Future Development

[UngainlyTitan]

Hi there,
When FGU was announced I was very excited and really looked forward to improvements in the application. Particularly in the UI functionality. However, while FGU does solve some pain points like networking a lot of development seems to be concentrated in developing a very sophisticated mapping application. I am not particularly interested in that direction of development. I prefer to use fairly simple drawing tools to create maps and if I want to learn high end image creation I would prefer to learn a widely used image creation tool. I mean, I may get around to looking in to the mapping tool at some time but I tend to use purchased adventures and have some tools that I am very happy with.

So my question, is there a road map or plan for future feature. I am not even asking for a timeline. I am aware that it is a small team and it will be done when it is done. I have noticed that there is some work going on in the main application but no idea where it is leading to and I have some features that I would like to see.

I would appreciate any information.

[Sulimo]

Smiteworks does not publish any public roadmap.

The best you are going to get is the wishlist (https://fgapp.idea.informer.com/), and even that is not foolproof. Just because something has a lot of votes, does not mean it is going to be implemented (like the multi screen support, the Unity Engine (https://unity.com/) does not have the kind of cross platform support necessary to make that work).

[LordEntrails]

So my question, is there a road map or plan for future feature. I am not even asking for a timeline. I am aware that it is a small team and it will be done when it is done. I have noticed that there is some work going on in the main application but no idea where it is leading to and I have some features that I would like to see.
The developers don't release anything like that publically.

There is the Wish List, that the community can use to suggest and vote for ideas But the devs do not directly use it to control what features they are working on (their are other factors they weigh). https://fgapp.idea.informer.com/

When something is close to release, it will show up in the public test build, and mentioned in the Laboratory threads here; https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?55-The-Laboratory

[Temmpest]

Hi there,
When FGU was announced I was very excited and really looked forward to improvements in the application. Particularly in the UI functionality. However, while FGU does solve some pain points like networking a lot of development seems to be concentrated in developing a very sophisticated mapping application. I am not particularly interested in that direction of development. I prefer to use fairly simple drawing tools to create maps and if I want to learn high end image creation I would prefer to learn a widely used image creation tool. I mean, I may get around to looking in to the mapping tool at some time but I tend to use purchased adventures and have some tools that I am very happy with.

So my question, is there a road map or plan for future feature. I am not even asking for a timeline. I am aware that it is a small team and it will be done when it is done. I have noticed that there is some work going on in the main application but no idea where it is leading to and I have some features that I would like to see.

I would appreciate any information.

I love using FGU, but I agree with you, I did not purchase it for the "mapping" functionality. I think they've done great work with the character creation wizard and the improvements I've see to the UI.

[UngainlyTitan]

Thanks to every one that responded. I guess I am a little frustrated that the development effort is supporting stuff that I am not interested and I have no idea if the things that I am my players regard as pain points are being addressed at all. I had a look at the wishlist Sulimo and voted for some things and added some suggestion of my own.

Not sure if it will have any effect. I have spent a lot of time learning this application and quite a bit of cash on materials to run a game. It has great potential but the UI in particular needs a lot of work.

[The Decepticon]

I love using FGU, but I agree with you, I did not purchase it for the "mapping" functionality. I think they've done great work with the character creation wizard and the improvements I've see to the UI.

Like the OP I purchase a lot of pre-builds as I do not have the time to come up with my own adventure, other than some side quests or improvising. I was surprised on how much time Smiteworks has spent on developing and implementing this mapping system. It is a bit disappointing, even though I love FGU, I would like to see some movement of those items that have been on that wish list for years. There are extensions for many of those items, but as we all know extensions mean an added risk.

I am a big fan of FGU, doesn't mean I have to be happy with all their choices! Still love the system over Roll20 and Foundry. :)

[Sulimo]

Thanks to every one that responded. I guess I am a little frustrated that the development effort is supporting stuff that I am not interested and I have no idea if the things that I am my players regard as pain points are being addressed at all. I had a look at the wishlist Sulimo and voted for some things and added some suggestion of my own.

Not sure if it will have any effect. I have spent a lot of time learning this application and quite a bit of cash on materials to run a game. It has great potential but the UI in particular needs a lot of work.


It's best if you can to describe what you want, simply stating that 'the UI in particular needs a lot of work' is not going to help the developers determine what needs to be done.


If you look at past discussions on the UI (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?72754-Fantasy-Grounds-needs-a-Design-Overhaul&p=641613&viewfull=1#post641613), it's seems it's mostly about how it looks vs. how it works. The look of FG can be changed via themes, so you might give those a try if that is what you are referring to.

[celestian]

It's best if you can to describe what you want, simply stating that 'the UI in particular needs a lot of work' is not going to help the developers determine what needs to be done.

I'm pretty sure it's been mentioned enough there doesn't need to be yet another entry in the wishlist or a post describing. It's shorthand for "please modernize the UI". Or... see previous mountain of posts on the topic.

[YAKO SOMEDAKY]

I know that one day we will have improvements in occluders, data modeling, animated maps, sound features and I have the patience to wait!

[UngainlyTitan]

It's best if you can to describe what you want, simply stating that 'the UI in particular needs a lot of work' is not going to help the developers determine what needs to be done.


If you look at past discussions on the UI (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?72754-Fantasy-Grounds-needs-a-Design-Overhaul&p=641613&viewfull=1#post641613), it's seems it's mostly about how it looks vs. how it works. The look of FG can be changed via themes, so you might give those a try if that is what you are referring to.

I was pretty much told to post my ideas at the wishlist and I have being doing so. I am not a regular on the forums, but I was expecting a sticky on the topic. I really do not want to rehash what has been discussed before. Particularly if the no one from Smiteworks contributes. I will try and read the linked discussion but I have some very definite ideas I would like to see work on. And am willing to discuss it here if people are interested in that discussion.

[Egheal]

I second that idea: a sticky topic named "futur features requests" (or whatever else) with links pointing to the wishlist would make sense. I'm not sure that a lot of this forum users are aware of the whislist or use it anyway.
With such a list it could be easier to search for "dice skins" https://fgapp.idea.informer.com/proj/?ia=135372 or "WebM support" https://fgapp.idea.informer.com/proj/?ia=135712 into this forum to help the community vote for prefered features (It would be ironic though if such a sticky already existed :o).

[Zacchaeus]

Such a sticky used to exist - before the idea informer. Such a sticky got too unwieldy with hundreds of posts which no-one was going to read through and so just added the same things that had previously been posted. So there was no real way to see what the consensus amongst the community was or is. The idea informer does count votes and each idea is discrete with it's own comments section. So going back to a sticky isn't something I'd consider (and I'd certainly not want to moderate it).

I accept that not every user uses the forums and I also accept that not every user is aware of the wish list. But we do push people to it from here and on Discord and I think it's a reasonable barometer of what the community is looking for.

[GunnarGreybeard]

I second that idea: a sticky topic named "futur features requests" (or whatever else) with links pointing to the wishlist would make sense. I'm not sure that a lot of this forum users are aware of the whislist or use it anyway.
With such a list it could be easier to search for "dice skins" https://fgapp.idea.informer.com/proj/?ia=135372 or "WebM support" https://fgapp.idea.informer.com/proj/?ia=135712 into this forum to help the community vote for prefered features (It would be ironic though if such a sticky already existed :o).

A 'stickied thread' with a link to feature requests is already available in this same forum section Tavern > Feature Requests (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?67271-Feature-Requests) Maybe it can be forced to the top of the channel for better visibility ??

[Egheal]

Such a sticky used to exist - before the idea informer. Such a sticky got too unwieldy with hundreds of posts which no-one was going to read through and so just added the same things that had previously been posted. So there was no real way to see what the consensus amongst the community was or is. The idea informer does count votes and each idea is discrete with it's own comments section. So going back to a sticky isn't something I'd consider (and I'd certainly not want to moderate it).

I accept that not every user uses the forums and I also accept that not every user is aware of the wish list. But we do push people to it from here and on Discord and I think it's a reasonable barometer of what the community is looking for.

It makes sense, thanks for the insight Zacchaeus.

[Egheal]

A 'stickied thread' with a link to feature requests is already available in this same forum section Tavern > Feature Requests (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?67271-Feature-Requests) Maybe it can be forced to the top of the channel for better visibility ??

Or perhaps a wishlist button could be added in the forum tabs?53282

[Valyar]

People underestimate how useful a published roadmap (even without dates or commitments) is. One of the reason why in the last D&D survey there was question about FG/Roll20 being dated or losing momentum is precisely because it is not clear what the future holds.

Foundry on the other side is quite vocal and active on the next big things that come.

[Ludd_G]

I would love to see an actual sub-forum for feature requests, which would, hopefully, lead to discreet discussion on each idea, so keeping things tidy with much less need for moderator involvement. I know the idea informer topics do allow for comment, but only a vanishingly small number of people make use of it.

Cheers,

Simon

[UngainlyTitan]

I would like some kind of statement of intent. Are they even working on the issue or is on the queue behind something else?

[Zacchaeus]

I would like some kind of statement of intent. Are they even working on the issue or is on the queue behind something else?

You can see what's upcoming here https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?74059-Beta-Release-2022-07-Ruleset-Updates

[UngainlyTitan]

You can see what's upcoming here https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?74059-Beta-Release-2022-07-Ruleset-Updates

Thanks this is useful though I was looking for something more big picture. Your video thread did alert me to features I did not know existed which is also an issue. This is one of the marketing failures of Smiteworks, in that their feature videos are hours long and no one has the time. They need a series of short 10 minute videos each covering one topic.
Sort of like you do.

[Zacchaeus]

Thanks this is useful though I was looking for something more big picture. Your video thread did alert me to features I did not know existed which is also an issue. This is one of the marketing failures of Smiteworks, in that their feature videos are hours long and no one has the time. They need a series of short 10 minute videos each covering one topic.
Sort of like you do.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?74207-So-what-videos-do-you-want-to-see&p=654091#post654091

[Sterno]

Lack of a roadmap with no way for a user to know if the areas of concern to them are going to be worked on is a major issue. You're faced with the choice of "wait and hope" or "go look for alternatives". And if you don't know what the next big thing right around the corner is, you don't know if it's something that might tip the balance back towards "I'll keep waiting".

[Nylanfs]

Which is one of the reasons most people say "Buy FG for what it is today".

[Moon Wizard]

I've always found that the challenge with announcing the roadmap in advance (especially as we're a smaller company) is that we are constantly having to adapt to the current priorities.

We're constantly prototyping stuff, working on plumbing, pivoting to address items that come up, working with support, etc.; in addition to the "projects" we're working on. Even some of the projects we try either don't work out the way we want (and get shelved, possibly looked at later), or take much more time than anticipated, or just didn't work at all.

Also, we are balancing slowly improving and simplifying developer pieces of both rulesets and the client, while trying to minimize disruption and maintain maximum backward compatibility. I am constantly moving between projects to make sure that they're all getting the support they need to move forward when we can.

As we get within a few weeks of new features, we try to announce them.

Currently, we have projects for sound integration and custom dice in the works; but no final date yet as some of the research for both tech and production pipeline are still being worked out, as well as integrating from prototype to production code. Also, we have an ongoing push in the development channel to both simplify and consolidate developer resources for CoreRPG layer for use in all rulesets, as well as preparing for supporting 5E vehicles. When we don't have firm dates for release of a capability; we typically wait to announce and market within a few weeks when we're sure we are ready to deliver.

Regards,
JPG

[UngainlyTitan]

I've always found that the challenge with announcing the roadmap in advance (especially as we're a smaller company) is that we are constantly having to adapt to the current priorities.

We're constantly prototyping stuff, working on plumbing, pivoting to address items that come up, working with support, etc.; in addition to the "projects" we're working on. Even some of the projects we try either don't work out the way we want (and get shelved, possibly looked at later), or take much more time than anticipated, or just didn't work at all.

Also, we are balancing slowly improving and simplifying developer pieces of both rulesets and the client, while trying to minimize disruption and maintain maximum backward compatibility. I am constantly moving between projects to make sure that they're all getting the support they need to move forward when we can.

As we get within a few weeks of new features, we try to announce them.

Currently, we have projects for sound integration and custom dice in the works; but no final date yet as some of the research for both tech and production pipeline are still being worked out, as well as integrating from prototype to production code. Also, we have an ongoing push in the development channel to both simplify and consolidate developer resources for CoreRPG layer for use in all rulesets, as well as preparing for supporting 5E vehicles. When we don't have firm dates for release of a capability; we typically wait to announce and market within a few weeks when we're sure we are ready to deliver.

Regards,
JPG

As the person that started the thread, I am not particularly interested in a roadmap or a timeline. I used to work in software and I know the issues. But I am just wondering is the devs view of what is important overlap in any way with mine. I have seen a lot of development of a mapping application, which to be honest I see as unnecessary, there are perfectly good mapping applications out there that are easier to use. Not as good perhaps but good enough for the job.
On the subject of mapping, why on Earth were spell templates placed in the image creation tools. Requiring the DM to enter map editing mode to use them and not put in to a user image layer? That is more work than is worth it for the DM.

I can understand that I might never see independent windowing or multi monitor support in the current version but scalable front? We can have die macros in chat but on the character sheet or any way to drag them to the buttons at the bottom. Or custom tooltips for those buttons so you can remember what you dragged there.

I mean I understand, small company, limited resources but it is frustrating.

[wndrngdru]

We can have die macros in chat but on the character sheet or any way to drag them to the buttons at the bottom.

This is an easy one. Any chat command can be dragged to a quickbutton. Just type your command in the chat and, BEFORE hitting Enter, drag it to the button you want. (You can then right-click the button and edit the name, too, if desired.) This feature has been around since the early days of FG.

[LordEntrails]

There is scaleui for changing the whole graphic scale. A problem with just changing the font size (like many big font extensions do) is that it does not change the size of the box the text is supposed to fit in, or the size of the character sheet window the stuff is all supposed to fit in.

It could be done for large text fields for things like story entries and the chat box, but not really for windows like character sheets, items, etc.

[Dakadin]

So the actual modules that I purchased and then activated for the game could be the problem? And you don't see where that is an issue? I can understand if it's an add-on creating an issue because those aren't official, and all come with a buyer beware understanding. But official modules that are supported and purchased from Smite shouldn't and that's the problem as I see it. Plus it's not just that one, as I stated earlier there is all sorts of little got yas in the program, and if it's due to the modules that we have to buy half the time to get more use out of the program that's still a problem that IMHO needs to be addressed. Consider how many of these issues could actually cause new users to turn to easier to use alternatives. But I've said my piece here and am not about to beat a horse to death. This is becoming a waste of time for the both of us...

If you go to the thread that Zacchaeus mentioned (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?60435-5E-Character-Wizard-Bug-Reports) and add a post to it with the bug and how it can be recreated then the developer is pretty good about getting things fixed when he gets a chance. He might not read this thread so it would get missed.

[Trenloe]

I've moved the posts regarding the issue with Character Wizard to a more appropriate thread here: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?60435-5E-Character-Wizard-Bug-Reports&p=654607&viewfull=1#post654607

@Gezzer and others - please continue your discussions regarding the character wizard in that thread. Thanks.