DM Genie - by Arislyn on 08:31 29 Nov 2002
I downloaded some software last night called DM Genie. Though I haven't had a chance to really play with it yet and figure out exactly how it works, it looks like it could cut down a lot of the time spent for DMs who run online games.
From what I can tell, it looks like you simply input all of your party's stats from their character sheets, which you just need to update when they go up levels and then you put together the monsters they will be going up against and the program actually runs the combat for you, round by round. Now, all the standard d20 monsters are already in the system, so you don't have to input those numbers. If you have a unique critter that you have created, I'm betting you can put it in manually and save it (though, as I said, I haven't looked at the program thoroughly yet. I could be lying to you.)
Anyway, I thought I would mention this one for Haru. Since he's going to be running 5 PCs and who-knows-how-many NPCs, battles could get to be a hassle when rolling for everyone. This program might be worth a look, Haru.
You can get it at Downloads.com.
I downloaded some software last night called DM Genie. Though I haven't had a chance to really play with it yet and figure out exactly how it works, it looks like it could cut down a lot of the time spent for DMs who run online games.
From what I can tell, it looks like you simply input all of your party's stats from their character sheets, which you just need to update when they go up levels and then you put together the monsters they will be going up against and the program actually runs the combat for you, round by round. Now, all the standard d20 monsters are already in the system, so you don't have to input those numbers. If you have a unique critter that you have created, I'm betting you can put it in manually and save it (though, as I said, I haven't looked at the program thoroughly yet. I could be lying to you.)
Anyway, I thought I would mention this one for Haru. Since he's going to be running 5 PCs and who-knows-how-many NPCs, battles could get to be a hassle when rolling for everyone. This program might be worth a look, Haru.
You can get it at Downloads.com.
DM Genie - by Haruchai on 12:29 05 Dec 2002
D'oh!
You know I didn't see this post until today?!
*smiles* Thanks, Ari! I'll definitely go check it out. Hopefully, it will be very useful.
DM Genie. That's me.
D'oh!
You know I didn't see this post until today?!
*smiles* Thanks, Ari! I'll definitely go check it out. Hopefully, it will be very useful.
DM Genie. That's me.
DM Genie - by Arislyn on 16:36 05 Dec 2002
DM Genie.....
All encompasing, cosmic power. Teeny-tiny living space. :P
*laughs* No problem. I still haven't played with it much myself, though I am thinking about using it for some of the battles to come in Lapis. Those are going to get hairy, especially once I add on another NPC for you to deal with. *smiles sweetly*
DM Genie.....
All encompasing, cosmic power. Teeny-tiny living space. :P
*laughs* No problem. I still haven't played with it much myself, though I am thinking about using it for some of the battles to come in Lapis. Those are going to get hairy, especially once I add on another NPC for you to deal with. *smiles sweetly*
DM Genie - by Haruchai on 16:55 05 Dec 2002
Hmmm? Smiling sweetly?
Is that the sound of my impending doom? :p
Really though? Is that good or bad? Like, another NPC foe.. or ally? *raises an eyebrow*
The only thing I'm wondering about it is, since it rolls out battles for you, is that you can't fudge the rolls. So, you could end up with unwanted, slain PC's. I might have to experiment with it and see how it does....
Hmmm? Smiling sweetly?
Is that the sound of my impending doom? :p
Really though? Is that good or bad? Like, another NPC foe.. or ally? *raises an eyebrow*
The only thing I'm wondering about it is, since it rolls out battles for you, is that you can't fudge the rolls. So, you could end up with unwanted, slain PC's. I might have to experiment with it and see how it does....
DM Genie - by Arislyn on 17:05 05 Dec 2002
Sure you can fudge the rolls. *grins* The players never know how the dice fall. So, if the program slays a PC before you want them to die, just ignore the "death" part of it. They could be horribly wounded or something, instead. ("I'm not dead yet!")
And, as far as the new NPC being friend or foe....you're just going to have to wait and see.
Sure you can fudge the rolls. *grins* The players never know how the dice fall. So, if the program slays a PC before you want them to die, just ignore the "death" part of it. They could be horribly wounded or something, instead. ("I'm not dead yet!")
And, as far as the new NPC being friend or foe....you're just going to have to wait and see.
DM Genie - by Haruchai on 13:01 06 Dec 2002
I downloaded the DM Genie for myself (about 5.5MB), and have fiddled with it a little bit.
It is a very nice little program. Very detailed, and a great tool to use. Though you could probably roll up a battle a little quicker by hand, it is really nice to be able to have the program figure out more complex maneuvers like Bull Rushes and Grapples. Spell effects and Conditions are remembered by the program as well.
Also, it is fully customizable. Made up a new feat, spell, monster? Just enter it into the program. From the way I understand it, you could actually enter Epic-Level PC's into this as well. Which is great for the current campaign I am playing in.
Granted, I downloaded it for free, but it shows a price tag of $29.95 if you wish to buy. In my opinion, probably a bit too much. I haven't played with it long enough to see if it is truly worth $30, but as I do so I'll let you know. Still, it is much more competitively priced than WotC own MasterTools,which last I heard was going to retail for about $50.
Thanks, Ari, for such a great find!
I downloaded the DM Genie for myself (about 5.5MB), and have fiddled with it a little bit.
It is a very nice little program. Very detailed, and a great tool to use. Though you could probably roll up a battle a little quicker by hand, it is really nice to be able to have the program figure out more complex maneuvers like Bull Rushes and Grapples. Spell effects and Conditions are remembered by the program as well.
Also, it is fully customizable. Made up a new feat, spell, monster? Just enter it into the program. From the way I understand it, you could actually enter Epic-Level PC's into this as well. Which is great for the current campaign I am playing in.
Granted, I downloaded it for free, but it shows a price tag of $29.95 if you wish to buy. In my opinion, probably a bit too much. I haven't played with it long enough to see if it is truly worth $30, but as I do so I'll let you know. Still, it is much more competitively priced than WotC own MasterTools,which last I heard was going to retail for about $50.
Thanks, Ari, for such a great find!