HLO: "Starfinder Armory" content date?

[Ecliptic]

So no ETA on implementation then?

 

[rob]

Not sure what your point would be, Toblakai, except that having a browser based character sheet can be used on a phone.

The single most requested thing we've been asked for years is to support Android. And the second most requested thing is to support the full spectrum of tablets and phones across all game systems. Switching to the browser-based model within HLOnline delivers a product that satisfies our #1 and #2 user requests.

That would be the case for a character viewer, based on the "classic" herolab por files, which would have been easier to implement, use and develop than a complete rework of the program to work off a server and not do a lot of the work the program already does.

Not exactly. The requests aren't for a static viewer. Users want full character editing capability. They want to do everything via their phone or tablet. And they want it for any device and every game system we support. That's fundamentally different from any sort of viewer derived from an HLClassic portfolio file and requires the full product to be available on all those devices.

I do hope that Herolab Online can get the same functionality as the classic program, but it is nowhere near that yet. I believe browser technology has to improve quite a bit for it to be able to get to that level, but unless one of the third party browsers like Chrome or more likely Mozilla subplants IE or "Edge," this won't happen anytime soon. They just took a hit a year ago cutting out Java functions and seem to be more concerned about being "secure" than anything else.

Browser technology already exists today that will allow us to accomplish everything we've got mapped out on our "core features" road map for HLOnline - features that will leave HLClassic in the dust by comparison. We definitely don't have everything in place yet, but the foundation is in place and we're building steadily towards what I see as a vastly more powerful, flexible, and useful product than HLClassic could ever become.

 

[rob]

So no ETA on implementation then?

Armory and a few other books for other game systems slipped due to the push to get everything into place for PF2 Playtest in time for GenCon. We've got a little bit left to wrap up for the Playtest and then our attention will return to the books that slipped, with Armory being at the forefront of those. I don't know what a concrete ETA would be, since I'm not directly involved in that work, but I can definitely say that it won't be much longer.

 

[thaX]

I get what your saying about the most requested app for the program.

I think the online only App and not having an actual program hurts more than it improves the user ability to use it at the table.

Internet availability is not, nor will it be anytime soon, something that is a guaranteed certainty. If we could use an App to view and adjust our character as it is, a character viewer should be a feature or separate App that could use a saved character file to use without getting on the internet, and staying on it, for the ability to just see the character.

The App for the iPad has always been something that has potential, but seems to want to do to much rather than be an extension of the program that is on the computer.

I hope you can get the server app up to the point of being as good as the classic program, but thus far, it is a long way from happening. I am glad you hope to actually surpass the classic program, but the focus should be on at least getting on par with it, walk before running.

 

[mithrandiryod]

May be new, but I bought in for the character building, eventual ship building, and eventual combat Management/encounter builder. The fact that it is online is nice to be able to edit from everywhere, even work or the couch when inspiration strikes or I have the random moment to work.

If I had the choice I'd rather have all the DM tools available...but I'm willing to wait. I understand that character building and usability at the table should likely come first to serve the wider customer base. Doesn't stop me from obsessively checking the forums for release information or roadmap updates. I'm just hoping that PF2 doesn't push starfinder items aside...

 

[rob]

I'm just hoping that PF2 doesn't push starfinder items aside...

PF2 impacted everything (Starfinder, PF1, Shadowrun, etc.) because we had such a small time window into which to make it happen for GenCon. Now that PF2 is largely in place, we'll be finishing up the remaining bits of PF2 and getting back to normal on support for everything else. All of the major functionality we'll be bringing online for HLO in the months ahead will apply to both Starfinder AND PF2.

 

[Gobrious]

Is there an update on the Armory for HLO? The book has been out for a while now.

Also, I don't think putting Starfinder on the back burner like that for a playtest is cool.

While HLO is being developed, I don't think it's wise as a company to try and do both PF2 and Starfinder while so many announced features are still missing. Should have just worked on HLO over the next year and release PF2 for HLO when PF2 is actually released.

Too late now.

 

[ben.rincon]

I would also like to know an expected date for the armory. My players are dying to use the stuff, but since I have a lot of them and we use HLO I have to wait until it gets published to use. It wouldn't be as bad If we could create custom items and the like as in HLC, but this is how it is. Armory is a hot ticket item for people who use HLO, so it would really be good to know we are getting it soon and not just having it kicked back cause of the playtest.

That being said, thanks for coming our monthlies while you guys get things sorted! It means a lot!

 

[Trester]

Yeah it would be amazing if the Armory could be added soon. My players are dying to add some of the stuff to their characters.

 

[Rone]

We hope to have Armory out in September now that we have some time to catch up.

 

[evdjj3j]

Experience shows that that means early October.

 

[Kavok]

Eagerly waiting on this.

 

[morev007]

Will armory content be released before TPkon(21 september)?

 

[Trester]

Experience shows that that means early October.

I'm guessing more late October considering every single update they have done is PF2

 

[mithrandiryod]

If nothing else, an update to the road map and expected timelines would be nice.

 

[Gobrious]

Will armory content be released before TPkon(21 september)?

I'd imagion we'll be lucky if it's out by October 21st.

Seems pretty clear PF2 is their focus and they'll get around to Starfinder when they have a chance, even though PF2 is just a playtest.

 

[evdjj3j]

Hadn't fired up Hero Lab or been to the forums in a while and was hoping I would see Armory added but it hasn't. It really sucks that Starfinder has been neglected for a game that is not even out yet. I don't even want to think about how long it will take for the new AP content to become available. Remember Lone Wolf you promised to have Armory available shortly after Gencon. I call BS on there being a SF team and PF team, if there were we would be seeing SF content in a timely manner. I real wish I hadn't bought the PF2 module now because it only encourages them to neglect SF.

 

[charlieluce]

The thing is, the nature of the Pathfinder Playtest means that not using the latest updates makes the process basically useless for getting meaningful feedback to Paizo, which puts a lot of pressure on Lone Wolf to keep up.

 

[evdjj3j]

It would have been nice to know ahead of time that SF would be put on the back burner until PF2 is released. The reason I bought HLO instead of using PC Gen was because I expected new content to be added to the system in a timely manner.

 

[ShadowChemosh]

I call BS on there being a SF team and PF team, if there were we would be seeing SF content in a timely manner.

To be clear no one actually said this. What was said is that the team building the UI (web development, HTML, CSS, JSON) is a different team from the team that builds the game systems (PF1, Starfinder, PF2) using HL scripting language. Its also a different team that handles the binary application for Windows, Mac, iPad and HLO which is written in C++.

Unfortunately LW has one team of three people to do ALL the different game systems they support. Obviously currently PF1, PF2, and Starfinder have the largest amount of content that comes out at a monthly pace. This team of three is also the same group that answers questions on the forums and handles the bug reports for all game systems.

To grow LW has to add games but by adding games things are falling behind. But with new games and more income they may be able to hire more employees. But until the new game is out and making money they can't hire more plus new PF1 content is coming to a end at GenCon 2019. Its sort of a vicious cycle and a catch-22.