Realm Works Player Edition Update

[mirtos]

the pricing model is similar to d20 pro, with the exception that d20 pro has a trial, and 2 free guest licenses with each GM license.

but considering RW will eventually have a free website model, I think their pricing model is perfectly fair. I think the no trial is the hardest thing about getting RW in this day and age.

 

[Venger]

Hey Farling;
Thanks for replying to my post.

No I did not realize the Player Edition does not update as you reveal.
I naturally assumed that doing reveals would update the Player Edition live, similarly to the Player View so it could be used during game play with friends online.

Syncing after every reveal is not what I wish to do.

Ok. I will have to come up with another solution. Thanks

 

[rob]

@Venger: Since the network drivers are working, perhaps you could use something like Splashtop (or similar) to show the Player View screen on a tablet that could be handed around by the players.

Another possibility would be a USB display adapter that gets routed to your TV. I'm not sure about this one due to the constraints of your current environment, but it could work if you have USB.

 

[enrious]

I use Splashtop Extended Display HD for Android to cause my tablet to work as an extra monitor for my PC and throw the Player View on it.

 

[Dark Lord Galen]

I read the post completely differently from how it was intended. I keyed primarily on the assignment of staff to teams that they have never contributed to in any way

Obviously... never implied who you had assigned where, just
who came before who and their possible function.

and the final assertion of...
"So, to conclude that there are separate stand alone "teams" is unlikely... More likely they have leads for each Software Branch, and the others support when / where they can..."

the intent here was to convey that while they may be differing branches they are of the same tree. You as a manager (whether programming or not daily) decide the course of what gets worked on and what doesn't based on the available resources at the time of need. IF there is an element that could be accomplished with your attention within HL and you had a moment when no one else does, I'm certain you would tend to it than disrupt other elements on your teams "to do list".

The big gotcha is that I didn't detect that your post was being written while my post was made. I took the incorrect information as an intentional statement that contested my post, which was an honest mistake on my part.
Bottom line: Timing is everything. I saw it an hour later, didn't check the timestamp, and drew a completely different interpretation from what you wrote. Sorry about that!

apology accepted.
Next time PLEEEEEAAASSEEE if you think I'm out of line or calling you a "liar" PM me for clarification... its not in my nature to call someone that in a public forum.

And for all others reviewing this particular post..... Rob could have easily sent me a message of apology privately after flaming me publicly....but he didn't.. he did it for all to see. That says a lot about the man at the top.

Thanks Rob

Though I think of myself a highly skilled programmer, I am just a dedicated fan of both pieces of software, and thoroughly impressed with the job Rob and his team have done. Spy is just a special board title I was given last year (2013) after playing Resistance with the LWD team there. I'm just a guy on this board with some specialized knowledge.

Ah ok thanks for clarifying.... Like you, I received a similar moniker elsewhere for being a hard but fair critic, mentor, trusted ally and foremost honest forum elder. Something Rob has yet become accustom to, but in time that may find its path as well.

DLG aka
Sole Paladin of Canonfire
http://www.canonfire.com/cf/index.php

And for any that wish a World of Greyhawk resource feel free to drop in and add to the conversation...... Greyhawk is, afterall, where it all began.

 

[Dark Lord Galen]

@Venger: Since the network drivers are working, perhaps you could use something like Splashtop (or similar) to show the Player View screen on a tablet that could be handed around by the players.

Another possibility would be a USB display adapter that gets routed to your TV. I'm not sure about this one due to the constraints of your current environment, but it could work if you have USB.

As Rob pointed out, A reasonable solution might be a diamond BVU165 USB video adapter
See here >http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...=aps&hvadid=4961454828&ref=pd_sl_4of39b397o_p
Any that have looked at the thread Liz started with "what does your game table look like" will see my listing there... I use two of these to power the imbedded TVs... was way cheaper (less than $40 each) than a supersized video card (and cooler)

The only catch is depending on your application, it experiences lag (ie if you use a lot of video). Since RW is mostly static shots this has not been a problem....

 

[Agyess]

I use Splashtop Extended Display HD for Android to cause my tablet to work as an extra monitor for my PC and throw the Player View on it.

so... anyone know if you can do this w/ a windows 8 tablet?

 

[Madmaxneo]

I am still amazed that $10 for a player is a big thing.
If you cant afford it you dont have to buy it.
If you think its something that will enhance the experience and help you enjoy the game a bit more, the $10 is a small price to pay.
Its not like you have to pay it monthly as when you play games like WoW.

It may not be a big deal depending on the player. But if I am using it in one of my games and all the players have it and a newcomer comes along then he will probably have to pay full price. Which sucks for that person. A lot of the gamers I know are on real tight budgets so $10 is a big deal. As far as the local gaming community, There aren't to many people in the area that use or even know of Realm Works. Some have heard of it but aren't interested in the program at all. A select few have promised to check it out, but will probably forget.

Bruce

 

[Dark Lord Galen]

$10 bucks in my pocket is still $10 bucks......
Reading the direction of the last few posts does demonstrate things always come full circle.....
Being involved with the game for nearly 30yrs I remember similar discussions throughout the 30yrs... Though they were not around the price of software, it didn't exist then. It was around figures, dice, etc... now staples at 99% of most tables....
*OLD GRUNARD ALERT*
Back when I started playing, we played most every weekend because it was a cheap form of entertainment (going to the movies was outrageous.. $2 a ticket!!!)

• We didn't have dice, we had chits;
• didn't have printed character sheets, the ole tattered spiral from English class would suffice;
• nor did we have "battlemats"; we had a piece of glass salvaged from a friends sliding door replacement & china markers from Art Class.

We made do... had fun, used the most important game tool you cannot buy... improv imagination.
We had two boxes of "guidelines" as they were once referred to. The white box and the blue.... at the time cost us less than $20 for the 8 of us playing.

But times have changed....

• Dice $10
• Figures$4
• Books$ ranging from $20 to $150 for sets of "core" books

..... Our hobby has become an industry.

Like it or not, companies cost money to run . I'm sure Liz doesn't show up to work just because she "likes the game"( sorry Liz had to use you for the example cause you are "public relations" right? ). All companies (not just LWD but ALL) sell a product that they have invested $$$ in. They invest $$$ in advance with the hope that we, the consumer, find it useful in our "hobby" and purchase it. To expect LWD (or any company) to offer anything or everything for free wont make them viable as a company for long.

Gone are the days of "cheap entertainment".

• movies are easily $50 for the night out now
• a ticket to a football or baseball game for a family of 4 is easily $200
• even DVDs are on average $25

Companies that support our hobby are only following a larger trend, just to survive.

Now some 30years later, I still play, my son and his friends with me and mine from the ole days... they are as we once were.. strapped for cash, as most young people are.....
They could play "old school", without expense and improv (as I am certain many do) and have fun doing it.
OR
If they find any tool that would add to their experience as a gamer, they will find a way to get it... maybe that means not buying that "special" 1d20, or not going to the mall, etc... who knows... these are all choices we all have made, and will make.... For any to expect something for nothing.... ask yourself... would you work for free?

I myself furnish all the "tools for our game" 12 copies of HL, table, munchies, etc.... why because its my passion, my hobby, that I pass on to them. A legacy if you will for the next generation.

 

[EightBitz]

$10 bucks in my pocket is still $10 bucks......
Reading the direction of the last few posts does demonstrate things always come full circle.....
Being involved with the game for nearly 30yrs I remember similar discussions throughout the 30yrs... Though they were not around the price of software, it didn't exist then. It was around figures, dice, etc... now staples at 99% of most tables....
*OLD GRUNARD ALERT*
Back when I started playing, we played most every weekend because it was a cheap form of entertainment (going to the movies was outrageous.. $2 a ticket!!!)

• We didn't have dice, we had chits;
• didn't have printed character sheets, the ole tattered spiral from English class would suffice;
• nor did we have "battlemats"; we had a piece of glass salvaged from a friends sliding door replacement & china markers from Art Class.

We made do... had fun, used the most important game tool you cannot buy... improv imagination.
We had two boxes of "guidelines" as they were once referred to. The white box and the blue.... at the time cost us less than $20 for the 8 of us playing.

But times have changed....

• Dice $10
• Figures$4
• Books$ ranging from $20 to $150 for sets of "core" books

..... Our hobby has become an industry.

Not completely.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-tabletop-rpgs-you-can-download-for-free-muo-gaming/

And there's always GURPS Light.

It shouldn't take much to expand on those rules or use them to come up with your own rules or as inspiration for your own system.

These things may not be comprehensive or balanced, but as long as they're fun, who cares? And if you do come up with your own stuff, even if it's not comprehensive or balanced, you'll exercise more imagination and learn more about game design than someone who drops a bunch of money on books.

That being said, I have a rather large collection of RPG books. I haven't even come close to playing every system I have. But for me, that's not the point. I enjoy exploring different rules systems and different settings, just for the enjoyment of doing so. Sometimes, I find something I can incorporate into another game I'm playing or running. But you can do that by reading trade paperbacks as well.

It still doesn't cost much to get started, if you have the imagination and passion.

 

[EightBitz]

And if you don't have imagination or passion, it doesn't matter how much you spend on books. You're gaming experience will always be less than optimal.

 

[Madmaxneo]

That's all good. For me it isn't that big of a deal. But I can't fork out money to purchase the tools needed for every player that joins the game.
If I am running a game and using Realm Works as a primary means for the players to access all the needed materials then anyone who is interested in playing but on a budget (as most are these days) they will probably be deterred from joining the game. To be honest a lot of people are deterred from playing games where they have to download something on their PC even if it is free. I have used Maptools extensively in the past and I have had players decide not to join because they didn't want to install any software on their PC. Adding a cost to the mix makes it that much more "un-attractive" to many players. Now if Realm Works added a special discount for GM's that after a certain amount the price for each license is reduced for $5 then that would be easier to sell to new players.
On the other hand I do understand that developers like Lone Wolf needs to make their money and can suffer losses if they give to much of a discount.
At what price do you sell something to balance out the cost of production and still provide an appealing purchase? I have some knowledge when it comes to business and cost balancing, and I can tell you it's not an easy thing to figure out as a lot of times there is a certain "chance" factor that sets the pricing for a lot of things.
Nowadays most consumers are thrifty especially when it comes to hobbies.

Bruce

 

[mirtos]

This is why exporting and printing is one of the options that i (and others have requested). If players want to use it to be able to search on their own time, then allow them to. If not, dont make it required, but a DM tool for organization. I dont understand why people feel it has to be both or neither. I use it in my game, and rarely use the player view at all. Its great for looking up information that players ask.

There was a time in gaming when DMs had all the notes, didnt provide handouts, and described things to the players. If Realms Works never had a player view/account, it would still be useful.

 

[Dark Lord Galen]

Now if Realm Works added a special discount for GM's that after a certain amount the price for each license is reduced for $5 then that would be easier to sell to new players.

Aren't they doing exactly that? (though the bundle cost for 5 being $6 not $5 each)
see here>http://www.wolflair.com/realmworks/2014/08/10/player-edition-update/

As Rob pointed out there will be free web access sometime at end of this year / first quarter of next year.

Web-based player access is going to start coming online late this year - at the earliest. The Player Edition provides all the same capabilities that you have as a GM, except that the user can't edit anything. Players can view everything that's been revealed, navigate through it, filter it, etc. In contract, the web-based interface will start out very limited in functionality and grow over time, so there will be a significant difference in capabilities between the two when web-based access first comes online. The key advantages of the web-based interface will be that it can run on any device via the browser and it will be free.

Put into perspective, most groups play once a week .... so that 50 sessions ( allowing for 2 offs) So for a group of 5 that's a cost of .60 each for a year. Less than one coke.

For those that seek out the "freebee" .... well you're actually getting it... buy 3 at regular price and get 2 copies free...

Myself... I'll probably buy 2 bundles (when its deemed ready to utilize efficiently) retaining 3 or 4 copies for future use since all my players are unlikely to utilize it outside our gaming table. This approach allows for turnover as well as possible new players in the future while still mitigating overall cost. And by passing along that cost ($1 a game) to my players that want it, it would be paid for by this time next year at minimal cost impact to them..... Is there a risk with some groups getting a player that scams with his copy after a month, sure, but that is hardly LWD problem.

I guess I see it differently..... at regular price 10 copies would cost me $100 .... LWD is willing to sell that same quantity to me at a 40% discount.... a pretty good deal anywhere you go.....

 

[ShadowChemosh]

Just wanted to add my two cents that my players will be buying licenses for this without complaint and would have done it when it was $10 bucks each. Now that its $5 bucks its not even a question and this includes the guy with a Mac that can't even run the software. But they agree that supporting such a great product and showing support is worth it.

Granted they all really want the Web version, not cause its free, but because it will run on the iPads. All my players use iPads at the game and like how small and easy to use with HL and Pathfinder. The latest version is even better!!!

So they no longer want to bring a laptop to the game which is what is currently required for RWE. So most will be using it at home to refresh there memory before the game or ideas. But currently the "player view" will still be used actively during the game.

I also wanted to add the Player Part of RW is the single MOST important part of the product to me and my group. Its the single reason I backed the Kickstarter and became a Beta tester. Calenders and printing are useless to me and will never be used if added. I can't even think of the last time a date in my campaigns even came up or was asked. I hope these features get added for others but wanted to point out that I use different features of the product.

So just adding my voice that I am SO FREAKING happy that RWE is coming out very soon. That will finally let my players get access to all the info I have been putting in for Skull and Shackles.

 

[mirtos]

For me its:

1. Printing (well actually export, as i plan to use the exported data in home made PDFs)
2. Players Edition



BIG GAP in importance

3. Calendar


---

as you said, every GM/player has different needs.

 

[jkthomsen9]

Hey Rob, I know you are working hard and it is priority number one. Is it possible to get a Friday update as to progress made. I would hope this would not inflame the thread, but I'm not sure. I can only speak for myself. I come home from work hopeful and hit the "check for updates" button. Then I check the board to see if you have posted anything. Thank you for all the hard work at LWD, and have a good weekend.

 

[Acenoid]

For me its:

...
as you said, every GM/player has different needs.

For me:
1. Printing (well actually export too, as i plan to use the exported somewhere... )
2. Speed , Usability, Customization to make the data entry and handling easier & faster (some examples are the buggy scroll bars on my laptop, or the filter resets, which force me to search stuff again.

BIG GAP in importance

3. Everything else (not the Calendar)

But yet it is all in all a great tool and I will continue to try to enter data and rules into it. Though Iam a bit scared that it will become overloaded and hard to maintain, since i have no "complex" possibilities to update many things at once, which is useful for restructure / expanding and working on things not initially thought off.

---

 

[Farling]

But yet it is all in all a great tool and I will continue to try to enter data and rules into it. Though Iam a bit scared that it will become overloaded and hard to maintain, since i have no "complex" possibilities to update many things at once, which is useful for restructure / expanding and working on things not initially thought off.

Don't bother putting rules into it. Since it isn't a VTT there's no need for rules to be in there.

 

[EightBitz]

Don't bother putting rules into it. Since it isn't a VTT there's no need for rules to be in there.

Pff, don't listen to people who tell you what not to do with it. Do what you want with it. For new systems I'm trying out, I'll put the core rules into it so I have a quick reference, organized the way I want.

I don't put all the class rules or all the race rules. Maybe that's what Farling means about using Hero Lab for the rules.

Right now, for example, I'm exploring the Numenera system. I'm putting the basic mechanics into RW. Actions, Combat, Range and Speed, Effort, and Damage and Recovery.

I am NOT putting in the rules for the Types and Tiers.

I MIGHT enter info about locations (cities and regions) and info about groups and secret societies.

So, you can follow my example, you can follow Farling's example, or you can come up with your own method.