mindcloud's page

HeroLab is a nice program BUT I would not like to see it the "official" "Digital Tool" for Pathfinder---at least insomuch as it would somehow become the only licensed digital tool for Pathfinder. (And if that's not what you mean by "official," what do you mean?)

Part of Pathfinder keeping an open game license is that different people can make tools (as long as they follow the rules) to suit them, and I would not like to see Paizo wave their flag over any one particular Third Party Software Developer.

To clarify my idea of an "Official" "Digital Tool". It would give Lone Wolf access to Prerelease content as well as be licensed to use non OGL content. I Personally would love to see the Hero Lab version of a "Bestiary II" or "Advanced Players Guide" released simultaneously with the printed and PDF products. This would not impact the ability for other tools/projects to continue to use OGL content. But it would add in IMO apreacable value to both companys products. Espically if say you buy the PDF or Print version and you get a voucher or discount for the digital version.

I also have some specific issues with HeroLab in that you have to pay extra for every game license beyond the first you activate with the game, which depending on what you want to use it for, can become an unnecessarily expensive proposition (in my personal opinion; I have already had disagreements with other people on this and there are alternate viewpoints that are as equally valid as mine). While that's not a problem for people who only use it for Pathfinder, even they will also have to pay extra for the Bestiary pack, despite that being OGC (as is my understanding at least).

I can understand those issues and I shared them when I first looked into the product. I however quickly came to understand that each game system license "D20 SRD, PFSRD, WOD, CORTEX, Savage Worlds(Authoring Kit), 4E, and M&M" each represent a huge investment in time to develop and maintain. Even so to me that is only half of what you are buying the other piece is their stellar support and openness in their development process. You can't get that kind of support from many companies much less the polish.

I also know some users disagree with Lone Wolf's somewhat strict DRM/license activation policy. Obviously not all do, but it's something to bear in mind.

Personally this is still my one gripe about the product. "I DON'T LIKE THE LICENSING". I can understand why they went about it the way they have and they have been very helpful. I went through a period of hardware problems on my main computer and reinstalled windows several times and every time I sent them an email and they gave me an extra activation.

But it is all just my opinion in the end!
Mindcloud

I would guess that Piazo might be looking around for a vendor to handle
"Offical" digital tools. I would like to suggest one to you guys that already has support for the Pathfinder RPG ruleset, Lone Wolf's "Hero Lab".

I personally have been using "Hero Lab" for about a year now and it was in fact the thing that turned me on to Piazo's Pathfinder products. As I am now switching all of my 3.5 games over to Pathfinder it would be a great benefit to see the two company's working together. Lone Wolf's commitment to community support and openness in their development process it unmatched in my experience except for Piazo it's self. Also you won't find many(if any) other products with the level of polish and customizability that Hero Lab has.

Any way that is my two cents and I hope you guys here at Piazo keep up the fantastic work you are doing for the community.