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5 years ago ::
Jul 29, 2008 - 8:08AM
#321
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Ken, when will DDI be out?
Seriously. You dropped the ball big time. Now there is no release date. Was it not even close to being ready? Its been a couple months now, where is DDI? That was the only reason I even thought about getting back into paper and pencil, the ability to get friends who have moved away playing together again outside an MMO. So... where the heck are these wonderful tools?
I bought the books in good faith you'd follow shortly with the DDI tools. Now... its an incomplete package without it. When will it be out?
Thanks.
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5 years ago ::
Jul 30, 2008 - 6:06AM
#322
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Date Joined:
Jul 27, 2008
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As a question, why did you choose (For D&DI) to use a single-platform framework that seems to have very few advantages for this particular application instead of something cross-platform, at least where possible. The Character Builder, at least, seems like it best fits as a 'Web 2.0' style application, and could of course share a database with the other tools.
If nothing else, bein able to log in to D&DI at a friends and print a character with no installs needed sounds like a great benefit and a wonderful way to get the users to promote the product.
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5 years ago ::
Jul 30, 2008 - 8:02AM
#323
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Date Joined:
Jul 21, 2003
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So, any answers, comments, anything?
Bueller? Bueller?
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5 years ago ::
Jul 30, 2008 - 8:17AM
#324
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Date Joined:
Nov 30, 2003
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Look guys, I know Hasbro is behind this. They made some bad decisions and here's the result: Fourth Edition and an unpopular DDI. More than 50% of the reviews of your game on major internet retailer "Amazon" are negative. Of the reviews on influential gaming site RPGnet, both are lukewarm. High initial and prolonged DDI subscriptions are dependent on continuing interest of the Fourth Edition.
Yeah, because no one would ever post a negative review on Amazon without reading the material first.
Seriously, look at the actual distribution of the reviews on the 4E books. They are reverse bell curves with most of the reviews either being 5 or 1 stars. If the reviews really represented a general consensus about 4th Edition then a product with an average rating of 3 stars would more three star reviews than any other number of stars reviews.
Actually read the 1 star reviews. It seems very likely that their beef is that 4th Edition isn't exactly like 3rd Edition. Their examples could easily have been drawn from the Complaints and Concerns forum with the reviewer never actually cracking the cover of a 4th edition product.
What the Amazon reviews tell me is that if you are predisposed to hate 4th Edition, you will hate 4th Edition (1 star). If you are willing to give a 4th Edition a real look, you will likely love 4th Edition (4 or 5 stars).
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5 years ago ::
Jul 30, 2008 - 8:43AM
#325
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Date Joined:
Jun 10, 2008
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Dear Mr. Troop,
I would like to provide you with the following contact information:
Mark Jacobs
c/o Mythic Entertainment
4035 Ridge Top Road
8th Floor
Fairfax, VA 22030
Mark Jacobs is the GM/VP/CEO of Mythic Entertainment, Inc. It has been my experience that Mark and his employees are far and away the absolute best in the business at communicating with their customers. Mark posts regularly on fansites regarding his products engaging in constructive and informative dialog with his customers.
His work on Mythic Entertainments upcoming MMO, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, should be considered a primer in regards to customer relations and marketing. He has kept the fans updated and informed from day one of the project, squelching rumors while at the same time increasing interest in his product.
I would strongly urge you to drop him a line and ask for a few pointers on how he does things. I cannot say whether or not he will oblige, but he seems like a pleasant enough fellow, and it couldn't hurt to ask.
Please accept this message in the spirit in which it was written. That being one of concerned friend offering advice. We should all strive to improve ourselves in areas that we know we are deficient. That applies to companies as well as people.
Cheers!
Wollstonecraft
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5 years ago ::
Jul 30, 2008 - 10:13AM
#326
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Date Joined:
Aug 16, 2007
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As a question, why did you choose (For D&DI) to use a single-platform framework that seems to have very few advantages for this particular application instead of something cross-platform, at least where possible. The Character Builder, at least, seems like it best fits as a 'Web 2.0' style application, and could of course share a database with the other tools.
This single platform framework was already existing and did reduce our coding time for the character visualizer and the D&D Game Table.
Regarding the character builder, we did not use this framework (which is DirectX based). We are using the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and .Net.
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5 years ago ::
Jul 30, 2008 - 10:34AM
#327
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Date Joined:
Apr 17, 2007
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Mark Jacobs is the GM/VP/CEO of Mythic Entertainment, Inc.
For what it's worth, I worked for Mark at Mythic before coming to Wizards. I'm definitely a huge fan of Mark and his philosophy on community communication. I've modeled most of what I try to do on the community management side after that methodology, however there are definitely some added challenges given the size of WotC and the fact that we have official forums. Mythic doesn't have official forums of their own, and uses external community sites exclusively.
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5 years ago ::
Jul 30, 2008 - 11:39AM
#328
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This single platform framework was already existing and did reduce our coding time for the character visualizer and the D&D Game Table.
Did it? Really?
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5 years ago ::
Jul 30, 2008 - 11:50AM
#329
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Date Joined:
Jan 15, 2008
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Why is this thread no longer stickied? Where is Ken? Why? Why? Where? Where? 
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5 years ago ::
Jul 30, 2008 - 3:49PM
#330
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Date Joined:
Mar 27, 2004
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This single platform framework was already existing and did reduce our coding time for the character visualizer and the D&D Game Table.
Regarding the character builder, we did not use this framework (which is DirectX based). We are using the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and .Net.
One suggestion I have is to steer away from Microsoft backed utilities as soon as feasibly possible. Relying on one source for a fairly large chunk of programing framework is never a good idea. Most video gaming companies use their own engines that are adapted to run on OS's (Windows mostly) rather than dependent on them.
Microsoft has not done well in the past three years, with the exception of the Xbox 360, and is behind on web apps when it comes to browsers. They want to be the standard, and instead got surpassed.
Terms you should know... Spoiler:
Show
Kit Build - A class build that is self sustaining and has mechanical differences than the normal scale. Started in Essentials. Most are call their own terms, though the Base Class should be said in front of their own terms (Like Assassin/Executioner)
Power Points - A mechanic that was wedged into the PHB3 classes (with the exception of the Monk) from the previous editions. This time, they are used to augment At Wills to be Encounters, thus eliminating the need to choose powers past 4th level.
Mage Builds - Kit builds that are schools of magic for the Wizard. A call back to the previous editions powering up of the wizard. (Wizard/Necromancer, for example) Unlike the previous kit builds, Wizards simply lose their Scribe Rituals feature and most likely still can choose powers from any build, unlike the Kit Builds.
Parcel System - A treasure distribution method that keeps adventurers poor while forcing/advising the DM to get wish lists from players. The version 2.0 rolls for treasure instead of making a list, and is incomplete because of the lack of clarity about magic item rarity.
ha ha
Show
They will Essentialize the Essentials classes, otherwise known as Essentials2.
The new sub-sub-classes will be:
* Magician. A subsubclass of Mage, the magician has two implements, wand and hat, one familiar (rabbit) and series of basic tricks.
* Crook. A subsubclass of Thief, the Crook can only use a shiv, which allows him to use his only power... Shank.
* Angry Vicar, a subsubclass of warpriest, the angry vicar has two attacks -- Shame and Lecture.
* Hitter. A subsubclass of Slayer, the Hitter hits things.
* Gatherer. A subsubclass of Hunter, it doesn't actually do anything, but pick up the stuff other players might leave behind.
Future Essentials2 classes include the Security Guard (Sentinel2), the Hexknife (Hexblade2), the Webelos (Scout2), the Gallant (Cavalier2) and the Goofus (Knight2).
These will all be detailed in the box set called Heroes of the Futile Marketing.
(Though what they should really release tomorrow is the Essentialized version of the Witchalok!)
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