Idea/Suggestion: Offline Character Generator

[Pattern Ghost]

To quote myself, from the Champions-Online boards:


What would be really cool is a character creator demo that you could use to save your character appearance for uploading into the game.

That way, when you log on to COMMO on release day, you can upload your appearance (and that of your Nemesis), and get right to choosing your powers -- putting you one step closer to getting the NAME you want.

It'd also provide endless hours of entertainment and enrichment for people do "draw" characters with for use in their PnP Champions (or other supers) games. Including a print function that was capable of doing front/back character stand ups as well as character sheet-sized (or Hero character sheets in conjunction with DoJ/Hero) would be icing on the cake.

That was in response to a thread on the other board.

I think something like this would sell like hotcakes as a standalone downloadable product. The dual functionality of using it to pre-load character appearance in the MMO and create character sheets (blank w/the character filled in or even manual input of stats/powers) and stand-ups would be a very sweet synergy, while still offering those who only play on one side or the other a great tool.

Edit: I can't claim total credit for the idea, as EQII has such a generator for appearance already.

[Pattern Ghost]

Hmm, guess nobody likes this idea?

[CorPse]

Hmm, guess nobody likes this idea?

Give it a little time.

For me this is one of those, "Hey, why not?" ideas. Anything that could create a synergy between the PnP and MMO-verses probably wouldn't hurt either product.

[steamteck]

I like it but I'd probably use it for game counters for battle maps in my campaigns.

[Aryanun]

I've been posting a similar idea around CO as well. I'd be all for it.

[Dholcrist]

I think that is certainly a fantastic idea, and I really hope they do use it. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they did try something similar, especially since they're working in conjunction with the PnP set, I'd be somewhat mystified if they didn't make it in such a way that one could use it to design an RPG character and then print it out.

One can only hope.

[GamePhil]

While it's a fine idea, I also really hope that they don't set it up like CoX where you choose your name last. Having designed characters all the way through appearance, power set, background concept and so on only to find that the name I thought might not be taken had been was always annoying.

[Sketchpad]

I'm hoping that they make a character creator that can be implemented as a plug-in for HD from CO ;)

[CorPse]

Well, that would be slick, but I'd be surprised.

However, I never would have thought that be COMMO. So, maybe I should prepare to be surprised.

[Shigeru]

A means to create a character offline is crucial to my longterm enjoyment. I get as much joy out of creatinga character as playing (sometimes).

Any means to interface the characters, maps or whatever into a PnP Hero Game woudl really be a big cross-seller.

[Steve]

I'm hoping that they make a character creator that can be implemented as a plug-in for HD from CO ;)

That would be cool. But couldn't you just create the image and import it into HD? :confused:

[Sketchpad]

A means to create a character offline is crucial to my longterm enjoyment. I get as much joy out of creating a character as playing (sometimes).

Any means to interface the characters, maps or whatever into a PnP Hero Game would really be a big cross-seller.

Ooo ... Official 1" Hex Maps would be REALLY nice! Good call there Shigeru :) I'd love to see some nice color maps of Stronghold and various locales from the MMO to use with minis :) Wonder if we'll see COClix? ;) I loved it when they did CoX Clix ... have a full set and most of a second one ;)


That would be cool. But couldn't you just create the image and import it into HD? :confused:

I suppose you could ... but it'd be nice to have it as a feature of HD. Kind of like what WotC is doing with their 4e character software.

[mcgreeno]

Heck for The COH/COV game, I already do that, I just log on build, and find a nice white background and take pics, then imprort to my graphics program where I have a template set up for paper minis, Takes about Five Minutes, minus the time to build the character.. BUT THIS WOULD BE AWSOME IF AUTOMATED....I would buy it, heck I bought Hero Machine!.. IF that tells them something...LOL.. I would probably by the game just for this feature alone if it existed. Not to worried about the game in general but if they added a feature like this.. I would buy..

[Shigeru]

Heck for The COH/COV game, I already do that, I just log on build, and find a nice white background and take pics, then imprort to my graphics program where I have a template set up for paper minis, Takes about Five Minutes, minus the time to build the character.. BUT THIS WOULD BE AWSOME IF AUTOMATED....I would buy it, heck I bought Hero Machine!.. IF that tells them something...LOL.. I would probably by the game just for this feature alone if it existed. Not to worried about the game in general but if they added a feature like this.. I would buy..

BUt you cannot creat a character OFFLINE. THat's the diference. THree times this week I tried to log in. Twice the servers were down for "repair" or "upgrade" and once I had to DL a patch that took 45 minues.

[AlexShinjo]

:eg:I think it would be cool if the character appearance creator was available as a plug in for Hero Designer. I can't draw with a damn, but still want my characters to come to life. It doesnt seem like it would be that hard to make that as a stand alone program. I even think that would sell. Lord knows I would buy it.

[Curufea]

I love the idea-
I was fiddling with the Spore creature creator as soon as it came out, and it sold me on buying the game later.

[Ranxerox]

I've had problems with MMORPG addiction in the past, and for the sake of my marriage and my life I won't be playing CO. I would however be willing to shell out bucks for the character generator as a stand alone product.

[lemming]

While it's a fine idea, I also really hope that they don't set it up like CoX where you choose your name last. Having designed characters all the way through appearance, power set, background concept and so on only to find that the name I thought might not be taken had been was always annoying.

You can at least check to see if the name is taken before you design, etc...

And if I really want a name, I blow thru the character thing and do all the design afterwards.

[Odraude]

Well it worked with spore so Im sure it'll be awesome with CO

[KA.]

Add my name to the list of those asking to please make this product available ASAP.

KA.

[Beast]

yes a paper doll system like CoH/V(needs tons more content hopefully CO will meet this)
with an animator like what was avalible for Freedom Force(for poses)
and a add a various special effects

[BobGreenwade]

I'm another person interested in this.

[Dronf]

Ooo! A char. pix maker?! Great! I can't draw at all. Need! Need! Please please please give!
:D

[Curufea]

This needs to be posted on their forums, however - not here.

[Arkham]

This needs to be posted on their forums, however - not here.

They've got a slew of calls for an offline character creator on their forums.

They've already given a very firm 'maybe' about producing one.

[MisterBaldy]

I think the only actual offline generator that I ever saw for a MMO was for SPORE (http://www.spore.com/)... but I haven't actually tried it.

[Curufea]

Spore isn't an MMO - there are no multiplayer aspects, it's a singleplayer simulator. The only online aspect is the sharing of created items.

[Pattern Ghost]

I think the only actual offline generator that I ever saw for a MMO was for SPORE (http://www.spore.com/)... but I haven't actually tried it.

Actually, EQ2 has one, that's where I ripped the idea off from. =)