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- The Lone Wolf Development Team
Tablet Wars II: Attack of Android 3.0
- Thread starter FifthWanderer
- Start date
12hourhalfday
Member
My tablet is always with me at the game table, if I had herolab I wouldn't need to bring my laptop. I would totally buy another Herolab license for my android tablet.
Currently I'm a player rather then a GM. I have a Windows laptop, and through work I have an iPad 2 and an Asus Transformer. Currently, the lack of an Android version of Hero Lab is the only reason I'm still using the laptop. When my laptop finally dies, if there's an iOS version of Hero Lab available I still plan to return to pencil & paper for character management.
Very simply, I cannot think of a single task I prefer to do on iOS when any other option is available. I will, in fact, preferentially use my Android smartphone over iOS. The only exception I can think of would be the original Blackberry Storm - although I broke my contract early just to get rid of that particular mistake.
While I fully expect Hero Lab on iOS would be very good, the cost (specifically, having to use iOS for my other needs) is unacceptable. Hero Lab - or any decent competitor - on Android will be considered. Hero Lab on iOS, will not.
Very simply, I cannot think of a single task I prefer to do on iOS when any other option is available. I will, in fact, preferentially use my Android smartphone over iOS. The only exception I can think of would be the original Blackberry Storm - although I broke my contract early just to get rid of that particular mistake.
While I fully expect Hero Lab on iOS would be very good, the cost (specifically, having to use iOS for my other needs) is unacceptable. Hero Lab - or any decent competitor - on Android will be considered. Hero Lab on iOS, will not.
chiefweasel
Well-known member
I do have a question along these lines: What are people looking to do with the tablet as far as HL is concerned? it would seem to me that a fully functioning HL would be difficult to use on a tablet. The editor would be rough and i really dont see folks using the editor on the tablet for file creation.
So with that in mind, my suggection would be to have a semi viewer form of HL based in the cloud (which could go along with Realm Works concept). basically you could upload your HL file of your character to a central LW server (These same characters could then ne used as NPC by other folks, just a side idea). Then the character could be viewed and used through a browser. This would make it tablet agnostic. There could be limitations of the changes that a player could make to their character while it is in the cloud area, such as the character isnt able to be leveled. But effects and abilities within the character could be activated and propgated throughout the character. simple things like HP could be tracked and saved out to the character though.
It seems liike a process like this would be easier and broarder than trying to create/maintain code for each platform.
The only disadvantage I see is that you would need a network connection to run the browser. But a process could also be created to do basically the same thing on the local device but still leverage the native browser and its framework.
just a thought.
So with that in mind, my suggection would be to have a semi viewer form of HL based in the cloud (which could go along with Realm Works concept). basically you could upload your HL file of your character to a central LW server (These same characters could then ne used as NPC by other folks, just a side idea). Then the character could be viewed and used through a browser. This would make it tablet agnostic. There could be limitations of the changes that a player could make to their character while it is in the cloud area, such as the character isnt able to be leveled. But effects and abilities within the character could be activated and propgated throughout the character. simple things like HP could be tracked and saved out to the character though.
It seems liike a process like this would be easier and broarder than trying to create/maintain code for each platform.
The only disadvantage I see is that you would need a network connection to run the browser. But a process could also be created to do basically the same thing on the local device but still leverage the native browser and its framework.
just a thought.
I don't have a tablet currently (if/when I do get one it will be Android-based though, nudge nudge), but if I were to use one with Hero Lab it would be almost exclusively at the table, for tracking/maintaining things that occur during play (activating abilities, using items, memorizing/casting spells, tracking hit points, logging XP/treasure gains, etc.), in effect as a "live" character sheet, ideally with the ability to then sync the data to my desktop version for leveling, etc. (syncing data between an owner's multiple licenses is something I'd love to see anyway). I don't see access to the editor as necessary for a tablet as I'd be far more likely to use my desktop for that (how many people run the editor on the fly at the game table anyway?), and while the tactical console would be a nice feature as a GM, if I'm running a game I usually have my laptop with me anyway so it would be potentially redundant (if I had both a laptop & tablet at the table as a GM I'd primarily use the tablet to display player handouts, monster pictures, etc.).
Now, if there were some sort of cross-platform networking functionality available where the GM's HL laptop/desktop syncs with the players' HL tablets & updates the characters in real-time that'd be pretty amazing IMO, but I think that's also getting away from what HL was intended to be in the first place & going more into VTT territory, which is already being handled by d20Pro and the like.
Fntsyfnatk
Member
I too vote for android tablets, and I am not an apple proscriber, nor do I EVER expect to be, damn money grubbers!
I do not own a tablet as of yet, but am awaiting your final decision as to which system you will develop HeroLab for.
The sooner the better!
I do not own a tablet as of yet, but am awaiting your final decision as to which system you will develop HeroLab for.
The sooner the better!
dragonladytoo
Well-known member
The MAJOR problem I would have with this is that a cloud concept just doesn't work in most gamestore/gamesday/convention environments. Most of these venues do NOT provide easy access to the internet, nor provide a local cloud hosting for players.
As for what I would be looking for, rather than a full HL editor, I simply want an application on my tablet that allows me to load the HL data file, and be able to check/activate conditions, HP adjustments, spell effects on my character. So we are talking about access to the adjustment pages.
I am not looking at the ability to level my characters, change basic stats, verify point builds, etc.
I am looking for an in play module, not an editing module in other words.
Oh and I would like to have it on an Android tablet!!
FWiW
Robyn
Personally, hero lab on a tablet really doesnt interest me as a dm much anyway. as a dm, i need to have all my character sheets and my npcs easily able to be accessed.
something of a client/server would interest me more.
and as a self-professed geek/and gamer for more than 30 years (im 38), I vote for iOS first, and android second.
(im a software engineer)
something of a client/server would interest me more.
and as a self-professed geek/and gamer for more than 30 years (im 38), I vote for iOS first, and android second.
(im a software engineer)
Agreed. Being able to pull up my existing character, made on a PC/Mac, and use the in-play/tracking features are what would like.
It would make tracking various abilities & spell effects much easier to handle. Enlarge Person? Sure. Bless? Yes. Raging? Okay. Stat-drained? Ouch.
cryptoknight
Well-known member
My Brand New Motorola Xoom would like to cast a vote for Android 
I posted this in another section, not the right one though, so here it is again.
I have been a devote supporter of HeroLab since the Pathfinder module was brought out. I have been working off of my desktop ever since. However now that PFS has become more and more popular, and I run more and more tables, the need for a mobile HeroLab has become more and more apparent. Being able to create a quick and accurate character for new players is a fantastic asset to speed up a session that is already limited on time as it is.
Personally, I am running on an android tablet, so I am biased on the version I would like to see first. But overall, would just like to know if there is any sign of a release date on any such product? Even just an approximate.
I have been a devote supporter of HeroLab since the Pathfinder module was brought out. I have been working off of my desktop ever since. However now that PFS has become more and more popular, and I run more and more tables, the need for a mobile HeroLab has become more and more apparent. Being able to create a quick and accurate character for new players is a fantastic asset to speed up a session that is already limited on time as it is.
Personally, I am running on an android tablet, so I am biased on the version I would like to see first. But overall, would just like to know if there is any sign of a release date on any such product? Even just an approximate.
There is no update on tablets yet. :-(
As we've been stating for the past year-plus, the first step for us is in getting the native Mac port completed. Although it's taken us much longer than we had planned, we're finally in the home stretch on that. After the native Mac port is out for both Hero Lab and Army Builder, *and* is running solid (read: one or two bug fix releases down the line), we'll begin nailing down the plan for a tablet version.
My best *guess* is that you'll start hearing something concrete from us about tablets in late 1Q2012. If the stars align and the Mac port goes smoothly from here on out, it could be earlier, but I wouldn't bet on that.
As we've been stating for the past year-plus, the first step for us is in getting the native Mac port completed. Although it's taken us much longer than we had planned, we're finally in the home stretch on that. After the native Mac port is out for both Hero Lab and Army Builder, *and* is running solid (read: one or two bug fix releases down the line), we'll begin nailing down the plan for a tablet version.
My best *guess* is that you'll start hearing something concrete from us about tablets in late 1Q2012. If the stars align and the Mac port goes smoothly from here on out, it could be earlier, but I wouldn't bet on that.
Fair enough. Thanks Rob, I appreciate your response. At least that gives me an idea so I'll just start loading everything on to my lap top and work from it.
As a side note, having run Hero Lab for quite some time now, I love the product and think that everyone working on it has done a fantastic job. Not being savvy on the programing end, I can just imagine the monumental task of keeping up with all of the new releases on top of the technology involved with the different platforms. My hats off to all of you.
I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.
As a side note, having run Hero Lab for quite some time now, I love the product and think that everyone working on it has done a fantastic job. Not being savvy on the programing end, I can just imagine the monumental task of keeping up with all of the new releases on top of the technology involved with the different platforms. My hats off to all of you.
I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.