If they are suggestions for features for the Character Builder, they go here.
If you have suggestions for things to put in the FAQ, post here.
I have a couple.
1) How do I get into the Beta?
At this time the Character Builder is about to enter the Closed Beta stage. In this stage, only friends and family of WotC employees, DDI subscribers, and people who had previously signed up to beta test at DDXP 2008 are going to be included in the test.
This is standard practice for software Beta-testing, as it opens up the application to a lot more people, while still maintaining tighter control over who is testing. This usually leads to more feedback - as the people testing are people who have a strong interest in both the product being tested, as well as the testing process itself. Open Beta testing is all too often seen as an "early demo" of the software and tends to generate a far smaller percentage of feedback.
The Closed Beta process is expected to take a month, at which case the Character Builder will be moved into an Open Beta phase. Once Open Beta begins, anyone and everyone will be able to test the software.
2) Are there any limitations on the Beta version of the software?
Yes, the Beta will only allow for the generation of characters from level 1 to level 3. This is true for both Open and Closed beta, as well the Demo software once the buider has "gone gold" for full release.
DDI Subscribers will be able to make characters from level 1 to level 30 when the Builder is in full release.
You may want to break the "Closed Beta" vs "Open Beta" paragraph into another question "What is a Closed Beta?" or some such.
Your call, MB
Link to Character Builder Beta on WotC website:
[noparse]http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4dnd/20081105b[/noparse]
I think it would be best to have, just before your point #1, an expected timeline. Then, just below, we go into Closed Beta, Open Beta and the differences between the two.
Google for RedBlade to find a decent 3.5 char builder.
I'll survive...
That would be all, but I should probably say something productive...
I was trying to find out if I could put the Beta on multiple computers earlier today; I searched with google and I searched the forums. Both turned up blank; there were a few threads, but I didn't see any official answers.
Thanks,
Hdier
EDIT: Yes, I realize that your avatar has probably been changed for a while now, but I haven't been on the D&Di section recently.
I was trying to find out if I could put the Beta on multiple computers earlier today
There will not be restrictions on the number of the computers you can install the Beta of the Character Builder demo version on.
Thanks,
Hdier
You can roll, you can choose an array, you can point buy, you can just pick any stats you want. Whatever you like.
Having the ability to run it off of a portable drive would be fantastic but not a deal breaker or anything.
Can the Character Builder be installed on (and subsequently run from) a C3 capable device, i.e. a thumb drive?
Having the ability to run it off of a portable drive would be fantastic but not a deal breaker or anything.
one of the devs confirmed this, the beta installer doesn't ask where the install goes, but the full version does. so for the beta, just drag the program from your install location, onto the desired medium.
What books are included in the character builder?
Will the Beta be updated during the testing period (I guess to include improvements, or additional features to test.. ect)
Keep in mind that your characters go to the My Documents folder.
Is there functionality to change this? Personally I would like my save directory to not be My Documents due to the amount of stuff already in there. Any chance of a tiny dropdown or dialog box to change this as an option?
You can choose where to save a character to, it doesn't have to be there.
i.e. For a 26 point character build, roll your stats and then adjust them until your points available number reads -4.
All kinds of character creation methods are supported.
You can roll, you can choose an array, you can point buy, you can just pick any stats you want. Whatever you like.
The beta version only seems to allow the first three (unless I'm missing something).
A good question would be something along the lines of..
What books are included in the character builder?
You can check the books included in the Finish tab, using the button named Restrictions. Once the full version is out, we will keep the Character Builder updated on a monthly base, with the latest books and Dragon and Dungeon Magazines.
Will the Beta be updated during the testing period (I guess to include improvements, or additional features to test.. ect)
Our focus is on the full commercial version. We may do *some* improvements based on your feedback during the closed Beta for the Open Beta.
The beta version only seems to allow the first three (unless I'm missing something).
You can choose custom stats by typing in the white boxes. The boxes on the right, not the ones on the left.
You can choose custom stats by typing in the white boxes. The boxes on the right, not the ones on the left.
Well color me stupid.
PEBCAK @ me.
Our focus is on the full commercial version. We may do *some* improvements based on your feedback during the closed Beta for the Open Beta.
Why not release nightly builds? That way we can give instant feedback...
- Is there a best-guess of when the full version will arrive? Dec, Jan, Feb?
- Is there any easy way to electronically share character sheets with others (besides sending the DDI file from My Documents), such as creating a PDF file?
- Will there be a way to save characters online in the full version, so that the DM and others can see?
You can choose custom stats by typing in the white boxes. The boxes on the right, not the ones on the left.
Many Thanks.
- Is there a best-guess of when the full version will arrive? Dec, Jan, Feb?
- Is there any easy way to electronically share character sheets with others (besides sending the DDI file from My Documents), such as creating a PDF file?
- Will there be a way to save characters online in the full version, so that the DM and others can see?
1. Not december. Sometime soon after that though.
2. Sending them the character file or printing to a PDF printer are the two best options for beta. For full version we are working on a text format but it will be limited in some way. I don't know exactly what its limitations will be right now.
3. There are not current plans to save characters to an online server. Just emailing them around is your best bet right now.
Why not release nightly builds? That way we can give instant feedback...
We have enough feedback to keep us busy for several days now thanks :P
- Will there be a way to save characters online in the full version, so that the DM and others can see?
character sheets are xml based, so it is very easy for 3rd parties to do things like SMF plugins, or other forum plugins that parse .dnd4e files. Open them up and ahve a look the saves are plaintext.
1. Not december. Sometime soon after that though.
2. Sending them the character file or printing to a PDF printer are the two best options for beta. For full version we are working on a text format but it will be limited in some way. I don't know exactly what its limitations will be right now.
3. There are not current plans to save characters to an online server. Just emailing them around is your best bet right now.
Thanks for the rapid response! With the hope of the full version here by January, I'll advise my players to start using the Beta. We won't get to 4th level until mid-January anyway.
this - > http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1111870< - "Equip" Ranged Weapon
Under Technical Support and Troubleshooting:
"If you are running Windows Vista or Windows 7, and encounter an error while trying to run the Character Builder, or if the Character Builder locks up while trying to update, you may need to follow these steps to correct the problem:
1. Uninstall the Character Builder.
2. Go to Microsoft.com, download, and install .NET 3.5 SP 1
3. Install .NET 3.5 SP1. Even if Windows claims you already have it, try to install it anyway.
4. Reboot. Regardless of whether the .NET update looked like it installed or not.
5. Reinstall the Character Builder.
6. Update the Character Builder."
I don't see the Report a Bug icon any more.
The thing that I was suffering was my Bard having too much stuff in her Class/Path/Destinies panel... Once a section exceeds the space allocated to its panel, it 'snaps' back to giving each entry only a single line which truncates, ironically before the useful part of the text, of course.
This is probably Feature rather than Bug, but it's confusing enough to warrant a FAQ entry.
All you have to do (once I eventually found out this was the cause of my problems) is to use the Character Sheet view's Options > Unlock Panels, and make yourself some more space. The content snaps back to its full glory! (And then you can go back and re-edit all the desperate abbreviations you thought you were being forced to use...)
Cheers!
--Os.