MetaCreator, is it all that?

[RPMiller]

For those of you who use it, what do you think of MetaCreator? Give me all the Pros and Cons if you can. How long does it take to create a Template from scratch for a system? What is the learning curve like?
Please do not give me any references to HeroDesigner or other software. This is not going to be for the Hero System per se. I personally think HeroDesigner is the best chargen for Hero so understand that I am set on using it for Hero. I'm looking for as much info as I can get to help me make a couple very important decisions.
Also, please don't try to sell me on it. I need cold hard facts to make a decision. Thanks in advance for your input.

[schir1964]

I think Metacreator is excellent for those who want to have total control over character creation (for house rules and such). It also appeals to those who want to use multiple Games Systems and only want one software package to handle them all. It's also very good for those who want to create thier own game system from scratch and want software for creating thier charcters.

How long it takes to create a Template depends on the complexity of the Game System you are trying use, and how rigid/flexible that game system is. The more rigid, the easier it is to create and therefore quicker. The more flexible, then the difficulty increases, along with the time.

With some simple games systems it may only take a week to create a fully funtional Template. Others it could months or even a year to get it to a funtional point. Also has to do with how much effort you want to put into it. The more you work with it, the easier it becomes to make a Template.

The Learning Curve for using existing templates is relatively gentle and easy to understand. For creating a template it is relatively steep, and takes some time to master the various tools available (which there are many!).

So the big thing you have to decide is what kind of person are you?

Do you want to have control over every aspect of creating a character withing the software?
Do you like programming?
Do you have a high threshold for frustration?

If you answer yes to all these, then you will be satisfied with this software.

If you answer no to any of these, then you may want to ask me or others on the CW list at yahoo to send you sample Templates to see if you really want to delve into this kind of software.

Does that help you any. (8^D)

- Chrsistopher Mullins (Designer of Hero 5th Edition Template for MC)

[JohnTaber]

Chris has it nailed. In my limited experience I discovered that modifying existing templates is not too difficult but there is a learning curve. For example, I modified a FH templated that made the END cost 1 per 5 active points. This was not too bad. After doing this change I decided creating my own template from scratch was completely out of the question...at least with my skill set.

[David Nix]

I have to agree with John: Chris really does have "nailed" on this one. I have been using Hero Creator for quite a while. Later, I decided to update to the fully-functional & adaptable MetaCreator (which Hero Creato had become, essentially). I had this idea to create a new Gaming System & use MC for it. I fooled around with trying to do that, but dagnabbit,lol , thats hard! Of course I'm no Code Monkey, you might be. Anyway, I find MC very usable for drawing up Characters & very customizable in the process, but has a heavy learning curve for putting together something really new.

BTW, thanks to Chris for the 5th Ed Template!

[Ghost Archer]

Just FYI Chris is talking about the Yahoo Group for Creation Workshop now MetaCreator. You can find it at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cw

A couple other points about MetaCreator, it has a huge manual, 320 pages and Bruce is every bit as helpful with MC as Dan is with HD.