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PCGen to Charge for Data Files
ChrisDolan writes "The folks who benevolently dictate the creation of PCGen, a D20 character generator tool (e.g. for D&D), are going to start charging for downloads of data files. This comes after a long series of talks with Wizards of the Coast. The PCGen code will continue to be LGPL, but some of the data files (a separate download) will be more encumbered than just OGL (Open Gaming License). The specific data files that will cost are ones that were never released under OGL and have WotC IP in them. Details on the Code Monkeys site." PCGen is a nifty app, but all this stuff annoys me. I bought all the 3rd ed books already after all... it seems stingy to charge users twice.
1) Charging for content that contains corporate IP, and
2) A company finding another way to try and squeeze a few dollars of revenue during tough times.
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we didn't need any fancy computer to whip up characters. Just 3d6, a pencil and paper. Most of the iterations since have just been sales-driven product releases.
Stop by my site where I write about ERP systems & more
Really now -- how much do RPG gamers typically spend on thier book collections (generally measured in bookshelf-yards -- I'm only up to about 4 feet or so, but I've been slacking off lately)? I don't even want to START adding up the cover prices of those books. Is a little extra cash to get the convinience of some of that data on a computer really going to hurt the pocket book?
Anyway, I don't see anyone complaining about the fact that you have to pay for all of the GURPS character creators, as SJ Games certainly won't let you give thier data away for free. But it happens to a d20 chargen, and people start whining? Whatever.
Giving away code is one thing but giving away someone else copyright is another. I imagine if they are going to be distributing stuff that is in the 3rd edition rules they had to make some sort of deal with WotC to do so. WotC is going to want some cash out of the deal so naturally Codemonkey is going to have to charge for this.
Before people light the tourches and storm the castle lets remember WotC past. They have been a lot better company than TSR ever was with IP stuff. The cost of the downloads might be reasonable. Its no differet than when they released the code to the Quake engine but still required you to buy the data paks to run it on Linux.
With WotC past efforts I'm willing to give them more than the doubt before I tar and feather anyone.
Supporting World Peace Through Nuclear Pacification
What do you mean "have to"? Just continue to play with the version 3 ruleset; the books won't suddenly turn into dust just because there's a new version out.
Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
Did you know that you can buy a computer today, and in 6 months, you are already obsoleted? No buybacks, not refunds.. nothing. In fact, you'd have to sell it used.
I think people should be used to this by now. It's called, economics. No one wants to buy back tangibles that they sold you. It's your fault you bought them.. and it's your fault if you buy the newest ones.
Besides, is the game THAT much more fun between 3.0 and 3.5? Isn't your GM supposed to make adjustments to the games when he see's fit? Hell, i've seen really random spells given out when there's a plot difficulty. I.e. "Damn, no one knows how to talk to this creature, and our guy who is multilingual is in jail." "Ok, I'm giving you a spell just so that you can understand any one language you choose, but you can only do that language. No dual tounges while you use it. But when you go back to your old language, you retain the knowledge of what you talked about. Level 5, costs xxx mp."
And also, if you really need those books, get everyone in your group to pitch in and buy the latest ones.
Cripes..
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ping -f 255.255.255.255 # if only
I understand why they'd do that, it makes great economic sense.
However: The 3ed rules seem like they "just" came out, and there's lots of applications that will still use them. Neverwinter Nights, for example, prided it's self on using 3ed. Will we now also have to download or buy the next pack for NWN so that we feel up to snuff?
But, whatever, people that deal with WOTC are used to it. Think Magic Cards - every 4 months, release a whole new set, and then after two new set releases, you can't use any older cards in Type II tournaments.
Same Deal... you can still use the older stuff, just not in the "cool, new" tournament situations.
sig?
Aside from the high probability of downloading the files from elsewhere, what about giving the users the instructions on how to generate the datafiles given that they own the books? That way they would have paid for the IP already (by buying the books).
If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
*ahem*
/. should understand my reasoning.
If you buy "the data" (which you didn't--you bought a copy of the data which includes the right to make reasonable and necessary copies for personal use), you can go ahead and put it in yourself, or pay someone else to do it for you--or pay the original company for a second copy of the data.
Or you can do what I do, and not use Wizards of the Coast material that's not OGL'd or in the SRD. Any gamer on
As things stand, for the price of a couple of pints, I'm going to be able to download datafiles for PCGen (which is a bloody fine piece of work in itself) that will allow me to bash out characters and monsters that
a) Can use all of the published features from the rules and addons
b) Stand a hope in hell of actually being numerically correct
Think people - when have we ever been able to do this before for the DnD world? Never.
For the people who are whinging about WotC releasing new editions to keep money coming in - if you don't want them, don't buy them. If you do, get 'yer hand in 'yer pocket and pay for them. And if I come across anyone ripping off the datafiles once they go on sale, they'll get a vorpal enema from me!
One happy DM!
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we didn't need any fancy computer to whip up characters. Just 3d6, a pencil and paper. Most of the iterations since have just been sales-driven product releases.
With all due respect to the PcGen people, I could never understand the point of a "character generator". You download and install an app so that you can shave a couple of seconds off of character generation? What's the *point*? If anything, you lose part of the gaming experience.
I mean, how often do you need to generate a freaking character?
May we never see th