Masterplan

Masterplan version 11.2 has now been uploaded to the server. The main addition this time around is the creature template builder – which is, as you might expect, very like the creature builder.

Just a quick post to tell you all that Masterplan version 11.1 can now be downloaded from the website. We’ve improved the creature builder and trap builder, and added the ability to track creature altitude during combat.

In unrelated news, after less than a week, Version 11 has seen more downloads than any previous release of Masterplan. We’re very proud.

Masterplan version 11 has now been released.

The tentpole features of this release are the new creature and trap designers, which make the creation of creatures and traps very much easier. Other additions include a new map autobuild type (freeform areas) and the ability to zoom into tactical maps using the mouse wheel.

Let us know what you think!

Who’s off to GenCon?

If anyone uses Masterplan to plan or run a GenCon game, or sees it being used by another DM, please let us know – and remember to spread the word to harassed DMs who might not know about us yet!

We asked this question recently on the Facebook page, but since there wasn’t much response, we’ll repeat it here.

We like to think of Masterplan’s various features as being well-integrated – an NPC can have its own encyclopedia entry, which can be linked into a plot point; a randomly generated art object can be make into a treasure parcel and assigned to a PC – but are there any areas where we could do better at this?

What parts of Masterplan that aren’t linked together, should be?

After a long wait, version 10.3 is finally available to download.

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In the past we’ve written Feature Focus articles, examining specific features of Masterplan and delving into their design and philosophy.

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A few weeks ago we asked for members of the community to come forward and contribute anything they thought might be useful for fellow Masterplan users. We’re very happy to announce that Guy Parisi is now in the process of creating a series of tutorial videos in which he walks through the process of recreating Keep on the Shadowfell in Masterplan.

You can find these videos here:

• Chapter One – Introduction and Setup
• Chapter Two – Tactical Encounters
• Chapter Three – Cities, Subplots, the Encyclopedia
• Chapter Four – Parcels and PCs
• Chapter Five – Traps and Skill Challenges

As further videos are released, we’ll update this list.

One thing we’d really like to do, now that the Masterplan community has grown so much, is to create a FAQ for new users. We’ll maintain the FAQ on the Masterplan website, and there’ll also be a link to it from within the application itself.

So this is a call to arms. What questions do you think we should include? What stumped you when you first used Masterplan? Are there any features that you aren’t sure how to use?

There’s a bit more. We’d also like to maintain a library of helpful ‘how to’ style articles* on the website. You know the sort of thing: introductions, walkthroughs, guides and suchlike. We think that could be a really useful resource, especially for newcomers.

Do you think you could write one of those articles?

Now, obviously you’d get a great deal of kudos for this - maybe as much as 10 kudos**, if we’re feeling particularly generous. But we wouldn’t want you to expend all that effort without a little reward, so here’s the proposal: to anyone whose article we use, we will award a $20 gift voucher for RPGNow, or Noble Knight, or Amazon.

How does that sound?

Or, indeed, does anyone have any better ideas? We’re always open to suggestions.

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How long has it been since the last release? Too long. Version 10.2 is now available to download.

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