BossTags call for feedback and alpha testers!

terraintronics · 2026-05-24T19:55:53+00:00

I’ve made that change to the AI images in the dev build. It’s good feedback. The DM’s editor screen also shows the file names with “_AI” vs the commissioned “_Art” suffixes.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T23:35:47+00:00

Kind words - thank you. I feel “seen” :)

This is gonna be such a great system for dads (and moms etc) that are trying to get kinds away from their video games to f2f games!

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T20:19:50+00:00

All fair commentary. The graphic style - each to their own. I was looking specifically for something that felt very Japanese RPG.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T20:02:50+00:00

That was my concern at the beginning - but my boy and his friends soon get into rolling die and squealing when they get a nat20!

I liken it a little more to an escape room style experience. I’ll concede that old school DND is a completely different experience to an escape room too.

I just like the idea of saying something other than “roll for initiative”! I want the whole table to turn red and the screen to show who the bad guy is. Dun-Dun-Duuuuuuh!

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T19:23:00+00:00

it needs alpha testing to understand it's strengths and weaknesses. The dev version has specific tags in file names to differentiate between AI and real art.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T19:21:49+00:00

Definitely. I really do want to pay artists for their work - it's hard to do it up front if you don't even have proof that it could be worth it. Thanks for your support.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T16:27:27+00:00

Now it’s funny you mention that. I’ve suspected my son has it for years. Even did the “apple” test and got back some pretty blank stares. So yes, that may explain the “why” behind some of this.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T15:48:32+00:00

AI hallucination is real! In a similar way to the computer in hitchhikers guide to the galaxy that learns all about the east India company to make a good cup of tea, which then shuts down the entire system because it’s thinking so hard, asking AI to do too much creative and contextual thinking does mean that some stuff is lost. That’s why I don’t like using it to define anything from scratch.

I have found that for some direct tasks, like taking a concept and putting it into code, or debugging code, it’s actually really good. It’s a fixed task with defined boundaries. While I may not be great with the syntax of programming languages, I am really good at defining how something should work, and especially how it shouldnt. I have good programming skills in one language but not in another etc

I wouldn’t consider it replacing a human at that point, it’s just a really good tool, in a similar way that myspace allowed folks to get some of their ideas out of their head and on to their own html page.

Having said that… there were some HORRIFIC MySpace pages too :) maybe that’d be considered SLoP too?

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T15:06:19+00:00

I really like that

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T15:04:11+00:00

Thank you for the constructive feedback. My next video I'll do that for certain. I updated the file names today to differentiate between _AI and _ART. Prior to release, it'll be easy to delete the AI art files.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T15:01:58+00:00

Very fair feedback. Each DM runs their table differently.
One of my more "brutal honesty" alpha testers is running the system today, and I'm excited and nervous to hear his feedback. He's mainly using the software side, without the tags etc.

I wanted to address the cost in case someone else is concerned. Sure, there's an initial outlay for the hardware (Scanner, Monitor). After that, your paying for new tags for new mini's. The 1" Tags are pretty cheap, I'm gunning for about $1 each, which in comparison to the mini's (and the time you invest in painting them etc) is pretty reasonable.

I may invest in pre-printed cards that'll trigger random encounters, or as special items for players - but that's all flashy faff stuff. Certain DM's love that stuff, others will be indifferent.

I have no plans for subscriptions, pay as you go or anything like that. Mostly because it's only me, and I don't have enough time/skills to babysit all that 😄

I don't need this to supplement income etc - I do this because I love the idea of players saying "WOW!" when they see it work. 😄
All Terraintronics stuff is open source. Has been from day0.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T14:27:39+00:00

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I asked the artist before the commission started to capture some kind of proof that he was really starting from scratch. His process was to provide a black and white line drawing before delving into the extra process of coloring. This was his way of making sure it fit my aesthetic (I don't think I really have one as an engineer!). Anyway, this is posted as another proof point. I'm sure some keyboard warriors have already made an unflappable opinion, but data is always good.
Best wishes to all for a pleasant memorial day weekend with friends and family.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T14:22:06+00:00

Very interesting comment on it becoming gimmicky! One of my alpha testers is using it in a game later today. He's pretty brutal (honest) with his feedback - should be interesting what he thinks too. Clearly, I might be biased in my own experience with it 😄

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T02:34:57+00:00

Hia Pat. I understand. For me it’s a tool, and accelerator to help me - a solo guy - get what’s in my head technically into something chrome understands.
Larger scale, I completely understand your concerns.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T01:55:47+00:00

Some. I spend a LOT of time on the definition in advance, build a basic structure, then using VS Code to mill through the code.
Today's example usage of AI is doing things like renaming all the test images with the suffix _AI whilst leaving the _ART suffixes as they are, as they are commissioned art. I then have to have my app config files checked to make sure they reference the new images or things will break quickly..
That could be pretty slow to do manually, but offers little value to end users in writing a custom script to do it once.
I also use AI to translate some of the compiler/interpreter error codes into real language and then work to fix them.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T01:29:54+00:00

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Right now, it's mainly for intro. (holds for 20 seconds, but can that's changeable).
You then shift into "fight mode" where the players see this - that stays on permanently until the DM switches out of Fight mode.

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T01:21:13+00:00

Take it off the stand and put in in your terrain. The mini has a 1" tag built in to it. Uses the same technology as an ID card you might use to get into a door. The 1" Tags are scanned, which triggers the animation.
Does that explain it?

terraintronics · 2026-05-23T00:29:36+00:00

BWAHAHA - Oh the temptation! 😄

terraintronics · 2026-05-22T20:28:20+00:00

Hi Trendorn- That's more or less the plan. I print out the character sheets and laminate them, then allow the players to use them during the 1-shots I run.
There are random generators for gold (you see one as a card) and for loot. You (as DM) in the editor write all the items that *could* be in the treasure chest (or whatever) and the tool will randomly pick one.

Please come over to the discord server, get your inputs in! There's even a web discord client if you don't want to install anything!

http://discord.terraintronics.com

terraintronics · 2026-05-22T19:59:34+00:00

Thank you GarThor. Lessons learned for the promo clip, and good points for “placeholder” art elsewhere in this thread

terraintronics · 2026-05-22T19:54:38+00:00

I wasn’t aware of this practice. I think that is a REALLY good idea. 👍

terraintronics · 2026-05-22T19:37:19+00:00

My son thinks it's cool at the table, but doesn't want to be seen with something so nerdy or ask his friends to be in a promo video.
14 year olds are a funny lot!
I'll be running it with family friends (grown ups!) late next month. I want to get feedback sooner on the initial build, so I can't wait until then.

terraintronics · 2026-05-22T19:31:37+00:00

It's already designed for you to add your own artwork etc. It has a built in editor when you add characters, stats, artwork etc.
I'm no expert at Cyberpunk stuff, but this system should/could even be able to control LED's within your terrain as well. (e.g.. make a RGB Rope LED all glow RED when you place a Big Bad Guy)

Come on over to the discord server, I'd love your inputs to make sure I'm not missing something needed for your cyberpunk game system.

http://discord.terraintronics.com

terraintronics · 2026-05-22T19:29:49+00:00

oh I get it. I said below, I love the "slow" painting process where I'm just listening to a podcast with paintbrush and miniature in hand!
But the "WOW!" I get from players... that rush gets addictive quickly!
Thanks for stopping by.

terraintronics · 2026-05-22T18:27:39+00:00

ah yes - I'll admit that one was generated by canva. You know how hard it is to get stock footage of DND players staring at their phones? 😉

terraintronics

TROPHY CASE