"What exactly would this viewer do?" I hear you ask me, well quite simply just that, view character sheets. I think it would be important to have it have access to the marketplace, as finding items and buying/selling during a game session is common, and an XP tracker, but otherwise the only thing it does is let you view a character that was already built online.
Just a thought.
xp tracker and marketplace I would argue are not needed for most game play in a temporary viewer.
most gms (but not all) award xp at the end of sessions or adventures, and exp tracking only matters if you are planning on leveling mid session, which would require the full builder anyways.
Simmilliarly most games (again just most) try desperately to avoid mid game shopping sprees, excluding specific emergency mission specific purchases. In genral in game purchases are avoided by many groups, as they are generally disruptive to game play, and time management.
though I do understand some people's love of tracking their character on a computer system, and a viewer that allowed one to track hp, surges, psi-powerpoints, and ammunition etc might be nice.
I don't think protraits are ever going to happen. Too many storage/copyright/virus issues to deal with. What I think they could do (though I have no idea if this would ever be in the cards) would be to create a local app that you exported your PC into (or that synced with the cloud) that would allow you run your PC iplay4e style, add a portrait, keep a journal, track changes, etc, that could run without internet access. Any additions to gold would change your cloud based PC, though you could only buy and sell through the online CB. I think that could be very happy mid way point. I doubt it will ever happen. The best we can hope for, I think, on the portrait front will be for a blank option, that you can then add your portrait into the PDF on the user's side.
They'll probably put that in place right after the virtual tabletop....
So I can expect my local app for pc management sometime second quarter 2011 then?
Jeez who wrote this program...and have they ever played or heard of D&D before this.
Ok that last part was definitely me being a spoiled brat but it felt good.
Print to pdf, or image file and you have an offline character viewer.
xp tracker and marketplace I would argue are not needed for most game play in a temporary viewer.
most gms (but not all) award xp at the end of sessions or adventures, and exp tracking only matters if you are planning on leveling mid session, which would require the full builder anyways.
Simmilliarly most games (again just most) try desperately to avoid mid game shopping sprees, excluding specific emergency mission specific purchases. In genral in game purchases are avoided by many groups, as they are generally disruptive to game play, and time management.
though I do understand some people's love of tracking their character on a computer system, and a viewer that allowed one to track hp, surges, psi-powerpoints, and ammunition etc might be nice.
I won't disagree that shopping mid-game is unusual and a time sink, but it is not uncommon to find magic items while exploring or as a quest reward. So having access to the marketplace for that would be nice.
There is no reason that they could not configure the CB to link to an image stored on your hard drive to place and scale into the existing character portrait section. It was a bit short-sighted not to do so to begin with. Nothing has to go to the Cloud or be uploaded in any capacity.
Except then you lose most of the benefits of storing this stuff on the cloud. I won't be able to access the entire character from a different pc. (I have visions of red "x"s). Sure there can be a default pic but then what's the point of a custom pic?
Except then you lose most of the benefits of storing this stuff on the cloud. I won't be able to access the entire character from a different pc. (I have visions of red "x"s). Sure there can be a default pic but then what's the point of a custom pic?
It's most certainly better than no custom pic at all. It's pretty simple to get a pic mobile, too. Thumb drive, email, phone, etc. People were getting their entire characters around fine before the new CB.
Sure there can be a default pic but then what's the point of a custom pic?
I'm just in the process to get a custom pic drawn for the character of my wife. A character can be more as just numbers - this one should represent the character as she envisions it and is planned as a gift.
Functional benefit - zero.
Emotional benefit - can't be expressed in dollars
Some players actually form a bond with their character and get attached to them. For them it makes a huge difference if they can add a custom picture or not.
It's the same as playing with a nicely painted miniature. A preprinted plastic will do for many players and is even more practical as paint doesn't chip as easily or a metal mini might get bend. Still there is a huge market out for character minis.
Thod
I am starting to think that the people who built the OCB don't actually "play" D&D...
Sadly... I think we level up tonite and I am not sure what I am going to do /vent
I just don't understand the need to removed the desktop CB. I hate everything being moved to the web. Not everyone has great internet access. What happens when you have slow internet? why does my private character information need to be on wotc servers? I think that is wrong. why is it corporations feel the need to screw up good things? Just my 2 cents
Except then you lose most of the benefits of storing this stuff on the cloud. I won't be able to access the entire character from a different pc. (I have visions of red "x"s). Sure there can be a default pic but then what's the point of a custom pic?
It's most certainly better than no custom pic at all. It's pretty simple to get a pic mobile, too. Thumb drive, email, phone, etc. People were getting their entire characters around fine before the new CB.
I actually think that they should just allow people to upload their own character portraits. They already do for these boards (for instance) without much trouble. I'm sure they can use the typical means of scanning for malicious code and the usual means of moderation when (if) they allow sharing (I am aware that there are a lot of people in internet land that are obsessed with certain parts of their anatomy).
why does my private character information need to be on wotc servers?
This is a sentiment I just flat out don't understand. Are you planning on making a profit from your character somehow? If so, would you be willing to share how that's possible? (I'm a bit strapped for cash and I could pump out a few fighters). Are you creating characters that are somehow embarrasing? Do they contain your social security number or home address?
I'm just completely at a loss. Maybe you can explain it? Or is it just garden variety paranoia?
I actually think that they should just allow people to upload their own character portraits. They already do for these boards (for instance) without much trouble. I'm sure they can use the typical means of scanning for malicious code and the usual means of moderation when (if) they allow sharing (I am aware that there are a lot of people in internet land that are obsessed with certain parts of their anatomy).
I don't disagree, but the fact that there is no option is what is befuddling.
Well, all things considered, it's not really befuddling, but it is.