Knowledgebase
Installation, activation, campaign preparation, encounters, combat management, content packs and Alpha support.
Getting Started
Follow this route from your approval email to your first working campaign.
Windows
MasterForge Studio Alpha supports 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Internet Access
Internet access is required for first activation and periodic licence validation.
Approved Access
Use the approved email address and access key supplied to you.
1. Download
Download the current Windows installer from your approval email or account.
2. Install
Run the installer and choose your installation and shortcut options.
3. Activate
Enter your approved email address and access key when MasterForge Studio first opens.
4. Create or Import
Create a new campaign or install a compatible MasterForge Content Pack.
5. Set Your Location
Select the active Campaign, World, Region and Location.
Installation
Download and install the current Alpha build using the official release link.
1. Open Your Approval Email
Locate the email confirming your approved Alpha access.
2. Download the Installer
Use the official Windows download link included in your approval email or account.
3. Run the Setup File
Open
MasterForge-Studio-Setup-0.3.0-alpha-x64.exe
.
4. Choose Your Options
Select the required installation and shortcut options.
5. Launch MasterForge
Open MasterForge Studio and continue to activation.
Default Windows Data Folder
%APPDATA%\MasterForge Studio 0.3.0-alpha\default-data
Activation
Use the approved email address and access key supplied to you.
1. Launch MasterForge Studio
Open the application after installation.
2. Enter Your Email
Use the exact email address approved for Alpha access.
3. Enter Your Access Key
Paste the access key exactly as supplied.
4. Activate MasterForge
Select Activate MasterForge and wait for confirmation.
Common Activation Messages
Version Not Supported
Download and install the current supported build.
Registered Elsewhere
Request an activation reset before trying again.
Invalid Email or Key
Check both values carefully and ensure there are no additional spaces.
First Launch
The Home dashboard provides fast routes into preparation, encounters, combat and campaign records.
Prepare Next Session
Open your session planning and narration tools.
Plan an Encounter
Create and save reusable encounter plans.
Run Combat
Open Combat Operations for live initiative and health tracking.
Entity Library
Browse and manage campaign people, creatures, groups, places and vehicles.
Campaign Atlas
Build the campaign structure used throughout MasterForge Studio.
Campaign
The playable story, party, timeline and session context.
World
The broad setting, planet, realm or plane.
Region
A major area within a world.
Location
The active place used by sessions, encounters, weather and themes.
Entities & Parties
Organise the people, monsters, groups, vehicles and places in your campaign.
People & Creatures
Player characters, NPCs, creatures and companions.
Groups
Parties, party groups, factions and organisations.
Places & Objects
Locations, landmarks, settlements, vehicles and items.
Relationships
Connect people, places, organisations, parties, creatures and vehicles.
Membership
Add NPCs to factions, PCs to parties and creatures as companions.
Hierarchy
Record leaders, officers, commanders, parents and other ranked relationships.
Movement
Track people and creatures aboard vehicles or inside locations.
Personal Ties
Record allies, enemies, partners, mentors, students and rivals.
Encounters
Prepare combat, social and exploration encounters before your session.
1. Open Encounter Planner
Enter the dedicated encounter preparation workspace.
2. Create an Encounter
Give the encounter a clear and recognisable name.
3. Add Participants
Add PCs, parties, NPCs and creatures.
4. Configure the Encounter
Set quantities, visibility, context and notes.
5. Save
Save the encounter so it can be reopened or sent to Combat Operations later.
Combat Operations
Manage rounds, turns, health and conditions during play.
Initiative Cards
View portrait, initiative, health and active conditions.
Active Stat Block
Review actions, traits, reactions and spellcasting for the current combatant.
Tracking
Apply damage, healing and conditions during the encounter.
Content Packs
Install official or trusted MasterForge
.mforge packages.
1. Download the Pack
Save the supplied .mforge file to your
computer.
2. Open Content Packs
Open the Content Packs area in MasterForge Studio.
3. Select Install Content Pack
Begin the guided import process.
4. Review the Pack
Select the file and review its details before import.
5. Complete the Import
Confirm the import and wait for MasterForge Studio to finish installing the content.
Themes & Data
Control presentation and understand where MasterForge data is stored.
Manual
Keep the theme you have selected manually.
Auto by Location
Resolve the active theme through Location, Region, World and Campaign.
Theme Takes Over
Allow inherited visuals to control supported interface components.
Default Windows Data Folder
%APPDATA%\MasterForge Studio 0.3.0-alpha\default-data
Updates
Understand whether your installed Alpha build remains supported.
Up to Date
Your installed build matches the current release.
Update Available
A newer build exists, but your installed version remains supported.
Update Required
Your installed build is below the supported minimum and must be updated.
Troubleshooting
Quick checks for common Alpha issues.
Installer Blocked
Select More info and then Run anyway.
Old Data Appears
Confirm that MasterForge Studio is reading from the expected AppData folder.
Licence Registered Elsewhere
Request an activation reset before attempting another activation.
Content Pack Records Missing
Select the imported campaign and set the relevant library scope to All.
Feedback
Send clear, useful and reproducible reports.
Issue Details
Include a concise title, app version, Windows version, page and feature.
Steps to Reproduce
Explain exactly what you did before the problem appeared.
Expected Result
Describe what you expected MasterForge Studio to do.
Actual Result
Describe what happened instead and whether it occurs every time.
Supporting Evidence
Include a screenshot or short video when it will help explain the issue.