Realm Works Player Edition Update

[liz]

In regards to the pricing, will the per-player group price extend to more than 5 players? I've got 6 players in my campaign, would they be able to buy a bundle of 6 for $5-6 on top of the 5 copy bundle price? Or would they need to buy a 5 copy bundle for $30, plus an additional single copy for another $10?

5 is the highest number of copies per bundle. If you need 6 player copies, you'd need to do the 5 copy bundle for $29.99 and a single copy for $9.99. We chose to stop by bundles of 5 based on feedback we received from our Beta users as to the average number of players per gaming group. We had to draw the line somewhere, so we stopped bundling at 5.

How will the GM version Interface with the Player Edition? I'm not referring to revealing things in the GM version but how will the Player log in and access it?

A GM will invite a player the Player Edition to participate in their Realm (their game). If a player accepts that invitation, that tells our server that the revealed content can be synced down from "the cloud" to that player.

If you're looking for more specific technical details let me know and I'll pass the answer on to some else.

 

[rob]

Two quick notes...

Players have their own accounts. GMs will manage which players have access to their realms on an individual basis, so a GM could invite one set of players to Realm#1 and a different set of players to Realm#2. Or the two groups could overlap. A player can also participate in realms of different GMs.

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.

Hope this clears up any uncertainty!

 

[mirtos]

To be honest, the freeness is nice, but I think its the lesser of the two advantages. (5 players for 25-30 bucks is what most groups spend on snacks in one session) The real advantage, in my opinion, is the ability to look at things when not with a computer using RealmsWorks.

I know I cant install it at work, but i can use chrome or any browser. So many people are in similar situations.

just my two cents.

 

[beholdsa]

My biggest issue is platform. Between myself and my players, there isn't a single Windows user. I primarily run Linux, and my players all run Mac (or use Android tablets).

I'm technically savvy enough that I can install a VM, put Windows on it and run RealmWorks through that. But that's well beyond the abilities of most of my players.

Player Edition may be nice for some, but I'm really hoping the web interface comes along.

 

[ruhar]

5 is the highest number of copies per bundle. If you need 6 player copies, you'd need to do the 5 copy bundle for $29.99 and a single copy for $9.99. We chose to stop by bundles of 5 based on feedback we received from our Beta users as to the average number of players per gaming group. We had to draw the line somewhere, so we stopped bundling at 5.

Why not set the final bundle to allow the buyer to purchase additional copies at a discount? For example the bundle of 5 is $29.99 and each additional copy is $7. This is only good for that transaction so if someone new joins the group after the program is bought the new person would pay $9.99 if she wants a copy. Everyone (but the new person ;-) wins.

 

[LonePaladin]

Is there any possibility that those of use who have already paid for a full GM copy might receive a few complimentary player licenses? I'm on a very limited (read: ~$0) budget.

 

[ruhar]

Is there any possibility that those of use who have already paid for a full GM copy might receive a few complimentary player licenses? I'm on a very limited (read: ~$0) budget.

Have your players pay for it. They're the ones who will benefit from it. It's easier for each of them to pitch a few dollars than you coughing up the full amount.

I've seen a few posts about the GM buying for all of the players. Why is this an issue? Fellow GMs, we spend a lot of time between games getting ready for the next game. You paid for Realm Works, which cost a lot more than the Players Edition. And how many of you have bought books beyond what the players have not to mention miniatures, props and who knows what else. The players can pay $6-$10 for the Player Edition. If they prefer they can wait a few months and use the web based version. Let the players pay for their program!

 

[Ladyofdragons]

I think the point of a GM paying for player copies is that the GM is trying to promote the tool as the place for his players to view the contents, and to provide journals and such. I know my group has people who won't pay for it on their own as they don't think pay tools like RW are "worth it". If I want them to use it, I provide licenses as it's my choice to use the tool. Same goes for Hero Lab, I provide time on our laptops and the iPad for them to use to update their characters every level. Only one of my players (two if you count my husband) has Hero Lab.

 

[mirtos]

it depends on a lot of things, age, income level, etc.

i know my group spends more than that on session snacks.

but i agree, if you cant/dont want to afford it, then ask the players IF they want to know out of game what info they have. otherwise just keep using the player view until the web interface comes out.

 

[ruhar]

I think the point of a GM paying for player copies is that the GM is trying to promote the tool as the place for his players to view the contents, and to provide journals and such. I know my group has people who won't pay for it on their own as they don't think pay tools like RW are "worth it". If I want them to use it, I provide licenses as it's my choice to use the tool. Same goes for Hero Lab, I provide time on our laptops and the iPad for them to use to update their characters every level. Only one of my players (two if you count my husband) has Hero Lab.

I didn't realize there were players who didn't want to join the electronic age. I guess I'm pretty lucky, most of my players use their laptops. Only one prefers paper, though he finally broke down and got Hero Lab, and one doesn't have a laptop.

 

[mirtos]

most of mine prefer paper. Sortof. They design their own character sheets, but like having the print outs. i guess it depends on how long you've been playing.

And i understand wanting to keep a gaming table laptop free.

 

[Ladyofdragons]

I didn't realize there were players who didn't want to join the electronic age. I guess I'm pretty lucky, most of my players use their laptops. Only one prefers paper, though he finally broke down and got Hero Lab, and one doesn't have a laptop.

It's not so much not wanting to be electronic, just not wanting to pay for it. Humorously the one who said pay tools were not "worth it" is in IT. For his campaign he uses a wiki for campaign data and an online character sheet to collect characters from players.

I'm more the type to invest in expansion books and tools for our group, though at $120+ for hero lab data packages just for pathfinder, plus the price of the books themselves, plus the cost of RW, I have to admit he has a tad of a point. I do not make this a cheap hobby.

 

[Exmortis]

It's not so much not wanting to be electronic, just not wanting to pay for it. Humorously the one who said pay tools were not "worth it" is in IT. For his campaign he uses a wiki for campaign data and an online character sheet to collect characters from players.

I'm more the type to invest in expansion books and tools for our group, though at $120+ for hero lab data packages just for pathfinder, plus the price of the books themselves, plus the cost of RW, I have to admit he has a tad of a point. I do not make this a cheap hobby.

Every hobby has a cost, and seriously anyone who thinks they are free needs to step back and take a good look at the world around them. No hobby is free, some are far more expensive than others, I have a tremendous amount invested in fishing, far more than I have ever spent on D&D Basic to Pathfinder now, including the fact I just bought a Surface Pro 3 for running HL almost exclusively.

However saying that I understand the need to keep it all within budget and reason, even if I often lack that on a day to day basis. My entire group uses laptops, and HL with exception of one player not using HL, though I believe before the end of the year he will convert.

For my campaign he will have to buy HL or sit out, also he will have to buy Player view for RW. I am building a custom campaign with custom races, spells, gods, etc all loosely based on the world of Telon. I am already 100+ hours down range, not to mention buying add-ons for HL and buying RW to make sure I deliver the best possible experience. I have an HL user file done now for everyone to use, eveyrhting is predone for them (man is HL great or what!!). I do not believe it is too much to ask, that a player buy HL and RW player view. Now my group is 40+ all with solid employment, so I understand that does change things, we are blessed and lucky. As a GM I spend far more than any player, I own every book, every bestiary, every HL add-on from paizo, etc. to ensure I deliver the best player experience possible, but for this I also have some expectations to my players. I also do not think that is unreasonable.

As a GM I have always invest more money, time and effort than players, its part of the job, I accept this as reality. However I thik its fair GMs have expectations on players as well, and that will include some money to be spent.

You can certainly play and have great fun for less than I have invested, but when it comes to your hobby and enjoyment, I am less inclined to worry about cost, when it enhances that which makes life wonderful. We all work, we all eat, sleep have crappy responsibilities. So when you have the time to enjoy that which we do for the pure fun and enjoyment of it? Why cheap out? In my humble opinion your only cheating yourself, cheating your self of what makes life worth living....Hobbies we do for the sake of fun and enjoyment, for the sake of our own state of mind....

 

[Exmortis]

most of mine prefer paper. Sortof. They design their own character sheets, but like having the print outs. i guess it depends on how long you've been playing.

And i understand wanting to keep a gaming table laptop free.

I have found, this again is just myself and our group, that the change to having laptops and electronic gaming aids has improved the game. I found that players have far less errors, the gaming play goes smoother with easier access to information.

I also waste less paper, as we so rarely print anything anymore.

I have been playing since D&D basic edition was the shiznat, maybe I am living proof you can teach old dogs new tricks?

 

[Venger]

Hello
My 2 cents worth here.

At first, I wasn't too interested in the Player Edition. I use RW to manage my realm and thats really all I needed.

We play live (as opposed to online) and I display(ed) maps out of my laptop's external video port. Well my video card is dying, and I can only run in Safe mode with network support. Hence, the drivers for external video do not load.

I'm saving for another laptop but a purchase won't be possible for months. But, another solution comes to mind.

Once the Player Edition is released I will buy a copy and have it installed on one of my player's laptops so I can run the game off my laptop and he will manage the player client and display to the TV from his laptop.

Sooo consider this a poke to release the Player Edition soon

 

[Farling]

Hello
Once the Player Edition is released I will buy a copy and have it installed on one of my player's laptops so I can run the game off my laptop and he will manage the player client and display to the TV from his laptop.

Sooo consider this a poke to release the Player Edition soon

I hope you realise that the Player Edition isn't a live copy of the realm. The GM will have to sync his changes to the server, and then the player will have to sync his realm with the server, before the player can display it on his screen.

 

[EightBitz]

I don't understand why people expect free software. I love free software, but when I find a free application that does something I want, I feel grateful rather than entitled.

Yeah, it's a lot to buy the Hero Lab stuff for Pathfinder. But you only really have to buy the core package. All the expansions, you can have those for free if you do all the coding and data entry yourself.

Considering all the time it would take for you to do that yourself puts that $120 in perspective, right?

Even with that, though, you only need the core package to play. You don't need all the expansions. If you're buying those books, though, how much are you spending for those?

 

[EightBitz]

Any group I've played with, give us a first edition AD&D player's handbook and DMG, and we'll have fun. One of the guys I play with started with the three original pamphlets. I'm not coming down on all the expansions, but get some perspective. If you have the core rulebook and core data package, you're already much more advanced than many of us were when we started. Remember that the point of gaming is to have fun, not to have all everythang.

 

[MaxSupernova]

>Every hobby has a cost, and seriously anyone who thinks they are free needs to step back and take a good look at the world around them. No hobby is free

>Why cheap out? In my humble opinion your only cheating yourself, cheating your self of what makes life worth living....Hobbies we do for the sake of fun and enjoyment, for the sake of our own state of mind....

We've been playing D6 Space and FUDGE almost exclusively for years now. We've played many different campaigns in different genres and with different GMs and wildly differing styles. Haven't paid a cent for any of it.

We've had a great amount of fun and while I don't do this because I *can't* pay for it, why would I if I don't need to?

I'm not "cheaping out". I'm not spending money that doesn't need to be spent. Horses for courses.

 

[MaxSupernova]

My paying for RW was an attempt to bring some order to my GM notes, not really as an actual at-the-table gaming tool. If my players can have free web access to my notes, then I'll probably use that ability, but we likely won't be paying for the player version, especially given the timeframe of product rollout and feature completeness.

It's coming up on a year since I started waiting for the base product (remember the "What does 'Fall 2013' mean exactly?" threads?) and I'm still limited by promised features that are not implemented. If we purchase the player version it will be after I'm confident that the product is indeed complete enough to execute everything that I want to do with it, not just that these features are "scheduled".