I am attempting to lure my ten-year-old son away from video games and wanting to create them (he's already hooked on DND and is our current DM), but I have been trying for over a week to find any app or piece of software that helps/assists/does some of the work in creating a 5E Campaign!
I work in the EDA design software industry, and I have seen my share of creations, but after a week of searching, I've found nothing other than half-assed products that typically haven't been updated in years. Game Master and Fight Club are the closest I've come to thus far.
To recap, a CAMPAIGN CREATION TOOL, my son writes incredible adventures but needs to drop in maps, characters, dungeons, etc. I don't want to squash his creativity as he is an awful artist but incredible visionary when it comes to DND. Members, I sincerely need your help on this one. ANY platform will do!
He's smart but a little too young to comprehend Excel. I was hoping with all of the software and apps popping up for DND there would be something, somewhere to help create a Campaign. Anyone else?
He's smart but a little too young to comprehend Excel. I was hoping with all of the software and apps popping up for DND there would be something, somewhere to help create a Campaign. Anyone else?
It would be wise to not underestimate your son. Excel is easier to learn than you think. I learned it when I was 10, and I'm not exactly a genius or anything.
Also, Excel is widely used in many occupations even in jobs you would not expect - I used it when I worked in a call centre for customer services, for instance. Having years of experience with this insanely popular software used throughout the modern world before you even think of applying for your job can give you a massive advantage over the other school-leavers who don't have any experience beyond a classroom. I got my first job beating out adults with more experience in the roles because, oddly, I had more experience than them in the software being used and the fact I started when young was seen in a very positive light showing me as a dedicated and motivated forward-thinking individual.
Also, your brain is more suited to learn new things while you're young and the older you get the slower the brain becomes at learning. Your son will find it easier to learn at 10 than he would at 16.
Sorry but when it comes to things like using common software for things the "too young to learn" mentality is a serious disadvantage and an insult to your kid, who, if he's a DM at only 10, will probably find it easier to learn than you would. No harm in presenting it to him as an option. If he doesn't take to it, that's fine, but better to give the option and see than remove the chance when he could have learned it well.
Being a DM is harder than learning Excel. Give him a chance.
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I hear good things about Roll20 - would that be of use to him? If using 5E content beyond that of the basic rules I think you/he will have to buy the content digitally on that platform (should be around the same price as DDB charge as I believe the three main digital content systems (DDB, Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds) got similar deals when DDB launched its marketplace)
If you’re looking for software, try OneNote. He can drop his drawings and maps right in there, as well as typing out his thoughts and moving sections and notes around to plan. Once the campaign gets rolling, he can use it to keep track of all the things that happen, ideas that he has, outlines for encounters, and NPCs that pop up along the way.
I use it extensively and it’s been invaluable. If you would like, I can give you some pointers on how to set up a new notebook to start planning a campaign and tracking things once it gets rolling.
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I am attempting to lure my ten-year-old son away from video games and wanting to create them (he's already hooked on DND and is our current DM), but I have been trying for over a week to find any app or piece of software that helps/assists/does some of the work in creating a 5E Campaign!
I work in the EDA design software industry, and I have seen my share of creations, but after a week of searching, I've found nothing other than half-assed products that typically haven't been updated in years. Game Master and Fight Club are the closest I've come to thus far.
To recap, a CAMPAIGN CREATION TOOL, my son writes incredible adventures but needs to drop in maps, characters, dungeons, etc. I don't want to squash his creativity as he is an awful artist but incredible visionary when it comes to DND. Members, I sincerely need your help on this one. ANY platform will do!
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9capmKmysAE&t=1435s
Help him use excel or other spreadsheet to track NPCs
In the end it doesn't matter how good an artist he is. If he can explain the situation and environment that's all the players really need.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
He's smart but a little too young to comprehend Excel. I was hoping with all of the software and apps popping up for DND there would be something, somewhere to help create a Campaign. Anyone else?
There are a few, but not really used any so far. You should be able to find more information about these and more on YouTube and Google.
Realm Works uses clients installed on Windows computer
http://www.wolflair.com/realmworks/
World Anvil utilizes access through web browsers
https://www.worldanvil.com/
Obsidian Portal uses wweb browsers as far as I know
https://www.obsidianportal.com/
It would be wise to not underestimate your son. Excel is easier to learn than you think. I learned it when I was 10, and I'm not exactly a genius or anything.
Also, Excel is widely used in many occupations even in jobs you would not expect - I used it when I worked in a call centre for customer services, for instance. Having years of experience with this insanely popular software used throughout the modern world before you even think of applying for your job can give you a massive advantage over the other school-leavers who don't have any experience beyond a classroom. I got my first job beating out adults with more experience in the roles because, oddly, I had more experience than them in the software being used and the fact I started when young was seen in a very positive light showing me as a dedicated and motivated forward-thinking individual.
Also, your brain is more suited to learn new things while you're young and the older you get the slower the brain becomes at learning. Your son will find it easier to learn at 10 than he would at 16.
Sorry but when it comes to things like using common software for things the "too young to learn" mentality is a serious disadvantage and an insult to your kid, who, if he's a DM at only 10, will probably find it easier to learn than you would. No harm in presenting it to him as an option. If he doesn't take to it, that's fine, but better to give the option and see than remove the chance when he could have learned it well.
Being a DM is harder than learning Excel. Give him a chance.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I hear good things about Roll20 - would that be of use to him? If using 5E content beyond that of the basic rules I think you/he will have to buy the content digitally on that platform (should be around the same price as DDB charge as I believe the three main digital content systems (DDB, Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds) got similar deals when DDB launched its marketplace)
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If you’re looking for software, try OneNote. He can drop his drawings and maps right in there, as well as typing out his thoughts and moving sections and notes around to plan. Once the campaign gets rolling, he can use it to keep track of all the things that happen, ideas that he has, outlines for encounters, and NPCs that pop up along the way.
I use it extensively and it’s been invaluable. If you would like, I can give you some pointers on how to set up a new notebook to start planning a campaign and tracking things once it gets rolling.