Custom Skill Enhancers

[joeteller]

How do I add specialized Custom Skill Enhancers? I find nothing in the docs to do this and can find no simple way to do it thru playing with the program.

[Simon]

You don't.

About all you can do is edit the ones that are there and edit the types/abilities that they affect.

[joeteller]

Thats annoying and definitely a feature I want improved on. It makes converting a specific setting of mine to Hero nearly impossible.

Ok how do I edit the existings ones then?

[Simon]

It's probably a feature that will not be coming. I have no plans to add it at this point. HD is meant to follow/simulate the rules of the HERO System. The HERO System is very specific about what Skill Enhancers are, what they affect, and which ones are available.

If you want to edit any of them, you'll need to edit the template. Follow the instructions for editing templates contained in the documentation.

[joeteller]

The less customization possible to fit house rules, the less people will want the program. Its a basic marketing thing. I'm the first person in my gaming club to buy the program, and if it doesn't allow adaption to house rules, I'll probably be the last. Everyone I know that plays Hero has some house rules, restrictions or requires different values on things.

This is the second major hassel we've found (the first was with the Megascale system being non-adjustable).

I haven't known any gaming group anywhere that uses hero that doesn't mod the rules in some way. The harder it is to use the program to handle this, the less likely it is for them to buy it. Not everyone wants to sit and hack code.... most just want simple ways of telling the software what is wanted and how to do it.

The Prefab system implies that a desire for flexibility was intended in the design, as well as expandibility. I don't see why a similar prefab concept can't be applied to this particular problem.

Oh well. I've tried to help the hero revival. I guess there's no real interest in meeting customer needs but a desire for a 'one true way' on how things will be done. I'm sure you folks will do fine without our money....

[Simon]

You're right, I'm a horrible person with no interest in my customers.

I'm so ashamed.

If you honestly think that I have no interest in helping out the customers of HD, then you're a fool. I have bent over backwards to help support people's individual needs with the application.

However, there are some things that will not be changed. If having a fixed set of Skill Enhancers makes the application worthless to you, then don't buy it. It's that easy.

But do <b>not</b> tell me that I have no interest in meeting customer needs.

[joeteller]

I'm a customer. I bought the software as soon as it was available. I also have spent about $500 on Hero related books this year for our gaming club, and pretty much will decide where we'll be spending money next.

And nearly every time I have posted on the various boards with questions or problems regarding the software I have been told that 'There Is One True Way' we have no intention of making changes to the software to do anything that doesn't follow that way.
Just as you have done this time.

That shows a lack of customer interest in regards to desires and needs as far as I am concerned. And a lack of interest in the money I've spent to help support your product line. You may think otherwise, thats your right.

You may know programming, but you don't seem to know basic business concepts of customer support from what I've seen.

[SAVeira]

Originally posted by dsimon
You're right, I'm a horrible person with no interest in my customers.

I'm so ashamed.

If you honestly think that I have no interest in helping out the customers of HD, then you're a fool. I have bent over backwards to help support people's individual needs with the application.

However, there are some things that will not be changed. If having a fixed set of Skill Enhancers makes the application worthless to you, then don't buy it. It's that easy.

But do <b>not</b> tell me that I have no interest in meeting customer needs.

I very happy with the level of support and aid given to users of HD. In fact, I have never seen such great and quick support given.

I never expected that HD would alway wholesale customizing. It is designed to support the Hero System 5th Edition, not a home brewed. There are limits to what one can with programming. Also a programmer myself, I have been very impress with dsimon work and know how hard it can be to get something work. That is part of the reason I paid for the HD program instead of trying to make my own.


S.A. Veira

[JmOz]

HOWEVER, Dan does need some customer relation skills training (Calling a dissatisfied customer a fool is NEVER helpful), sorry the program is good, I wish for some more customability, but don't expect it on all things that are related to my house rules (I figure ranges differently for one thing).

IF you have a problem with Dan's attitude I suggest you write to Darren Watts and Steve Long, maybe they will pay for that training I mentioned above.

I do see both sides of this argument, and I do think that some more customability should be built into the system. I also see Dan's point of not wanting it to be a generic gaming aid but one for hero.

However sometimes the way Dan sees something is counter intuitive in my opinion (For instance I feel Damage Shield should be available for all powers, and if selected it will add the continous advantage to a power, another example is that I would like to be able to type 5 in charges and actually have it realise that it is the same lim as 5-6). However if this is how Steve and Darren want it then that is how it will be.

Also everyone should try to remember that Dan is NOT a Hero Games Employee, he is a freelance programer hired by Darren and Steve to design a software program, if you have a problem with how the software handles something you should take it up with them and then let them take it up with dan. If you sidestep the appropriate channels then you should expect a little rough sailing.

Okay, I've ranted enough.

[joeteller]

I've been patient. I asked my questions nicely and precisely.

I explained the problems with the 'one true way' school of design from a marketing point of view, and that I could not recommend the software to friends, fellow players etc if some flexibility was not included in the design.

I'm a dissatisfied customer. There was a time when companies would care about this and go out of their way to do something about fixing this. There was a time when the reputation of a company meant something, and it decided whether they got repeat business.

Its like buying a printer and being told it won't run on your particular model of computer; or being told it will, but will randomly crash or only print if you use 3 specific fonts, or that you have to write to a specific page format that they approve of.

Its hurting creativity, hurting flexibility, reducing options in design. Do it enough and you end up with a lot less customers.

Hero is complex enough that there are players who won't use it without the program to design their characters. If that program does not reflect the rules the GM is using (and we're not talking major design changes here, just minor tweaks for setting and balance) then they don't play hero. The look for a system that isn't so complex that it needs software, or they look for a system that has software that does fit the needs of the GM for customizing for their game setting.

Either way, the customers go elsewhere.... and they tell friends to go elsewhere... and those friends tell friends.... and before you know it there are a lot less Hero Players... and then not enough sales to keep it all in print.

I have spent a lot on hero. So far, I'm not as satisfied with the result than if I had kept my money, designed my own system, and paid to get it printed for my gaming group. The 'One True Way' attitude has a lot to do with my dissatisfaction, and this reaction to it in regards to the software is just icing on the cake.

Ease of Use was what I wanted the software for. Its not what I'm getting.

Joe

[Simon]

Originally posted by JmOz
Okay, I've ranted enough. [/B]

Yes...you have.

You've made your opinions of me clear in the past.

Frankly, I really don't care. I will continue to treat people the way I see them as treating me.

I will also continue to decide what areas of "customization" are added into the product. The original specification did not state <b>any</b> level of customization....this is all "extra" work on my part.

[EternityShard]

Originally posted by joeteller
You may know programming, but you don't seem to know basic business concepts of customer support from what I've seen.

Ha.

Haha.

Hahahahaha.

[sarcasm]

Damn right. Damn you, Dan, for fixing and changing only 99.99% of the requests put to you. If only you'd fix that other 0.01% of the requests (you know, the ones that would require the most time and effort, far more than all the other changes combined), then you'd be a decent person. Until then, though, you are a horrible, horrible, person with no concept of customer support, a simple code-poet unaware of your customer-base and their needs.

I'll never buy another thing from you, Mr. Dan Simon! At least until version 2.0 comes out.

[/sarcasm]

[Monolith]

Originally posted by joeteller
You may know programming, but you don't seem to know basic business concepts of customer support from what I've seen.

Joe, I certainly agree that Dan is rough around the edges when it comes to customer interaction (he gets defensive and argumentative too quickly), but you have to understand that Hero Games made a decision that the software would support the official rules. Not your mutant rules, not my mutant rules, not Dan's mutant rules (and if he plays the game he probably has house rules too).

There are plenty of work-arounds here. You could add a -1 Adder to each skill called DEX Enhancer (or whatever type of enhancer you need); you could even set these up as Prefabs so characters would not have to create them every time.

Next you could just buy the skills as Custom Skills, and thus make the point cost whatever you want it to be.

Finally you could even use another Skill Enhancer (one that you do not normally use in the game like Jack Of All Trades) and then rename all those skill associated with that enhancer to whatever you want (not sure if that works, but I think it might).

I am sorry the system is not to your 100% liking, but it can do pretty much anything you want it to do if you just take the time to think it through.

[joeteller]

Originally posted by JmOz
HOWEVER, Dan does need some customer relation skills training (Calling a dissatisfied customer a fool is NEVER helpful), sorry the program is good, I wish for some more customability, but don't expect it on all things that are related to my house rules (I figure ranges differently for one thing).

IF you have a problem with Dan's attitude I suggest you write to Darren Watts and Steve Long, maybe they will pay for that training I mentioned above.

Also everyone should try to remember that Dan is NOT a Hero Games Employee, he is a freelance programer hired by Darren and Steve to design a software program, if you have a problem with how the software handles something you should take it up with them and then let them take it up with dan. If you sidestep the appropriate channels then you should expect a little rough sailing.

Okay, I've ranted enough.

Sorry, I didn't realize he was an outside contractor and not an actual employee. I thought the concept of the boards was that these were the appropriate channels to post about problems with the software and that they were being read and responded to by Hero Staff who were giving official responses.

Thanks for the additional info....

Joe

[ChipDancer]

Stupid Newbi Interjection!

(In reference to person who is asking main question)

Maybe ye could ask the people here to help ye? I mean after all it is a very large community and wut ye may be having an issue accomplishing may be easy for someone else who has already tackled the issue?

If tis a template ye are looking to make fer yer custome campaign den why not ask for help from the general community? Me sure someone would like to aid ye!