Fantasy Grounds v5.1.6

[Moon Wizard]

A new version of Fantasy Grounds is now available.

Comprehensive list of patch notes (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/filelibrary/patchnotes_v4.html)

Please report any issues in the House of Healing - Fantasy Grounds forum.
If you are getting any script errors or strange behaviors, make sure to disable any extensions before reporting. It may take time for extension developers to update their extensions to the latest version.

New Feature Highlights

Drag icon visibility improved.
Image lock-up fix.


Cheers,
JPG

[Serbaayuu]

Did the main home screen of the FantasyGrounds desktop program always have a scrolling batch of shop links?

This seems new. I am pretty sure it was just the Quickstart Guide/User Manual/Support/etc. buttons previously.

I know the program went free a few weeks ago, so I guess it's ads time already, but I paid $300+ for it, can I get an option to turn off the scrolling mobile playstore carousel? That's one of those dark patterns of UI design which I usually use my uBlock Origin to element-zap block. I would do the same here, but... this is a program on my own PC. :D

[Moon Wizard]

The launcher screen has had store links for several weeks. Without the links, it would just be a big blank area.
They are a necessary change to support the move to the free-to-play model; and only appear when you first launch FG VTT.

Regards,
JPG

[Serbaayuu]

Well that's exactly what I feared when F2P happened! Especially because I paid a lot for this program in the state it was in when I paid for it.

And there's no way to customize the launcher screen the way you can do with extensions for in-game, right?

This is gonna raise my blood pressure on a weekly basis otherwise.

[Moon Wizard]

The launcher is part of the application and not customizable.

The screens only show new products and products related to what you currently own or from game systems you are currently playing.
It's essentially just re-using the space better that was already used for links to web-site information.

Regards,
JPG

[Serbaayuu]

Right, but this is a program on my PC and I would simply visit the store if I wanted to buy something (which I have done fairly recently, quite happily).

But seeing a carousel of ads - even relevant ones - especially relevant ones - makes me want to not open the program since I can't block the ads. If we're calling "Blank Space" a -1 to visual quality and user-friendly usability, "Ad Space" is a -10.

[LordEntrails]

Wow, I've never even paid attention to the carousel except when they asked for feedback. I forgot it was there. I guess I don't spend enough time looking at the launcher to care what's there.

[Jiminimonka]

Right, but this is a program on my PC and I would simply visit the store if I wanted to buy something (which I have done fairly recently, quite happily).

But seeing a carousel of ads - even relevant ones - especially relevant ones - makes me want to not open the program since I can't block the ads. If we're calling "Blank Space" a -1 to visual quality and user-friendly usability, "Ad Space" is a -10.

How long do you spend on the launcher LOL. It is not a big deal. But anyway I think Moon Wizard added an option for you to turn off the little browser -nocef I think from the launcher.

Edit: A lot of us paid for FG (several times in some cases, buying for friends and family) and expect the state of the programme to change because it gets updates... that fact it went free is irrelevant as well.

[Zaister]

I'm confused, this is all I see when I open up the program:

https://imgur.com/a/FuWGFyw

Where are these ads supposed to be?

[Jiminimonka]

I'm confused, this is all I see when I open up the program:

https://imgur.com/a/FuWGFyw

Where are these ads supposed to be?

If you are on Mac or Linux it doesn't appear. Its basically the store page in a mini browser.

[Serbaayuu]

option for you to turn off the little browser -nocef I think from the launcher.

Absolutely marvelous, thank you! Exactly what I was looking for. All we need is an option for things like this. I appreciate devs who give us that option so I don't need to add SmiteWorks to my Do-Not-Buy list for showing ads to me.

Also sounds like my problem will solve itself when I upgrade to a Linux machine later this year!

[maddog0]

I'm obviously not a frequent poster on here, but I do want to say that I am also bothered by this carousel. I'd really like a way to disable it, especially for people who owned licenses, in general I always try to avoid Ads wherever possible and typically try to avoid Ad supported tiers on any service and will not buy a product if it doesn't have an ad free option. If it is absolutely impossible to consider a toggle to disable the carousel in the launcher then I would like to request instructions for a way to downgrade to the version before this was implemented so that I can remain on that version for my ongoing game

[Zaister]

If you are on Mac or Linux it doesn't appear. Its basically the store page in a mini browser.

Ah, that makes sense, thank you for explaining.

[Trenloe]

I'm obviously not a frequent poster on here, but I do want to say that I am also bothered by this carousel. I'd really like a way to disable it, especially for people who owned licenses, in general I always try to avoid Ads wherever possible and typically try to avoid Ad supported tiers on any service and will not buy a product if it doesn't have an ad free option. If it is absolutely impossible to consider a toggle to disable the carousel in the launcher then I would like to request instructions for a way to downgrade to the version before this was implemented so that I can remain on that version for my ongoing game
As mentioned above, use -nocef as a command line parameter when starting Fantasy Grounds. Details on how to do that here: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/shortcut-arguments-parameters-windows/

[Jiminimonka]

They are not adverts in any case, they are the store page which has been there for ages, except now it's more functional. :(

[Jiminimonka]

I'm obviously not a frequent poster on here, but I do want to say that I am also bothered by this carousel. I'd really like a way to disable it, especially for people who owned licenses, in general I always try to avoid Ads wherever possible and typically try to avoid Ad supported tiers on any service and will not buy a product if it doesn't have an ad free option. If it is absolutely impossible to consider a toggle to disable the carousel in the launcher then I would like to request instructions for a way to downgrade to the version before this was implemented so that I can remain on that version for my ongoing game

Store page was always there. This has nothing to do with tiers of service. Content for sale is where money for improvenents to the software come from unless Smiteworks win the lottery and can do it all for free.

[anstett]

Just as a point of reference.

One of my players today bought a new dice pack from that screen. She would never have gone to the store to look for things, never comes to this site at all.

But seeing the image of the new dice drew her to purchase a new dice set.

[RobboNJ69]

Are we really talking about the tastefully designed promotions on the startup screen?

The ones that don’t slow down access to the game?
The ones that don’t block or cover any part of the interface?
The ones that appear before the program even launches and disappear the moment you start a campaign?

And the same ones that provide a revenue stream for the platform that we all use?

This is pretty normal across modern software. My personal and commercial bank advertises additional services within its app. My mortgage company constantly tries to cross-sell me new loan products. Google Workspace, which I pay hundreds of dollars per month for multiple business accounts, regularly promotes upgrades and add-ons inside the interface.

Nearly every modern web, mobile, and desktop platform does some form of this. The real problem is when ads interfere with the product you paid for by blocking features or interrupting use. That’s not happening here in even the most remote sense.

A rotating panel on the launcher screen that you see for a few seconds before starting the program is hardly the apocalypse.

I'm a bit jealous... I wish my life were charmed enough that something like this ranked high on my list of daily frustrations.

[Jiminimonka]

Are we really talking about the tastefully designed promotions on the startup screen?

The ones that don’t slow down access to the game?
The ones that don’t block or cover any part of the interface?
The ones that appear before the program even launches and disappear the moment you start a campaign?

And the same ones that provide a revenue stream for the platform that we all use?

This is pretty normal across modern software. My personal and commercial bank advertises additional services within its app. My mortgage company constantly tries to cross-sell me new loan products. Google Workspace, which I pay hundreds of dollars per month for multiple business accounts, regularly promotes upgrades and add-ons inside the interface.

Nearly every modern web, mobile, and desktop platform does some form of this. The real problem is when ads interfere with the product you paid for by blocking features or interrupting use. That’s not happening here in even the most remote sense.

A rotating panel on the launcher screen that you see for a few seconds before starting the program is hardly the apocalypse.

I'm a bit jealous... I wish my life were charmed enough that something like this ranked high on my list of daily frustrations.

100%

[snupy]

Are we really talking about the tastefully designed promotions on the startup screen?

The ones that don’t slow down access to the game?
The ones that don’t block or cover any part of the interface?
The ones that appear before the program even launches and disappear the moment you start a campaign?

And the same ones that provide a revenue stream for the platform that we all use?

This is pretty normal across modern software. My personal and commercial bank advertises additional services within its app. My mortgage company constantly tries to cross-sell me new loan products. Google Workspace, which I pay hundreds of dollars per month for multiple business accounts, regularly promotes upgrades and add-ons inside the interface.

Nearly every modern web, mobile, and desktop platform does some form of this. The real problem is when ads interfere with the product you paid for by blocking features or interrupting use. That’s not happening here in even the most remote sense.

A rotating panel on the launcher screen that you see for a few seconds before starting the program is hardly the apocalypse.

I'm a bit jealous... I wish my life were charmed enough that something like this ranked high on my list of daily frustrations.

Yes we are. Well, I wasn't, mostly because I am on a Mac, but given your highly sarcastic end of post...

You do you, I also avoid software displaying ads or other ways to entice you to buy, upgrade, etc as much as possible. And while the trend is unfortunately common, it will only become more so without pushback. But it is not "nearly every modern platform" (whatever platform means, I hope your OS does not have ads). Here is some of the software I use on a daily basis:

- TexShop (free, no ads)
- Bibdesk (free, no ads)
- Wolfram Mathematica (far from free, no ads)
- OS apps (Calendar, Mail, Notes, Safari, Contacts, Preview included in OS, no ads. If you are picky there are places where apple tries to convince you to get iCloud storage, but not on a launch screen)
- Obsidian (free, no ads)
- Typora (paid, no ads)
- PDF expert (paid, still has adds enticing you to upgrade subscribe even having paid for it. I hate it for this and will probably move to something else)
- Dropbox (paid, mostly no ads. I think it reminds you you can upgrade if you run out of storage, I don't think it does otherwise. In any case, not at launch screen, discreet about it)
- bunch of audio software by Rogue Amoeba, paid no ads
- I could go on with other software I use occasionally which has no ads

Software with ads which interfere with the product is trashware belonging in hell and way below where I draw the line for not using something.

Anyway rant over. I agree and sympathise with users who have paid for the program and do not want to see ads. But there is an option to turn it off (thanks) and all is well.

[Jiminimonka]

Yes we are. Well, I wasn't, mostly because I am on a Mac, but given your highly sarcastic end of post...

You do you, I also avoid software displaying ads or other ways to entice you to buy, upgrade, etc as much as possible. And while the trend is unfortunately common, it will only become more so without pushback. But it is not "nearly every modern platform" (whatever platform means, I hope your OS does not have ads). Here is some of the software I use on a daily basis:

- TexShop (free, no ads)
- Bibdesk (free, no ads)
- Wolfram Mathematica (far from free, no ads)
- OS apps (Calendar, Mail, Notes, Safari, Contacts, Preview included in OS, no ads. If you are picky there are places where apple tries to convince you to get iCloud storage, but not on a launch screen)
- Obsidian (free, no ads)
- Typora (paid, no ads)
- PDF expert (paid, still has adds enticing you to upgrade subscribe even having paid for it. I hate it for this and will probably move to something else)
- Dropbox (paid, mostly no ads. I think it reminds you you can upgrade if you run out of storage, I don't think it does otherwise. In any case, not at launch screen, discreet about it)
- bunch of audio software by Rogue Amoeba, paid no ads
- I could go on with other software I use occasionally which has no ads

Software with ads which interfere with the product is trashware belonging in hell and way below where I draw the line for not using something.

Anyway rant over. I agree and sympathise with users who have paid for the program and do not want to see ads. But there is an option to turn it off (thanks) and all is well.

You are just wrong and I can't be bothered to type out a reponse beyond that. If you can't handle the adds, then add the -nocef option to the launcher. Not responding about this nonsense anymore, this thread is about the new updated version of FGVTT not a browser to the store page "on the 30 seconds on the screen" launcher window.

Read the patch notes https://www.fantasygrounds.com/filelibrary/patchnotes_v4.html

[snupy]

Lol "you're just wrong" (objective fact as what you think I the absolute truth of course) but can't be bothered to argue why and won't engage any further is one of the most condescending things I've read. You needed not to comment then.

You could have read my post properly at least, I am aware it can be disabled and explicitly mentioned that.

[BronzeDodger]

"I know there is a quick and easy fix - I'm here to whine, not to find solutions dammit!"

[LordEntrails]

Ok everyone. I know I'm not innocent in this, but a solution has been provided. There is no benefit to the community for us to continue picking on each other here. Take it to PM if you have a need to vent. I will be happy to listen and debate if you need someone to interact with.

[hawkwind]

if this is the only thing people are complaining about on this update its been a massive success in my opinion

[RobboNJ69]

if this is the only thing people are complaining about on this update its been a massive success in my opinion

I agree entirely. My group has been using Fantasy Grounds for 10 years this May (I can't believe it's been that long). We always enjoyed the system - it's allowed our 38-year-old gaming group to keep playing across the country and the world - but over the last year or two, it's really 'matured.' It's going in a great direction. The interface is looking great; nice and modern. The overall game improvements have been fantastic - especially with this latest update.

Not to mention, the overall visual brand has drastically improved. And while that doesn't directly help us existing customers, it indirectly helps by making the system more sellable, which in turn brings in more new users, ensuring the game is safe into the future.

I think a lot of the power behind the improvements comes from the combination of the amazing extension developers and the management's support for them. Along those lines, I don't know any other software with this size userbase where your questions are answered directly by the owner.

So congrats to the SmiteWorks Team! And a big thank you to the extension developers!

Rob

(I didn't mean for this to turn into a Fantasy Grounds Love Fest, but there you have it.)

[Jiminimonka]

(I didn't mean for this to turn into a Fantasy Grounds Love Fest, but there you have it.)

Why not, its great (and the rest are shite too)