[Talysian]

Actually, for what I pay monthly, MP would be awesome.. iplay4e not so much... but then again... I'm never on that side of the screen.