New guy question

[MavrykGM]

Hello everyone.

I do not presently have or use fantasy grounds but I am interested in learning a bit about it. I see a lot of publishers giving permission to have their module turned into a FG module.

I know what this means at its core - a developer builds the NPCs and monsters in FG if they are not already part of the core system and adds visuals (maps or other images) as applicable. But what does that mean to the user? You can only use the module if you pay for it? How much does a module of a published work usually cost on FG? How much time and effort does it take for a developer to convert a module? Are the maps that come within the module made to scale? I.e. Are the maps only good for theater of the kind or is there artwork created to support it as a virtual battle map?

So many questions and more. Thanks for your time.

[Zacchaeus]

Hi MavrykGM Welcome to Fantasy Grounds and to the forums.

I will assume here that you are talking about a module of an adventure which is also commercially available in paper or pdf versions.

Firstly, yes these cost money and probably cost as much as they would if you were buying the product in another medium. The advantage of having them converted into an FG module is one of convenience for the DM. Usually the FG module is a faithful replica of the paper one. So if the paper one contained a map for a particular encounter then so too will the FG one. If it doesn't then there might be maps for it on these or other forums which are usable. If maps are included then they will be to scale and fully usable in FG. Usually they will come with the grid all ready prepared.

An FG module is designed specifically for use within FG so it will come with all of the story text, it will also usually be fully indexed for ease of use. Encounters will have been pre-built with all of the NPCs ready for use in the encounter as will treasure parcels. There may be player handouts. In other words as much effort as possible is made to ensure a good experience.

As to how long it takes to convert that depends on the size of the adventure and the amount of work the developer puts into it. A small adventure might take a couple of days to convert whilst something like Curse of Strahd takes weeks.

[MavrykGM]

Thank you for your quick response. The purpose of these questions is to find a resource to quote me for time in converting a module of my design as part of a Kickstarter award when I go live. I'd discuss specifics as needed with the developer.

what resources are there to find such developers and is the cartographer/illustrator that converts (or creates) the map the same or someone different?

Right now you e answered the questions about process. Now I'm looking for resources.

Thank you

[Nylanfs]

I would try and talk to others that have run KS campaigns, Steve Russell is a REALLY good resource to ask questions of.

https://www.facebook.com/Qwilion?fref=ts

[Trenloe]

Right now you e answered the questions about process. Now I'm looking for resources.
PM (private message) ddavison, the president of SmiteWorks - I'm sure he'll have some ideas about reliable developers to put you in touch with. Or send an email to [email protected]. SmiteWorks are involved with a number of FG conversions for Kickstarters, the most recent to be delivered was the Primeval Thule 5E campaign setting: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/product.xcp?id=SQG1500FG

[jshauber]

Hello MavrykGM and welcome to the FG community.

It is good to see that you are looking to have an FG product as part of your KS offering.

First step would be to contact SmiteWorks, and work out a license agreement with them to offer the product for sale. They will then work out details with the developers to get your material converted into FG format.

Contact Doug at [email protected] to start the conversation about licensing.

[MavrykGM]

Thank you all for the feedback. I sent a PM to ddavison yesterday but haven't heard back yet. I assumed everyone was with mom yesterday so nbd. It looks like that was the best way to go. Thank you all for the help. :)

[Moon Wizard]

You're best off sending the e-mail to [email protected]

We both tend to check our PMs infrequently, relative to answering e-mails and posts on forum.

Regards,
JPG

[ddavison]

Hey MavrykGM, in general, we decide whether or not to participate as part of a Kickstarter on a case-by-case basis. If there is already a module ready to go in Fantasy Grounds, then the decision becomes much simpler to list it in the store. If the creative work has yet to be done for the KS for print & PDF and then an FG version would still need to be done, we generally shy away from those except for very well known publishers or with publishers who we've already dealt with previously. We just have to be cautious not to over commit our resources and whenever people pay money for something, that makes an even stronger commitment.

What may make more sense is for the funding to go on without an official link to Fantasy Grounds and then once you get to that point, we can help shop it around to community developers who we know and who we think might be interested and available for a conversion job. Then we can put it through our production channels that are now being managed by James Holloway (aka Lokiare here on the forums.)

[MavrykGM]

This totally makes sense to me. I'll connect back with your team closer to November when this goes live.

Thank you for your time and responses.

[damned]

One more thing to make note of MavrykGM - converting an adventure or a resource book (spells, monsters) is a much more manageable task than converting a game system. A game system requires a lot more effort as it requires the coding to support that games mechanics and in particular combat resolution.