Announcing the API
We’re happy to finally announce the 1.0 production launch of our API! It’s been in the oven a long time, but we really wanted to work out any kinks before finally pushing it out. The time has finally come and we’re ready to launch!
What’s the point?
There are so many things we want to do on Obsidian Portal. We’d love to build an importer for .dnd4e files. We want to make an iPhone and Android mobile app. We want to make it easy to export your campaign data into desktop campaign management software like Masterplan. The list goes on and on. But, we simply don’t have the time or resources to do everything. With the API, other developers can step in and enhance Obsidian Portal to make the tools you want. You will be able to integrate Obsidian Portal with other websites, your mobile devices, and all kinds of other applications. Your campaign will follow you where you go, instead of being isolated on the main Obsidian Portal site.
Who’s it for?
While the API is here to serve everyone, in the beginning we will need some pretty savvy technical people to start making applications and integrations for it. We need mobile developers, web app developers, and anyone else who wants to integrate Obsidian Portal campaigns into their favorite websites and applications. If you know of a project or application that would benefit from integrating with Obsidian Portal, please contact the people involved and tell them to get in touch with us. Or, if you have an idea you’d like to explore, please reach out. We’re eager to help get people on board.
How can I get started?
If you’re a developer with an idea, check out our API Overview for information on getting started. I’ve also set up a subforum for API related discussions. Drop in and let us know what you’re planning and what we can do to help. I haven’t been as active on the forum as I’d like, but I’ll do my best to keep a closer eye on discussions in the API subforum and answer any technical questions I can.
What’s next?
We want to get people up and running on the API as soon as possible. To that end, follow us on Twitter and Facebook for announcements regarding the API. We’re hoping to run some contests in the near future with prizes awarded to the best and most novel apps that people can create. If you have ideas for apps, or ideas for rewards we can offer to app developers, leave a comment and let us know!
This API could be a huge paradigm shift in managing your campaign with Obsidian Portal. The possibilities are almost limitless and we can’t wait to see what people come up with!
FSF: Shadowrun Quick-Start Rules
Free System Friday
This friday we’re highlighting a copy of Quick Start rules for the classic modern fantasy RPG Shadowrun 4th edition. It contains pre-generated characters and all you need to know (players & DM’s alike) for this little intro session that takes place within a convenience store, sounds like a blast! (Literally, there’s shotguns.) T
If you’ve got the time, you can pick it up over at RPGNow, check it out, then head right on back here later and leave us a comment, tell us what you think about it! It’s nice to see freebies like this that have such high production values and it only uses 6 sided dice to boot!
Govaga: February Campaign of the Month
After much exploration, delibaration and pure admiration I bring to you Govaga, a 4th edition D&D campaign which is run by BrokenClock. Let’s hear what he has to say about this awesome campaign he’s got going here, read carefully and you may even catch some golden pearls of DM’ing wisdom!
Brief Note: This interview was truncated and slightly censored in attempts to remain brief and family friendly.
Forum Reply via Email
One of the most requested features for the campaign forums has been the ability to reply to a thread via email. Well, you asked, we delivered.
If you look at recent forum notifications, you’ll notice that all the emails now begin with
“—- Reply Above This Line —-“
As long as you follow directions and put your reply at the top of the email, your email will get bounced through our system and turned into a forum reply. This will, in turn, get sent out to all members of the campaign who have selected to receive forum notifications (which is on for everyone by default).
This means you can now participate in a forum thread without ever needing to visit the site. It’s like an email with reply-all, but without worrying that someone gets left out.
One reason it took us so long to get here is that for us to receive and process email is not exactly a simple task. With that in mind, please bear with us as we work out any kinks. If you experience any issues, please make sure to start a support discussion.
Finally, we’re looking for other places to allow email interaction. For example, one obvious feature is the ability to post a comment on an adventure log post via email. Someone does the writeup after a session, sends out a notification to everyone, and they can comment just by replying to the notification. It’s just like the forum, but attached to an adventure log post. This is just one thought, and it’s not well fleshed out, so we’d like to hear any ideas you have.
New System Thursday: Sorcerer, Hot War & Cold City!
What would a Thursday be without adding a few new systems into the repository!? Today we’ve got Sorcerer by Adept Press being added into the mix as well as two games from Contested Ground Studios; Hot War and Cold City. Now available for your Obsidian Portal campaign running pleasure!
Live from DDXP: “Expert Dungeon Mastering”
Here I am at DDXP and bringing to you as fast as my fingers can type, live updates from the Expert Dungeon Mastering. We know that the D&D VT won but being that DM’ing (GM’ing) is a universal language to players of all RPG’s it just seems like a better fit.
So spam those refresh buttons with a vengeance! Everything will be in chronological order, enjoy!
Chris perkins introduces himself and Greg Bilsland.
The seminar will be conversational.
Perkins asks for the #1 problem people have with DM’ing, first response “Remembering Everything!” (I wonder if this guy has heard of Obsidian Portal?!).
