We are making good progress toward version 1.0 and we are still on track for a late March or early April release.  In addition to the previously mentioned features, we wanted to share these new features that you will be seeing in version 1.0.

Lua Scripting Back-End

Chat Mapper has adopted Lua as a scripting back-end for tracking variables and forming conditions for the dialog nodes.  The system is so robust that you can script and simulate an entire game within Chat Mapper using the full power of Lua!

New UI With Saved Layouts

We have overhauled the UI system for maximum usability, stablility, and a bunch of other “ilities”.  The new system includes savable layouts.

Conversation Simulator Re-Designed

The conversation simulator has gotten a complete re-design and now includes saved states, forward and back navigation, and the ability to track variables to debug your conversations.

With the release of Chat Mapper version 1.0 early next year, we will be moving toward a new licensing system with free (non-commerical), indie developer (company with up to 5 employees and $250,000 annual income), and commercial license options. More details about the differences between the editions will be posted shortly, but the indie and commercial licenses will come with more export options and collaboration tools.

As a thank you to loyal forum posters, anyone with a valid forum account who has made at least one post by January 1, 2010 will receive a choice of either a free Chat Mapper indie license (priced at $19.95), or a 50% discount off the purchase of a full commercial license (priced at $99.95).  More details to follow the release of version 1.0, but get signed up on the forums today and make a post about what you plan to use Chat Mapper for and secure your free license.

As an additional thank you, anyone who contributes in the form of example conversations, tutorials documentation, or 3rd party exporters will receive a special thank you in the software credits as well as a free commercial license!

Thank you again for the great suggestions and bug testing. Version 0.9.2 of Chat Mapper is now available for download. This will be the final Beta release of Chat Mapper and you should expect to see version 1.0 early next year. This is a substantial upgrade over the previous version and we would like to urge everyone to give it a try.  Here is a list of some of the exciting new features:

• New user-interface layout with moveable tabbed windows
• New extensions system for 3rd party exporters
• Integrated Torque YackPack exporter by Chad Kilgore
• New user preferences
  • Customizable dialog nodes
  • Horizontal and vertical dialog tree views
  • Several application preferences
• Integrated file browser with drag-and-drop capability for files
• Conversation pictures shown as dialog tree backgrounds with opacity control
• Improved Windows Vista and Windows 7 compatibility
• Updated documentation
• Numerous bug fixes

For a full list of changes, please check out the change log.

Here is a preview of some features we are working on for version 1.0 due out early next year:

• New Assets:  User Variables and User Events
• New more interesting examples
• Collaboration tools
• More export and import options
• More control over dialog simulations
• Dialog node groups and sets
• Referenced files auditor and packager
• “Ultima” style conversation options

We will also be moving toward a licensing system, but don’t worry, there will always be a free “hobbyist” license and there is also a way for you to get a free indie license.

Thank you to everyone who helped with suggestions and bug testing.  Version 0.9.1 of Chat Mapper is now available for download.  Here is a short list of new features:

• New Assets: Items and Locations
• Dialog nodes can now be individually colored
• New dialog validator finds warnings and errors with conversation
• Search function
• Export to RTF, CSV, and JPEG!
• Dialog graph overview window
• Numerous bug fixes

For a full list of changes, please check out the change log.

Here is a preview of some features we are working on for the next beta version due out within a few weeks:

• New Asset: User Variables!
• New more interesting examples
• User preferences
• Asset summary view (printable)

It is finally here and we can’t wait to see what the community thinks about Chat Mapper! But now, we need testers! The software is about 90% feature complete and we would love some feedback in the form of bugs and suggestions from anyone willing to test it. We could also use some example projects to package with the release version. We have set up a discussion forum where you can give your feedback so please register there to provide important feedback that will shape the next version. It is quick and simple to register and means a lot to the team.