Hello Forge Community!
As we roll the dice into 2025, it’s time to reflect on the incredible journey called the Year 2024.
In 2024, The Forge continued its 4-year-old (almost an incredible 5!🎉) campaign to level up the platform, bring new allies into the party, and refine our tools to create an even more immersive experience for our users. Just like your favorite adventuring party, we’ve faced challenges, seized opportunities, and grown stronger with each encounter.
Forging the Future: Platform Enhancements in 2024
Every great adventure begins with preparation, and in 2024, we fortified The Forge to ensure smooth sailing through dungeons and dragons alike.👀
Foundry VTT v12: From Bugbears to Blessings
When Foundry VTT launched its v12 update, it was like discovering a mysterious magical artifact - powerful but requiring careful handling. We dug deep into the mechanics to make sure The Forge provides a seamless experience for its users.
From fixing asset library integration to ensuring smooth premium package installations, we tackled each issue with the precision of a master Rogue.
Setting the Stage: The World Launch Screen Enters the Scene
One major improvement was our world launch screen, a user-friendly feature that provides updates and feedback during game startup - no more staring into the void while waiting for your adventure to begin.
By November 2024 we had added this feature, and were able to give v12 our official stamp of recommendation, giving our users the confidence to embrace the latest enhancements.
Strengthening the Asset Library
The Forge’s Asset Library underwent significant upgrades in 2024, making it more robust and adaptive. Whether you’re stocking up on maps, tokens, or soundscapes, our asset library is now better equipped to handle the unexpected.
This is just the beginning, as we continue to refine it and level it up to keep your creative toolbox overflowing.
Battling Malicious Encounters: The Captcha Defense
We faced a challenge when malicious actors attempted to flood The Forge with fake accounts, likely testing stolen credit cards. This also caused thousands of bogus emails to be sent, straining our email system.
To counter this, we implemented a captcha system on the login page - a safeguard to block such attacks and protect our community.
We affectionately named our system Dicetcha.
Just like setting traps in a dungeon, we always enhance security to ensure your adventures remain challenging in the right way.
Treasure Hunting Made Easy: Updates to The Bazaar
In 2024, we cast a powerful enhancement spell on The Bazaar, making it an even more valuable resource for TTRPG players and creators. We focused on improving the search and discovery experience, ensuring you can find cool Foundry VTT modules, as well as fun premium content in general, to bring your campaigns to life.
Bazaar creators benefited from smoother workflows and better visibility for their content, making The Bazaar a true hub for sharing and exploring imaginative resources.
And let’s not forget speed - The Bazaar now loads much faster, so you can spend less time waiting and more time crafting unforgettable adventures.
Backend Boosts
Behind the scenes, we embarked on a series of enhancements to make The Forge even stronger. From improvements to the new game UI, and the "New Game" button for quicker setup, to streamlining subscription processes with email verification, to refining internal tools - all of these upgrades ensure your adventures run as smoothly as a Bard’s serenade.
Forging Connections: Celebrating Our Community
Our "Stars of the VTT Galaxy" interview series shone brightly as we interviewed some of the brilliant Bazaar creators, showcasing the talent and imagination that fuel our shared adventures.
Throughout the year, we hosted exciting sales, contests, and giveaways, practically giving away TTRPG treasure.
These events not only highlighted the amazing work of Bazaar creators but also offered users more affordable subscriptions and tools to craft their epic stories. Whether through discounts, prizes, or spotlighting creators, our goal remained the same: to empower the adventurers of The Forge community.
A Festive Surprise: Solitaire on The Forge
To close out 2024 with a touch of holiday cheer, we unveiled Solitaire as a surprise gift for our community.
This classic game was our way of spreading joy and providing a fun, simple escape between epic campaigns. It’s a small reminder that The Forge is here for all adventurers - even when the quest is a solo journey. Haven't played Solitaire yet? Give it a go now!
And last but not least...
Adding New Allies to the Party
No adventuring party is complete without skilled companions, and in 2024, The Forge recruited some of the best talent in the TTRPG realm.
- Tim (a.k.a. Wyrmsis) wielded his decade-long experience in web development to enhance the platform’s design.
- Etienne (a.k.a. PomPom), a versatile developer and Foundry VTT community veteran, joined the ranks in April, bringing a wealth of experience and new perspectives.
- Frankie (a.k.a. Stamosis), a longtime Forge member and passionate TTRPG enthusiast, joined The Forge as our new artist, blending retro VHS aesthetics with cutting-edge trends.
- Lucas (a.k.a. lucasplays111) is our dedicated QA expert with over 15 years of experience in testing. His keen eye and passion for perfection help keep The Forge running smoothly for all our adventurers.
- Joanna (a.k.a. Ayatee), our friendly neighborhood QA Engineer, tracks bugs with the precision of a high-level Ranger. A lover of processes and always seeking ways to improve them, she ensures pesky bugs scurry away and smooths the way for seamless adventures.
- Erik (a.k.a. Dewbacca) has been making software for everything, from weather forecasting to video games. With a journey as wild as his skills, he’s dedicated to creating 1s and 0s - until humanity finds a number bigger than 1!
- Valdemar (a.k.a. Viztrix), with a deep passion for creating and exploring games, now channels his craft at The Forge, fueled by the saltiest of liquorice and a relentless drive to create.
- Sebastián (a.k.a. Dolapevich) is a veteran sysadmin with roots in tech dating back to his C64 in '84. A Slackware Linux devotee and proud SUPREME NERD GOD, he keeps The Forge running as smoothly as a finely-tuned campaign.
- József (a.k.a. Joe) tames code like a wizard dispelling curses. When not debugging, he’s stargazing or diving into epic RPG quests, always chasing a bit of magic.
With this expanded team, we tackled 2024’s quests with confidence and prepared for the challenges of 2025.
Rolling for the Future
As we gaze into the crystal ball of 2025, our mission remains clear: to continue forging a platform that elevates your TTRPG experience. From technical upgrades to new features, we’re committed to giving you the tools to weave epic stories and build immersive worlds.
But what’s next on the horizon?
Here’s a sneak peek at what 2025 has in store:
Welcome Wizard
We're making it easier than ever for new adventurers to start their journey with an improved onboarding experience.
Notification System
Stay in the loop with a new notification system, bringing you:
- Creator updates like new releases
- The ability to follow Bazaar creators
- Less intrusive site announcements for new features, upcoming promotions, or Foundry VTT version updates
- User-specific alerts tailored just for you
Bazaar Upgrades
The Bazaar gets even better with:
- Improved handling of custom packages
- A sleek new look for package cards
- A new front page for a more magical browsing experience
D&D Beyond Integration Improvements
- Improved support for importing more details on items, PCs, and monsters
- Generated icons for all notes in your scenes, keeping everything beautifully organized
Behind the Curtain
We’re also continue sharpening our tools and reducing tech debt to improve our systems and serve you better every day.
Happy gaming, adventurers! 🎲
Here’s to another year of adventures, challenges, and victories. Thank you for being part of The Forge’s journey - your support is the magic that powers everything we do.💚
Let’s make 2025 the most legendary chapter yet!💪