Hi hi! We're just getting back to "normal" after our awesome weekend at PaizoCon. We were able to meet a lot of you and give you a demo of Playbook for Pathfinder. Thanks to everyone who stopped by for their boon or just to see what we're up to!
A huge part of our mission for Playbook is to gather and incorporate user feedback. We're making this app for you so we want to try and get it right or as close to right as we can. Each of you has a unique perspective into how you GM or play and we'd love to hear from you.
We've got an open call to any and all Venture Captains and Lieutenants as well as GMs with a regular game and/or group of players. We'd love to set up a time to chat, meet, Skype, email, message, connect and discuss Playbook - how you're using it, if you're using it, if you'd like to use it - basically any feedback you'd be willing to share!
We'd set you up with early access to new content on the staging build of the app to get feedback and thoughts before features go out to the world.
If you're interested, please get in touch! Leave a comment below, send me a message, shoot me an email (rachael.bowen@trapdoortechnologies.com), smoke signals from the rooftop - I'm very observant ;)
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I'm not using it, mainly because I don't buy Apple products. So while the product sounds interesting, it's not a whole lot of use to me.
So if a huge part of your mission is to gather user feedback, that would be mine. Recognize that there are more valid platforms than iPad. At least Hero Lab can be used on a PC, but even if they can't figure this platform issue out either; this can't be used on anything of mine.
Owner - D20 Hobbies
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It seems to be the digital product Trapdoor was developing for 5e until WotC pulled the plug. They mentioned diverting to another platform.
This requires a 4th gen iPad, so it must require a hefty memory(ram) and cpu requirements. Not a lot of tablets are that high spec, most in use are low end and older iPads.
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I've got it downloaded and I've tried playing around with it, especially after talking with the guy walking around at PaizoCon.
Originally, I had a problem with the character creation - PFS uses 20 point buy and I couldn't find a way to get it to do such. Same with my home campaigns - most are 20 (or more) point buy.
My second issue came when I was trying to use the Core Rule Book reference. On my tablet I can either pull up GoodReader and my copy of the CRB and flip directly to the page I know I'm looking for, or to the Combat section, then quickly flip pages past until I see the header I'm looking for. On Playbook, it's almost 50/50 if the page flips when I want it to. Sometimes I pull the dock open, sometimes the page turns. The other issue is the animation of the page turning - while it's neat, if I even have to turn 5 pages I'm tapping my toes waiting for the animation to complete each time.
I'm happy to give more specific feedback and work with someone on this - it certainly looks neat, it just seems more fluff and less usability for me right now.
I'm at kapperson.pfs@gmail.com
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Venture-Lieutenant, Florida—Jacksonville
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First impressions.
Nice interface, I'm a retro look fan, love the shelves in the library.
The library is the spot I'd like to see more on. Like the ability to bring in PDFs. It would be a great spot to drop key splat books and such spots in prep and have then going to more easily.
Goodreads is my favorite tool right now and against that I don't see the same flexibility on hand.
The ability to drop in PDFs would help there.
I like it enough that I subscribed and FYI I am not a fan of the subscription model for software, so this should show that I have hopes for it.
I agree with other the other that a Mac or pic client would make an excellent add on.
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I hate to sounds like a broken record but I am in the same camp as others, I don't do apple only products since my household is mixed across platforms.
I also have concerns about a sub based model, that would be the biggest thing to scare me off if we were platform independent.
That being said I'd love more tools to help me GMing and organizing.
I have to say the app sounded appealing on the know direction interview. Its not enough to make me go out and buy an iPad though. I'd be up for helping test android whenever you need it
Understandable :) We do have plans for Android and web in the future. If you're still interested in seeing the app, we're thinking about doing a live stream demo. I'll keep everyone in the thread posted and we'll record it for posterity!
I am also an android user, and am curious as to what this is (being that I'm not able to make PaizoCon)? :)
Hey there! Playbook for Pathfinder is a companion app to help GMs and players ... play Pathfinder :)
We've got tools for GMs like combat tracking, initiative tracking for players and monsters, map panels, stat blocks and linked adventures. So for instance in Rise of the Runelords, you could tap a link that takes you to a specific monsters stat block or you could add more of said monster to a combat encounter. We've also got a secret message system where you can send certain players messages and gather initiative rolls, perception checks etc.
For players, you can roll up and manage as many characters as your heart desires. Our integrated rule system will help you level up, multi class, keep track of feats, track bonuses, hit points, spells and is printable and shareable.
We will be converting ALL Pathfinder books to the app. All 21 rule books, all new rulebooks, all adventures - you get the idea. Once content that you've already purchased from Paizo.com becomes available in Playbook, you'll be able to download and use it for free. That's a little intro!! Any more questions, shoot!
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Product looks interesting, but I'm a part of the 'no apple products' crowd here. I do have a regular PFS group though and if it becomes available for PC or Android I'd consider trying it.
Cool! We do have plans for both Android and Web in the future :)
I'm not using it, mainly because I don't buy Apple products. So while the product sounds interesting, it's not a whole lot of use to me.
So if a huge part of your mission is to gather user feedback, that would be mine. Recognize that there are more valid platforms than iPad. At least Hero Lab can be used on a PC, but even if they can't figure this platform issue out either; this can't be used on anything of mine.
Fair enough. We do have plans for Android and web. For a small team with limited resources, developing first on iOS was really our best option. Cheers!
I am a player and a GM in weekly games. Seen Playbook at Paziocon and will be trying it out as a player and GM. I would help in anyway i can.
Awesome! Good to "see" you again Mel :) If you'd like to join our testing group, send me a message or an email with your info and we'll get you added!
I've got it downloaded and I've tried playing around with it, especially after talking with the guy walking around at PaizoCon.
Originally, I had a problem with the character creation - PFS uses 20 point buy and I couldn't find a way to get it to do such. Same with my home campaigns - most are 20 (or more) point buy.
My second issue came when I was trying to use the Core Rule Book reference. On my tablet I can either pull up GoodReader and my copy of the CRB and flip directly to the page I know I'm looking for, or to the Combat section, then quickly flip pages past until I see the header I'm looking for. On Playbook, it's almost 50/50 if the page flips when I want it to. Sometimes I pull the dock open, sometimes the page turns. The other issue is the animation of the page turning - while it's neat, if I even have to turn 5 pages I'm tapping my toes waiting for the animation to complete each time.
I'm happy to give more specific feedback and work with someone on this - it certainly looks neat, it just seems more fluff and less usability for me right now.
I'm at kapperson.pfs@gmail.com
Hey Keith! Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, we are changing the point buy to 20 shortly. We got that loud and clear from everyone at the con!
I like your thoughts on flipping through pages and we'd love to get more specific feedback from you. I've got your email address and I'll be reaching out this coming week. We'd love to have you join the testing group if you're up for it ;)
First impressions.
Nice interface, I'm a retro look fan, love the shelves in the library.
The library is the spot I'd like to see more on. Like the ability to bring in PDFs. It would be a great spot to drop key splat books and such spots in prep and have then going to more easily.
Goodreads is my favorite tool right now and against that I don't see the same flexibility on hand.
The ability to drop in PDFs would help there.
I like it enough that I subscribed and FYI I am not a fan of the subscription model for software, so this should show that I have hopes for it.
I agree with other the other that a Mac or pic client would make an excellent add on.
Hey Thomas! Thanks for taking the time to write up some comments. You're the second person to mention goodreads so we'll be looking into that in terms of functionality and usability for reading in Playbook. I appreciate your subscription, especially given the fact you're not a fan. If you *ever* have issues with the app or concerns about continuing your subscription, please let me know. Reach out personally or through the forums and we'll do our best to either make it right or change what needs to be improved!
Web client is likely what will come before PC/Mac native but it is definitely something we want to do. When we were developing the toolset for WoTC, we had iOS, Android and Web all being developed in tandem. Needless to say, it was a $*^!Show! Our team is smaller now than before but we absolutely recognize the need to expand to Android (and web).
If you'd like to be a part of our test group, let me know :) We'd love to have you.
I will take a look at it this weekend and get back to you. Sadly I don't have any games going on currently other the Pathfinder Society so I will not be able to give an in use feedback until my house is done and I have a place to run a Home game in a few months.
10-4. Thanks for taking the time to chime in! Looking forward to any feedback you're willing to provide!
I'm also an android user although I try to stay away from subscription services, so maybe I'm not your target market anyway? But the idea sounds interesting.
We do plan on expanding to android and web so perhaps you *might* be our target market...soon...ish?!
Pricing the app was a really tough task. We know that subscription services tend to be a little less desirable than other models but it really did make the most sense for us all things considered. When we do get up and running on Android, I'd love to hear your thoughts - and I'd be happy to extend our 1 month free trail if you needed some more time to mull it over :)
It looks interesting. I'm downloading it now, I've got a couple of ongoing campaigns, maybe this will make running them easier.
That's the general idea! Also, worth mentioning that although we *will* have the entire Pathfinder library made available in Playbook, we're not there yet. We have built it, they will come kinda thing. So - if you find that the adventures we've got in there now aren't ones you're running or care to start, give us a bit of time and we'll have more content in there soon. Looking forward to your feedback!
Huh. I do use Apple! I'll give your app a shot and try it out.
Hmm
Excellent!
Rachael, will you have a booth or a table in the PFS room at GenCon? I'd like to check it out.
We will have a ... SOMETHING ... in the PFS room at GenCon :D We're scheming big time now. I will keep you posted on where we land. Would love to meet you there!
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| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I've got it downloaded and I've tried playing around with it, especially after talking with the guy walking around at PaizoCon.
Originally, I had a problem with the character creation - PFS uses 20 point buy and I couldn't find a way to get it to do such. Same with my home campaigns - most are 20 (or more) point buy.
My second issue came when I was trying to use the Core Rule Book reference. On my tablet I can either pull up GoodReader and my copy of the CRB and flip directly to the page I know I'm looking for, or to the Combat section, then quickly flip pages past until I see the header I'm looking for. On Playbook, it's almost 50/50 if the page flips when I want it to. Sometimes I pull the dock open, sometimes the page turns. The other issue is the animation of the page turning - while it's neat, if I even have to turn 5 pages I'm tapping my toes waiting for the animation to complete each time.
I'm happy to give more specific feedback and work with someone on this - it certainly looks neat, it just seems more fluff and less usability for me right now.
I'm at kapperson.pfs@gmail.com
Hey Keith! Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, we are changing the point buy to 20 shortly. We got that loud and clear from everyone at the con!
I like your thoughts on flipping through pages and we'd love to get more specific feedback from you. I've got your email address and I'll be reaching out this coming week. We'd love to have you join the testing group if you're up for it ;)
I don't know that I would just change it, but rather give the user (or GM) the option to pick a specific point buy.
Is there a way to search through the books you have? Like, say I want to look up the grapple rules: How do I do that?
Yeah you can search books that you have. Tap the gear icon in the top right corner and tap search. Once you're there you can filter as you want or just search everything :)
Right now, it will prioritize the big ticket terms like grappling will go to the grappling section in the rule book. If you search for a more ambiguous term like "fly" then it would be in the top search results.
We're continuing to tweak the search function including bringing it out of the settings menu! Any feedback would be great !
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Venture-Captain, Minnesota
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Rachael, I downloaded it and then discovered that I couldn't do much of anything without paying money. That's not great design. If it's going to be a paid app, own up to it from the beginning. Give us a demo, or some ability up front to hook us in and make us want to pay you. As it is, I don't like the idea of paying money in order to be a beta tester.
Like Keith said, I have an excellent free alternative for organizing my books -- GoodReader. I need to see what you're offering to make me want to leave my beloved Goodreader app.
Hmm
Rachael, I downloaded it and then discovered that I couldn't do much of anything without paying money. That's not great design. If it's going to be a paid app, own up to it from the beginning. Give us a demo, or some ability up front to hook us in and make us want to pay you. As it is, I don't like the idea of paying money in order to be a beta tester.
Like Keith said, I have an excellent free alternative for organizing my books -- GoodReader. I need to see what you're offering to make me want to leave my beloved Goodreader app.
Hmm
Hey Hmm
The app is free to download and yes, you're right, you can't do much until you make an account and start the free trial. Once the free trial is over, you'll be billed either $1.99/month or $19.99 for the whole year. You can cancel your subscription after the free 30 day trial if you want. Or you could check out the app during the free trial, cancel and subscribe once we've got more content in there to use.
We will be giving demos :) We did about 150 at PaizoCon and will be doing them all weekend at GenCon! We're also going to release a demo video for folks who can't make it to the con or don't have iPads to check it out.
In another post, I mentioned that Playbook is a live, mobile app. Meaning that it will continue to change and grow, include more features, incorporate feedback and bug fixes. It is not finished and certainly won't be until we've converted all of Pathfinder's content into the app.
We're certainly not trying to dupe people into downloading our product, I'm sorry if you felt that way. If you do subscribe, all of the content you create will be available to you if you cancel your subscription.
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We will be giving demos :) We did about 150 at PaizoCon and will be doing them all weekend at GenCon! We're also going to release a demo video for folks who can't make it to the con or don't have iPads to check it out.
Legitimate question - if I don't have an iPad, why would I want/need to check it out?
I'll admit the same frustration over the subscription model as others even if I did have an iPad. Much of what I'd use this product for can come free through the PRD.
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Venture-Lieutenant, Washington—Tri-Cities
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Hello Rachael,
I am a venture agent and GM & Play in 2 every other week PFS games and an every other week pathfinder home game. I have a newer iPad and would be interested in trying out further content not currently on the app.
As for the subscription price, I know how important it is to have a consistent revenue stream for a smaller business and the generous pricing scheme was a pleasant surprise as it would take me over a decade of yearly subscriptions to come close to how much I have spent for Hero Lab.
I do agree with the comment about page animations above, it's too slow with little actual play benefit plus you have to make sure you swipe left or right on the exact page you want to turn in the correct direction like an actual book, but just ends up slowing things down further. I do like all the linking and the open books tab and the ability to arrange all your character sheet boxes. However I am a little concerned as a GM about how the monster stats were displayed when I tried them out and I'm not sure if initiative rolling is in the current product or I couldn't figure it out.
As a player it seems to require a lot of page flipping or scrolling to access all of your options. The pc app looks nice, but it doesn't seem to display as much character information on one screen as a Hero Lab character sheet. This may be a benefit for newer players to lessen decision paralysis, but for high tier PFS play I think it would slow me down on both sides of the screen, but I'm up for trying that out in practice further to confirm.
I also have a number of friends and players with an iPad that I might be able to try out the party talk and sharing features, but I'm not sure they have new enough iPads to run the app (4th gen iPads does seem a mighty high requirement).
That's just from a spending a small amount of time chEcking out the app. Hope that helps. Thanks for giving us additional options to try to facilitate play and GMing, I value anything that saves my time and/or adds something neat to my games.
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Venture-Captain, Minnesota
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We're certainly not trying to dupe people into downloading our product, I'm sorry if you felt that way. If you do subscribe, all of the content you create will be available to you if you cancel your subscription.
No, I don't feel duped. I just dislike hidden costs. I don't think that this is the best marketing plan, that's all. Best of luck with your app.
Hmm
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The software is listed as free with in app purchases but that is not true. It is subcription based with a required promised for automatic billed monthly/yearly renewal after a 30 day trial. I deleted your software shortly after discovering the deceptive tactic. Shame. Please update your description to free trial with conditions.
Venture-Lieutenant, Indiana—Indianapolis
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I will admit that I do have an issue with the $1.99 subscription rate, even though you promote is a free trial account.
Sorry, but that doesn't sound okay to me. Others can do what they want, and I won't suggest they avoid your product. I'm not going to be a party to that sort of business dealing, however.
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I would suggest checking out the Know Direction seminar recording that features Trapdoor talking about Playbook and the Know Direction podcast episode where they interview Trapdoor Technologies about Playbook.
In short, as I understand it, eventually, you will have access without a subscription to anything you have purchased in pdf format from Paizo.
The subscription gets you access, regardless of what you already own, to whatever is in the PRD plus the Inner Sea World Guide.
Just to be clear that is my understanding based on listening to both of the linked recordings.