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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Badwe" data-source="post: 4781372" data-attributes="member: 61762">this looks like a job for XML.in all seriousness, if the character builder could parse xml documents full of feats, powers, classes, etc. and even give them appropriate labels so they can be filtered like real sources, that would be quite handy.  I see the hurdles to be as follows:first, you have to get WotC's attention. seems easy enough as their people sometimes frequent these boards.next, you need to convince them it won't damage their revenue. now this is easy to gloss over by focusing on the upside. if you were to make a case you would need to be extremely paranoid (from their frame of reference) and have solutions for any possible bumps.third, you'd need to make a case that the developer time spent to do this is worthwhile.  That is, there needs to be a clear line from creating this service to increasing profit over time to recoup the investment.  this ties back to number 2: even if better interoperability increases the quality of D&D 4e as a whole, is there a risk that the profits will be realized only by 3pp and perhaps profit will be lost when primary products lose some of their appeal in being so much more "plugged in"? fourth, related to the third, you need to vocalize (prefably with dollars).  There needs to be a tangible group of people who will be increasing their investment in products wotc profits from standing with their dollars ready.  This may be a tough sell, if your 3pp books are more plugged in, will you go out and buy 1pp splat books? maybe miniatures?  Whoever these people are, they need to communicate en masse to WotC saying "I have these dollars in my hand, ready to spend, but the lack of 3pp interoperability is holding me back."Ideally, lowering the dollar amounts related to 2 and 3 will mean a feasible number of people need to emerge for part 4.  The major alternative i see is someone attempting to develop this independantly, but even someone with the time, skill, and will is likely to get mired in legal issues.</blockquote>

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