Introducing Torchtimer: Synchronized Virtual Torches for Shadowdark ⏱️
A behind-the-scenes unveiling of a free, open source web app for managing virtual torches you can share with your friends.
Just want to use Torchtimer? Click here! Otherwise, keep reading to find out more about why it was created.
Hi, Reese here.
In my last post I introduced Torchfinder, a tool for finding third-party and official Shadowdark content. There I introduced myself and my motivations for building the web app. Importantly, the reasoning I provided for creating Torchfinder is largely the same for the similarly-named Torchtimer. Read more about the other app in the linked post below.
Okay, so what is Torchtimer, and why am I so bad at naming things?
Lighting the Way
First, Torchtimer is a free app for synchronizing colorable torches among friends, or even with your other devices. You can either share an “offline” link, or someone can host a session as a “Torchbearer.” The Torchbearer can pause, pass time, or manually extinguish torches for their viewers to freak out over. No matter when a link is copy-pasted, the torch timing will be approximately correct, whether it’s live or “offline.”
Live vs offline: A live session is what happens when a Torchbearer clicks
Go Live. A connection is then established with the sync service. TheCopy LinkandShow QRbuttons include live session data. Sharing the link or QR code allows others to become viewers. The offline alternative is an editable snapshot, and also a fantastic option if there are connection issues (the timings will be nearly the same even without live sync).
Second, as for the naming, the app is a literal “torch timer,” after all.
And speaking of, you can name torches! When an “offline” or live link is copy-pasted, or the QR code is scanned, torch names and colors carry over through encoded data in the URL. That data is not synchronized live, but set once via the link in any case. Why? Viewers should be able to change the torches to whatever color they want, for one thing. Furthermore, transferring names over the server isn’t a liability that a community-driven project can risk, given they could potentially contain personal information.
Keep It in the Shadows
Guess what? We at Lodes & Lanterns do NOT want your data, so neither Torchfinder nor Torchtimer collect it. There’s a privacy policy explaining as such. Exciting stuff, huh?
Anyway, sharing potentially personal data in links (such as torch names) on somebody else’s server — while not advised — is outside our control. And should you need to update names or colors from a Torchbearer, simply copy-paste a new link. Problem solved.
Gear Included
Torchtimer supports up to eight torches. You can grab the torches and wave them around, just because. There’s even a Dungeon Mode for you to try out.
The technical details of this app are intriguing, at least for weirdos like this particular programmer. I will, however, save these details for a future post. One thing I think most people will find interesting is that the torches, visual effects, and sounds are randomized and procedurally generated. Why? I don’t know, I just felt like doing it that way. One side effect of this approach is that there are no licensing issues when streaming or uploading videos of Torchtimer or its sounds. You can just do whatever you want.
Truly, I think Torchtimer is a real game changer (no pun intended) for you Shadowdarklings out there. Are there alternatives? Yes.
But who can’t appreciate the convenience of copy-pasting a link? Boom! Virtual torches in your browser, right now, optimized with modern web technologies. You can’t tell me that’s not useful.
That the links can be shared and synchronized for multiple people at the same time, I think, is the most compelling feature of Torchtimer. The GM, or whoever the Torchbearer is, might still miss that a torch is burning out. Torchtimer goes to some lengths to make this hard to miss, leveraging effects and notifications where reasonable. Still, this makes it easier for somebody else at least to notice that a torch burned out.
Or pretend not to have noticed, if they too are of questionable alignment.
Use Torchtimer right now! ⏱️
Reese here from Lodes & Lanterns: Don’t forget to subscribe to this blog for more nerd stuff from me. Otherwise, whatever! Take your torch and go, then!
Lodes & Lanterns is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2023 The Arcane Library, LLC.
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