I'm not sure that they have people for that. I think it's more likely that they'll license it or something, so another company will do it.
Either way is fine with me, as long as they don't charge a monthly fee ;-)
There was a request for a monster compendium, and one of the high-ups said something about it quite definately comming somewtime after the basic book, with possible more to come in the future.
There was a request for a monster compendium, and one of the high-ups said something about it quite definately comming somewtime after the basic book, with possible more to come in the future.
I don't know what this has to do with the current thread (;P), but it's true.
Maybe it will even be a huge book and all critters get a nice double-side with ecologies, like most Pathfinder Bestiary entries (and all the newer ones). Just to show people what a proper Monster Manual is supposed to look like.
Since this is a topic, the most important thing for a character generator (for me) are these two things.
1. Automatic numerical bonus placement
2. Massive flexibility (so I can change things according to houserules)
It shouldn't be to hard to apply the pathfinder rules to pcgen. Some rules, like the pathfinder point buy can be changed even now. Other rules might be a bit more complicated, but it should be doable.
One of the Senior Lst (Data) Monkeys is working on it now. There are a few code changes to be done so it will be fully supported, but I am confident that PCGen will support Pathfinder RPG, hopefully around the time the Beta comes out, but that is not a guarantee...
-- David
Papa.DRB
PCGen Yahoo group moderator, and *very* junior Lst Monkey
PCGen main group
PCGen Experimental
I would actually prefer if Paizo let DMGenie do the program. Its the most flexible system I have ever seen, and a DM can also put his whole campaign on it( I have run many games this way) and they are working on a new update to make it even more flexible. So PLEASE powers that be, consider contacting Mad Scientist Studio' about this, you will not be disappointed.
I would actually prefer if Paizo let DMGenie do the program.
I would prefer that *all* the character generator programs out there would create datasets for Pathfinder RPG.
That way, everyone should be happy! What works for me, may not work for you and vice versa, so I say let them all have a go at it!
-- david
Papa.DRB
I would prefer that *all* the character generator programs out there would create datasets for Pathfinder RPG.
Agreed. Everyone has preferences, and the way to please people is not to limit oneself to one such preference. Let everyone have what they want. It's possible.
It also fits Pathfinder's image as the open, (more or less) free game system that tries to appeal to a broad base of people.
It looks as though HeroForge will be going 4e. I'm sure somebody will work on a dataset for Pathfinder in PCGen. I actually find it easier to work in Excel. I have recently put together a spreadsheet that will aid in Pathfinder character creation, and I'm trying to get people to help test it out, so feel free to give it a look:
http://chargen.motime.com/
One of the advantages to my particular project is that it's available when the alpha testing is still taking place, hopefully facilitating the player end of that process.
(eTools is decent, but it's so unstable it's not even funny & a disaster to add anything to without ETH).
Have you used a more recent version Covetous? Version 1.5.666 was quite stable and usable - fantastic really. Unfortunately E-Tools was the first casualty of Wizards going to 4th edition.
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I think it would be a grave mistake to not pursue character/story/adventure programs that would facilitate Pathfinder in its endeavors to make a fluid Gaming Experience. The 3rd Party programs out there are excellent, but they need serious licensing to back them up. If Paizo allowed them to have free access to all their current projects (as long as they approved of the implementation) and ability to sell or help sell the programs available, they would be a digital gaming competitor (fairly important cornerstone I would say). In my heart I believe that WotC really is not looking to the sale of books for their future revenue, but rather the services they would provide over the internet. Undermining this effort would have a two fold affect on their business model and Pathfinder would be foolish to let WotC capture this domain.
Again, Paizo is looking to the gamers to self direct it's needs by opening the Pathfinder 3.5 game to the people that play it. This is something we have all seen before between Linux and Microsoft. Linux was driven by the public, while Microsoft was driven by previous successes of their business models.
Overall, I think everyone is passionate about this whole transition that D&D is going through. We are being left to ask ourselves, "What are we preserving?" "Is it the system we grew up with? Or is it just a plain desire to enjoy roleplaying?"
Paizo must offer us a digital avenue so we can simplify the work load and enjoy everything that computers allow us to accomplish. If I were them, I would look to Code Monkey and Smite Works for some real partnership. Afterall, it is these vary companies that were affected most by the faithful WotC decision.....
I am sure there are differing opinions, but I for one looked forward to Fantasy Grounds II and RPGFoundry. I do have Fantasy Grounds II, but alas.....it may be too late.
Cheers,
Zux
... Paizo must offer us a digital avenue so we can simplify the work load and enjoy everything that computers allow us to accomplish. If I were them, I would look to Code Monkey and Smite Works for some real partnership. Afterall, it is these vary companies that were affected most by the faithful WotC decision.....
They do provide a digital avenue - they allow you to download the content via PDF even when you have a hard copy. This allows folks to move the content to the computer programs without strictly re-typing it.
As far as providing software, I don't think that is Paizo's job at all. They can allow licensing but I think they need to focus on what they are best at - creating excellent gaming adventures.
It will be up to the individual companies to take on the role of providing the character generator updates, etc. Even just as likely will be the community itself taking initiative to update the data in their existing systems and passing it on.
When 3.0 came out I created a web-based character generator. I was told by many that it was one of the best character generators they ever saw. Unfortunately, I have a real computer programming job all day and I could not keep up with all the updates to the books that WofC published on a monthly basis to support the gaming system so I gave up. So I understand why Paizo would need to focus on their core business and not dabble into computer software. When you have a successful business model, you have to stick with it and not dabble outside it. It would be the same as McDonald's beginning to sell a clothing line - it would most definitely fail.
I really think that you will see the software updates eventually. Pathfinder RPG is in the alpha playtest so no company really wants to waste their time updating rules that will likely change in a couple of months. They *may* be more willing in Beta but I suspect they will be highly motivated come full release.
All the same, the RPG community will adapt by providing datasets, etc. for their favorite programs. I myself am getting ready to run Age of Worms using Pathfinder RPG. I just spent the weekend moving the new skills and feats, as well as a few monsters and traps into a software program called DM Familiar. Eventually when things settle down with the rules, I will share my data with others.
Long story short ... be patient. You will see the software updates :-)
