Is Wizards saying anything about the Adventure tools - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Is Wizards saying anything about the Adventure tools

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
dad_gum
May 09, 2010 11:54:18 Is Wizards saying anything about the Adventure tools and other software? It's been a while now and I have not seen anything about new releases for Adventure tools and for DM software that was supposed to allow a better visual experience.

Any new news?
#2
Nyarlathotep
May 09, 2010 14:12:34 The closest thing to news is one of the people in charge of it saying somewhere (I forget where) that yes they are working on things besides updates to existing stuff. Other than that, no.
#3
wrecan
May 10, 2010 8:29:53 My guess is a tile manipulator using the Master Set, so you can design encounters on the computer.
#4
The_Jester
May 10, 2010 11:06:46 The rumour and best guess is it's something big, as they've pulled everyone away from updating the Monster Builder (it hasn't received a single major update since release aside from new monsters). It could be a tile mapper, but that seems fairly easy so I'm hoping for a couple related components (tile mapper and encounter designer that pulls monsters and the tile maps into the delve design).
#5
mellored
May 10, 2010 11:47:08 A tile mapper makes sense, but it won't come out till they release the tiles.

The other thing is they need an encounter builder, tied into the monster maker.

Or perhaps they're doing both.
#6
ah_stormbringer
May 10, 2010 15:30:47 Or a campaign builder. that would be awesome.
#7
mellored
May 10, 2010 15:37:15 Campaign builder as in = maps + encounters + monster builder?
#8
marius4
May 12, 2010 22:13:38 I know a map/encounter builder would be so useful (I've just started tinkering with one that a poster linked to & it's great). However, what I really want first is the character visualizer.

I think it's safe to say they are at work on something, at the very least. Dropping everything completely would just be too extreme. Someone suggested they may be doing a once per year tool release.
#9
sfdragon
May 13, 2010 0:39:59
I know a map/encounter builder would be so useful (I've just started tinkering with one that a poster linked to & it's great). However, what I really want first is the character visualizer.

I think it's safe to say they are at work on something, at the very least. Dropping everything completely would just be too extreme. Someone suggested they may be doing a once per year tool release.

+1
#10
ranadiel
May 13, 2010 5:11:05
I know a map/encounter builder would be so useful (I've just started tinkering with one that a poster linked to & it's great). However, what I really want first is the character visualizer.

I think it's safe to say they are at work on something, at the very least. Dropping everything completely would just be too extreme. Someone suggested they may be doing a once per year tool release.

I would not expect the Character Visualizer any time soon. It is the most complicated of the tools(with the possible exception of the Game Table) and it is the one that would have the highest upkeep cost. Creating new 3d options for multiple races every year would eat up a ridiculous amount of amount of their development time.
#11
ah_stormbringer
May 13, 2010 5:55:45 The 3D visualizer is the least useful of all the proposed tools and should be left to last. The other ideas are needed by the comunity much more at the moment.
#12
Style75
May 13, 2010 22:25:30
The 3D visualizer is the least useful of all the proposed tools and should be left to last. The other ideas are needed by the comunity much more at the moment.

This. x10

I can imagine my characters in all their gear far better than WoTC can render them. What I need help with is planning encounters and organising all of the info for my campaigns. Visualizer should be the last tool released, if ever.
#13
presterjohnii
May 13, 2010 23:48:17 The visualizer may be an important part of the virtual tabletop, as it might load the PC's model from the visualizer.

That said, they could just put a few stock models into the vtt to get it out earlier, if they want to do the visualizer last.
#14
Fabio_Milito_Pagliara
May 14, 2010 4:20:02 I would like the virtual tabletop also in 2d or isometric sprites....

it's not a mporg it's a tool to play D&D online who cares of 3d graphic?

what it need to do is: keep all the condition and mark and everything, let the player speak with each other the DM to present monster and other places (for non combat encounters) and so on who cares for 3d modelling?
#15
Neutronium_Dragon
May 14, 2010 4:38:06 3D is useful if you're dealing with an area that has more than one elevation, particularly if it has overlapping sections (like a balcony or bridge where people may be on the ground and on the balcony above it). This could still be done with 3D terrain models and tokens rather than full 3D character models, though.
#16
mellored
May 14, 2010 7:47:18
I would like the virtual tabletop also in 2d or isometric sprites....

Maptools does this pretty well.
#17
Fabio_Milito_Pagliara
May 14, 2010 7:58:18
I would like the virtual tabletop also in 2d or isometric sprites....

Maptools does this pretty well.

I should decide to seriously look into it!
#18
hahntsak7
May 14, 2010 15:52:14 I'd love to see a dungeon creator with insert-able encounters of monsters, traps /hazards, and treasure. for the virtual table top, I don't need the figures to animate [bonus if they do], but they can be virtual minis. a virtual dungeon could hide trap tiles until actually revealed by perception other checks. I could play friends in other cties I used to live near but no longer. DM could send certain pics [flavor info] to players as they approached areas. the character visualizer could be replaced by current status uf character in dungeon module (sheathe the short sword , remove the sling). just a thought IMO.
#19
robthieman
May 14, 2010 22:15:18 Check the developer site for Masterplan. It recently featured an announcement of Version 9 coming down the pipes. Now it says 8.8 will be the last version. Perhaps WoTC purchased it? Let's hope so!
#20
clericgeneric
May 15, 2010 5:43:50 Frankly, I'd be hysterical with glee if they'd just include some way to add templates in the Monster Builder. Personally, I can't think of much that an encounter builder or map maker could do that I can't already do with a Word document and a scrap of paper, respectively, but I'd rather like to be pleasantly surprised.

Some sort of encounter organiser, however, where you could load up monster stats, character sheets, traps/obstacles, etc. into a program that tracks HP, initiative, conditions and all that jazz would be awesome. If you glue that to a map maker/tracker, that would be even more awesome.
#21
grehnhewe
May 15, 2010 13:53:33 I sure would like to see an encounter builder that worked alongside the Monster Builder.

I would also like a skill challenge builder and trap builder.

Some kind of campaign builder might be nice. I don't need it, but it could be fun to try out.
#22
denlo
May 17, 2010 6:46:54
Campaign builder as in = maps + encounters + monster builder?

Hopefully they will also do something where you can view a flowchart of encounters, or some other way to organize your encounters. Also it would be nice for the encounter builder to have not just combat encounters, but also skill challenges and encounters with no skill checks or combat(all talk/description encounters)
#23
Stormdog
May 17, 2010 13:32:44 I just want to see something more...I am very limited in what I can do with mini's and maps. I'm looking forward to the day when I can do a game over the PC.
#24
mellored
May 17, 2010 14:32:37
I just want to see something more...I am very limited in what I can do with mini's and maps. I'm looking forward to the day when I can do a game over the PC.

You can, we do it all the time. We've got a big screen TV setup for the players, and a laptop for the DM.

Works pretty well.
#25
Dungeoneering
May 18, 2010 16:45:09 I seriously think that WotC should just hire the guy who made the DM Battle Screen. That's the encounter builder I would want in a nutshell. The only thing missing is close integration with the compendium.
#26
doctorhook
May 18, 2010 19:21:17
I seriously think that WotC should just hire the guy who made the DM Battle Screen. That's the encounter builder I would want in a nutshell. The only thing missing is close integration with the compendium.

Last week, Masterplan, a free downloadable encounter builder program for 4E which *did have* close integration with the compendium got a cease and desist notice from WotC. Because of the close integration with the compendium.

#27
leozelig
May 18, 2010 20:39:23 I personally would like to see a dungeon builder.

With a character builder, monster builder, and dungeon builder, you have the basic elements for preparing a game.

For a game table, you would want a dice roller, digital miniatures or tokens, and a combat tracker. What else is essential? Chat window, free-hand drawing tool, some means of sharing handouts...

Other features that I would consider "bonus tools" are the character visualizer, encounter builder (already exists), trap builder, skill challenge tracker... of those, the trap builder sounds most useful to me. With the huge database of existing monsters, even the monster builder could be considered a bonus tool.

Integrating a campaign manager into a game table is probably just complicating things. Just thinking in terms of what is truly essential for running an online game.

They seemed so close, it is really perplexing how this still doesn't exist! Those lighting effects and 3d maps are cool though...
#28
doctorhook
May 19, 2010 0:45:18
They seemed so close, it is really perplexing how this still doesn't exist! Those lighting effects and 3d maps are cool though...

So frustrating, non? Honestly though, at this point I couldn't care less about 3D or lighting effects (except for fog of war, mind you). I'd be happy with a top-down 2D program that does what that demo did.

#29
Dungeoneering
May 22, 2010 13:54:10
I seriously think that WotC should just hire the guy who made the DM Battle Screen. That's the encounter builder I would want in a nutshell. The only thing missing is close integration with the compendium.

Last week, Masterplan, a free downloadable encounter builder program for 4E which *did have* close integration with the compendium got a cease and desist notice from WotC. Because of the close integration with the compendium.

I imagine that's why DMBS doesn't have it.
#30
arlough
May 28, 2010 11:35:09
They seemed so close, it is really perplexing how this still doesn't exist! Those lighting effects and 3d maps are cool though...

So frustrating, non? Honestly though, at this point I couldn't care less about 3D or lighting effects (except for fog of war, mind you). I'd be happy with a top-down 2D program that does what that demo did.

Maptools is a great free tool for exactly this. Just look up RPTools.
It has a bit of a learning curve, but the tutorials (user maintained) get you going pretty well. And, it is completely usable over the net.
#31
Dargurd
May 29, 2010 14:07:18 Id love to see the Visualiser finally launched and the one thing i dont get is why WOTC havn't gone down the route of several MMORPGs in this respect. A lot of them have great character visualiser software (EQ2 & DDO) being two of the best. Ive often wondered why WOTC dont talk with those guys and get them to produce the D&D visualiser.

Then again i know nothing of software development and im probably being over simplistic.
#32
thax
May 30, 2010 23:47:28 I really don't understand why the Visualizer isn't out.

I mean, I know the 3d engine that it and the table was gonna use was lost, and the Radient Machine was Jettisoned, so their was a set back.

The thing is, the Visualizer is like a character maker at the beginning of most games nowadays. Fallout 3, for example, has the player choose hair color, style and is able to mess with the facial structure. This should not be hard to do for a simple character portrait for the CB.

My guess is that the wait is concerning the Virtual Table, that it has to be done in conjuntion to it, being a small part of the overall program.

I hope they get a good encounter builder and campaign manager going before this, though. The Table just isn't needed.
#33
ah_stormbringer
May 31, 2010 4:15:43 I agree thaX they need more programs to help the DM and the viualizer can wait until the virtual taptop is ready(if ever). We need more thing that are helpful to the old fashion taptop roleplayer not some videogameish addon.
#34
cerberuspuppy
May 31, 2010 12:36:08 I want the ability to add templates to monsters in the monster builder. I really want an encounter builder though, and some sort of dungeon builder would be awesome.
#35
Stormdog
Jun 21, 2010 12:28:51 Anyone have any new news about this?
#36
Devereaux
Jun 22, 2010 5:51:01
I want the ability to add templates to monsters in the monster builder. I really want an encounter builder though, and some sort of dungeon builder would be awesome.

You might want to check out Masterplan.
#37
gmhack
Jun 22, 2010 21:24:56
I want the ability to add templates to monsters in the monster builder. I really want an encounter builder though, and some sort of dungeon builder would be awesome.

You might want to check out Masterplan.

Too bad they pretty much took the guts out of Masterplan now that it can't get monsters from the compendium. I recognize that it violated copyright and everything, but without it Masterplan just requires more set up work than it is really worth IMO.
#38
Devereaux
Jun 23, 2010 3:26:13 You can however still import creatures from the Adventure Tools suite, and applying templates or themes to creatures is easy, as is building maps with tiles, as the poster above requested.
#39
johnnywizard
Jun 23, 2010 14:00:10 Another vote for RPtools' MapTool and DM Battle Screen.

rptools.net/

dmbattlescreen.com/

I am able to play with my friends back in Wisconsin because of these.

DDI is pretty awesome too though, while not all the tools are there, the Compendium is just great and worth the price of subscription alone, if you ask me!

As a player, RP tools is simple, just "click and join"! As a DM, well, it can be as simple or complex as you'd like ;)

You can literally be up and running on a simple map in under 3 minutes with Maptools. Just drag some cool tokens to the map and you're ready to roll initiative!
#40
mellored
Jun 23, 2010 15:25:16 DMBattleScreen looks nice, i'm gunna have to check that out. Thus far i've just used a few macro's in maptools.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 dad_gum May 09, 2010 11:54:18	Is Wizards saying anything about the Adventure tools and other software? It's been a while now and I have not seen anything about new releases for Adventure tools and for DM software that was supposed to allow a better visual experience. Any new news?
#2 Nyarlathotep May 09, 2010 14:12:34	The closest thing to news is one of the people in charge of it saying somewhere (I forget where) that yes they are working on things besides updates to existing stuff. Other than that, no.
#3 wrecan May 10, 2010 8:29:53	My guess is a tile manipulator using the Master Set, so you can design encounters on the computer.
#4 The_Jester May 10, 2010 11:06:46	The rumour and best guess is it's something big, as they've pulled everyone away from updating the Monster Builder (it hasn't received a single major update since release aside from new monsters). It could be a tile mapper, but that seems fairly easy so I'm hoping for a couple related components (tile mapper and encounter designer that pulls monsters and the tile maps into the delve design).
#5 mellored May 10, 2010 11:47:08	A tile mapper makes sense, but it won't come out till they release the tiles. The other thing is they need an encounter builder, tied into the monster maker. Or perhaps they're doing both.
#6 ah_stormbringer May 10, 2010 15:30:47	Or a campaign builder. that would be awesome.
#7 mellored May 10, 2010 15:37:15	Campaign builder as in = maps + encounters + monster builder?
#8 marius4 May 12, 2010 22:13:38	I know a map/encounter builder would be so useful (I've just started tinkering with one that a poster linked to & it's great). However, what I really want first is the character visualizer. I think it's safe to say they are at work on something, at the very least. Dropping everything completely would just be too extreme. Someone suggested they may be doing a once per year tool release.
#9 sfdragon May 13, 2010 0:39:59	I know a map/encounter builder would be so useful (I've just started tinkering with one that a poster linked to & it's great). However, what I really want first is the character visualizer. I think it's safe to say they are at work on something, at the very least. Dropping everything completely would just be too extreme. Someone suggested they may be doing a once per year tool release. +1
#10 ranadiel May 13, 2010 5:11:05	I know a map/encounter builder would be so useful (I've just started tinkering with one that a poster linked to & it's great). However, what I really want first is the character visualizer. I think it's safe to say they are at work on something, at the very least. Dropping everything completely would just be too extreme. Someone suggested they may be doing a once per year tool release. I would not expect the Character Visualizer any time soon. It is the most complicated of the tools(with the possible exception of the Game Table) and it is the one that would have the highest upkeep cost. Creating new 3d options for multiple races every year would eat up a ridiculous amount of amount of their development time.
#11 ah_stormbringer May 13, 2010 5:55:45	The 3D visualizer is the least useful of all the proposed tools and should be left to last. The other ideas are needed by the comunity much more at the moment.
#12 Style75 May 13, 2010 22:25:30	The 3D visualizer is the least useful of all the proposed tools and should be left to last. The other ideas are needed by the comunity much more at the moment. This. x10 I can imagine my characters in all their gear far better than WoTC can render them. What I need help with is planning encounters and organising all of the info for my campaigns. Visualizer should be the last tool released, if ever.
#13 presterjohnii May 13, 2010 23:48:17	The visualizer may be an important part of the virtual tabletop, as it might load the PC's model from the visualizer. That said, they could just put a few stock models into the vtt to get it out earlier, if they want to do the visualizer last.
#14 Fabio_Milito_Pagliara May 14, 2010 4:20:02	I would like the virtual tabletop also in 2d or isometric sprites.... it's not a mporg it's a tool to play D&D online who cares of 3d graphic? what it need to do is: keep all the condition and mark and everything, let the player speak with each other the DM to present monster and other places (for non combat encounters) and so on who cares for 3d modelling?
#15 Neutronium_Dragon May 14, 2010 4:38:06	3D is useful if you're dealing with an area that has more than one elevation, particularly if it has overlapping sections (like a balcony or bridge where people may be on the ground and on the balcony above it). This could still be done with 3D terrain models and tokens rather than full 3D character models, though.
#16 mellored May 14, 2010 7:47:18	I would like the virtual tabletop also in 2d or isometric sprites.... Maptools does this pretty well.
#17 Fabio_Milito_Pagliara May 14, 2010 7:58:18	I would like the virtual tabletop also in 2d or isometric sprites.... Maptools does this pretty well. I should decide to seriously look into it!
#18 hahntsak7 May 14, 2010 15:52:14	I'd love to see a dungeon creator with insert-able encounters of monsters, traps /hazards, and treasure. for the virtual table top, I don't need the figures to animate [bonus if they do], but they can be virtual minis. a virtual dungeon could hide trap tiles until actually revealed by perception other checks. I could play friends in other cties I used to live near but no longer. DM could send certain pics [flavor info] to players as they approached areas. the character visualizer could be replaced by current status uf character in dungeon module (sheathe the short sword , remove the sling). just a thought IMO.
#19 robthieman May 14, 2010 22:15:18	Check the developer site for Masterplan. It recently featured an announcement of Version 9 coming down the pipes. Now it says 8.8 will be the last version. Perhaps WoTC purchased it? Let's hope so!
#20 clericgeneric May 15, 2010 5:43:50	Frankly, I'd be hysterical with glee if they'd just include some way to add templates in the Monster Builder. Personally, I can't think of much that an encounter builder or map maker could do that I can't already do with a Word document and a scrap of paper, respectively, but I'd rather like to be pleasantly surprised. Some sort of encounter organiser, however, where you could load up monster stats, character sheets, traps/obstacles, etc. into a program that tracks HP, initiative, conditions and all that jazz would be awesome. If you glue that to a map maker/tracker, that would be even more awesome.
#21 grehnhewe May 15, 2010 13:53:33	I sure would like to see an encounter builder that worked alongside the Monster Builder. I would also like a skill challenge builder and trap builder. Some kind of campaign builder might be nice. I don't need it, but it could be fun to try out.
#22 denlo May 17, 2010 6:46:54	Campaign builder as in = maps + encounters + monster builder? Hopefully they will also do something where you can view a flowchart of encounters, or some other way to organize your encounters. Also it would be nice for the encounter builder to have not just combat encounters, but also skill challenges and encounters with no skill checks or combat(all talk/description encounters)
#23 Stormdog May 17, 2010 13:32:44	I just want to see something more...I am very limited in what I can do with mini's and maps. I'm looking forward to the day when I can do a game over the PC.
#24 mellored May 17, 2010 14:32:37	I just want to see something more...I am very limited in what I can do with mini's and maps. I'm looking forward to the day when I can do a game over the PC. You can, we do it all the time. We've got a big screen TV setup for the players, and a laptop for the DM. Works pretty well.
#25 Dungeoneering May 18, 2010 16:45:09	I seriously think that WotC should just hire the guy who made the DM Battle Screen. That's the encounter builder I would want in a nutshell. The only thing missing is close integration with the compendium.
#26 doctorhook May 18, 2010 19:21:17	I seriously think that WotC should just hire the guy who made the DM Battle Screen. That's the encounter builder I would want in a nutshell. The only thing missing is close integration with the compendium. Last week, Masterplan, a free downloadable encounter builder program for 4E which did have close integration with the compendium got a cease and desist notice from WotC. Because of the close integration with the compendium.
#27 leozelig May 18, 2010 20:39:23	I personally would like to see a dungeon builder. With a character builder, monster builder, and dungeon builder, you have the basic elements for preparing a game. For a game table, you would want a dice roller, digital miniatures or tokens, and a combat tracker. What else is essential? Chat window, free-hand drawing tool, some means of sharing handouts... Other features that I would consider "bonus tools" are the character visualizer, encounter builder (already exists), trap builder, skill challenge tracker... of those, the trap builder sounds most useful to me. With the huge database of existing monsters, even the monster builder could be considered a bonus tool. Integrating a campaign manager into a game table is probably just complicating things. Just thinking in terms of what is truly essential for running an online game. They seemed so close, it is really perplexing how this still doesn't exist! Those lighting effects and 3d maps are cool though...
#28 doctorhook May 19, 2010 0:45:18	They seemed so close, it is really perplexing how this still doesn't exist! Those lighting effects and 3d maps are cool though... So frustrating, non? Honestly though, at this point I couldn't care less about 3D or lighting effects (except for fog of war, mind you). I'd be happy with a top-down 2D program that does what that demo did.
#29 Dungeoneering May 22, 2010 13:54:10	I seriously think that WotC should just hire the guy who made the DM Battle Screen. That's the encounter builder I would want in a nutshell. The only thing missing is close integration with the compendium. Last week, Masterplan, a free downloadable encounter builder program for 4E which did have close integration with the compendium got a cease and desist notice from WotC. Because of the close integration with the compendium. I imagine that's why DMBS doesn't have it.
#30 arlough May 28, 2010 11:35:09	They seemed so close, it is really perplexing how this still doesn't exist! Those lighting effects and 3d maps are cool though... So frustrating, non? Honestly though, at this point I couldn't care less about 3D or lighting effects (except for fog of war, mind you). I'd be happy with a top-down 2D program that does what that demo did. Maptools is a great free tool for exactly this. Just look up RPTools. It has a bit of a learning curve, but the tutorials (user maintained) get you going pretty well. And, it is completely usable over the net.
#31 Dargurd May 29, 2010 14:07:18	Id love to see the Visualiser finally launched and the one thing i dont get is why WOTC havn't gone down the route of several MMORPGs in this respect. A lot of them have great character visualiser software (EQ2 & DDO) being two of the best. Ive often wondered why WOTC dont talk with those guys and get them to produce the D&D visualiser. Then again i know nothing of software development and im probably being over simplistic.
#32 thax May 30, 2010 23:47:28	I really don't understand why the Visualizer isn't out. I mean, I know the 3d engine that it and the table was gonna use was lost, and the Radient Machine was Jettisoned, so their was a set back. The thing is, the Visualizer is like a character maker at the beginning of most games nowadays. Fallout 3, for example, has the player choose hair color, style and is able to mess with the facial structure. This should not be hard to do for a simple character portrait for the CB. My guess is that the wait is concerning the Virtual Table, that it has to be done in conjuntion to it, being a small part of the overall program. I hope they get a good encounter builder and campaign manager going before this, though. The Table just isn't needed.
#33 ah_stormbringer May 31, 2010 4:15:43	I agree thaX they need more programs to help the DM and the viualizer can wait until the virtual taptop is ready(if ever). We need more thing that are helpful to the old fashion taptop roleplayer not some videogameish addon.
#34 cerberuspuppy May 31, 2010 12:36:08	I want the ability to add templates to monsters in the monster builder. I really want an encounter builder though, and some sort of dungeon builder would be awesome.
#35 Stormdog Jun 21, 2010 12:28:51	Anyone have any new news about this?
#36 Devereaux Jun 22, 2010 5:51:01	I want the ability to add templates to monsters in the monster builder. I really want an encounter builder though, and some sort of dungeon builder would be awesome. You might want to check out Masterplan.
#37 gmhack Jun 22, 2010 21:24:56	I want the ability to add templates to monsters in the monster builder. I really want an encounter builder though, and some sort of dungeon builder would be awesome. You might want to check out Masterplan. Too bad they pretty much took the guts out of Masterplan now that it can't get monsters from the compendium. I recognize that it violated copyright and everything, but without it Masterplan just requires more set up work than it is really worth IMO.
#38 Devereaux Jun 23, 2010 3:26:13	You can however still import creatures from the Adventure Tools suite, and applying templates or themes to creatures is easy, as is building maps with tiles, as the poster above requested.
#39 johnnywizard Jun 23, 2010 14:00:10	Another vote for RPtools' MapTool and DM Battle Screen. rptools.net/ dmbattlescreen.com/ I am able to play with my friends back in Wisconsin because of these. DDI is pretty awesome too though, while not all the tools are there, the Compendium is just great and worth the price of subscription alone, if you ask me! As a player, RP tools is simple, just "click and join"! As a DM, well, it can be as simple or complex as you'd like ;) You can literally be up and running on a simple map in under 3 minutes with Maptools. Just drag some cool tokens to the map and you're ready to roll initiative!
#40 mellored Jun 23, 2010 15:25:16	DMBattleScreen looks nice, i'm gunna have to check that out. Thus far i've just used a few macro's in maptools.