Interview with Joe Wetzel of Inkwell Ideas

Courtesy Inkwell Ideas

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Joe Wetzel of Inkwell Ideas. Inkwell Ideas specializes in RPG tools and articles.  In addition to the ENnie 2010 Honorable Mention for Hexographer, there is a random tavern generator that features random floorplans and menus, a tile based random dungeon generator, a Coat of Arms graphic design program, articles centering on Worldbuilding, many random charts, and more.

Michael Tresca: Tell us about Hexographer.

Joe Wetzel: Hexographer is a map-making software program that allows users to create hex-style maps that look similar to the classic D&D overland maps of the late 80s and early 90s.  It can also make town maps, battlemats and hex star-maps. The maps are also useful for many other role-playing games, board games, miniatures games and wargames. The software has Free and Pro versions. The free version is the same program except the Pro version has a few extra features and it is installed and runs on your computer.  It is in Java, so it runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

MT: What makes Hexographer special?

JW: First, it is dirt simple to use.  People consistently state they can use the tool without reading instructions or viewing tutorials (although those are on the website) and users generally say they make basic maps in just 15 minutes and many complete a map (adding coastlines, rivers, labels, etc) within an hour or two.  Even the first time using the program people can make maps quickly.

Second, people love the look.  While some people may not like the hex map style, for those that do like the style, the software makes getting that look easy and consistent.  And for those who don't like the way hex maps typically look, there are some options to change the look so icons aren't fixed one-to-one with a hex, for example.

Third, people love the support.  I do my best to answer questions the same day by email or on the product's web forum, and I almost always answer within 24 hours although sometimes the answer is something like "I need some more detail to research that issue further..."  People like at least being acknowledged so they aren't left hanging.

MT: What type of player will be attracted to your product?

JW: Anyone who wants to make a map of their game world or part of a game world.  Especially if they don't want to invest a lot of time into learning a more complex software program.  And if they love the classic hex map style, the tool is a perfect fit.