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Dicenomicon

Yesterday morning one of my readers (thanks, Jonas!) told me about a pretty new dice-rolling application for the iPhone/iPod Touch called “The Dicenomicon“. Some of you may remember that  I already mentioned a similar iPhone app called “Mach Dice” almost a year ago.

Dicenomicon screenshot

So why should someone in his right mind use an application on his mobile phone instead of just rolling the dice? There are various scenarios that come to mind. But sometimes it’s just handy to be able to roll the dice even when you forget to pack your dice bag. Imagine you are on a long commute and want to roll up a character for your next gaming session. The Dicenomicon makes this especially easy because you can roll dice combinations like: “roll 4D6 and add up the highest three”.  The application actually has a pretty cool editor that let you create custom rolls for all your needs. You can even make use of dice, that you probably will never see in your FLGS like a d14.

The graphics and sound of The Dicenomicon is almost identical to the aforementioned Mach Dice, but it lacks the “3D feature” that shifts the perspective according to how you tilt your iPhone. The physics engine in Mach Dice is also much better in Mach Dice. The dice in Dicenomicon roll around like made from a heavy rubber material. But when you can look around these cosmetic issues, Dicenomicon is a pretty powerful dice-rolling application. One killer feature is that the app includes Fudge dice which are usually pretty hard to find in shops.

The developer of The Dicenomicon is currently working on version 2.0 that will include a lot of cool new features. You can check out all the upcoming features in this forum thread.

If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch and if you are looking for a dice-rolling application, The Dicenomicon might be the perfect tool for you. The app is available in the iTunes AppStore and sets you back $3.99.
Stargazer

Michael Wolf is a German games designer and enthusiast best known for his English language role-playing games blog, Stargazer's World, and for creating the free rules-light medieval fantasy adventure game Warrior, Rogue & Mage. He has also worked as an English translator on the German-language Dungeonslayers role-playing game and was part of its editorial team. In addition to his work on Warrior, Rogue & Mage and Dungeonslayers, he has created several self-published games and also performed layout services and published other independent role-playing games such as A Wanderer's Romance, Badass, and the Wyrm System derivative Resolute, Adventurer & Genius, all released through his imprint Stargazer Games. Professionally, he works as a video technician and information technologies specialist. Stargazer's World was started by Michael in August 2008.

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8 comments

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Ameron

Considering that Mach Dice was only $0.99 (if I remember correctly) $3.99 seems a bit steep.
.-= Ameron´s last blog ..Skill Challenge: Find and Repair the Warforged Scout (Part 1) =-.

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comments user
Stargazer

True, but Dicenomicon offers a few pretty powerful features and the developer is constantly working on it. Mach Dice hasn't seen an update for quite some time now.

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comments user
GeekBob

I considered getting this program since I recently got my iPhone, but being new to it, when a new editions/update comes out, do I need to re-purchase it? Or does syncing update it automatically?
.-= GeekBob´s last blog ..[Battlelords] Gronk – Part 1 =-.

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Stargazer

Usually updates are free for apps you already bought. I only know of one case where a developer released an update as a new application and withdrew the original app. So you should be probably on the safe side when you buy it now.

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comments user
Mark Hughes

I wrote a die roller, DungeonDice, which isn't quite so graphically fancy, but is easier to read, shows the total of the dice on the current page, and has multiple pages so you can keep, say, 3d6 on one, 2d10 on another, etc.

If you care more about actually using it, rather than seeing pictures of dice roll around, give it a try.

DungeonDice is $0.99.

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    comments user
    Stargazer

    Thanks for the information, but I believe you are a bit unfair to Dicenomicon here. Ok, it features fancy graphics BUT it also has quite a few useful functions. You can set up your own dice macros, add custom dice and many more.

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comments user
Abraham

As GM I would forbid my players from use any electronics means of throwing dice.

to me random number generators simply are not true randomized.

From a super big library of "pre randomized" numbers from wich the computer picks one at a time, up to programs that select bits from your computer memory, and since it's content it's not the same on every computer, the result is some form of random number.

I do prefer to throw dice, to see them bounce on the table and sometimes, on other objects…but that's a personal choice…

on the electronics works will never replace the chance of a die getting stuck, and the feel of them in your hand.

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Joshua Macy

The weirder the rules for reading the dice, the nicer it is to have software like Dicenomicon that can figure it out for you. Dice Pools where you count successes and things like Champions half-dice are really a lot faster and easier if you don't have to count them off.

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