Pathfinder Open Reference Android Tablet App: Looking for feedback


Technology


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Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

I've spent the past few months building an android tablet app to create a quick reference for Pathfinder using the PSRD as the base. I'm getting ready to release it (for free), but I want to get some wider feedback from people outside my gaming group.

The reference is a tool to give you searchable access to the full PSRD:
* Core Rulebook
* Advanced Player's Guide
* Ultimate Magic
* Ultimate Combat
* Gamemastery Guide
* Bestiary 1-3

Other Features:
* Allows you to create bookmark collections. For example, you can bookmark certain passages that you want quick access to as a GM, and create another collection for a specific character, giving you quick access to the rules that are important for running that character.
* Has 22000 rule snippets allowing you to access over 14000 discrete rule topics. Including: 718 Feats, 1266 Spells, 975 Monsters, 44 Classes and a ton more.
* Allows you to hone in the passages that matter for what's going on in game now. Every title in every article is a link that lets you just see/bookmark that section.
* Powerful and fast search lets you find the rule you need, quickly.

For now, the application's home page is it's Github repo page. Before I do a full public release, I plan on there being a full website for support and documentation.

In order to use it, it presently requires an android tablet. It has been tested on the Transformer Prime, Nook Color, Kindle Fire and the OG Galaxy Tab. I have verified that it functions on android 2.2, 2.3, 3.0 & 4.0. After I have manged to get the tablet version released, I'll look at making an android phone version. To install it, you will have to enable "Allow installation of non-Market apps" under settings. Also, for Nook color until I get it into the barnes & noble market, you probably will only be able to install it on rooted devices.

So, without further ado, if you have a device this will work in, please, Download the application and let me know what you think.

Note: I do not have any IOS devices, nor do I have a mac to code on to port this to the iPad/iPhone. It /is/ an open source project, so I would welcome someone who wanted to take this to those devices, but I don't have the resources to.

Grand Lodge

Am I blind or do I not see a link?


Andrew Betts wrote:
Am I blind or do I not see a link?

Then we are blind together. *waves hand* there is no link.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

*facepalm*

Github Repo page: https://github.com/devonjones/PathfinderOpenReference
App download: http://bit.ly/GYdanb

Sorry, crossposted with enworld and the links didn't come with me.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Nice and clear. I will play further with this app this coming weekend. Nice job

Liberty's Edge

As it looks currently with a quick look through, I would say its wonderful. If it keeps updated with info from new books then it would make it much easier for me to plan out my adventures and not be constantly cross-referencing books.

I found it fairly easy to navigate and all the info I need is easily there from a first look through

Shadow Lodge

Pathfinder Lost Omens, Maps, Rulebook Subscriber

Just downloaded this to my Transformer Prime, alongside the PFRPG RD.
First impressions are favourable. There are some things I like better about this newer one; the ability to search for two-word phrases, for a start. I'll probably post more after I've been using it for a while.

A word of caution: I don't believe Paizo will allow you to use the word "Pathfinder" in the title of the application, and you might also have problems with the stylized "P" icon. You should address those issues before you go much further.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber
Flamehawke wrote:

As it looks currently with a quick look through, I would say its wonderful. If it keeps updated with info from new books then it would make it much easier for me to plan out my adventures and not be constantly cross-referencing books.

I found it fairly easy to navigate and all the info I need is easily there from a first look through

My goal is to keep it updated as quickly as possible with new versions of the psrd as they are released. It's presently running using the data from the 1/25/2012 psrd update with bestiary 3. Now that I have this test version done, I can take a moment to get it updated through the 3/20/2012 eratta. My hope is to have it out on any new psrd updated in under a month.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber
JohnF wrote:

Just downloaded this to my Transformer Prime, alongside the PFRPG RD.

First impressions are favourable. There are some things I like better about this newer one; the ability to search for two-word phrases, for a start. I'll probably post more after I've been using it for a while.

A word of caution: I don't believe Paizo will allow you to use the word "Pathfinder" in the title of the application, and you might also have problems with the stylized "P" icon. You should address those issues before you go much further.

I'm not going to charge for it, I'm keeping this app open source and free. I believe I'm covered under the community use license, although I clearly need to add the text of that to the app. I'll give licencing an email to check that it's ok.

Sovereign Court

I'll DL t this week and try it

Shadow Lodge

Pathfinder Lost Omens, Maps, Rulebook Subscriber
Devon Jones wrote:
JohnF wrote:
A word of caution: I don't believe Paizo will allow you to use the word "Pathfinder" in the title of the application, and you might also have problems with the stylized "P" icon. You should address those issues before you go much further.
I'm not going to charge for it, I'm keeping this app open source and free. I believe I'm covered under the community use license, although I clearly need to add the text of that to the app. I'll give licencing an email to check that it's ok.

Judging by previous postings I've seen, you'll be told that you're contravening the rules on using Paizo's intellectual property and trade dress. In particular they don't want people using their trademarked name "Pathfinder" (they often suggest using the non-trademarked PFRPG instead). Extracting just one character (the capital "P") from their logos is also prohibited - any artwork must be used un-modified.

At the least, I expect you'll be asked to change those (and, as you note, include the community use license in your application) - that's why I explicitly pointed out those two problem areas in my post quoted above.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

I sent a mail to licensing and I have not heard back yet (Not that I'm expecting to hear back for a little while), but based on the Community Use Registry I suspect that Pathfinder in the name will be fine, but the icon may not be. Granted, major pathfinder sites such as pfsrd.org to use the stylized P, so maybe I will be able to. Anyway, thanks for pointing it out, I want to stay on Paizo's good side.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

I've added the start of the website for the app. It includes screenshots and such.


Devon, please take a look at this post for information on licensing for applications and adjust your application/website accordingly.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

First round of changes done to support my understanding of the things Vic would like me to do. The IOS posting (as I understand it) applies to commercial apps. This app is free, open source, and utilizing the community use license.


I will look at this using toshiba thrive.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

Phone version is up. Also made it able to rotate for small tablets.

This is probably the last release before it goes into google play.

Website Download

(For the paizo guys, I've made all the changes Vic asked me to make, but if anything is still unacceptable, please let me know.)


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

The application is now available from google play.


Just to let you know, it's not running on my Samsung Galaxy Mini. Might be because it's one of the mid-range phones, but thought I'd let you know anyway! It's forcing me to close it.

Anyway, interesting project! I'd definitely use it if it worked for me, haha. :)


Forces close on my (very low-end) HTC Desire too.

Grand Lodge

Devon Jones wrote:
The application is now available from google play.

I think the app looks good, but you still need to take the name Pathfinder out of it to comply with the legal stuff (unless you somehow got it licensed).


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber
MegaPlasticMan wrote:
Forces close on my (very low-end) HTC Desire too.

After a bit of searching, I figured out what the issue is. Android 2.2 doesn't let me have asset files over a meg. I've split the database up and it's working in my emulator. I just want to give it a test on my tablet and phone before I release, but it may be out later tonight or tomorrow.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber
Andrew Betts wrote:
Devon Jones wrote:
The application is now available from google play.
I think the app looks good, but you still need to take the name Pathfinder out of it to comply with the legal stuff (unless you somehow got it licensed).

I changed the app name to Masterwork Tools: Pathfinder Open Reference to make the use in the name descriptive. I'm not charging, and have no ads, so as far as I have been lead to believe in talking to Vic, this use is acceptable, so long as everywhere the name is used I can post the contents of the community use policy, which I've posted in the description.

The name in the Google play store is limited to 30 characters (so Masterwork Tools: Pathfinder Open Reference won't fit), so I just swapped it to PFRPG Open Reference as the market name since I can't use the longer, descriptive name. Irritatingly, this puts me at a disadvantage against the dozen or so apps that /do/ say pathfinder in their names and charge/don't post the community use policy.


downloaded to my asus, I'll check it out next weekend.


Back on my desktop so the battery in my asus can charge.

I like this app. Very easy to use. Yeah, I couldn't wait until next weekend. I had to change my settings so non-Android apps could install.


Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

Looooooooooove this app, use it almost daily lol. Will this be updated with Unchained and Occult Adventures stuff? Jw


Hello I just started looking in to the occult section and in the kineticist I can't seem to find the prerequisites for the composite blasts

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