-Fixed a problem where Windows users couldn’t save custom data
-Fixed problem where custom classes weren’t getting their spells when leveling up in some circumstances
-Fixed problem where leveling up wasn’t giving the right number of spells per day for spell casters (sometimes too many, sometimes not enough)
-Addressed several issues where modifiers/armor bonuses associated with worn items weren’t behaving as expected
-Fixed a problem where temp hp weren’t being maintained when closing and re-opening character files
-Fixed a problem where temp hp would go negative when adding/removing certain related modifiers
-Fixed a problem where Con bonuses weren’t being saved for custom races
-Fixed a cosmetic issue where the Dex+10 field in the Vitals tab was showing the wrong value under some circumstances
-Several cosmetic UI/database improvements/fixes

-Ben

Once added, this data is:
1) available anywhere data of that type is selected (ie when manually adding spells, etc)
2) available in the character generator (ie a custom class can be chosen in the character generator along with custom feats, skills, domains, etc.)
3) supported by the level up tool
4) available for export for use by other users. You can export an entire library of different types of custom data in a single file which can then be imported by another RPG Patsy user.

The Summoned Creature/Familiar/Monster tool has also been revamped to better match the way information is provided in the monster manual.

Many bugs and problems have also been addressed and we hope to address several more before the testing cycle is over.

The current test in open to anybody with an RPG Patsy 4 license code. Send me a message at support@rpgpatsy.com if you want in. The target for release is the end of August. There’s a lot of testing to be done so pitch in if you would like to see it done sooner.

-Ben

Most of the work is done and I anticipate that this version will be released this summer after a short testing cycle. I’m planning on making user-submitted custom data files available for download on the site.

I’m excited for this version. People have been asking for this for a long time.

Q: What rules version is this for?
A: 3.5 Edition

Q: Why aren’t you updating the 3.0 and Star Wars versions?
A: Just updating this one version took all of my spare time for months. It’s the one that sells the most (by a wide margin) so I have to prioritize it.

Q: Will updates for the other versions be forthcoming?
A: Barring some huge upswing in interest in them, no.

Q: When is version 4.0 going to be released?
A: January, 2006 is the current release target.

Q: Will this be a free update?
A: No, this will be a paid upgrade (but well worth the money). Pricing should be $19.95 per single-user license or $54.95 for a 5-user group license. Existing RPG Patsy users will be offered an upgrade discount of 50% off.

This version is almost a complete rewrite of the last version. I have re-thought much of the interface and have mostly rewritten the engine. Most of the new features were either requested by end users or were products of play testing in my gaming group. Among the new features are:

-Character generator including epic, prestige, epic prestige, psionic, and epic psionic classes available in the OGL materials.
-Level-up tool which drastically simplifies the process of taking your character up a level
-Updated and improved GUI
-Spell tab supports filtering to make working with really longs spell lists easier
-Separate lists for Cleric domain spells since they really aren’t lumped in with the rest of a cleric’s spells.
-XML file format
-Basic weapons list now included
-Basic armor list now included
-Grapple tool
-Summoned creature/monster/npc, etc. organizer
-Improved modifiers tool
-Ability to associate modifiers with items in inventory (ie I can set up a modifier for a ring of protection such that it automatically increases my AC when worn). See next item.
-”Equipped” tool to keep track of what your character is wearing, carrying, etc. If you equip an item which is associated with a modifier, the modifier is automatically activated and then deactivated if you un-equip the item. You also have the option to automatically figure you AC/max dex bonus when you equip and remove armor.
-Heirarchical log/notes tool.
-Support for different spell lists for up to 4 classes
-Psionic powers tab
-Class abilities panel (for things like Barbarian rage, Ranger favored enemies, etc.)
-Spell planner which allows a caster to plan out their spells for the day and keep track of what they have already cast. Much, much better than the tool in the previous version of Patsy. Supports up to 4 caster classes and keeps track of Domain spells for clerics and School spells for Wizards as well. It has buttons to roll concentration and caster-level checks.
-Improved attack calculator which now shows battle-related stats so you don’t have to switch back and forth to see what your AC/HP are at. Also includes checkboxes to keep track of circumstances like “Prone” or “Stunned”. They add the modifiers associated with those circumstances for you when checked.
-New print pages that actually look like real character sheets
-Initiative tracker tool (mainly for DMs)
-Addition of stats like Resistances, size, and Damage Reduction.
-Improved weight/load capacity/encumbrance/armor check penalty system
-Size bonuses/penatlies are automatically added to AC, attack bonus and load capacity
-Character size now dynamically affects AC and load capacity.
-Added better support for temporary hit points. When hit points are added via a modifier (directly to hp or by adding a constitution bonus) they are added to temporary hit points.

That’s probably the extent of the new feature list for this version. My next post will deal with my plans for future versions.

Sometime in the near future, I plan to add some customizability that will hopefully strike a balance between usability and flexibility. The first phase will allow users to add custom information to be used in RPG Patsy. This is already possible to some degree. Users can already add custom spells, skills, feats, etc. to their characters. The next planned step is to allow users to expand the existing databases that are available during character creation to include custom skills, feats, spells, psionic powers, classes, races, and class abilities. These custom data will be export/importable to allow sharing of custom libraries between RPG Patsy users. I plan to add this level of customizability into a free update to version 4.

The next level of customizability would be adapting RPG Patsy to work with multiple role-playing games such as D20 Modern. I haven’t done any serious research into this possibility as I haven’t gotten that many requests for it. In general I’ll get a single request for a particular game rather than a bunch of people asking for one in particular. Unless I come across evidence of more focused interest, this will remain low-priority.

I have ideas for other features oriented around group play. I’ll post more on that as the ideas become more developed.

The purpose of this blog is to provide anyone who cares with some sense of my vision for RPG Patsy. Hopefully it will encourage wild adoration from raging hordes of fans (and maybe some feedback).

Look for posts in the near future regarding the next release of RPG Patsy as well as more information about my vision for this nice little product. You send feedback to me at ben@rpgpatsy.com.
Enjoy.