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Character Generator Demo

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So, I managed to get checked in over at the Sagamore Ballroom, picked up my GM shirt, badge, DM Screen, and swag bag.

Attended the RPGA Judge Meeting. Meanwhile, in the back of the hall Didier Monin (WotC_DM) was setting up a pod of six computers to run the Character Visualizer and Character Generator Demos.

When the meeting was over, I sauntered over to watch him work, and introduced myself. He shook my hand, and gave me a chance to toy with the software.

So, where to begin. First off, the interface for the Character Generator is a pretty straightforward affair. I'd describe it to you here, but a picture is worth a thousand words. . . and I didn't have my camera on me. I'll either snap a shot or two with my camera-phone tomorrow, or wait until someone else gets pics posted in the forums and borrow theirs.

There was a tutorial running as well, though I didn't find that the software really needs one. You click once on your choices to get descriptive text at the bottom of the screen, or double-click to make your choice (or unselect your choice).

For my demo I made a Dragonborn Paladin, just to kick the tires.

The first part of the process is to select your race. Done. Clicked next. Choose the class - and when you click on a class you get the full PHB text describing that class. Powers, Abilities, suggested builds, it's all there.

Next is assigning ability scores. You can choose from 4 methods. The 3 from your Player's Handbook (I didn't take the time to test the die roller for Method Three - maybe tomorrow). Method 4 is to let "Red" (the dragon from the tutorial) choose your scores for you. I'm not sure if this is random, or a suggested build. I'll have to play with it some more and/or ask Didier about it over the con.

I went with Method 2 for a quickie point buy, and once my stats were assigned, it was on to choosing powers.

Now, here's where the first "bugs" of this "not-quite-beta" software were made apparent. In choosing my at-will powers, my paladin feature abilities (like, Divine Challenge) were intermixed with my Paladin class powers to be chosen. IE - If I took Bolstering Strike and Enfeebling Strike, Divine Challenge wouldn't be on my character sheet. So they're still teaching the software the difference between Feature powers (that you always get) and Class Powers (that you choose).

Not a major problem, but still, something that leaves it fairly reasonable that this is still Alpha.

So, I chose my powers, as well as my feats (Durable). I moved on to Equipment. Didier tells me there are still some data fields to be filled in here, getting magical enhancements to work and auto-calculate their advantages (like getting a Pact Blade +1 to apply to Implement powers). This again is just a matter of time, but strikes me as a reasonable "wait for beta" item.

Equipment has a "Shopping Mode" to differentiate when to spend gold, and when you're just adding an item to your character (like that +2 Amulet of Life you just found). I didn't *see* a place to adjust your gold directly (for that Dragon Horde you just raided) but I'm betting its in there somewhere.

Last but not least, I got to take a look (on the screen) at what a printed character sheet would look like.

Essentially, it was the PDF form available from the Wizard's website (here), with all the fields filled in.

That's the first two pages, at least (especially nice if you have a duplex printer). The third page was something I, personally, have been waiting for. Power Cards - complete with your up-to-date stats.

The cards are, apparently, still a work in progress, as they didn't list the effects of your powers, but they DO make a nice note of your modifier to your rolls, as well giving you a breakdown on the card of how your bonus was calculated (+2 from strength, +1 from the power, +2 from weapon proficiency, etc). I don't know if that will remain once they get power text working or not, but I kind of like the option.

Regardless, I came away from the demo quite satisfied. It's nice to see the software up close and personal for myself.

I know that many of us are chomping at the bit for this program to be done "already", and many people point to the various tools for character creation already available on the web.

So far, most of the ones I've seen (form-fillable PDFs, a spreadsheet, and a pay website) aren't as sophisticated as this appears to be so far. That's not to fault those existing tools, they're filling a void that needs filled, and they do a fine job. They just require a little more work on the part of the user than the Character Generator will.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to play with the Visualizer tomorrow (the AC wasn't on in the Sagamore Ballroom yet today, so while I wanted to tinker a little more, it was just shy of sweltering in the room).

If I learn anything more, I'll be happy to pass along what I know as the con progresses.

Dateline: Gen Con Friday, Part 2!
Friday DDI Highlights

Hosted by Director of Digital Games, Randy Buehler, this panel—showcasing the current status and ongoing development of D&D Insider—included Didier Monin (technical producer), Bart Carroll (embedded reporter), Stacy Longstreet (art director), and Chris Youngs (editor-in-chief).

D&D Insider is a suite of online tools and content, to find exactly the information you need, when you need it, instantly:

The free trial of DDI is taking place now at dndinsider.com, featuring the magazines, Compendium, and Bonus Tools.

The free trial will last for at least one more month, afterwards the initial pricing plans will go into place.

The Character Builder is relatively close to completion, followed by the Visualizer. Demo versions will become available (and will remain available at the website), with most of the functionality though not all of the data (so you can try out the Builder, for example, which might allow you to make a sample Human, but not all races).

The Game Table will be the last component.

Essentially, this online character sheet will guide users through the choices needed to create their character. As Monin demonstrated, he selected a sample ranger, which then opened the possible builds, feats, and skills to select. As choices are made, the Builder also provides detailed information on the rules; links also connect with the Compendium.

By default, the Builder guides users through the regular 4th Edition rules, but it also possible to unlock the options, to house rule as you see fit (for example, having your ranger select rogue powers, and so forth).

A 3D application to physically represent your character. Once more, Monin’s dragonborn ranger loaded up, its hide armor complete with bear’s head attached. For a dragonborn, the color options pre-load with a standard suite of colors for its scales—which can also be unlocked, to give him any color you choose.

When it came to equipment, the dragonborn was given a new pair of boots; once more colors pre-load, but which can be unlocked. A further bar allows the slight tweaking of 3D objects, to better fit equipment onto your character (if your suit, so to speak, needs to be slightly taken in). The backpack provided could also be manipulated with a set of sliders, setting it off-center (to better display that bear’s head from the back of the armor).

With the final look decided (complete with exterior lighting), a portrait from the Visualizer could be imported straight into the Builder.

Monin also showed off a bit of the Game Table, of both a gridded overland map as well as dropping tiles to start building a new dungeon. Into this dungeon, the DM viewed showed off the whole map, and by dropping in a light source, the player view could take a look at the start of their next adventure!

First off, a virtual mini was imported from the Character Visualizer, with the light source attached (as if a torch—illuminated for the player only where his character moves).

For the DM, a sample token dropped into the dungeon was then assigned to a virtual mini, for the character to—if they choose—battle.

What payment options will be available?
Based in part on user feedback, two different pricing plans have been announced. The first, for web content (magazines, Compendium, and Bonus Tools) is set around $4.95/month (based on a full-year subscription). The second, which also includes the applications (Builder, Visualizer, and Game Table) will be set around $9.95/month (based on a full-year subscription), when these applications become available.

What skinning options will be available?
Wizards of the Coast has been believed in facilitating the community. For DDI, this includes the mod community.

Will the software be offered on multiple platforms?
The website components are platform agnostic. The applications are PC-based, but can be run by emulators.

What are the minimum and recommended specifications for the various applications?
Look at the FAQ (linked from dndinsider.com) for this information as it is decided and ready to be announced.

Will new races be added to the Visualizer?
As official player races are introduced, the plan is to add to the Visualizer over time (starting, for example, with the Forgotten Realms drow and genasi).

How are monsters managed on the Game Table?
Monster tokens are available for all monsters; 3D monsters will be available for some monsters.

Will 3D monsters be able to be "tagged"?
Yes; monsters will be able to be tagged, in a way to determine which is which (in the case of, say, a horde of minions) and what conditions any may be under.

When will the Game Table release?
Short answer, when it is ready. Not this year, but in a measurement of months.

As a DM, will all of my players also need a subscription?
To have ongoing access to the Game Table, players will need a subscription.

Can areas of the player’s view on the Game Table be hidden?
Yes, the DM view provides the ability to keep areas (plus traps and secret doors) hidden.

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