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4 years ago ::
Apr 24, 2009 - 12:59PM
#21
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Date Joined:
Jun 22, 2007
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While I really love the Character Builder, I have to take issue with Trevor's statement. I and many others are still unable to update the CB on certain computers. This problem has existed since launch and shows no signs of being fixed. If that's WoTC's idea of making the CB "the best tool it could be", then I suggest we should all be more than a little concerned about the quality of the Campaign Manager or any other DDI program presented in the future.
I'm also concerned, based on Trevor's statement, that WoTC's limited resources are being shifted so completely to the CM that the problems with the CB will be given short shrift if they are given any attention at all. A little reassurance would go a long way here. What say you WoTC?
I tried to make it clear that as far as unreleased tools are concerned, we're focused on the Campaign Tools and not on anything else. We will constantly be working to update the Character Builder - which includes providing new content for it as that content becomes available, and fixing the bugs we come across.
As far as experiencing problems with updating, I have heard of some issues, but at this point many of the people I've seen have either had their bug fixed or adjusted settings to allow the CB to update. Have you contacted Customer Service to see if they can help you resolve the issue?
Trevor Kidd
Community Manager
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4 years ago ::
Apr 24, 2009 - 1:08PM
#22
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Date Joined:
Jun 22, 2007
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I think those of that did the initial buy-in under the anticipated production of the Visual Table Top would at least like to know that there is a back burner.
There's been a lot of work done on the Game Table and the Visualizer, and while we focus on the Campaign Tools, we're putting those and any other unreleased tool ideas to the side. I didn't use the phrase "we're putting those on the back burner" but that seems to be an appopriate way to think about it. Once we're done with the Campaign Tools we'll have a better idea of what our next step is.
It seems by their own admission that they were working solely on the CB previously. They now announce these campaign tools, and ignore the VTT. If their attention was hard pressed with CB (to the exclusion of all other projects if I read correctly), now that they are doing campaign tool and still updating CB will there actually be ANY work done on the VTT at all?
We're not currently doing any work on any unreleased tools except for the Campaign Tools. This means that currently no work is being done directly on the Game Table or the Visualizer.
...and if Ricky Ricardo was in my gaming group he would certainly tell Wizards, "You got some 'splainin' to do." As a customer I know I am waiting for the explanation and won't be returning to the store until I am satisfied.
Through various forms of feedback, including the survey that we put up here and other sites, it was determined that people wanted something like these Campaign Tools, and that most of these people wanted them before tools like the Game Table or the Visualizer. We listened. We're focusing our efforts on the tools that our community of players wanted the most. I can't really offer more of an explanation than that.
Trevor Kidd
Community Manager
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4 years ago ::
Apr 24, 2009 - 1:11PM
#23
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I'm satisfied with this annoucement, and it allows me to move forward with my plans. I'm irritated that it took this long to get an official statement that the other tools are not in active development, but I suppose I'll get over it. I am curious how the new Campaign Tools will affect the Dungeon Builder, whether it will be enveloped or remain seperate.
"Man is made God's plaything, and that is the best part of him. Therefore every man and woman should live life accordingly, and play the noblest games... Life must be lived as play, playing certain games, making sacrifices, singing and dancing..." Plato, The Laws.
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4 years ago ::
Apr 24, 2009 - 1:12PM
#24
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Date Joined:
Jun 26, 2008
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Trevor,
Thanks for the quick reply and for the clarification. I'm very happy to hear that the CB will continue to be given the attention it deserves and apologize if I misinterpreted your post.
As for my individual circumstance, I have tried to contact CS but have not had any success. I posted another message yesterday in the appropriate forum and I'm hoping for a response soon.
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4 years ago ::
Apr 24, 2009 - 1:12PM
#25
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Date Joined:
Apr 21, 2009
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As someone who's forced to play pretty much exclusively online(Well, I suppose I could visit my parents house and convince my little sister to play. And I could go downtown and promise Ryan some cash to play with me, course, he'd spend it all on booze/other 'stuff', and I doubt either of them would enjoy/be good at the game.) I was saddened by the lack of the VTT, but then there are currently a couple decent 3rd party programs that can last me until then(MapTools, Gametable, others if your group only uses windows). There's no really 'good' substitute for the campaign tools, though, other then 'the old fashioned way' of course.
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4 years ago ::
Apr 24, 2009 - 1:28PM
#26
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Date Joined:
Dec 10, 2006
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Personally, I see this as good news.
I never understood WOTC spending money on a character visualizer. It adds very little to the game in any area. It'd be one thing if I could design my own miniature, but a picture of my character adds very little to the game of D&D I play. My character is in my head. If I need a picture to fill in the little box on a character sheet, I'll find one on the internet. I don't need a WoW / EQ2 style character creator - I already have those.
The same thing goes for the game table. I can see a much greater use for this tool but, if my D&D friends are far away, I'm a lot more likely to just play WoW or Left 4 Dead with them. There are a lot of good electronic co-op games out there that will probably run circles around what WOTC could produce in the electronic game market.
If they really wanted to, WOTC should license D&D 4e out to a game publisher to make a DM-friendly Neverwinter Nights style game where a DM can control monsters and build stories around a group's adventures.
In my opinion, Wizards should focus their time, attention, and money on their core interest - pen and paper role playing games. I want to see further improvements to the character builder (custom and streamlined character sheets are my big request), I want to see continuing quality products like Open Grave, Draconomicon, and Dungeon Delve; I want to see better miniatures.
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4 years ago ::
Apr 24, 2009 - 1:43PM
#27
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Date Joined:
Aug 11, 2006
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Thanks for the info. I'm one of the ones who actually WANTED the Campaign Manager before the Game Table and Visualizer. While it'd be nice to have those applications (and I know a lot of people invested in 4th Edition with the expectation of using them to play again), for those of us who play table-top D&D, the tools most useful to us are the Character Builder, Compendium, and now the Campaign Manager.
Eventually, I'd like to see the VTT, but mostly as a way to hop into a game on a whim if I get bored one night... Not necessarily to start a campaign.
I think WotC has made the right decision in choosing the next application and by asking feedback from the community, I think it shows they DO care about what we have to say and feel.
Thanks for the update and thanks for the hard work. If this tool is released before my next subscription period (December 09), I'll re-up.
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4 years ago ::
Apr 24, 2009 - 2:05PM
#28
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Date Joined:
Jun 14, 2006
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Firstly, thank you for replying, Trevor, both here and on the http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1178374 thread.
There's been a lot of work done on the Game Table and the Visualizer, and while we focus on the Campaign Tools, we're putting those and any other unreleased tool ideas to the side. I didn't use the phrase "we're putting those on the back burner" but that seems to be an appopriate way to think about it. Once we're done with the Campaign Tools we'll have a better idea of what our next step is.
But as per the pep-talk/demonstration/presentation that announced 4th edition the marriage with DDI (including the Virtual Tabletop) was one of the biggest oohs and ahhs. It got me to lead the pack in my gaming cliques in the switch to 4th edition. To all those fans that did join the community based on that presentation and products that were being developed, I think a new presentation with these new parameters is in order. If you all only give a fraction of the energy and production effort that went into that first sales pitch I am sure this matter would be completely cleared up.
We're not currently doing any work on any unreleased tools except for the Campaign Tools. This means that currently no work is being done directly on the Game Table or the Visualizer.
You caught many fish with that initial sales pitch. You are now changing lures and bait and still expect us to bite. Some fish may continue to bite. Others that were attracted to the old bait my stop feeding.
Through various forms of feedback, including the survey that we put up here and other sites, it was determined that people wanted something like these Campaign Tools, and that most of these people wanted them before tools like the Game Table or the Visualizer. We listened. We're focusing our efforts on the tools that our community of players wanted the most. I can't really offer more of an explanation than that.
But a more detailed should be offered. If only 5% of the energy and production effort that went into creating that initial sales pitch were to be spent communicating DDI's current major project and reaffirm those that bought into 4th edition for the VTT that it is real and on the way I think you could serve both audiences.
Personally, I think addressing the poll results to set your agenda unwise. Those that want other products that were not on your agenda would not be expecting them and so you cause no friction by making those products later. Those that have been biding their time for VTT should have been served before them.
To make matters worse, it seems that VTT is not only having other projects cut in line ahead of it, but there are no assurances that line jumping will not happen again.
Things are looking bad for VTT.
If things continue on a dismal course, I will be getting rather cynical and might speculate as to why this occurring. As for now, I am just happy that someone that is closer the situation at least understands why there is concern. I can only hope it travels further up the chain and VTTs future can be mapped more clearly ASAP.
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4 years ago ::
Apr 24, 2009 - 2:43PM
#29
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Date Joined:
Sep 24, 2002
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This proves the WOTC are flat out liars. in this DI article: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dn … /20080917aIt was stated that after the character maker was done, they would work on the viewer. Now all of a sudden they drop that and work on a new tool when the three other main tools they promised are not ready. How do we know WOTC won't drop the campaign manager when a new survey tells them the public wants something else?
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4 years ago ::
Apr 24, 2009 - 2:45PM
#30
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Date Joined:
Aug 13, 2007
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just wanted to stress again, that a "campaign manager" is a very loosely defined application, and you (WOTC) better define upfront what will be contained within it. as can be seen in this thread, opinions on what should or should not be included varies greatly. getting high hopes up from everyone, only to disappoint like 2/3rds, will do you nothing good. so get those previews, feature lists, and what SpawnOfMorgoth called a sales pitch back up again. give me a proper presentation and later on a good dm-tool, and i'll for sure subscribe longer than the time it takes me to get divine power in the cb.
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