WIth the demise of Dungeonscape, maybe now is a good time to tell WotC what we really want.
All I want is a tablet/phone based character sheet, designed to be used at the table. It doesn't even have to have full character generation and level-up features (although that would be nice for version 2). I just want to be able to update my sheet as I play without all the erasing and scribbling paper requires, but also with minimal typing...particularly on a touch screen...that technology usually requires.
Features I want are:
- Pop-up descriptions of spells and abilities, so that I don't have to keep opening up the books and finding the right page. That means that these things would have to be selected from lists and not just typed in manually.
- Automation, or at least convenient UI, for things that frequently change. E.g.:
- Checkboxes for renewable resources: (e.g. spells memorized/used, Ki, Inspiration, Divinity, etc.)
- Plus and minus buttons next to HP and Money; when you tap one the number-pad appears. When you type in a number it adds/subtracts that number of HP. (Yes, that's automating some really basic arithmetic, but dang I've seen it take people a while to do that math in their heads.)
- Buttons for "Short Rest" and "Long Rest" that reset appropriate abilities, and prompt for choices when there are options (e.g. how many HD to roll, which spells a Wizard would like to recover, etc.)
- Maybe a shopping list using default PHB prices, although obviously this only works if the DM is sticking with standard pricing. But if so it would be hugely convenient. Pop open list, click sub-list (e.g. Transport), buy an item, deduct the gold (silver/copper), have it appear on your sheet, have total weight updated. Magic.
- A log of changes made, in case I forget what I've done recently. "Did I remember to deduct those HP?"
- Auto-population of obvious things. For example, if you select Elf you should see Elf abilities appear in Feats and Abiliities. If you select Paladin and you're level 2, Channel Divinity should appear as a checkbox. If you select Devotion Paladin the two uses for Channel Divinity should appear. And so on. This is becoming more like a Character Builder, but I don't think you have to automate stat allocation, skill choice, etc. My criterion (admittedly with a blurry line) is that I want features that save typing, not ones that automate game rules/logic.
I want PDFs, maybe Dragon/Dungeon in some form and a phone app similar to the Paizo one.
I agree mostly with Zardnaar's post. But I will add that this does NOT have to be filled with lots of color images that cause a one page sheet to become five pages. Keep it simple and clean.
i don't give a hoot about PDFs, myself. i want actual text with which i can interact, so i can make notes, create foootnotes, etc. my thinking is much more in line with elfcrusher's.
i also want something that allows me to manipulate "WOTC text" (e.g., spell descriptions, backgrounds, feats, etc) so i can build "scripts" for NPCs and how they would be run. this would also make it easier to manage NPC adventuring parties.
support for user-created content (e.g., homebrew items) would be completely awesome.
I'd be happy with a simple compendium online, like 4e provided.
I want PDFs and the ability to choose either lite or full text-n-pictures.
I don't understand why people want PDFs instead of fully interactive content. I mean, it's handy having things in a computer (especially for cutting and pasting) but you still end up flipping back and forth through pages searching for stuff. Why not build all the information into an interactive character sheet?
Or is it just that they're trying to set the bar really low in the hopes that WotC will at least provide PDFs?
I want all the tools 4e had. The Character Builder was great (the original was better than the online-only version they forced us to use later). I also used the Compendium a great deal, and found it useful. I didn't use the monster builder that much-- only when I was DMing-- but I did appreciate having it.
I actually know several people who had so much fun fiddling with the 4e character builder that they decided to get back into playing the game. It was that good as a tool for drawing people back to DnD. That is one of the reasons I think it is such a shame that there are no tools yet for the new edition. A great opportunity has been squandered.
Elfcrusher wrote:
I'd love them to deliver what they promised at the inception of 4e, LMAO.
Seriously, I'd be OK with an updatable download for a flat fee. For example, 19.95 for everything in the 3 core rulebooks, and expansions for 2.99 a piece. Something like that. Oh, and solid free beta testing. Remember how the 4e CB was free up to level 3, back in 2008-2009? Hire some talented software designers. Heck, re-hire the people who did the original CB. That worked well for building and managing a PC.
DM tools probably will never happen for 5e, as the neo-retro CR system is an excerize in creative guesstamation. That'd be hard to write decent, working software for, LOL.
Although, in all honesty, 5e doesn't need digital tools. It is the DIY edition; it puts the Pencil and Paper (and Table Top) back into PnP/TT RPG. I'd much rather see a few 'Player's Option' and 'DM's Option' hard covers (Psionics, PHB 2, Campaign Settings, MM2, etc.) than a shiny 14.95/Mo. online-only toolset.
If I were to waste money on a monthly subscription, I'd want a gorgious, addictive MMO with tons of options, regular updates, and stellar customer service. Not a glorified calculater + text that's already in existance as a hard cover book.
I'd like something that works smoothly with linux. Why no love for linux in the rpg world?
Hurin88 wrote:
dafrca wrote:
Have a look at my Game Tracker below. I hope that it gives Wizards ideas of what they might want to do.
Reius wrote:
smartboyathome wrote:
i made this form fillable pdf: Caster Cards
it has check boxes for spell slots, fields to keep track of HP, HD, money and ammo.
also the text labels can be changed to suit your needs.
also check out this thread: http://community.wizards.com/forum/product-and-general-dd-discussions/threads/4155526#comment-51467466
i recently got a smartphone and i spent some time downloading and trying out everything i could find, and in the thread is a list of all the apps
that appear be applicable to 5E.
as for what i want to see, what dungeonscape was promising sounded pretty good to me.
a combination of a dynamic character sheet for players, initiative tracker for the DM and a
way to send images and notes between players and DM.
also i would like to see something similar to the pathfinder open reference app.
basically an easily navigable compendium of the core rules for quick reference
that works well at a smart phone screen size.
I just want pen and paper. Leave the other stuff for your video games and MMO's. I don't want anyone at my table with a tablet, laptop, or even a cell phone. Cell phone's off. It amazes me how people can't live without a cell phone on these days. And if your girl friend calls you every 20 minutes, get a new one. I am being facetious with all of this except the previous sentence.
Reius wrote:
An e-Dragon magazine would be super. But definitely continue with the articles archive if Dragon will no longer continue.
Elfcrusher wrote:
My top request: text searchable electronic copy of the rules. PDF, e-book, SRD-type tablet app, I don't really care what form it takes. I want to be able to look up rules on my tablet and leave my hardcovers at home. The more links and indexing the better, but even a version of the PHB rules in the format of the basic rules (no art, no index, just a simple text searchable PDF) would be fine.
The character builder and other features that had been slated for Dungeonscape are on my wish list, too, but I don't consider those as essential, and I also don't want to see these features hold up the e-book release. I'd much rather they do what they've done with the dead tree releases - keep it simple, delay content if necessary to keep quality high, and concentrate on one thing at a time.
I expect PDF versions at reasonable costs. I've got too many books already, so if I can't put them on an e-reader or tablet of some kind, it's not worth my time.
I'd like an online SRD thats well put together, easy to navigate and maintaned up to date.
I'd really like a Character Builder and/or DM Management tool that I can download and run from a tablet device.
While I agree with an earlier poster about phones/tablets etc. at the table being a distraction, to some degree, I've also found that they can be enablers for the game as well. I personally feel each table should settle that for themselves depending on their own circumstances. I do believe it's time for WotC, and D&D in particular, to make the push to enter the Digital landscape. I think they're missing out of a lot of opportunities to gain not just revenue options, but a broader audience. Course, I think they're missing out on a lot of non-digital opportunities as well, as they could be marketing all kinds of merchandise to their fanbase. Gamers will buy gear; bags, shirts, hats, etc. that has their favorite art or logo's on it. WotC is seriously missing out, because the basic stuff they've got as merchandise could really be expanded upon.
I will have to agree that there should be no non-emergency calls at the table and no playing with other applications not related to the game.
But I use my Android tablet tracker at the table and it really saves time. I like to roll dice and I bring them, when I'm in a rush I use the tablet to roll.
I also would like PDF searchable versions of the books. I could do this for all existing books in a day. So why doesn't Wizards?
What do I want from WotC digitally speaking that we have not gotten yet....competence.
PDFs are nice in the fact that they're searchable. Need to look up grappling? ctrl-F, "grapp" and maybe hit "ctrl-g" two times to get past grappling hooks. In five seconds you're there! Instead of scrolling or reading the index (and hoping the entry doesn't send you to another entry in the index because reasons)
That being said, I REALLY liked the Compendium because it compiled (almost) everything. Rules, monsters, items, feats, features, class progressions, BAM it was there, and searchable. The Rules being searchable has been key on more than one occassion, so I don't clog up time at the table if something unexpected comes up. Instead of ad hoc ruling (which may be unfair), I can simply type "suffocation" and read the brief text. 5 minutes turns into 5 seconds 
This will also be very key if the game going forward is several modules with new rules, instead of a PHB2/MM2/DMG2. If the rules are spread out all over the place, I don't want to have to go from book to book, and also remember if it's up to date with errata. I just type in "changeling" and BAM there it is!
Also, I used the monster builder of 4E a lot. Both in the online and non-online versions. It was pretty clutch, despite how much of an advocate I am of just "reskinning" monsters
The_Jester wrote:
I want, NO, I expect a lot from my D&D digital companions
1) A full character builder with all rules and calculations built in (this should be updated to use any new content when the content comes out)
a) If you don’t have the aptitude to design this internally try using a company like Lone Wolf Development (Hero Lab) to develop for you
b) An off-line tool to create/develop characters, npc’s, monsters, adventures, and campaigns
c) I’d be alright with this being a web app if and only if there is a companion offline app for table play without requiring an internet connection and there is plenty of ability to set house rules
d) There should be full Adventure League integration with the digital tools (these are your products/activities fully support them) not requiring Adventure League but supporting it
2) Put out all of the content in a digital format (ebook, ePub or searchable PDF)
a) Integrate the addendums into the ebook as free updates (Check out how Piazo does this for the Pathfinder books)
b) Readable on standard non-proprietary apps (Adobe Reader, Calibre, ePub reader, etc..)
c) These should come with as an add-on fee when purchasing a print edition or at a standard ebook rate if purchase singly
3) Virtual tabletop usable both locally and remotely
a) Campaign adventures available through an in-app interface (see 1a above as well as for Adventure League download)
4) Digital online Compendium
pongidae wrote:
ren1999 wrote:
DaleMcCoy wrote:
Elfcrusher wrote:
Shoot for the moon.
nice lists all of you, but does anyonere heare truly believe we would ever get any of that from WotC?
if we really want these things imo we should lobby WotC to allow free 3rd part devlopment.