XML and character sheets

[Matthias]

I'd like to know whether it would be possible, practical, or even useful to use XML to define a standard format for electronic character sheet documents (such as for a character generator application). Each game system would need its own version...Pathfinder, D&D 4E, d20 Modern, etc could each have their own namespaces or DTDs/schemas?

 

[Stormonu]

Yes, it's possible - I have a couple older programs already that output (or accept input from) XML format stat blocks/characters (e-tools, RPGXplorer, dunjinni, fantasy grounds - I think the original DDI character builder did too).

However, I don't think they're standardized - each uses their own schema.

 

[Lalato]

The online Character Builder also uses XML. You can export your character from the CB and import the resulting XML file to iPlay4e's site.

 

[Tistur]

I'd like to know whether it would be possible, practical, or even useful to use XML to define a standard format for electronic character sheet documents (such as for a character generator application). Each game system would need its own version...Pathfinder, D&D 4E, d20 Modern, etc could each have their own namespaces or DTDs/schemas?

I wrote up a schema and some classes for d20 Modern a few years ago. It didn't cover everything, but between my class documents and the PC-Gen output I was able to write some XSL-FO that output a nice sheet with explanations of all the class abilities.

So it's definitely possible, and possibly practical.