Fantasy Grounds Unity engine

[Trenloe]

Just thinking that for some applications - for example when you are just using a second notebook/pad as live map and movement/exploration tool (with everybody sitting at the table) - a mode where you live feed what the screen sees would be cool. This can include images (of monsters etc.) you share and then also close remotely.
As Zacchaeus says, this functionality is present already. Share images, records, etc. and then remotely close them by unsharing - click the small share icon next to the record in the campaign data list: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/wiki/index.php/Campaign_Data#Campaign_Data_List

[Speculi]

FG remembers the last position of each window you have opened between sessions. Unless you are talking about the Chat window and dice tower with which there is an issue and which is addressed in the next patch.
Do you by any chance have a date for the mentioned patch? Is there somewhere a public bug tracker or something like that?

[Trenloe]

Do you by any chance have a date for the mentioned patch? Is there somewhere a public bug tracker or something like that?
The Laboratory sub-forum is the place to look. v3.3.8 is the current version in beta test: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?49447-Beta-Release-v3-3-8

[Yehudah]

EDIT:
Okay it looks like it is a one time fee to upgrade to Unity.

What does forward compatibility entail?
I'm hoping that means new versions of the same thing (like a manual) will automatically be upgraded with the Unity purchase?

[Valyar]

New products designed for Unity will work on Classic.

[Trenloe]

New products designed for Unity will work on Classic.
I'm not sure that's true.

One of the main goals in FG Unity is to make all FC Classic material to be as compatible as possible work with FG Unity - so that everyone can move forwards to FG Unity without losing purchases, community extensions/rulesets, ongoing campaigns can migrate, etc.. I'm not sure that any new products designed specifically for FG Unity will work on FG Classic.

[Valyar]

I might be wrong, but this is what I recall from the KS videos with Q&A. From the definition - forward compatibility is a feature of the product to be compatible with future version of itself. I presume this is possible because of the design decision to keep the LUA and XML as building blocks for a ruleset. Based on what I remembered from Doug, this is going to be the case while FG Classic is officially supported. After they pull the plug of FGC, there is no guarantee that a product developed afterwards will work on FGC.

Which makes sense for me - it is good to have two versions work side by side until the user community is ready. I am pretty sure not all went FGU as you and I during KS and some will need time to evaluate the upgrade via videos or using the demo. I know at least two people who wait me to run games for them before they upgrade. :D

[Yehudah]

Hi can someone tell me how to subscribe to the newsletter? I'm trying to find it.

[Trenloe]

Hi can someone tell me how to subscribe to the newsletter? I'm trying to find it.
https://www.facebook.com/fantasygrounds/app/100265896690345/

[Yehudah]

https://www.facebook.com/fantasygrounds/app/100265896690345/

Thanks again! Someone on Discord showed it to me. You guys are such a great community!!

[dellanx]

I there any updates on Unity release as Bata or Alpha, for the people that signed up for Kickstarter?

[Trenloe]

I there any updates on Unity release as Bata or Alpha, for the people that signed up for Kickstarter?
I'm sure more will be available soon - the Alpha release party is taking place later this week, and it wouldn't be good to announce stuff before they get to know about it first hand!

[Davinci522]

I’m not sure on the capabilities of unity but does anyone know if it would be possible to set patrols and have tokens move along them without user input? Kinda like you set walls but instead of a wall you set a “rail” that a token rides slowly to simulate movement.

[seycyrus]

@Davinci522

I'm having a problem understanding why you would want that to happen? How would that sort of movement coordinate with other character's (both PC and NPC) turns?

[Moon Wizard]

@Davinci522,

There is no automatic token movement. This is handled exactly as you would around the table, where the GM describes the situation and the players describe their actions. Any tactical layout is handled between the GM and the players on the map.

Regards,
JPG

[Davinci522]

It’s not meant for combat. But before combat. You bring out a map that’s has guards patrolling, then it can feel like an actual stealth mission where they study the pathing and roll sneak to get around it.

Ir it can be used in image based puzzles.

Just something to help players feel like they outsmarted the box’s or dm with fancy moving elements instead of static ones.

[UltimateGM]

I understand where you're coming from but it defeats the purpose of initiative in most RPGs and turn order. I just do it manually and you can hide tokens unless they come into a players line of sight and then you reveal them.

[LordEntrails]

It’s not meant for combat. But before combat. You bring out a map that’s has guards patrolling, then it can feel like an actual stealth mission where they study the pathing and roll sneak to get around it.

Ir it can be used in image based puzzles.

Just something to help players feel like they outsmarted the box’s or dm with fancy moving elements instead of static ones.
I could see the use for it, but I think you got your answer, no.

I don't think FGU will support animated GIFs, but that is one possibility (to make it outside of FG and then just display in FG). Another possibility would be for some time of Map Effect like has been demonstrated with weather and water in the FGU mapping demos. Obviously not something for initial release, but might be a map effect for the future (i.e. the ability to assign tokens/graphics/effects to a path. Might have some other interesting use cases as well.

[Davinci522]

I could see the use for it, but I think you got your answer, no.

I don't think FGU will support animated GIFs, but that is one possibility (to make it outside of FG and then just display in FG). Another possibility would be for some time of Map Effect like has been demonstrated with weather and water in the FGU mapping demos. Obviously not something for initial release, but might be a map effect for the future (i.e. the ability to assign tokens/graphics/effects to a path. Might have some other interesting use cases as well.

Yeah I didn’t think this would be done with animated gifs. I just didn’t know if there was the possibility, through unity, to designate a token and shift it’s position with commands. Just thought it might be a cool effect.

[mattekure]

Yeah I didn’t think this would be done with animated gifs. I just didn’t know if there was the possibility, through unity, to designate a token and shift it’s position with commands. Just thought it might be a cool effect.

seems like thats something that might be possible now with an extension.

[LordEntrails]

seems like thats something that might be possible now with an extension.
True, Damned or Trenloe did something vaguely similar with light tokens moving in sync with the "parent" token so their is a way to programmaticaly move tokens. But given it never got released I suspect it was cumbersome and possible even unstable?

But, seems reasonable someone could do it if they really wanted it :)

[damned]

'twas Trenloe

[Weissrolf]

As someone looking fresh into FG: Does it even make sense to invest in FG Classic, now that Unity is right around the corner?

[Andraax]

Sure. First, FG Classic will not go away right away. Second, while no prices have been announced, SmiteWorks has indicated that people who purchase a license now will have a low cost option to upgrade when FG Unity is released.

They have a long track record of taking good care of their customers.

[Weissrolf]

Low cost, ok. But if I pay 130 EUR now and then another 50 to 80 EUR (or so) in 3 months that's still a lot for a beginning user. Unfortunately I missed the Kickstarter, so I will likely rather hold out and just take a look at the demo.

[Ampersandrew]

As someone looking fresh into FG: Does it even make sense to invest in FG Classic, now that Unity is right around the corner?

Define "right around the corner". I can't see it being released to the general public before April 2020 at the earliest.

It's just entered Alpha testing, that was slightly later than they originally were aiming for, by a week or two. As I recall, they were aiming for Beta testing starting in December at the earliest. John has said it won't enter Beta until it's ready for Beta. Who knows how long the Beta testing period will last.

If you need something to play games on now, Fantasy Grounds Classic is a very good option, all of your content will carry over to Unity when it is released.

[Ampersandrew]

Low cost, ok. But if I pay 130 EUR now and then another 50 to 80 EUR (or so) in 3 months that's still a lot for a beginning user. Unfortunately I missed the Kickstarter, so I will likely rather hold out and just take a look at the demo.

There's no way you'll have Unity in three months. Even Beta testers i.e. people who backed the kickstarter aren't going to have the Beta in three months.

Realistically, I'd be thinking about next June to July. Even that might be optimistic.

Also, the owners have said that they will not be reopening access to the Beta, they have enough people signed up for that.

[LordEntrails]

Low cost, ok. But if I pay 130 EUR now and then another 50 to 80 EUR (or so) in 3 months that's still a lot for a beginning user. Unfortunately I missed the Kickstarter, so I will likely rather hold out and just take a look at the demo.
I doubt it will be 50-80 EUR, but it's always possible. Consider a subscription, it's $10USD/month for the ultimate. Though note is does not get you a discount on FGU (though I believe you will have the option to get a FGU subscription instead).

I will say I'm more positive than Ampersandrew and think FGU will be publicly available much sooner than he does, BUT, both of us are just guessing/hoping/speculating.

[Weissrolf]

Thanks for chiming in both of you. I will take a look at the demo and then decide what makes sense. Probably starting with the Lite version is a good compromise as I plan to use it for handling table play mostly (loading AP into it).

[Andraax]

The "Lite" version no longer exists. There are "Demo", "Standard", and "Ultimate".

[Weissrolf]

I meant Standard and don't even know what "Lite" was about, since I am looking into FG for the first time (coming from Hero Lab).

[UltimateGM]

As someone looking fresh into FG: Does it even make sense to invest in FG Classic, now that Unity is right around the corner?

A few other points FGU will not be ready for several months. Anything you buy for classic carries over to FGU so you don't lose anything.

[Weissrolf]

As far as I understand the Kickstarter page the release is scheduled for December 19 already. So it seems that once I wrapped my head around the Classic program it likely just became obsolete and then I pay for the upgrade and have to relearn the Unity version.

I will watch some videos on YT to see how FG works with prebuild Adventure Path content to first a feel how FG handles things anyway, found one that shows the GM view for a PF2 session. The demo does not tell me enough about that.

[Bidmaron]

The beta is PROJECTED for December. They may not sell the beta until they have the real release candidate, which probably wouldn’t be until March if you are lucky. They have not announced any plans about final release. They might publicly sell the beta but they haven’t said that.
And most of what you learn will translate directly to FGU. Only maps and images are intended to be different.

[Ampersandrew]

The beta is PROJECTED for December. They may not sell the beta until they have the real release candidate, which probably wouldn’t be until March if you are lucky. They have not announced any plans about final release. They might publicly sell the beta but they haven’t said that.
And most of what you learn will translate directly to FGU. Only maps and images are intended to be different.

They've already said that they aren't going to sell the Beta at all. If you didn't back the kickstarter, you'll be waiting for the release of the final thing.

[TrentLane]

The beta is PROJECTED for December.

Going from one of the Kickstarter updates (#14), general release is planned for december, as long as alpha/beta go smoothly.

[ddavison]

The general release date was slated for Dec 2019 -- if the Alpha and Beta go well and all significant issues are resolved enough for a release. We just began the full Alpha and we are getting lots of feedback to go along with our other known issues. We don't have enough info to update the release date at this time. A monthly subscription might not be a bad option at this point if you wanted to start playing with FG Classic.

[Bidmaron]

That is good news. When I made my pledge, the KS estimated deleuvery date was December, and I interpreted that to mean the beta was December since all pledges got beta access (or Alfa). Would be nice to have the real release in December!
That is an awfully aggressive date based upon my personal experience in software projects. But here’s hoping it’s true! They did make alpha on or near projection, so if that was what December meant then great!

[Weissrolf]

So with the release date not so far in the future. How much is the UI experience going to change, as in how much will I have to learn two (somewhat complicated) programs within a few months time if I start with Classic now and then go Unity?

Subscription could be a good idea, but then it might cost me more than just paying the update for the one-time version. The worst scenario would be the one were I buy Classic now, then need the next few months to really wrap my head around all of it, just for Unity to come out and make it all obsolete. That way I payed just to learn an already outdated software and then pay again to learn a new one, which I may finally put to full use.

[Moon Wizard]

The UI will be very similar, since the rulesets (i.e. game system implementations) drive the majority of the UI. The one exception is that the image features will be expanded dramatically in FGU with new UI and features (to support line-of-sight, enhanced painting, and more).

Regards,
JPG

[Weissrolf]

Thanks for the response, sounds reasonable. The Kickstarter seemed to offer rebates for people who just bought Classic between 2018 and 2019. Is this planed for the final release, too?

[LordEntrails]

Thanks for the response, sounds reasonable. The Kickstarter seemed to offer rebates for people who just bought Classic between 2018 and 2019. Is this planed for the final release, too?
No word from SmiteWorks on that yet. But, I suspect they will look at for their customers, including the new ones.

Also, besides all the info/help on the forums here, the user manual, and YouTube, also check out FantasyGroundsCollege.net for free classes and resources to learn FG.

[Eliyah]

I take it it's too late to back the kickstarter?

[Valyar]

I take it it's too late to back the kickstarter?
If there is no option for late backers - you will have to wait for the global availability

[dberkompas]

Short answer: Yes

[Wolfheart]

Alright, it's 2020, is Unity out yet? Haven't seen/read anything for a while :s

[Zacchaeus]

Alright, it's 2020, is Unity out yet? Haven't seen/read anything for a while :s

Then you have been looking in the wrong place https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?107-Fantasy-Grounds-Unity-Playtest

[Wolfheart]

Then you have been looking in the wrong place https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?107-Fantasy-Grounds-Unity-Playtest

My humble thanks :)

[Wolfheart]

I was watching a video on dice in Unity. And while it finally gives some more options for those who play unsupported RPGs, I can't help but wonder if using a list of codes becomes very impractical during gameplay (as an example my hotbars are usually already filled, and if you need more than one die code, with different dice or different success thresholds or whatever, it becomes even less practical).

Is this the way it's gonna be or just an early showing? Why can't FG have a dice roller where you click a button for desired dice resolution, then just add the numbers (as in Roll20)? That would speed up play and as far as I can tell it wouldn't be messing up the structure of FG.

[Pentazer]

I don't know why this isn't listed on the FAQ and I tried searching but couldn't find a very clear answer on the subject...

I own a Fantasy Grounds Ultimate licence. I know that all my purchased content will be compatible with unity, but what about my ultimate licence? This was a rather expensive purchase and I hope that my ultimate licence will still apply to Fantasy Grounds Unity... right?

[damned]

I don't know why this isn't listed on the FAQ and I tried searching but couldn't find a very clear answer on the subject...

I own a Fantasy Grounds Ultimate licence. I know that all my purchased content will be compatible with unity, but what about my ultimate licence? This was a rather expensive purchase and I hope that my ultimate licence will still apply to Fantasy Grounds Unity... right?

Fantasy Grounds (Classic) will continue to work and be supported. It does not give you access to Fantasy Grounds Unity.

[Valyar]

No, those are different programs. You can upgrade the license from FGC Ultimate to FGU Ultimate after the global release.

[Zacchaeus]

I don't know why this isn't listed on the FAQ and I tried searching but couldn't find a very clear answer on the subject...

I own a Fantasy Grounds Ultimate licence. I know that all my purchased content will be compatible with unity, but what about my ultimate licence? This was a rather expensive purchase and I hope that my ultimate licence will still apply to Fantasy Grounds Unity... right?

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?52411-Fantasy-Grounds-Unity-Pricing-and-Upgrade-Paths

[Pentazer]

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?52411-Fantasy-Grounds-Unity-Pricing-and-Upgrade-Paths

Oh this is exactly what I was looking for, thank you!


Upgrades from FG Classic
Upgrading from Fantasy Grounds (Classic) to Fantasy Grounds Unity will use our bundle system to discount it based on your existing license.
Upgrade FG Standard to FGU Standard
$31.99 (20% off)

Upgrade FG Ultimate to FGU Ultimate
$89.99 (40% off)

So FG Ultimate to FGU Ultimate I guess is what I'm looking at. Is there a mailing list or something I can sign up on so I know when the unity edition is released?

[Zacchaeus]

Fantasy Grounds Newsletter https://www.facebook.com/fantasygrounds/app/100265896690345/

[LordEntrails]

I was watching a video on dice in Unity. And while it finally gives some more options for those who play unsupported RPGs, I can't help but wonder if using a list of codes becomes very impractical during gameplay (as an example my hotbars are usually already filled, and if you need more than one die code, with different dice or different success thresholds or whatever, it becomes even less practical).

Is this the way it's gonna be or just an early showing? Why can't FG have a dice roller where you click a button for desired dice resolution, then just add the numbers (as in Roll20)? That would speed up play and as far as I can tell it wouldn't be messing up the structure of FG.
You use all 96 hot keys? I could never remember that many. But, rather than just use the rolls as hot keys, just drag the roll to a roll field on the character sheet. That way you don't have to remember what the roll is, you just click the field on the sheet labeled 'Attack-LaserPistol' or whatever. Of course, this is going to be slightly different depending upon the ruleset, but that's the type of roll I create in a CoreRPG character sheet I use. IMO, having predefined rolls on the character sheet is than a die roller.

Note that FGU is in general not changing the User Interface of any of the rulesets, with the exception of the image controls and image asset management. Though of course community extensions can change the UI.

BUT, if you want to make any suggestions, add them to the wishlist so they can be tracked and voted on by the community :)
https://fg2app.idea.informer.com/?show_all=1&show_idea=1&show_error=1&show_question=1&show_thank=1&show_expect=1&show_inproc=1&show_shedule=1&show_deliver=0&show_complete=1&show_when=0&orderby=2&orderasc=0

[damned]

MoreCore lets you save hundreds of rolls to your character sheet and you can edit the parameters of the rolls through simple number boxes.

[vincentprice]

There was some talk of a different pricing structure for upgrading depending on when you originally got FG Classic. i.e. if you purchased FG Classic in the last 12 months then you would be able to upgrade to Unity for cheaper than if you had purchased FG Classic more than 12 months ago. That doesn't seem to be mentioned in the Upgrade Paths link above, do we know if everyone will pay the same now to upgrade to Unity regardless of when they first purchased FG Classic?

[damned]

There was some talk of a different pricing structure for upgrading depending on when you originally got FG Classic. i.e. if you purchased FG Classic in the last 12 months then you would be able to upgrade to Unity for cheaper than if you had purchased FG Classic more than 12 months ago. That doesn't seem to be mentioned in the Upgrade Paths link above, do we know if everyone will pay the same now to upgrade to Unity regardless of when they first purchased FG Classic?

At this time it looks like those extra discounts were made available during the Kickstarter only.

[Cirrob]

Im havent purchase FG ultimate yet. ironically, I was going to purchase this morning before perusing this thread. But upon discovering I can wait to purchase for 149 bucks, versus purchasing now and then paying another 60% of the cost ontop of my original purchase, I decided to wait. Bad business for capital investment.... but ok.

[Trenloe]

Im havent purchase FG ultimate yet. ironically, I was going to purchase this morning before perusing this thread. But upon discovering I can wait to purchase for 149 bucks, versus purchasing now and then paying another 60% of the cost ontop of my original purchase, I decided to wait. Bad business for capital investment.... but ok.
Welcome to the forums.

It all depends on whether everyone you'll be playing with will also have FG Unity. I'll imagine there'll still be quite a few games using FG Classic for a while. And, we still don't know when FG Unity will be fully released. If you have a good use for FG Classic now, it may not be a bad idea to get a subscription to tide you over until FG Unity comes out, and maybe keep playing with FG Classic for a few months.

[Nylanfs]

Treat FGU just like a new OS, quite a few people won't transition till the early adopters get the inevitable bugs that slip through the testing ironed out. :)

[Cirrob]

Welcome to the forums.

It all depends on whether everyone you'll be playing with will also have FG Unity. I'll imagine there'll still be quite a few games using FG Classic for a while. And, we still don't know when FG Unity will be fully released. If you have a good use for FG Classic now, it may not be a bad idea to get a subscription to tide you over until FG Unity comes out, and maybe keep playing with FG Classic for a few months.

Right now I run a F2F game at my home office, but plan on using FG to enhance the game; no one uses anything other than pen and paper. So we wont make the transition until I purchase an ultimate. However, I would have preferred they had the pricing taken into account that (hypothetically) I JUST purchased an ultimate for the older version, but it doesn't; Ill be charged 60% of the cost I already paid once more, for an upgrade. Thats a bad business decision because you always want capital as soon as you can get it for future/current investments. Upgrades are a great way to get more capital because they get the full purchase price plus the upgrade fee they normally would not get from a new customer (my case); as long as the barrier isnt ridiculous (the current case with a 60% upgrade fee). Im not going to reward bad business, but I will exploit it. Looks like its planned for the next few months, which is doable; but they could have made 130% of the ultimate price had they came up with a more realistic upgrade model.

[Trenloe]

Getting capital and "more realistic upgrade model" was done during the very successful Kickstarter. I understand what you're saying, but the situation is what it is - it's been communicated and set that way for a while. To change it now would cause angst and issues with people who've already invested or held off based off the already set model.

[Eliyah]

How much longer T.T

[damned]

Not long now. It will be ready before Christmas.

[Ampersandrew]

Yeah, but which Christmas? ;-)

[Oberoten]

Not long now. It will be ready before Christmas.

The War will be over before Christmas...

[damned]

The War will be over before Christmas...

Not if I can help it.

[Oberoten]

Not if I can help it.

What does a war need help with anyway?

[damned]

What does a war need help with anyway?

Wars rarely need much help - but while there is money to be made...