WizKids Data Files Questions

[rob]

There have been a LOT of questions about various WizKids games. I think
I've answered them all below. I've included a topic for each answer to make
scanning the list easier....

Thanks, Rob

1. Heroclix LE Figures
We have not released any of the Heroclix LE figures in the data files
because WizKids has asked us not to. WizKids has given us all the data,
but, to my understanding, they want to keep all the LEs a surprise as long
as possible. I'm not sure if this position will change, but those of you
who want the LE figs added may wish to *POLITELY* lobby WizKids. We are
simply honoring their request.

2. Clobberin' Time Files
This was a screw-up on my part. I got my dates messed up and I've been
buried on other tasks. I *WILL* get these files released in the next few
days. Sorry about this, but there just aren't enough hours in the day/week
sometimes. :-)

3. Displaying the Model Number in Inventory for WizKids' Games
Lots of folks have been asking for this. At present, the inventory display
is fixed, so the same information is shown for all games. For now, you can
view the model number within the details region to the lower right of the
inventory list. This may not be ideal, but the information IS present.
We'll definitely make sure this is possible in the next feature update to
Card Vault.

4. How to Tell if a Figure Flies in HeroClix
To my understanding, the official designation for "flight" within HeroClix
is "Constant Flight". All models with this ability SHOULUD be identifiable
through the "Constant Flight" special abilty. You can filter on this
ability and display it. If I've misunderstood something, or if there are
models that are not properly designated, please let us know and we'll get
it fixed.

5. Including Rank in the Name for WizKids Data Files
As has been mentioned, the rank is included in the name so that the models
don't get collapsed by the Merge Duplicates setting. This setting is ON by
default, since all of the non-clickie games need it to be on. If we don't
distinguish the models this way, we'll have a lot of confused users. That
being said, I'm trying to come up with a way to solve this for the next
feature update of Card Vault. The issue is that the "Merge Duplictes"
setting spans all games, and the setting is saved/restored. If we make the
default for WizKids' games to be "don't merge", that only works when the
user loads the very FIRST game system. After that, the user-selected
setting is used. If I can figure out a good solution, we'll address this in
the next feature update. Failing that, we'll modify the data files so that
the models at least sort in the correct order with the rank designation in
the name. In fact, we'll modify the data files in this way very shortly.

6. Fixing the Rank in WizKids Data Files
Here's a quick fix for those of you who want your models to sort by rank in
the various WizKids data files. Open each of the ".dat" files into a text
editor (Notepad will do). Do a search and replace of all instances of "(R)"
and change them to " (R)", then save the file. NOTE! That's an extra SPACE
inserted before the open parenthesis. After changning all files, reload
them into Card Vault. By adding the extra space, it will force the rookie
models to sort before the experienced and veteran models.

7. Merging Marvel and DC Heroclix Files
This is something *WE* cannot do. There is a great deal of tension between
Marvel and DC due to their competitive positions in the market. This
tension led to WizKids being forced to maintain parity between the two and
NOT co-mingle the figures from either company in any way. It is for the
same reason that *WE* must keep the two distinct. However, in the same way
that WizKids has made the two flavors of Heroclix compatible, we've done
the same with the Heroclix data files. If you want to merge the two sets of
data files, YOU can do so very easily. We've outlined the steps on the
website. Go to the Card Vault section, then select Support, and then select
Tips and Suggestions. You'll find how to do this at the bottom.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Bowes (rob@wolflair.com) (559) 658-6995
Lone Wolf Development www.wolflair.com

--- In cardvault@y..., Rob Bowes <rob@w...> wrote:
> 1. Heroclix LE Figures

I'll just point out that I think Inquest and Scrye has been
publishing data on LE figures for a couple months now.

> 4. How to Tell if a Figure Flies in HeroClix
> To my understanding, the official designation for "flight" within
HeroClix
> is "Constant Flight". All models with this ability SHOULUD be
identifiable
> through the "Constant Flight" special abilty. You can filter on
this
> ability and display it. If I've misunderstood something, or if
there are
> models that are not properly designated, please let us know and
we'll get
> it fixed.

If THAT is the ability that is supposed to be used to denote flying
figures, it's not properly designated at this point. Filtering on
Constant Flight generates NO Marvel figures and only Weather Wizard
in the DC figures.

Everything else, Clobbering Time, model numbers, Rank etc. understood
that you're aware of the issues now and working to fix them at SOME
point. That's fair. Thanks!

Doc

> > 1. Heroclix LE Figures
>
> I'll just point out that I think Inquest and Scrye has been
> publishing data on LE figures for a couple months now.

That's where I step in and work out a better schedule with WizKids.




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--- Rob Bowes <rob@wolflair.com> wrote:
> 1. Heroclix LE Figures
> We have not released any of the Heroclix LE figures in the data files
> because WizKids has asked us not to.

Sounds like a FAQ entry to me It may even be there already, but I don't play
Heroclix so I have not looked at the files.

> 5. Including Rank in the Name for WizKids Data Files
> As has been mentioned, the rank is included in the name so that the models
> don't get collapsed by the Merge Duplicates setting. This setting is ON by
> default, since all of the non-clickie games need it to be on. If we don't
> distinguish the models this way, we'll have a lot of confused users. That
> being said, I'm trying to come up with a way to solve this for the next
> feature update of Card Vault. The issue is that the "Merge Duplictes"
> setting spans all games, and the setting is saved/restored. If we make the
> default for WizKids' games to be "don't merge", that only works when the
> user loads the very FIRST game system. After that, the user-selected
> setting is used. If I can figure out a good solution, we'll address this in
> the next feature update. Failing that, we'll modify the data files so that
> the models at least sort in the correct order with the rank designation in
> the name. In fact, we'll modify the data files in this way very shortly.

How about making the Merge Duplicates flag defined much the way the initial
filter setting are defined - the definition file includes a default setting,
and then the setting is remembered for each system, rather than globally for
the user. That way, if there is a CCG in the future that works more like the
Clix games do now, folks won't have to keep switching... they can set the
option once as the need it for each game and leave it that way.

> 7. Merging Marvel and DC Heroclix Files
> This is something *WE* cannot do. There is a great deal of tension between
> Marvel and DC due to their competitive positions in the market. This
> tension led to WizKids being forced to maintain parity between the two and
> NOT co-mingle the figures from either company in any way. It is for the
> same reason that *WE* must keep the two distinct.

Is this in the FAQ for the files?


=====
---

Kuni Tetsu
Clan War rules guy
Moderator of ClanWar-l

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[rob]

Here's an update on the issue of LEs and Promos for WizKids games, plus an
update on Clobberin' Time.

Last Wednesday, we received permission to post LE and Promo fig information
from WizKids. Please note that the WizKids site does not post any
"official" information on any LE figures until at LEAST 30 days after the
figure is first released - and often longer. That's the manufacturer site!
So we were asked not to release the information within Card Vault either.
That's now been revised, thanks to the understanding of the good folks at
WizKids, and LEs will be forthcoming. Yeah!

Please realize that we've got a zillion things going on right now here at
Lone Wolf Development, but we WILL get the LE figs integrated into the data
files shortly. It won't be immediately, but it will hopefully be within a week.

As for Clobberin' Time, I had hoped to get the update released by today. We
had a surprise hardware problem over the weekend (our Army Builder
licensing server) that required immediate attention and derailed me a bit.
I will do my best to get the update completed by tomorrow night, but it
might slip until Wednesday. But it will definitely be very soon now. :-)

Thanks, Rob

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Bowes (rob@wolflair.com) (559) 658-6995
Lone Wolf Development www.wolflair.com

[rob]

Please send me a list of the figures that have flying. It appears that the
data we have received from WizKids does not include this critical piece of
information! I also checked the WizKids database on their website and I
could find no searchable info regarding flying. Yikes!! :-(

If someone can give me a proper list (rob@wolflair.com), I'll get this
included in the data file update I'll be working on tomorrow or Wednesday.

Thanks, Rob


At 01:26 AM 11/26/2002 +0000, you wrote:
>If THAT is the ability that is supposed to be used to denote flying
>figures, it's not properly designated at this point. Filtering on
>Constant Flight generates NO Marvel figures and only Weather Wizard
>in the DC figures.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Bowes (rob@wolflair.com) (559) 658-6995
Lone Wolf Development www.wolflair.com

[rob]

At 04:31 AM 11/26/2002 -0800, you wrote:
> > 5. Including Rank in the Name for WizKids Data Files
> > As has been mentioned, the rank is included in the name so that the models
> > don't get collapsed by the Merge Duplicates setting. This setting is ON by
> > default, since all of the non-clickie games need it to be on. If we don't
> > distinguish the models this way, we'll have a lot of confused users. That
> > being said, I'm trying to come up with a way to solve this for the next
> > feature update of Card Vault. The issue is that the "Merge Duplictes"
> > setting spans all games, and the setting is saved/restored. If we make the
> > default for WizKids' games to be "don't merge", that only works when the
> > user loads the very FIRST game system. After that, the user-selected
> > setting is used. If I can figure out a good solution, we'll address
> this in
> > the next feature update. Failing that, we'll modify the data files so that
> > the models at least sort in the correct order with the rank designation in
> > the name. In fact, we'll modify the data files in this way very shortly.
>
>How about making the Merge Duplicates flag defined much the way the initial
>filter setting are defined - the definition file includes a default setting,
>and then the setting is remembered for each system, rather than globally for
>the user. That way, if there is a CCG in the future that works more like the
>Clix games do now, folks won't have to keep switching... they can set the
>option once as the need it for each game and leave it that way.

That seems reasonable. I'll give it some thought to make sure that there
aren't any hidden surprises in doing it that way. :-)

> > 7. Merging Marvel and DC Heroclix Files
> > This is something *WE* cannot do. There is a great deal of tension between
> > Marvel and DC due to their competitive positions in the market. This
> > tension led to WizKids being forced to maintain parity between the two and
> > NOT co-mingle the figures from either company in any way. It is for the
> > same reason that *WE* must keep the two distinct.
>
>Is this in the FAQ for the files?

Absolutely!

Thanks, Rob

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Bowes (rob@wolflair.com) (559) 658-6995
Lone Wolf Development www.wolflair.com