Revenues down 10% 📉 Block history 🕦 Codex 2.0 📝 | Behind the scenes | Devlog #7 📢
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·5 min read
Hey everyone, it's Maslow. I apologize for not giving more updates in the past few weeks. It has been quite difficult for me, primarily due to the declining revenues. In fact, the revenues are not getting better, but instead, they are getting worse.
Patreon + Kofi
To address this issue and provide more value to the users, I have created a Patreon page. However, I encountered some difficulties while trying to make it work with their API. My intention was to allow users to become premium or pro members on Patreon, but for that, I need their API to work properly. Unfortunately, that's not the case at the moment.
I want to clarify that although the Patreon page is available, subscribing or pledging will not make you a premium member. If you have pledged and want to become a premium member, please send me an email. For now, the process will be manual.
In my attempt to explore other options, I have also considered creating a Ko-fi page. This could be an interesting alternative. However, please note that currently, there is no automatic process in place for upgrading your membership to premium or pro.
Given the challenges I am facing with revenues, I have been thinking about making Harpy free for everyone. It would mean removing the premium and pro membership options. However, I am unable to do that right now as I need to make a living. Maybe in the future, I could set a revenue goal at which point the platform could become free for everyone. This is just an idea at this stage, and I am still unsure if it’s the right approach. There are costs involved, so it cannot be entirely free. Additionally, being able to work full-time on Harpy without worrying about money is something I strive for.
Codex new Notion-like UX
One positive update I have is regarding the Codex. I have made some improvements that I believe will enhance the user experience. The edit mode, read mode, and access mode have been consolidated into a single interface. On the left side, you will find a menu similar to the one in Notion, where you can add blocks or drag and drop content. You can also organize pages and access the history, as well as wrap entities with blocks. This new addition allows you to utilize variables within a specific entity or block, useful when displaying shared information across multiple entities, such as character backgrounds in a guild.
Datasets for Character sheets
It is worth mentioning that variable usage was not available in the last video. This marks the first milestone in the development of character sheets. While it doesn’t include the visual aspect, such as widgets and drag-and-drop features, it focuses on the data itself. For instance, you can define a strength value and its modifier formula, providing flexibility to accommodate various calculations.
The Character sheets foundations are now in place, and you can start creating and importing data sets. These data sets can be exported to a file and shared with others. A range of options is available for different data types, including numbers with minimum and maximum values, units, and lists with the ability to assign colors and icons. These features enable you to effectively track character conditions and display them alongside tokens in the virtual tabletop (VTT).
While this may not be the visually appealing part of the update, it is a powerful addition that lays the groundwork for future features. For example, an inventory system or equipment mechanic could be introduced, potentially impacting specific data variables.
I encourage you to give these new features a try and provide feedback on your experience. Your input is valuable in shaping the direction of Harpy’s development.
Moving on, let’s briefly discuss the improvements made to the user interface. Aesthetic enhancements have also been made for mobile users, with pages appearing as tabs and the top navigation taking up less space. These changes address previous challenges, especially for game masters accessing a multitude of options on mobile devices.
Block history
Another significant update is the implementation of a history system. Each block update can now be saved, allowing you to revert to previous versions if needed.
Group manager
The Group Manager has also undergone improvements since the last video. You now have the ability to define dynamic player groups and assign access to specific chunks, pages, or entities. This feature becomes particularly useful when managing multiple players accessing different campaign elements. Migrating existing manual access to this dynamic group can be done effortlessly by searching for Codex entities, pages, and blocks associated with those specific players.
Other enhancements include improved drag-and-drop functionality, the option to wrap a text block with an entity, and the ability to export and import data sets. Specifically, exporting the Codex in PDF and JSON formats has been added. This export feature allows premium members to maintain regular backups of their worlds, entities, blocks, and pages.
Upcoming updates
Acknowledging the decline in revenues, I have decided to focus on developing a few paying features. These additions aim to increase the overall conversion rate and support the sustainability of Harpy. Among the planned features are “View as” functionality, block customization with borders, backgrounds, and images, and improved exporting capabilities. By allowing users to view their Codex as a player, it simplifies complex access structures and provides clarity regarding content visibility.
To conclude, I want to emphasize that despite the challenges I face, I remain committed to improving Harpy and ensuring it meets the needs of its users. I appreciate your continued support and encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences with the recent updates. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the trajectory and future development of Harpy.
Wishing you all a great day, week, month, or whatever lies ahead. Thank you for being a part of the Harpy community. Until next time, take care!
Ma
Maslow
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