I showed an image of masterplan to Staff a few months ago, and they made me squee with glee when they said the combat generator/initiative tracker will be similar, if not better, than masterplans. As for obsidian portal, DDB staff has said that they're planning on making the campaign management similar in capability to what is on that site. These are post-release plans, but I'm excited to see them come to fruition.
I hate Obsidian Portal. It's a terrible site. "Capability" isn't a word I'd use to describe anything about it.
What is it about Obsidian Portal that you don't like? Creating characters (PCs and NPCs) is pretty rough, but the rest of the site works pretty well for me. It would be nice to have more global customization options outside of their themes. A little coding here and there takes care of most of that issue, though. I'm a fairly new DM, however, so I may not realize if Obsidian Portal is missing some key function(s).
What is it about Obsidian Portal that you don't like? Creating characters (PCs and NPCs) is pretty rough, but the rest of the site works pretty well for me. It would be nice to have more global customization options outside of their themes. A little coding here and there takes care of most of that issue, though. I'm a fairly new DM, however, so I may not realize if Obsidian Portal is missing some key function(s).
A little coding? Between the horrid implementation of Textile, the super crappy forums, the lack of basic support, the constant bugs, and the reliance, almost entirely, on the "community" to provide any functionality to the site, a "little" coding isn't really an accurate description of what is required to make your own portal functional beyond the very basics provided by the core structure of the site, and even that requires a subscription to be remotely useful.
I had a year's sub and tried to make it work but the clunky interface, the stupid messaging, and the horrid architecture made it unpleasant for everyone in my group to use and, ultimately, it was a waste of money, time and effort.
I feel the same way about Hero Lab. These products have zero polish and are haphazard, amateur hack attempts at creating a functional product to make a profit from. One of the primary reasons why I feel like DDB is different is because of these contrasts. The devs here are obviously pros who are passionate about providing a quality product. While it needs work, I'm confident that work will get done, whereas with OP and HL and their like, you end up waiting years for even basic things to be fixed or addressed, and the product itself comes to you in barely out of alpha form in the first place.
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"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
A little coding? Between the horrid implementation of Textile, the super crappy forums, the lack of basic support, the constant bugs, and the reliance, almost entirely, on the "community" to provide any functionality to the site, a "little" coding isn't really an accurate description of what is required to make your own portal functional beyond the very basics provided by the core structure of the site, and even that requires a subscription to be remotely useful.
Correct on all points, I'd say. Which is the big reason why I've never done the subscription -- and why I'm excited about the potential for the Campaign Manager for DDB.
Obsidian Portal is an 80% solution. If they fully implemented what they have, it'd be fantastic. I have some confidence that, when Curse decides to implement a full Campaign Manager, they'll have the resources to do it "right". Add in the chargen integration and other tools, and it'd be amazing. My main concern is where that falls into the priority stack.
Even at 80%, though, Obsidian Portal is totally usable. It also isn't system-locked, so I can run a Fate game there, as well. Since I like to rotate systems -- and am currently in a mode of wanting to go very, very light -- that's a factor, but more one that would keep me from subscribing to DDB whenever I'm actually running a D&D game. I don't have the availability to run more than one game, concurrently, anyway.
There's a certain irony that, right now, a full complement of tool for DDB would help to attach me to D&D, while the lack of the full suite has me looking at other systems with quite a bit of interest.
What is it about Obsidian Portal that you don't like? Creating characters (PCs and NPCs) is pretty rough, but the rest of the site works pretty well for me. It would be nice to have more global customization options outside of their themes. A little coding here and there takes care of most of that issue, though. I'm a fairly new DM, however, so I may not realize if Obsidian Portal is missing some key function(s).
A little coding? Between the horrid implementation of Textile, the super crappy forums, the lack of basic support, the constant bugs, and the reliance, almost entirely, on the "community" to provide any functionality to the site, a "little" coding isn't really an accurate description of what is required to make your own portal functional beyond the very basics provided by the core structure of the site, and even that requires a subscription to be remotely useful.
I had a year's sub and tried to make it work but the clunky interface, the stupid messaging, and the horrid architecture made it unpleasant for everyone in my group to use and, ultimately, it was a waste of money, time and effort.
I feel the same way about Hero Lab. These products have zero polish and are haphazard, amateur hack attempts at creating a functional product to make a profit from. One of the primary reasons why I feel like DDB is different is because of these contrasts. The devs here are obviously pros who are passionate about providing a quality product. While it needs work, I'm confident that work will get done, whereas with OP and HL and their like, you end up waiting years for even basic things to be fixed or addressed, and the product itself comes to you in barely out of alpha form in the first place.
In all fairness, I used to code regularly, and recently helped transfer a website over to a completely different platform, so our ideas of a little coding may be a bit different. I will say that I never had a sub or tried to use their forums, so I guess I never really tried to "fully" use the site, which might be why I didn't run into any issues with it. On the other hand, using just the basics, I was able to get what I wanted out of it, so I guess it's a "your mileage may vary" situation. Either way, really glad to hear some specifics from you. Hopefully DDB will be able to avoid the pitfalls of OP.
Apologies if asked and answered, but the ability to transfer a character (perhaps just out of the beta) to another user would be really helpful. I’ve created characters to trial using this amazing app/solution/thingy and moving forward would like the players to a) sign up and b) not have to repeat all of that hard work.
I would also like to see an inventory manager that allows things like treasure to be tracked, assigned to characters, etc. By tracking, knowing how many scroll / potions / etc and their usage (and perhaps consumption) would be helpful.
Also, and I know this may be sacrilege, but a Die generator anywhere there is an exposed dice option would be slick. Sometimes you want to move quickly and having the die throw automated would enhance the gameplay I believe. That being said, a manual roll is always desired when life is on the line. :)
Please have the Notes, and I guess all manual text areas, save text constantly like google docs does. I just accidentally hit one of the extra mouse buttons that sends the browser back and lost several paragraphs of work.
Also, some kind of grid based dungeon builder would be nice. Doesn't have to be pretty, just basic grids with symbols that we can click on and add notes to rooms.
Apologies if this was asked and answered, but I did a quick search and couldn't find what I was looking for.
If I invite a player to a campaign, can they have more than 1 character in that campaign? Or are they limited to 1 character?
I'm trying to prep campaigns for the coming Master Tier sharing, and was wondering how many "campaigns" I'd have to have running if I just wanted to let people play around with the builder.
Apologies if this was asked and answered, but I did a quick search and couldn't find what I was looking for.
If I invite a player to a campaign, can they have more than 1 character in that campaign? Or are they limited to 1 character?
I'm trying to prep campaigns for the coming Master Tier sharing, and was wondering how many "campaigns" I'd have to have running if I just wanted to let people play around with the builder.
There is an announcement coming later today that will detail it, they keep saying we'll be pleasantly surprised. So I'm looking forward to the announcement and clarification.
Ideally the editor should include commercial use license for creating DM's Guild content. You could even limit the commercial use exclusively to DM's Guild content if you felt it necessary to limit the scope of the commercial use. While I'd prefer the editor to be free for the base software or maybe a one-time charge with paid DLC add-on content, if you had to go with the rental/subscription model then WotC then gets to double-dip on money-making. Once to license the map editor and again when the content is sold on your website. This seems like a no-brainer to me.
An easy way to create a great campaign story is by using available D&D art and custom page design.
A cool feature from google sites lets you pick a template and edit the content. Linking specific spells, items and NPC and monster images and stats can provide the new players a story line to get caught up if they miss a session and it can let the DM export the adventure template in PDF format for easy archive and later use.
The code (links and template) can then be used to re-run the adventure in the future.
Please find attached an example of an adventure using google sites.
Has anyone used Kanban boards for GM management? They have some useful features that should be included in a campaign manager.
I find the RPG-specifc tools, like HL & OP, to be clunkly and lacking a professional polish. Whereas if I look at some of the project-management and/or to-do list tools, these *almost* meet my needs for planning a campaign and work smoothly, but lack certain key features required.
I tried using Trello (a web-based Kanban board) for 3 sessions, and I could use it to quickly create entries for key locations, NPCs, agencies and plot points. Plus it allows you to enter tags/keywords on these and link them together, categorize them, etc. If I could have added entity-relationships, plus initiative and hp-tracking, (and not been limited on the category count under a free account), I would have stuck with it.
I'm hoping DDB are looking at PM toolsets and others outside of those specifically created for RPGs.
As some actual feedback for the current campaign manager, it would be nice to see a Player Note tab to go along with the DM Public tab. This could allow for players to keep notes public between the group of adventurers and where they can note down the things that THEY think are important, since half the time that is different from what the DM would like to be important. This could allow for the public DM tab to be better used for clarifications, timelines, updates to the players etc, while the Player Tab could be used for the players to keep track of their campaign notes online. Instead of Paladin Carl writing on his notebook the secret passphrase, now it's up in the player tab.
Is there going to be something like an Outline added where you put in campaign notes? This is the reason I use Google Docs. It helps me find what I need easier. I am working on a homebrew on DDB and it is frustrating to have to scroll thru everything to add info to a certain part of the campaign. If I was running from the info on DDB, it would be beyond frustrating and useless to me.
As some actual feedback for the current campaign manager, it would be nice to see a Player Note tab to go along with the DM Public tab. This could allow for players to keep notes public between the group of adventurers and where they can note down the things that THEY think are important, since half the time that is different from what the DM would like to be important. This could allow for the public DM tab to be better used for clarifications, timelines, updates to the players etc, while the Player Tab could be used for the players to keep track of their campaign notes online. Instead of Paladin Carl writing on his notebook the secret passphrase, now it's up in the player tab.
This sparks a thought....
I used to use an PBEM-type message board for games. It had a tag that hid info from everyone beside the GM and a specific player (or list). So, you could do something like:
[secret player='sobekre']I try to assassinate Excoriation.[/secret] (Sorry, man. You prompted the thought.)
Not sure if that would be particularly useful in the Campaign Manager or not. Just train of thought.
As some actual feedback for the current campaign manager, it would be nice to see a Player Note tab to go along with the DM Public tab. This could allow for players to keep notes public between the group of adventurers and where they can note down the things that THEY think are important, since half the time that is different from what the DM would like to be important. This could allow for the public DM tab to be better used for clarifications, timelines, updates to the players etc, while the Player Tab could be used for the players to keep track of their campaign notes online. Instead of Paladin Carl writing on his notebook the secret passphrase, now it's up in the player tab.
This sparks a thought....
I used to use an PBEM-type message board for games. It had a tag that hid info from everyone beside the GM and a specific player (or list). So, you could do something like:
[secret player='sobekre']I try to assassinate Excoriation.[/secret] (Sorry, man. You prompted the thought.)
Not sure if that would be particularly useful in the Campaign Manager or not. Just train of thought.
It definitely could be useful...I have a wizard who is very secretive and he has a background story going on that the other players don't know about. I update him from time to time on things he noticed that have changed regarding it, without the others having that info.
I used to use an PBEM-type message board for games. It had a tag that hid info from everyone beside the GM and a specific player (or list). So, you could do something like:
[secret player='sobekre']I try to assassinate Excoriation.[/secret] (Sorry, man. You prompted the thought.)
Not sure if that would be particularly useful in the Campaign Manager or not. Just train of thought.
It definitely could be useful...I have a wizard who is very secretive and he has a background story going on that the other players don't know about. I update him from time to time on things he noticed that have changed regarding it, without the others having that info.
This would be SUPER useful. It's a feature on Roleplay Online (rpol.net).
When are these developments planned to release roughly?
have ANY details been released outlining feature lists?
what people in this thread are looking for are campaign setting builder, which I fully agree is other half of what's missing from a 'campaign manager'.. locations, maps, NPCs, pantheons, governments etc..
will encounter/adventure building and condition/combat tracking be apart from the campaign tools?
And of course would any of the above outlined features cost additional?
love so far what has been accomplished, but it still feels like half a toolset. If most of us own many of the books already, the toolset needs to be more feature complete to make a subscription more appealing. Otherwise the other half of what we're building needs to be tracked somewhere else.. :/
I wish this thread specifically got more attention
hate to say it but otherwise this is just another character builder and reference tool to resell books we have access to already.
I don't mind the pricing model, and they have SOME homebrew, which IS better than past attempts.. but that alone isn't worth a subscription and rebuys (for me)
Cant stand doing halfsies whe recording campaign details, I agree the campaign manager is where it's at.
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I had a year's sub and tried to make it work but the clunky interface, the stupid messaging, and the horrid architecture made it unpleasant for everyone in my group to use and, ultimately, it was a waste of money, time and effort.
I feel the same way about Hero Lab. These products have zero polish and are haphazard, amateur hack attempts at creating a functional product to make a profit from. One of the primary reasons why I feel like DDB is different is because of these contrasts. The devs here are obviously pros who are passionate about providing a quality product. While it needs work, I'm confident that work will get done, whereas with OP and HL and their like, you end up waiting years for even basic things to be fixed or addressed, and the product itself comes to you in barely out of alpha form in the first place.
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
― Oscar Wilde.
Apologies if asked and answered, but the ability to transfer a character (perhaps just out of the beta) to another user would be really helpful. I’ve created characters to trial using this amazing app/solution/thingy and moving forward would like the players to a) sign up and b) not have to repeat all of that hard work.
I would also like to see an inventory manager that allows things like treasure to be tracked, assigned to characters, etc. By tracking, knowing how many scroll / potions / etc and their usage (and perhaps consumption) would be helpful.
Also, and I know this may be sacrilege, but a Die generator anywhere there is an exposed dice option would be slick. Sometimes you want to move quickly and having the die throw automated would enhance the gameplay I believe. That being said, a manual roll is always desired when life is on the line. :)
Please have the Notes, and I guess all manual text areas, save text constantly like google docs does. I just accidentally hit one of the extra mouse buttons that sends the browser back and lost several paragraphs of work.
Also, some kind of grid based dungeon builder would be nice. Doesn't have to be pretty, just basic grids with symbols that we can click on and add notes to rooms.
Apologies if this was asked and answered, but I did a quick search and couldn't find what I was looking for.
If I invite a player to a campaign, can they have more than 1 character in that campaign? Or are they limited to 1 character?
I'm trying to prep campaigns for the coming Master Tier sharing, and was wondering how many "campaigns" I'd have to have running if I just wanted to let people play around with the builder.
Check out the upcoming full 3D VTT, TaleSpire! [official website] [subreddit] [discord]
+1 Request for map editor
Ideally the editor should include commercial use license for creating DM's Guild content. You could even limit the commercial use exclusively to DM's Guild content if you felt it necessary to limit the scope of the commercial use. While I'd prefer the editor to be free for the base software or maybe a one-time charge with paid DLC add-on content, if you had to go with the rental/subscription model then WotC then gets to double-dip on money-making. Once to license the map editor and again when the content is sold on your website. This seems like a no-brainer to me.
An easy way to create a great campaign story is by using available D&D art and custom page design.
A cool feature from google sites lets you pick a template and edit the content. Linking specific spells, items and NPC and monster images and stats can provide the new players a story line to get caught up if they miss a session and it can let the DM export the adventure template in PDF format for easy archive and later use.
The code (links and template) can then be used to re-run the adventure in the future.
Please find attached an example of an adventure using google sites.
The Hook of Umberlee
Has anyone used Kanban boards for GM management? They have some useful features that should be included in a campaign manager.
I find the RPG-specifc tools, like HL & OP, to be clunkly and lacking a professional polish. Whereas if I look at some of the project-management and/or to-do list tools, these *almost* meet my needs for planning a campaign and work smoothly, but lack certain key features required.
I tried using Trello (a web-based Kanban board) for 3 sessions, and I could use it to quickly create entries for key locations, NPCs, agencies and plot points. Plus it allows you to enter tags/keywords on these and link them together, categorize them, etc. If I could have added entity-relationships, plus initiative and hp-tracking, (and not been limited on the category count under a free account), I would have stuck with it.
I'm hoping DDB are looking at PM toolsets and others outside of those specifically created for RPGs.
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D&D Beyond FoundersTrello is an amazing tool that I have used a lot - hadn't occurred to me to use it for campaign management! :)
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As some actual feedback for the current campaign manager, it would be nice to see a Player Note tab to go along with the DM Public tab. This could allow for players to keep notes public between the group of adventurers and where they can note down the things that THEY think are important, since half the time that is different from what the DM would like to be important. This could allow for the public DM tab to be better used for clarifications, timelines, updates to the players etc, while the Player Tab could be used for the players to keep track of their campaign notes online. Instead of Paladin Carl writing on his notebook the secret passphrase, now it's up in the player tab.
Is there going to be something like an Outline added where you put in campaign notes? This is the reason I use Google Docs. It helps me find what I need easier. I am working on a homebrew on DDB and it is frustrating to have to scroll thru everything to add info to a certain part of the campaign. If I was running from the info on DDB, it would be beyond frustrating and useless to me.
How do you get a one-armed goblin out of a tree?
Wave!
When are these developments planned to release roughly?
have ANY details been released outlining feature lists?
what people in this thread are looking for are campaign setting builder, which I fully agree is other half of what's missing from a 'campaign manager'.. locations, maps, NPCs, pantheons, governments etc..
will encounter/adventure building and condition/combat tracking be apart from the campaign tools?
And of course would any of the above outlined features cost additional?
love so far what has been accomplished, but it still feels like half a toolset. If most of us own many of the books already, the toolset needs to be more feature complete to make a subscription more appealing. Otherwise the other half of what we're building needs to be tracked somewhere else.. :/
1 - Release schedule has not been released
2 - None other than, "It'll be similar to that," "It'll be better than that," and "It'll have that in it."
3 - It's been said that Obsidian Portal is a bit how that will work.
4 - Yes
5 - No - All free to use.
Campaign manager is something I am looking forward to the most, so every chance I get I bug staff about it. :p
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I wish this thread specifically got more attention
hate to say it but otherwise this is just another character builder and reference tool to resell books we have access to already.
I don't mind the pricing model, and they have SOME homebrew, which IS better than past attempts.. but that alone isn't worth a subscription and rebuys (for me)
Cant stand doing halfsies whe recording campaign details, I agree the campaign manager is where it's at.