New Kind of License

[guver]

I know that Fantasy Grounds is a software that mainly focuses on Online Roleplaying, but with the huge delay of Wizards of the Coast regarding their combat tracker, which by the way is very much needed, a lot of people is using FG ONLY to track combat in 4E on their table-live games.
The cost of a License for that is $40, which to me means a lot just for a Combat tracker.

Maybe we can have a license option for FG without network connections, for a much smaller price. Around $15 would be nice :).

[dm-crazy]

well, i bought mine to use in the combat tracker too, if you want a good program take a look in asmor website.. :)

[Andugus]

A new license adds complexity to an already complex system. Is $39.95 really that much of a set back, given the versatility of Fantasy Grounds II? Most good roleplaying books cost nearly as much and become obsolete in two to four years.

Another good point is Fantasy Grounds I moved to Fantasy Grounds II without a charge to existing clients. Basically, I've played and GM'ed over a hundred games for less than $40 dollars! This is already an incredible value.

[drahkar]

I completely agree with Andugus. The power you are getting in the software is well worth the $40 cost. Not to mention what if you decide you do want to host a Internet based game? A common situation is people start all playing together and then people move, but want to keep playing.

Added to that, the second point that Andugus made about the changes to individuals games. FG2 easily gives you the power to keep up with those systems and cover new ones.

[Izumneth]

I'm with Andugus. The license decision to create yet another tier of the application seems relatively simple, but the developer investment to create a pared-down version of FG just for that license and to keep it in sync with all the regular FG2 updates doesn't seem worth the effort. I could be wrong, but I'm guessing demand isn't that high??? I wouldn't know, of course.

Just my two coppers,

Iz.

[Viz]

I also agree with Andugus but want to add one more point. What happens if the purchaser later wants full functionality? That would mean another upgrade path to support.

[ronnke]

Not to mention, does the license become obsolete, or never used after WoTC release their combat tracker?

[Sigurd]

A combat tracker is not as big a programming achievement. I'm sure they'll be around in abundance if they're not already.

Of course if Smiteworks wanted to make another product that might be an idea. I could see a dedicated combat tracker without any networking behind it - it might be a good loss leader or a $5 advertisement.

The problem is really pirating. Its not worth tracking or protecting a $5 item. I really don't think they'd want to have a separate forum etc.... to support it.

Sigurd
Still its always good to hear about a need to fill.
Interesting Idea

[guver]

I do have downloaded a lot of combat tracker for 4e, but none of them is as good as FG to do the job. (Ironically)
The second place to me goes to VCC (Virtual Combat Cards), which stills lacks a bunch of stuff.
Does not track HS. Does not track daily uses. Does not include a dice roller, or add damage automatically.
Does track regen and ongoing, but does not do the damage, heal automatically.
You have to write the effect you want to add each time you want to add it. In FG you just grab the effect from the power.
And so on... and so on...

[ddavison]

As has been stated, the idea has merit but the complexity of releasing and then maintaining another version of the same code base would be cost prohibitive compared to the potential return. If you really like 4E, I would recommend you buy it for the combat tracker and then give online gaming a shot as well.

When I first considered virtual tabletops, I only considered gaming with my existing players and GMs who I gamed with locally. Eventually I succumbed to the desire to squeeze in another regular game and I found the online experience with a host of complete strangers to be just as fun. For me, it was easier to justify a game that started at 9 P.M. and ran to midnight if it was an online game. My 3 year old son could be sleeping soundly in his bed and I could game with no guilt of leaving the family alone.