RPG Tools VLO

Review: Computer Utility

Reviewed by Matt Staroscik

Badgercom Software
$47 on the street
Requires: '020 Mac, 4MB RAM, System 7.0

I've seen a lot of RPG helper programs in the last couple of years. There seem to be a huge number of dice-rollin', table-spewin', character keepin', scenario-managin' freeware, shareware, and payware utilities out there, for Macs and PCs. Most of them are of dubious value.

The latest one to come my way is RPG Tools from BadgerCom Software. It's one of the best such programs I've seen. It has the mandatory dice-rolling and table-rolling functions, or course, but its main focus is the design and management of scenarios. This is the first computerized gaming tool I've seen that would actually let you realistically organize a scenario, complete with text notes, images, and sounds. Now, to be honest it'd be a lot of work to set it all up, far more work than it would take to write it all down in a word processor or scribble notes in a notebook. Then again, word processors and notebooks don't let you build documents with hotlinks between files, or make maps that take you to information screens when you click on a room. There are also a lot of customizable parameters, like the stats used in the game, tables, encumbrance, and currency units.

RPG Took uses an approach similar to the Mac Finder to organize information. A document's main window has folders in it, which might represent locations; each folder can have subfolders representing additional locations. You can also stock folders with NPCs and monsters of your own design. All these objects have custom icons to let you know at a glance what they are. The window displays it all in a list, just like "View by Name" in the Finder. Folders even have the little triangles to turn down so you can display what's inside them. There's also a Finder-like search function which will pull up objects that meet ctiteria you set.

RPG Tools is a good product, but it will still be a lot of work design a complete adventure to be run from within it. If you do put in the time, though, your efforts will be rewarded... Still, when it comes time to design my next adventure it'll still probably be me, my PowerBook, Microsoft Word, and free Coke refills at McDonalds.

Late-breaking news: BadgerCom Software will be releasing a shareware version of RPG Tools as version 2.0. It will be a cross-platform, OpenDoc compliant package. There is no firm release date yet but we'll be sure to let you know when it becomes available.

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