RPGXplorer: Not an option after all
When I saw the ads for RPGXplorer in Dungeon and Dragon, I was immediately intrigued. As a DM and a software geek, I’ve toyed with a number of different programs for making a DM’s life easier. I’ve poked at software like DM’s Familiar, RolePlayingMaster, DM Genie and Campaign Suite, but in the end I’ve stuck with PCGen for character generation, Dundjinni for mapping, and TableSmith for everything else.
Ooh, shiny
If you’ve ever used PCGen, you’ll know it’s not the simplest software to get on friendly terms with. There’s a lot of power lurking beneath the hood, but it’s not easily available—even to a hardcore geek like myself. Compared to that, RPGXplorer seemed like a breath of fresh air, very visual and inviting air. In short; it seemed like software worth paying for.
All in the eyes of the …
The software wasn’t yet finished, but the preview screenshots offered a lot of apparent neatness. The screenshots also showed the program using Office XP-style toolbars, a look I hate with a passion. I mulled it over for a couple of weeks, and came to the conclusion that if the software really was as good as indicated, then I could live with the toolbars—and I placed my pre-order.
Later, a discussion on the forums revealed that offering normal-looking toolbars isn’t a priority for Pierce Morgan Ltd., the developers of RPGXplorer. It is a priority for me, although not at the top of my list, so I let it slide. At least it became clear that the all-too-similar icons used within the program could be changed.
Delays, delays
The software was due in the beginning of july. At 2005-Jun-20, Pierce Morgan Ltd. announced that the release date had to be pushed back at least four weeks, but they were still planning on releasing in July.
Okay. These things happen. I can live with that. I let it slide.
At 2005-Jul-15, the release date is pushed back again, but at least they’d be releasing a stripped down beta version by the end of the month, and when the full version comes at last, it will have lots and lots of extra goodies. It was announced that pre-ordering customers would be offered a refund via email.
I never did receive that email, and at 2005-Sep-11, the full version still isn’t released.
That important first impression
I admit, I had been pretty worked up about the software. When the beta, the future freeware RPGXplorer Database, finally arrived, I found myself underwhelmed by the program. Nasty looking toolbars and menus aside, the four-paned interface isn’t anywhere near as intuitive as expected. Sure, adding or modifying rules is easy, but you can’t create a separate ruleset for different campaigns1. Trying to copy rules from one place to another often results in odd error messages that don’t really explain why you can’t do that. Navigation is easy enough most of the time, but there is no search facility, so you’ll have to look through all those long lists by yourself.
All in all, this was something very different from the impression the previews had given me.
Dead Software Walking
Each license you purchase lets you use one copy of RPGXplorer on one computer. If you have multiple computers you will need to purchase additional licenses, one for each computer.
This is a common software license for home users. I don’t agree with it—software intended for home use should be licensed per simultaneous user, not per computer—but I usually don’t bother to get all worked up about it, even when the software company in question gives a bullshit explanation on how user-based licensing loses them heaps of money. However, that’s really a rant for another day…
The important part is that, at some point, Pierce Morgan Ltd. decided to screw their customers over by “protecting” their upcoming software using product activation. My opinion on product activation, in the shortest terms possible: Product activation is an idea spawned in the deepest pits of Hell, and should be treated as such. It is evil and stupid, and should be outlawed by all major religions and governments around the world. Sorry, but I’m not letting that one slide.
- At least I couldn’t figure out how, and to be quite frank, I was so underwhelmed I just haven’t bothered trying anything beyond the first beta. [↩]
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Since you already got my comments in another way, I’ll just say again that I think this is a very good piece. Made me think about Product Activation.
Excellent work.
I know pcgen ain’t the easiest to use, but we are trying to find ways to expose more of that power to general users. We are in the middle of a major code cleanup which should make doing a new interface light years easier. Hopefully we’ll eventually look as slick as RPGXplorer while maintaining our full power.
Devon Jones
PCGen Head Coder, PCGen Board of Directors
While I agree with most of your comments on product activation, I don’t think you really gave a good summary on why the tool was not suitable beyond the fact that it had a key code and internet connection.
It seems there’s only one real paragraph on the summary of what was actually wrong with the program and it seemed (to me) more like very opionated beliefs with a dash of fact. This is not meant to counteract your troubles or bring down your ideas, it’s just that if there were real troubles with the program I would’ve liked to have seen more in depth problems, perhaps a screenshot with some of the more annoying errors?
Also, for a new user (that’s me) to DM tools on a computer of any type, the delay really isn’t an issue since it’s due out very shortly anyhow. I think I’d like to see another review on it from you, if willing, however because you do seem to have the ability to pick apart the problems in an easy to read format :)
-DM Moocat
To be quite honest, product activation is such a show-stopper for me that the quality of the program is pretty much irrelevant.
From the little testing I actually did, I wouldn’t say there’s anything directly wrong with it, but it certainly did not live up to the expectations set by the previews.
I’m afraid I won’t be doing a full review on RPGxplorer. That would require installing and using the software, and the inclusion of product activation means I’m boycotting it completely. However, I’ll probably do reviews on alternative software as I’ll come across it.
Ha, while attempting to install not 5 minutes after my comment, it crashed… not after install, DURING install. Apparently someone didn’t do very good testing ;) You are the clear winner in this case, not ever having bothered :)
I had been reading about this software and was interested in trying it. I installed it, and have been unable to get the trial mode to activate for the very reasons you outline. I’m beginning to think that there’s very little point in going much further. WHat is the point of a trial mode when it has to communicate with the server?
You make several good points about the software. However, your focus on the activation issue overshadows the rest of the review. Since most people probably don’t feel as strongly about the activation issue as you do, and would rather know more about the software itself (good or bad), the review as a whole leaves me feeling confused and unsatisfied.
“Since you obviously can predict the future, can you give me next week’s lottery number, too?”
I think, 5 years out, it’s clear who’s the prophetic one, here.
(Although—and please don’t take this as anything more than a playful jab—it does seem strange that you rail against the collection of user information, albeit quite eloquently and convincingly, when this very comment form requires an email address that we are assured will not be published.)
@Pyrrhonic: A shortcoming of the software used to power this site. I would turn that particular bit off if I could.
I just read this today and since I noticed two not comments I thought I would post my own here.
It’s been five years since your initial testing of the software and I think it’s come pretty far since then. I use it, I like it. It does not have all the features I want, such as the one you pointed out.. “you can’t create a separate ruleset for different campaigns” .. but I have since updated from 1.9.0 to the 2 Alpha and I have noticed improvements. In 1.9.0 users cannot make monsters, but in 2.0 we can.
I think you are being a little harsh on the product activation .. as is my current feelings. If the activation came with a 5 time usage then I would totally agree, but it seems I can activate it as many times as I want so the little nuisance is but that to me.
I would hope with such venom that you don’t have a Windows Operating System.. “and the inclusion of product activation means I’m boycotting it completely.” ..but what you do is what you do.
After the product activation though, it’s been 10 years and the software has yet to meet it’s full functionality, but I would recommend giving it a second visit. The trial has been changed so that you can use it with only one restriction, you cannot make PC’s higher than level 5.
You review has inspired me to try PCGen again .. which I thought was painfully bloated. Hopefully this time around I can feel excited about it again.