So I've been trying to follow the whole Gleemax thing, since they will probably be a competitor to Obsidian Portal. Last I heard, they were supposed to debut their super pre-alpha version at GenCon and open it up to everyone.
I've seen a few screenshots, but the gleemax.com site is still just a front for the WizO message boards.
As far as I can tell, the super-pre-alpha version was only demoed at GenCon, but isn't available to the general public yet. There's info on what it's going to have here:
Odd what you've linked to Randolpho looks more like a player networking than campaign management. The DnDInsider is meant to have a campaign vault which I think would be more likely competition for Obsidian Portal.
I think Gleemax is a general gamer connection thing, so includes Magic and other games, where as DnDInsider refers to the D&D online features including but not limited to, Dungeon and Dragon, Character generator, tabletop simulator, character and campaign vault.
Gleemax might include a blog, but it is more like a facebook for gamers. Likely to be free.
DnDInsider has more utilities for DnD, but will be subcription based for at least some of the features.
If the new material is good, then the books are worth it. If not, stick with 3.5 and (or 3.0, or AD&D, or whatever) and continue playing. That's the great thing about tabletop games (and separates us from the computer world): there are no _requirements_ to use anything you don't want to. If you're having fun, then that's all that matters.
It looks like Gleemax is set to go live very soon. Expect me to be on there right away checking it out :) From the list of features, it looks like Obsidian Portal will still be a viable option for hosting your game. They won't crush us that easily!
Anyways, as soon as you sign up (assuming the rest of you will) send me a friend request!
I'm not convinced yet. They've made a lot of promises and I'll wait until I see the actual product to make any final call. It could still end up being a steaming pile of garbage.
True, but the same goes for anything that is on the cusp like that. I'm inspired by their moving to the social networking aspect(Didn't want to say web2.0 :P). We actually have a project in the works because of it.
I also like the social networking aspect. It fits so darn well with tabletop RPGs that it surprises me that it took this long. We had intended to go that route with Obsidian Portal, but now we're steering more to the campaign blogs and supporting that. I hope that Gleemax will provide hooks for us to connect to which would allow people to syndicate their Obsidian Portal campaign blogs on their Gleemax page or vice-versa.
I have asked the main dude (Randy something-or-other) and his answer was "not yet" That's actually the correct answer to give and shows me that they can focus on what they need to do. I really hope they get the social networking stuff working soon so you can all friend me :) I've created an account on gleemax named ObsidianPortal, so send me an invite once they get that working.
Gleemax isn't going to be for individual gamers, it's meant to be a space for gaming mags and websites to post, honestly. The whole thing is rather disappointing. I was very much looking forward to being part of a large gamer community, living out here in the middle of nowhere.
On the other hand, I found Knowledge Arcana through it, so that's a good thing. :)
In other words, ObsidianPortal shouldn't run into any issues because of the introduction of Gleemax. Gleemax may take off, it may not, but OP isn't in direct competition with the site in either case, and as long as they stick to OGL campaigns, they won't even be a blip on WOTC's radar.
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I've seen a few screenshots, but the gleemax.com site is still just a front for the WizO message boards.
Anyone else know what's going on?
http://www.gleemax.com/articles/announcement014.html
Gleemax might include a blog, but it is more like a facebook for gamers. Likely to be free.
DnDInsider has more utilities for DnD, but will be subcription based for at least some of the features.
Anyways, as soon as you sign up (assuming the rest of you will) send me a friend request!
I also like the social networking aspect. It fits so darn well with tabletop RPGs that it surprises me that it took this long. We had intended to go that route with Obsidian Portal, but now we're steering more to the campaign blogs and supporting that. I hope that Gleemax will provide hooks for us to connect to which would allow people to syndicate their Obsidian Portal campaign blogs on their Gleemax page or vice-versa.
We'll just have to wait and see...
On the other hand, I found Knowledge Arcana through it, so that's a good thing. :)
In other words, ObsidianPortal shouldn't run into any issues because of the introduction of Gleemax. Gleemax may take off, it may not, but OP isn't in direct competition with the site in either case, and as long as they stick to OGL campaigns, they won't even be a blip on WOTC's radar.