In this post, we'll give an update on the development of the Open Beta.
Going into Closed Alpha for most of 2021 was not an easy decision to make. We had to decide to prepare for the future and have a platform ready for as many people as possible. We know that many players want to try Let's Role or invite their friends and are eagerly awaiting the Beta so they can get started. After 5 months of development, let's see where we are.
Note: when we talk about the site, we mean the part where you can create your characters, games, etc. For the part where you play, we are talking about the game application.
Architecture
The new structure of the site is ready since mid-May, as well as the new databases. The import and transformation of all data to the new databases is also functional.
The new site engine is also 95% complete, and although Alpha was never slow, the new site responds 10 times faster, while doing more things: for example security against cyber-attacks is much stronger.
A version of the site was deployed in the cloud in August and is working as expected. So we know that we won't have any big surprises when we roll out the site to production at the end of the year.
Design
The whole site has been designed by William, and all the pages are transformed into HTML to be used in your browser. We took the chance of a bold homepage, we hope you'll like it (but we keep it a surprise)!
There are still some changes to the game application that we are still discussing, but we are not going to completely change the design of it.
Other
For the login, we have opted for a login without password: you will receive an email with a unique code when you try to connect. The listings of your characters and tables are also finished, with additional features compared to the Alpha: for example you can find a table by searching the name of one of the characters in it.
Characters are also well advanced, you can of course modify, rename, delete, clone and retire them. We have added an option to embed the characters on another site, like your blog, in the same way as a youtube video.
Library
The library contains the microtransactions, and the systems made by the community. It is 70% finished, and you can publish your systems there. A simple search by your system name, description, or tag will allow everyone to find your system and use it. As always, the systems remain freely available and can be used without limitations and without charge. You will also be able to publish news about your system, specifying whether it is a change that might affect player data or not ("breaking changes").
Speaking of which, the list of used systems ("my systems") will no longer be present in Beta: you can simply use any published system to create a table or character, without having to add it first.
The microtransaction purchase system is also well advanced. We did not want to reinvent the world and it is a classic e-commerce, with a shopping cart and the usual payment methods (credit card or paypal). The gift system is not yet finalized, but we hope it will be for the opening, so you can gift your favorite dice to your friends.
System Builder
The System Builder keeps its structure, but has been given a nice makeover! We have changed several things in the background to make it more stable and modifiable in the future. The rendering of sheets should also be much faster. In addition, the System Builder is planned to be localized and will be fully translated into the 6 languages of the Beta.
What's left to do?
We won't list everything in detail, but creating a new game table is one of the big ones. The dashboard to change your email, link your account to Discord, and get your Kickstarter benefits is another one. There are also pages to manage your journal entries, as well as your media manager directly on the site.
Of course, the game application still needs to be modified to work with the new architecture of the Beta and so you can use your microtransactions there.
In short, we're not going to have much rest in the coming months! But we're already proud of all the work we've done and are confident in the new Beta launch date at the end of the year. We thank you for your understanding and patience.