Hello all,
I am looking to gauge interest in a mission/map editor for ToI. The look of the editor would be similar to the one formerly produced, but would have the ability to add future expansions and custom tiles without rewriting the entire program.

So, I would appreciate feedback to the following questions:
1. How important is it that the scenario details look like the onees produced by FFG? ie, The colors, layout, etc.
2. What features would you most like to see? (drag/drop of overlays, ability to filter tiles, etc.)
3. How much would be the most you would pay for such a program? ($0? $5 $10? more?)

Thanks for your feedback and suggestions!

Mike

Would have to deliver end product that has the look of official TOI scenarios as in rulebooks etc with Divisions rosters and scenario rules etc. User freindly Drag and tiles, icons etc would be great. I'd pay about $15-20 for a good product with update options.

Forgive me if I sound stupid, but what do you mean by a mission/map editor? Are you creating software to produce new scenarios?

Having the look and feel of the published stuff would be important and as similar to it would be good. Also having all ability to use of al the expansions would be important. Depending on finsihed product I would pay between $10-15 if the product was supported by someone for updates and problems. If you are going to do this then God bless you because this is so needed...

dutchy124 said:

Yes, it would be software (PC for sure, and maybe MAC) to create scenarios and maps, etc. I say maybe MAC because I haven't ever done that part, although I have for the PC. I don't own a MAC, so that development would be tricky, but certainly do-able at some point.

You're going to need to talk to FFG about doing this, either now or in court.

longagoigo said:

I'm aware of the need to talk to FFG, and I've already started trying to get hold of them. I was hoping to gauge interest from the community at-large before starting anything.

Is this a project you are opposed to?

Toxic_Rat said:

Why would I be opposed? It's just that when you start asking about how much people are willing to pay for something that involves the property of others, then I'm thinking that you'll need to be working for FFG directly or need to be paying to license the rights to their property. Whichever course you are able to take would be great for the rest of us, but it's probably better to start by talking to FFG.

By way of information, I've spoken with FFG, and the answer wasn't an instant 'no'. Not quite a yes either, but we are at least talking it over. So I'm hopeful.

I think it's a terrific idea, and one which FFG should get behind and support full force.

Best of luck, and if there's anything I can assist you with, feel free to contact me, I will be glad to help in any way I can.

Great idea, and hope that FFG supports the idea. Of course, they may be working on just that same thing which would be great as well.

I agree with the earlier posts in that it would be best if the final output is a scenario sheet product that matches what FFG has put out for the game and expansions.

Definitely needs to have all of the materials available to date included. Of course the ability to upgrade when FFG releases another module will be a plus.

There is a lot of negativity surrounding this game right now, especially with lists on BGG, and I have discussed FFG's lack of support for the game for a year, let alone a lack of upgrades to the scenario editor. The lack of support behind the scenario editor is a chief complaint. I personally believe FFG has overgrown its britches a bit with its current gaming linenote how they've added personnel over the year based upon employment posts. Whereas M44 has grand support and an ever updated editor, its high time for this game to upgrade the scenario editor.

Now that I have acquired some cats (due to my acquisition of a fiancee), I cannot quite set up each board and expect it to stay untouched over night.

Are you there FFG? It's me, Matt... I would like to give you more money... Give me reason...

A BGG member attempted to create an e-magazine on TOI, called Wave of Steel , but had difficulty receiving active support from FFG. He cited long response times as his primary reason for ultimately abandoning it after one issue (one danger of that is that you can lose interest in something over the length of time it takes to establish contact and exchange correspondence). I mention this not to dissuade you...but to say Don't get discouraged! I would venture that FFG has dozens of pots on the fire, and TOI is only one of many.

Officially, I'm not sure they can encourage you to create a product that isn't somehow approved by them, since it would have to use TOI artwork to look "right." Are you familiar with "TileSystem"? It was built by a BGG member to be a generic map editor. There is a version for the 3rd edition of the game Space Hulk that uses a modular approach where the artwork is referenced to a specific folder of graphics... this gives it the freedom to be almost an "any game" map maker (not a scenario maker, as it lacks what's needed to support TOI-specific details). The author is CRasterImage, and if you google it you'll find it. It's pretty nice.

If you design along a path like that, then you probably skirt the stickier issues of violating copyright, and I would think make a system more easily updated. I am neither a programmer nor a copyright lawyer, but I think this would allow you to create a scenario tool that FFG would not disapprove of.

I'd love to see a good editor for TOI.