Encounter generator app

[Vondur]

From a programming standpoint this isn't really tough. I don't personally have the time to tackle it but it would not be super hard to create.

Are there any simple programs I could work with to create this? Flash, C++, Java?

[CRC]

If you're targeting android, Java. If you're targetting iOS, Objective-C.

If you want to target both, you're probably best off making a web-app. Then you probably want to do it all in server-side script. Probably PHP or Ruby.

Hmm... I just realised that the whole sequence requires no user input. It just has to dump out a list of:

• Location Type
• Special Terrain
• << Setup Table >>
• Deployment Zones
• Strategies

The normal sequence is slightly interactive, in that you're supposed to set up the table in the middle rather than after you know strategies and deployment types.

I guess you could split the app into two halves, once to report before one to report after. Or you could get another person to set up the table based on the initial output.

Sounds really simple actually.

[Yosh]

So, you are looking for something like this?
Encounter generator in Java... or something.

[Vondur]

Wow, yeah what is that? That's pretty much exactly what I want. I wanted it to have some sort of options menu to turn certain elements on/off like locations, special features, etc. But yeah you're definitely on the right track!

[DeusInnomen]

If you'd like the not just the best exposure possible but also likely the easiest development option, look into developing this as a web application that's formatted for small screens. Not only do you avoid the (varying degrees of) hassle of submitting the app for review and posting to the various markets out there, you only have a single code base to maintain that will work for the large majority of devices out there, both phone and tablet (and can be just as easily pulled up on a computer).

The big questions to ask are:

• Do you wish to charge for this app, or make it free? If you wish to charge even a nominal fee, such as $0.99, you may have a preference for Android or iOS since those platforms have commerce already built in.
• What languages are you experienced in? Do you only know traditional PC programming languages? If you already know web languages like HTML, CSS, PHP, ASP and Javascript, doing this as a web application would be easy. If you're only worried about the PC, consider .NET. While yes, you can do this in C++, there's no need to use a lower level language when .NET can handle the interface work for you.
• How much time do you have to invest in this project? If this goes well, be prepared for feature requests, suggestions and bug reports. Users are both fantastic and a horrible pain in the ass. ;)

If you go the web or .NET route, I can probably offer some assistance. (Heck, I can probably write it in .NET in about a day or two if I found the free time.)

[SteamHammer]

Wow, yeah what is that? That's pretty much exactly what I want. I wanted it to have some sort of options menu to turn certain elements on/off like locations, special features, etc. But yeah you're definitely on the right track!

You'd definitely need this. No point generating random locations if you've only got the terrain for one or two types.

If like someone said earlier it would be used to generate the location, strategies etc well in advance of the game so people have time to prepare you might need some kind of trust component. In friendly games it wouldn't matter but if it's competitive then you wouldn't want someone re rolling the strategies until they got a pairing that gave them the advantage. Maybe you have to enter both person's email addresses and any time you generate a game it sends an email (or a tweet).

[Yosh]

Hi,

i got a new version of that project (location features added):

LAZYFAUX

Even got a black version for mobile phones:
LAZYFAUX in Sexy Black

SteamHammer: you gave me an idea. I could make an identifier number to each generated encounter to track back the rolls... or so on. But i can't solve trust issues. I barely can do that.

[Inquisitor Wall]

A member of our gaming group made one of these a little while back with cool graphics and such. It also tracks tournament results.
Ill see if I can get him to share it on here.

[CRC]

The standard way to resolve this trust issue, since you're setting up before hand, is for one player to put in both email addresses into the server and the server to email both players the setup. If you're feeling fancy, you could include IM or txt as options.

If someone tries to multi-generate, it'll send multiple emails.

However, you do need to make sure that a player can't predict the result. This means not using something trivial like rand(time()), because [especially for your example where they can see the source], they can predict what the roll will be. If you've got a microsecond clock, that'll do. If your server can track the seed across multiple calls, then that'll do.

[SteamHammer]

However, you do need to make sure that a player can't predict the result. This means not using something trivial like rand(time()), because [especially for your example where they can see the source], they can predict what the roll will be. If you've got a microsecond clock, that'll do. If your server can track the seed across multiple calls, then that'll do.

You have my blessing to punch anybody so competitive that they'll do that.