Note that I am not talking about releasing any source code here. An SDK contains a Wizards-defined programming interface to the D&Di services allowing programmers to make home grown editors, viewers, builders, gaming tables and whatnot.
I'm a programmer too and would really like to see an API/SDK but they have trouble making the software THEY want to do, it's unreasonable to ask for anythign mroe than that with the problems they have now.
(Even as much as i could wish for something like that)
Uhm you realize they'r programming the editors/viewers/builders/tables so they can SELL them?
I'm a programmer too and would really like to see an API/SDK but they have trouble making the software THEY want to do, it's unreasonable to ask for anythign mroe than that with the problems they have now.
(Even as much as i could wish for something like that)
They are selling D&Di subscriptions as far as I know. Software as a service. Smart and allows for community contribution. Obviously the api would be made in a fashion that forced all meaningful applications to log all users into D&Di.
they'd have lots of better tools and more usable applications by now, if they only implemented a compendium interface that was workable.
they'd have lots of better tools and more usable applications by now, if they only implemented a compendium interface that was workable.
I fully agree. Which is why I am asking this open and rethorical question to any Wizard employee that might stumble on these boards
Until then the best we can do is parse the CB file and attempt to parse the Compendium.
they have not made any plans i am pretty sure, but this idea is a damn good one. As long as the api requires people to authenticate it's really cool.
Until then the best we can do is parse the CB file and attempt to parse the Compendium.
I've sent email to wotc asking about the issues involved with creating tools alongside theirs. I've not heard anything yet. I have extensive programming experience and would love to make useful applications to do the simple, simple things people are looking for (like leveling up monsters and building warbands), but I can't even begin if what I'm trying may be breaking some user agreement or copyright law.
as for leveling up and down monsters, that involves copyrighted formulas... so that will be a bit different, and probobaly not legally possible.
the trick is getting the right http requests.
as for leveling up and down monsters, that involves copyrighted formulas... so that will be a bit different, and probobaly not legally possible.
this is a point where you are pretty much wrong.
leveling monsters would not be problematic - one cannot copyright such simple things as +1 to all defenses, +1/2 damage. but you're right about a base problem here: you are still not able to do such a tool, as you can't show any monster from wotc without their permission.
one could do an encounter builder similar to the one of WOTC (as you are allowed to use the names of most of the monsters), completely without stats. once you want to introduce stats, you're doomed. one could do an npc or monster builder similar to the one of WOTC, as mathematical figures as easy as theirs can not be copyrighted. still, you could not use any of their templates, base races, etc. which leaves at completely homebrewed or user entry. however, if you do user-entry and allow them to save it, you'd need that to be behind some login wall, or make sure that no wotc entries are publicly available.
all in all, not a good prospect at making a tool.
this could likely be a grease monkey script honestly.
It seems that wotc ddi hasn't quite caught this concept yet, that DM's would like tools that simplify the process, while giving them options (not just tools that re-present the same data available in the books). So at the moment I'm not sure this will ever be possible.