DDI tools - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

DDI tools

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
CdrcJsn
Jul 31, 2009 20:05:31 Are there any plans on allowing DDI to be more easily used by 3rd party companies?

* Importation into the character builder of new, custom powers, feats, etc?
* Use of Monster Builder in 3rd party products?

I actually saw someone post that they're reluctant to use 3rd party products because it doesn't integrate easily to DDI and the rules compendium.
#2
fatumd20
Aug 01, 2009 7:58:44
Are there any plans on allowing DDI to be more easily used by 3rd party companies?

* Importation into the character builder of new, custom powers, feats, etc?
* Use of Monster Builder in 3rd party products?

I actually saw someone post that they're reluctant to use 3rd party products because it doesn't integrate easily to DDI and the rules compendium.

DDI already has the ability to put in custom powers. I am not sure about the Monster Builder but I would assume that you can build your own custom monster as well.
#3
Nerpherder
Aug 01, 2009 14:01:04 Yes you can use the Monster builder to build and save your own monsters. I have created about twenty diffrent slivers, its pretty cool and easy to do.

-Nerp
#4
Nylanfs
Aug 02, 2009 8:14:31
DDI already has the ability to put in custom powers. I am not sure about the Monster Builder but I would assume that you can build your own custom monster as well.

Define custom powers. You can't put anything in that actually works, just free text.
#5
fatumd20
Aug 02, 2009 19:42:45
Define custom powers. You can't put anything in that actually works, just free text.

That's what I meant. Sorry for being unclear. The free text works to build a power card on the sheet which is good enough in my book.
#6
Nylanfs
Aug 02, 2009 21:15:14 S'ok, I'm just spoiled by the customization in PCGen that I'm pretty disappointed that WotC couldn't at least as well as an open source project.

But I guess we do have more history with electronic tools than WotC does.
#7
CdrcJsn
Aug 03, 2009 19:53:06 Right now, I don't think it's allowed under the GSL for a publisher to create a download of their custom stuff for easy import into the character builder or compendium. Yeah, individuals can input stuff on their own, but it would help tremendously if 3rd party products can put out a download. The GSL only covers print and PDF products, not electronic downloads.

Likewise, I don't think 3rd party publishers can use the monster generator to actually print out stat blocks that they can then include in their products.
#8
fatumd20
Aug 03, 2009 22:59:38
Right now, I don't think it's allowed under the GSL for a publisher to create a download of their custom stuff for easy import into the character builder or compendium. Yeah, individuals can input stuff on their own, but it would help tremendously if 3rd party products can put out a download. The GSL only covers print and PDF products, not electronic downloads.

Likewise, I don't think 3rd party publishers can use the monster generator to actually print out stat blocks that they can then include in their products.

Correct, 3PP can't use DDI for their own products. A shame but I understand why they went that route.
#9
CdrcJsn
Sep 17, 2009 15:09:30
And it seems that I'm not the only one who thinks this is an issue.

One Bad Egg decided to stop work on 4e products www.onebadegg.com/egg/

One of the reasons they're citing is that the lack of importability to DDI makes it hard to sell 3rd party products.

I know that Goodman games has stated that slow sales in some stores can be directly attributed to the success of WotC organized play. The more popular RPGA is at the store, the less sales they make because their 3rd party systems are not compatible due to organized play rules.

There's some ability in the character builder for introducing your own house rules, but unless WotC allows 3rd party companies to easilyy import rules into it (there's not even an entry for putting in new classes!), then the success of DDI means that 3rd party support is effectively shut down.

Any ideas on how any of the above issues might be fixed?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 CdrcJsn Jul 31, 2009 20:05:31	Are there any plans on allowing DDI to be more easily used by 3rd party companies? * Importation into the character builder of new, custom powers, feats, etc? * Use of Monster Builder in 3rd party products? I actually saw someone post that they're reluctant to use 3rd party products because it doesn't integrate easily to DDI and the rules compendium.
#2 fatumd20 Aug 01, 2009 7:58:44	Are there any plans on allowing DDI to be more easily used by 3rd party companies? * Importation into the character builder of new, custom powers, feats, etc? * Use of Monster Builder in 3rd party products? I actually saw someone post that they're reluctant to use 3rd party products because it doesn't integrate easily to DDI and the rules compendium. DDI already has the ability to put in custom powers. I am not sure about the Monster Builder but I would assume that you can build your own custom monster as well.
#3 Nerpherder Aug 01, 2009 14:01:04	Yes you can use the Monster builder to build and save your own monsters. I have created about twenty diffrent slivers, its pretty cool and easy to do. -Nerp
#4 Nylanfs Aug 02, 2009 8:14:31	DDI already has the ability to put in custom powers. I am not sure about the Monster Builder but I would assume that you can build your own custom monster as well. Define custom powers. You can't put anything in that actually works, just free text.
#5 fatumd20 Aug 02, 2009 19:42:45	Define custom powers. You can't put anything in that actually works, just free text. That's what I meant. Sorry for being unclear. The free text works to build a power card on the sheet which is good enough in my book.
#6 Nylanfs Aug 02, 2009 21:15:14	S'ok, I'm just spoiled by the customization in PCGen that I'm pretty disappointed that WotC couldn't at least as well as an open source project. But I guess we do have more history with electronic tools than WotC does.
#7 CdrcJsn Aug 03, 2009 19:53:06	Right now, I don't think it's allowed under the GSL for a publisher to create a download of their custom stuff for easy import into the character builder or compendium. Yeah, individuals can input stuff on their own, but it would help tremendously if 3rd party products can put out a download. The GSL only covers print and PDF products, not electronic downloads. Likewise, I don't think 3rd party publishers can use the monster generator to actually print out stat blocks that they can then include in their products.
#8 fatumd20 Aug 03, 2009 22:59:38	Right now, I don't think it's allowed under the GSL for a publisher to create a download of their custom stuff for easy import into the character builder or compendium. Yeah, individuals can input stuff on their own, but it would help tremendously if 3rd party products can put out a download. The GSL only covers print and PDF products, not electronic downloads. Likewise, I don't think 3rd party publishers can use the monster generator to actually print out stat blocks that they can then include in their products. Correct, 3PP can't use DDI for their own products. A shame but I understand why they went that route.
#9 CdrcJsn Sep 17, 2009 15:09:30	And it seems that I'm not the only one who thinks this is an issue. One Bad Egg decided to stop work on 4e products www.onebadegg.com/egg/ One of the reasons they're citing is that the lack of importability to DDI makes it hard to sell 3rd party products. I know that Goodman games has stated that slow sales in some stores can be directly attributed to the success of WotC organized play. The more popular RPGA is at the store, the less sales they make because their 3rd party systems are not compatible due to organized play rules. There's some ability in the character builder for introducing your own house rules, but unless WotC allows 3rd party companies to easilyy import rules into it (there's not even an entry for putting in new classes!), then the success of DDI means that 3rd party support is effectively shut down. Any ideas on how any of the above issues might be fixed?