Character Builder Update (Feb 2009) - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Character Builder Update (Feb 2009)

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
mudbunny
Feb 20, 2009 12:26:17 Character Builder Update (Feb 2009)
by Didier Monin

Character Builder Updates

Just as we announced updates to the Compendium last week, we’ve also been hard at work on the Character Builder. When you update your Character Builder this month to get the latest powers and feats, you’ll get all the latest fixes and improvements as well. Here’s a summary of what went into this month’s Character Builder update.
#2
kizan6
Feb 20, 2009 13:10:16 When do the updates go live? The article http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4news/20090219 is written in past tense, but my client doesn't find any updates.

Thanx,

Kizan
#3
mudbunny
Feb 20, 2009 13:24:06 They go live on the 4th tuesday of the month.
#4
Orbin
Feb 20, 2009 13:46:12 never mind... haven't had my cofee yet

Orbin
#5
yayitsandrew
Feb 20, 2009 13:56:32 The article brushes over the full list of miscellaneous bug fixes saying we can read them when the patch comes out. I understand that the list would ruin the effectiveness of the article on the main page, but could you post that bug fix list here on the forums for those that are interested?

Miscellaneous Fixes and Updates

When you download the update, you’ll also be able to read the final Patch Notes with all of the miscellaneous bug fixes and more minor updates.

#6
akodoreign
Feb 20, 2009 14:01:33
The article brushes over the full list of miscellaneous bug fixes saying we can read them when the patch comes out. I understand that the list would ruin the effectiveness of the article on the main page, but could you post that bug fix list here on the forums for those that are interested?

Agreed. would love to know the full patch notes. :D
#7
mudbunny
Feb 20, 2009 14:50:23 I will see if I can drag it out of WotC.
#8
wotc_dm
Feb 21, 2009 13:01:31 We plan to have the patch notes available from within the application, naturally, as well as from the Character Builder FAQ page.

We will also update the known issues list once we get our February update released (including the title of the page, as this list of known issues does not apply to the Beta, but to the full application).

One thing I want to mention is that our rule engine currently only handles attack and damage display on the power cards.
Other aspects of the power cards are not calculated (like range extension, interaction of feats with powers, teleport distance and so on..), and these issues are reported as bugs.
This is in our list of things to do, but these are not bugs that can be fixed over a one month time. Some of the known issues can linger for some time as we improve the existing rule engine to support these new features.

We want to make sure this update and the March update (with the Player's Handbook 2 content) go smoothly. This, with the Compendium update, is our main focus for now.

In the future we will do a better job at announcing in the preview news article the exact date when updates will be delivered. Our plans are targeting the 4th Tuesday of the month for both Compendium and Character Builder updates, and for February, this is February 24th. There is no specific hour. We are working on Pacific time and we plan to deploy the updates before the end of the day.
#9
elwyndas
Feb 21, 2009 13:48:49 Sounds good! The CB is great.
#10
VerysArkon
Feb 23, 2009 10:36:27 I love these News updates - this is the kind of thing I was actually expecting from Bills old DDI news article (RIP).

Keep up the good work!
Verys
#11
wotc_dm
Feb 24, 2009 0:44:21
I love these News updates - this is the kind of thing I was actually expecting from Bills old DDI news article (RIP).

Keep up the good work!
Verys

Bill was in a very difficult position with this D&D Insider news.

First he does have to write other columns and is responsible for a whole department including things as varied as R&D design and books.

Second, because the column he inherited was initially done for a much larger scope, not just D&D Insider, weekly updates done previously could touch on various parts of the whole Gleemax project, including D&D Insider. With Gleemax gone, and the scope of our work (thankfully) reduced to more reasonable levels, getting out a weekly update was also running out of crunchy things to talk about.

I want to make sure nobody shoots the messenger here. I am just inheriting a better situation than Bill did, because of the decision to not do weekly communication on D&D Insider anymore.

We will provide updates when we have something to say. We are working to get our processes more mature and make sure we are hitting our important releases dates. We plan to get February update (tommorrow) and then March out (3/24) on schedule, but we still have to keep very focused to get this done, and our messages will remain focused on things at hand for now.
#12
klaustheprince
Feb 24, 2009 6:42:00 So, where's the update? I just opened CB and it said there was noone available.
#13
guest884207095
Feb 24, 2009 7:15:41 They said before COB Pacific time for the update, so I'd wait till this evening to worry about the timing or if your update feature is working.
#14
GreenKnight
Feb 24, 2009 10:27:45 So what time are we looking at, whether it's PST, EST, etc?
#15
festivus
Feb 24, 2009 10:30:22 COB (Close of Business) is typically 5pm. Since they are West coast I'd presume Pacific time.
#16
Mock
Feb 24, 2009 10:59:01 I wish they'd release the patch list on the web (if they haven't; I didn't see it earlier).

I can wait on the actual update since by some quirk of fate none of my characters have any of the bugs, but I'm curious to know which of the...several...bugs they got fixed in this cycle.
#17
mudbunny
Feb 24, 2009 11:22:02 I have been told that the patch list will be provided when it is updated. As soon as I find out, I will post a sticky pointing tot he patch list.
#18
GreenKnight
Feb 24, 2009 11:32:02
COB (Close of Business) is typically 5pm. Since they are West coast I'd presume Pacific time.

So likely 8pm EST, then. Thanks.
#19
VerysArkon
Feb 24, 2009 11:59:05
Bill was in a very difficult position with this D&D Insider news.

First he does have to write other columns and is responsible for a whole department including things as varied as R&D design and books.

Second, because the column he inherited was initially done for a much larger scope, not just D&D Insider, weekly updates done previously could touch on various parts of the whole Gleemax project, including D&D Insider. With Gleemax gone, and the scope of our work (thankfully) reduced to more reasonable levels, getting out a weekly update was also running out of crunchy things to talk about.

I want to make sure nobody shoots the messenger here. I am just inheriting a better situation than Bill did, because of the decision to not do weekly communication on D&D Insider anymore.

We will provide updates when we have something to say. We are working to get our processes more mature and make sure we are hitting our important releases dates. We plan to get February update (tommorrow) and then March out (3/24) on schedule, but we still have to keep very focused to get this done, and our messages will remain focused on things at hand for now.

I can appreciate the predicament Bill was in - he has a lot on his plate, which caused him to wander away from DDI specific news. I think closing down the weekly column, and focusing on the irregular, but frequent, News Updates was the right move. Instead of generating "filler" for the column (which was met with ... disapproval), these recent News updates have been focused, on-topic, and full of technical detail.

This also lets Bill focus his Ampersand article without treading over the same ground twice (or cut-and-paste!).

I, and many others on the forums I suspect, really appreciate the news updates. Thank-you for keeping the lines of communication open and flowing.
#20
Undrhil
Feb 24, 2009 12:04:09
So likely 8pm EST, then. Thanks.

See. I have a problem with Close of Business. What might that problem be? If there is something wrong with the update (like it breaks the character builder completely) then everyone who updates it is SoL until tomorrow. It's better to do updates first thing in the morning so you have a lead time of getting updates downloaded to make sure everything is going to go smoothly.

Doing the update at close of business just seems to be asking for problems.
#21
Mock
Feb 24, 2009 12:13:03
I have been told that the patch list will be provided when it is updated. As soon as I find out, I will post a sticky pointing tot he patch list.

Hm. I had the impression that the patch list would be part of the program (in that newsbar whatever on the splash screen). Doesn't seem like there's a need for a post about it if that's the case.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mudbunny Feb 20, 2009 12:26:17	Character Builder Update (Feb 2009) by Didier Monin Character Builder Updates Just as we announced updates to the Compendium last week, we’ve also been hard at work on the Character Builder. When you update your Character Builder this month to get the latest powers and feats, you’ll get all the latest fixes and improvements as well. Here’s a summary of what went into this month’s Character Builder update.
#2 kizan6 Feb 20, 2009 13:10:16	When do the updates go live? The article http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4news/20090219 is written in past tense, but my client doesn't find any updates. Thanx, Kizan
#3 mudbunny Feb 20, 2009 13:24:06	They go live on the 4th tuesday of the month.
#4 Orbin Feb 20, 2009 13:46:12	never mind... haven't had my cofee yet Orbin
#5 yayitsandrew Feb 20, 2009 13:56:32	The article brushes over the full list of miscellaneous bug fixes saying we can read them when the patch comes out. I understand that the list would ruin the effectiveness of the article on the main page, but could you post that bug fix list here on the forums for those that are interested? Miscellaneous Fixes and Updates When you download the update, you’ll also be able to read the final Patch Notes with all of the miscellaneous bug fixes and more minor updates.
#6 akodoreign Feb 20, 2009 14:01:33	The article brushes over the full list of miscellaneous bug fixes saying we can read them when the patch comes out. I understand that the list would ruin the effectiveness of the article on the main page, but could you post that bug fix list here on the forums for those that are interested? Agreed. would love to know the full patch notes. :D
#7 mudbunny Feb 20, 2009 14:50:23	I will see if I can drag it out of WotC.
#8 wotc_dm Feb 21, 2009 13:01:31	We plan to have the patch notes available from within the application, naturally, as well as from the Character Builder FAQ page. We will also update the known issues list once we get our February update released (including the title of the page, as this list of known issues does not apply to the Beta, but to the full application). One thing I want to mention is that our rule engine currently only handles attack and damage display on the power cards. Other aspects of the power cards are not calculated (like range extension, interaction of feats with powers, teleport distance and so on..), and these issues are reported as bugs. This is in our list of things to do, but these are not bugs that can be fixed over a one month time. Some of the known issues can linger for some time as we improve the existing rule engine to support these new features. We want to make sure this update and the March update (with the Player's Handbook 2 content) go smoothly. This, with the Compendium update, is our main focus for now. In the future we will do a better job at announcing in the preview news article the exact date when updates will be delivered. Our plans are targeting the 4th Tuesday of the month for both Compendium and Character Builder updates, and for February, this is February 24th. There is no specific hour. We are working on Pacific time and we plan to deploy the updates before the end of the day.
#9 elwyndas Feb 21, 2009 13:48:49	Sounds good! The CB is great.
#10 VerysArkon Feb 23, 2009 10:36:27	I love these News updates - this is the kind of thing I was actually expecting from Bills old DDI news article (RIP). Keep up the good work! Verys
#11 wotc_dm Feb 24, 2009 0:44:21	I love these News updates - this is the kind of thing I was actually expecting from Bills old DDI news article (RIP). Keep up the good work! Verys Bill was in a very difficult position with this D&D Insider news. First he does have to write other columns and is responsible for a whole department including things as varied as R&D design and books. Second, because the column he inherited was initially done for a much larger scope, not just D&D Insider, weekly updates done previously could touch on various parts of the whole Gleemax project, including D&D Insider. With Gleemax gone, and the scope of our work (thankfully) reduced to more reasonable levels, getting out a weekly update was also running out of crunchy things to talk about. I want to make sure nobody shoots the messenger here. I am just inheriting a better situation than Bill did, because of the decision to not do weekly communication on D&D Insider anymore. We will provide updates when we have something to say. We are working to get our processes more mature and make sure we are hitting our important releases dates. We plan to get February update (tommorrow) and then March out (3/24) on schedule, but we still have to keep very focused to get this done, and our messages will remain focused on things at hand for now.
#12 klaustheprince Feb 24, 2009 6:42:00	So, where's the update? I just opened CB and it said there was noone available.
#13 guest884207095 Feb 24, 2009 7:15:41	They said before COB Pacific time for the update, so I'd wait till this evening to worry about the timing or if your update feature is working.
#14 GreenKnight Feb 24, 2009 10:27:45	So what time are we looking at, whether it's PST, EST, etc?
#15 festivus Feb 24, 2009 10:30:22	COB (Close of Business) is typically 5pm. Since they are West coast I'd presume Pacific time.
#16 Mock Feb 24, 2009 10:59:01	I wish they'd release the patch list on the web (if they haven't; I didn't see it earlier). I can wait on the actual update since by some quirk of fate none of my characters have any of the bugs, but I'm curious to know which of the...several...bugs they got fixed in this cycle.
#17 mudbunny Feb 24, 2009 11:22:02	I have been told that the patch list will be provided when it is updated. As soon as I find out, I will post a sticky pointing tot he patch list.
#18 GreenKnight Feb 24, 2009 11:32:02	COB (Close of Business) is typically 5pm. Since they are West coast I'd presume Pacific time. So likely 8pm EST, then. Thanks.
#19 VerysArkon Feb 24, 2009 11:59:05	Bill was in a very difficult position with this D&D Insider news. First he does have to write other columns and is responsible for a whole department including things as varied as R&D design and books. Second, because the column he inherited was initially done for a much larger scope, not just D&D Insider, weekly updates done previously could touch on various parts of the whole Gleemax project, including D&D Insider. With Gleemax gone, and the scope of our work (thankfully) reduced to more reasonable levels, getting out a weekly update was also running out of crunchy things to talk about. I want to make sure nobody shoots the messenger here. I am just inheriting a better situation than Bill did, because of the decision to not do weekly communication on D&D Insider anymore. We will provide updates when we have something to say. We are working to get our processes more mature and make sure we are hitting our important releases dates. We plan to get February update (tommorrow) and then March out (3/24) on schedule, but we still have to keep very focused to get this done, and our messages will remain focused on things at hand for now. I can appreciate the predicament Bill was in - he has a lot on his plate, which caused him to wander away from DDI specific news. I think closing down the weekly column, and focusing on the irregular, but frequent, News Updates was the right move. Instead of generating "filler" for the column (which was met with ... disapproval), these recent News updates have been focused, on-topic, and full of technical detail. This also lets Bill focus his Ampersand article without treading over the same ground twice (or cut-and-paste!). I, and many others on the forums I suspect, really appreciate the news updates. Thank-you for keeping the lines of communication open and flowing.
#20 Undrhil Feb 24, 2009 12:04:09	So likely 8pm EST, then. Thanks. See. I have a problem with Close of Business. What might that problem be? If there is something wrong with the update (like it breaks the character builder completely) then everyone who updates it is SoL until tomorrow. It's better to do updates first thing in the morning so you have a lead time of getting updates downloaded to make sure everything is going to go smoothly. Doing the update at close of business just seems to be asking for problems.
#21 Mock Feb 24, 2009 12:13:03	I have been told that the patch list will be provided when it is updated. As soon as I find out, I will post a sticky pointing tot he patch list. Hm. I had the impression that the patch list would be part of the program (in that newsbar whatever on the splash screen). Doesn't seem like there's a need for a post about it if that's the case.