A New Tool?

[Onix]

Apple just released . I'm wondering if putting out an RPG using this format would be useful. One of the things I've wanted to do for a while now is make videos with how to play sections and explaining settings etc. Up till now that required a pretty heavy duty effort to put into a PDF, this seems to make things easier. Even just audio files that play along with text would be pretty cool (and easier to make).

I can't use the program at the moment, it requires Lion to run. I'd have to upgrade my laptops, one of which is making some nasty hard drive noises occasionally, the other is my wife's so neither sound like a good option. My iMac is too old to run Lion.

Essentially I'd be releasing for iPad owners (of which I am not one). The program is pointed at textbook makers and RPG books are in essence a textbook of how to play a game. I'm trying to think if there's any other features that would make this a game changer for RPGs.

It is designed to handle 3D models, ICAR might benefit from having an equipment book in this format.

Other than the straight to iBooks and linking movies there could be some neat features that would make a difference but I can't say until I get a chance to test the program.

[kylesgames]

I've heard complaints about iBook Author's licensing, where people were basically saying if you use it you can only distribute books for free or through Apple's store.

Also, apart from the 3d models, I believe all those functions exist in Adobe Acrobat and PDF format, it's just that you don't see them very often because they aren't practical for reading across multiple types of devices and online/offline connections.

[Onix]

[kylesgames]

[Thought]

[Onix]

But that's only for that "Work". So yes, you could only publish using iBooks Author through Apple but if I take the same game text with a slightly different layout (which it would since I mainly want to be putting video in the layout) then I'm okay. At least according to the layman's reading of the legal documentation.

As it is any work that I currently make would have to be reformatted as an .ibook file anyway to put it in the Apple bookstore. Make a few unique additions/changes and viola! A unique "Work" is born.

Oh, and I know this goes against Kumi's rant about RPGs being paper books. I still prefer paper books at the moment, but at some point, somebody is going to find a new way to deliver an RPG that makes sense and is easier to digest for the modern player. I'm just trying to be on that curve somewhere.

[kumakami]

and I wish you luck!

[Onix]

[Rob Lang]

I wouldn't spend my time on a proprietary system like this. My aim to reach as many people as I can so I will stick with open technologies, such as PDF. Of those that visit the Icar website, 85% are using a PC to do so. I'm not going to extrapolate too much from that but I'd imagine the number of iPad owners that will see it will be very small.

In a niche of a niche, it's hard enough to find an audience as it is without partitioning it further.

If I want cool interactivity, I'll head to HTML 5 and other web standards (WebGL when it grows up).