Frequently Asked Questions

At Gate City Shadows we believe that AI is a useful tool for tedious tasks, but it’s no replacement for human creativity. As a result, as disclosed on our module pages with Foundry, AI has been used to squash bugs and implement complex libraries during the development of the Core GM Panel. These are very laborious tasks and an easy place in the coding process to introduce errors and bugs, and so to streamline those processes, AI was used. The architecture, design, layout, aesthetic, logic, and core code were all created by real humans.

We are committed to not using AI-generated art in our projects, and that is why the Core GM Panel lacks any art (we do not have a staff artist at the moment).

Similarly, our modules do not incorporate or implement AI in any way. Your sessions and your data stay entirely local between your computer, the world server, and the GM. If you choose to export an element of your data (such as session logs from the Storyteller), the PDF is created locally, and the export has to be manually initiated. The Core GM Panel does not farm out data processing to AI or outside systems, and nothing is sent to Gate City Shadows.

The only data that we collect is in the form of subscriber lists on Patreon. We utilize Patreon to maintain that information, and to maintain communication with our subscribers, but we do not sell that data or keep any additional records of it.

At the end of the day we’re committed to building the best utilities possible for you – GMs who like us have too much to do, and never enough time to do it. We are also dedicated to an ethical and transparent use of AI; we are similarly dedicated to ever improving our work, involving more real humans, and never sacrificing genuine creativity for artificial imagination (or hallucination as the case may be).

We build digital GM tools that elevate the table. Our motto is “Enhance the Immersion. Enhance the Game.”

Our flagship product, the Core GM Panel, is a comprehensive Foundry VTT module that combines the functionality of 6-7 independent modules into a single, unified all-in-one package. It’s a modular system featuring specialized cards organized into three zones: Info & Status, Media, and Jobs & Missions.

The Core GM Panel includes tools for session management, combat tracking, player roster monitoring, multi-currency banking, media broadcasting, DJ booth functionality, mission planning, and comprehensive session logging… all wrapped in a sleek, modern neon-glass interface designed specifically for Foundry VTT v13+.

We’re a tiny independent studio dedicated to making high-quality digital GM tools that help Game Masters run professional-quality sessions. Everything we build is system-agnostic, performance-optimized, and designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind.

The Core GM Panel is designed exclusively for Foundry VTT (Virtual Tabletop), a powerful and flexible platform for running tabletop role-playing games online.

Foundry VTT is a self-hosted, browser-based virtual tabletop that gives Game Masters complete control over their gaming sessions. Unlike cloud-based platforms, Foundry runs on your own server or computer, ensuring your data stays private and you have full ownership of your game worlds.

The Core GM Panel is specifically built for Foundry VTT v13+, taking advantage of the platform’s advanced module system, real-time synchronization, and robust API. It integrates seamlessly with Foundry’s architecture, working alongside other modules and game systems without conflicts.

Whether you’re running D&D 5e, Pathfinder, Shadowrun, Call of Cthulhu, or any of the 15+ supported game systems, the Core GM Panel automatically detects and adapts to your chosen system, providing system-agnostic tools that enhance your Foundry VTT experience regardless of which game you’re playing.

If you’re already using Foundry VTT, the Core GM Panel will feel like a natural extension of the platform. If you’re new to Foundry, it’s an excellent reason to explore this powerful virtual tabletop solution. You can learn more about Foundry VTT at foundryvtt.com.

The Core GM Panel is a new module for FoundryVTT, developed by us at Gate City Shadows, LLC. It’s a universal, system-agnostic Game Master toolkit that provides a comprehensive suite of utilities within a sleek, modern neon-glass interface.

Think of it as your digital GM screen, but way cooler. Instead of fumbling through multiple windows, notes, and tools, everything you need is organized into neat, customizable cards that you can arrange exactly how you like—including cross-zone drag and reorder (move cards between left, media, and right zones). The panel features a modular 3-zone layout system:

• Left Zone – Info & Status: System health monitoring, player roster, Core Status tracking, Session Timer, Combat Tracker, and Calendar
• Middle Zone – Media: Media Broadcaster, DJ Booth, Storyteller Logger, and Journal (folder-based browser with search and preview)
• Right Zone – Jobs & Missions: Mission Brief, Banker, and additional cards as you arrange them

Player cards—World Hub, Character Pane, Player Shopkeep, and Player Calendar—give your table dedicated views without exposing GM-only tools. The panel also offers strong localization: full English plus about 85% in French and Spanish.

Designed for Foundry VTT v13+, it offers persistent session tracking, real-time communication tools, campaign management utilities, advanced session logging, and production-ready security. It works seamlessly with any Foundry VTT game system including D&D 5e, Pathfinder, Shadowrun, Call of Cthulhu, and countless others…automatically detecting and adapting to 15+ supported game systems.

The Core GM Panel is a tool that combines the functionality of 6-7 other independent modules into an all-in-one package. It’s modular, so it can be endlessly expanded, and all the parts know how to “speak” and work together seamlessly.

We have simplified to one active subscription tier:

• Platinum ($10/month): The only tier for new subscribers. Full access to the Core GM Panel—all cards, Calendar, Journal, Player cards, themes, and beta access. Priority support via Freshdesk and private Discord. Monthly patches and feature updates.
• Gold — Legacy: Available only to current subscribers. No new signups. Existing Gold subscribers keep access and stable updates but do not receive new features.
• Silver (free tier): Discontinued. The free tier is no longer offered.

Instead of purchasing multiple separate modules that may conflict with each other or require manual configuration, you get a unified system where all components are designed to work together. The modular architecture means we can continuously expand the Panel with new cards and features without breaking existing functionality.

Plus, with persistent user preferences, drag-and-drop customization, and real-time synchronization across all your clients, you’re getting a professional-grade tool designed from the ground up for seamless integration and performance.

Platinum is now the only subscription tier for new subscribers—and it’s the full Core GM Panel at $10/month. It’s designed for Pro GMs and any Game Master who runs campaigns, stream their sessions, create content, or want the best tools for their table.

If you’re a Game Master who:

• Runs professional or paid campaigns
• Streams or records your sessions for content creation
• Manages multiple active campaigns
• Wants early access to new features (beta builds)
• Requires priority support

Platinum is for you. You get the full panel: all cards, Calendar, Journal, Player cards, themes, beta access, priority support via Freshdesk and Discord, and monthly updates. One price, one tier—no confusing choices.

The free tier (Silver Edition) is no longer offered. We now have a single subscription: Platinum at $10/month, which is the full Core GM Panel—all cards, Calendar, Journal, Player cards, themes, and beta access.

Join on Patreon to get instant access. A 7-day free trial of Platinum may be offered in the future; check our tiers page or Discord for updates.

We are a tiny independent studio dedicated to making high-quality digital GM tools. Gate City Shadows, LLC is a specialized software development company focused on creating professional-grade tools for Game Masters and tabletop role-playing game enthusiasts.

Check https://gatecityshadows.net/aboutme/ for more information about me and the team behind the tools.

We believe in taking the time to build robust, reliable software. Quality cannot be rushed, and we commit to thorough testing and refinement before release. Our development philosophy centers around three core principles: Patience, Persistence, and Iteration.

Everything we create is built with Game Masters in mind; people who demand reliability, security, and professional-grade functionality in their virtual tabletop environments. We’re here to enhance the immersion and enhance the game.

We take bug reports seriously and want to fix issues as quickly as possible. If you encounter bugs, glitches, errors, or unexpected behavior with the Core GM Panel, please report them to us immediately.

You can report bugs to:

• support@gatecityshadows.freshdesk.com (Freshdesk ticket system)
• support@gatecityshadows.net (Direct email)

When reporting a bug, please include as much information as possible:

• Description: What happened? What were you trying to do?
• Steps to Reproduce: Can you reliably trigger the issue? If so, what steps do you follow?
• Expected Behavior: What should have happened instead?
• System Information: Foundry VTT version, Core GM Panel version, game system, and any relevant module conflicts
• Error Messages: Any console errors, error dialogs, or unusual messages
• Screenshots/Video: Visual documentation is incredibly helpful
• Browser/Platform: If using Foundry as a client, what browser are you using? If hosting, what’s your setup?

The more detail you provide, the faster we can identify and fix the issue. We appreciate your help in making the Core GM Panel better for everyone!

Yes! We have a formal Streamer Program for content creators who want to feature the Core GM Panel in their content. Please visit https://gatecityshadows.net/streamers/ for our Streamer application.

Important Requirement: You must have a subscriber base of greater than 10,000 across your platforms to be considered for a Streamer designation. This helps us ensure that our resources are allocated to creators who can reach a meaningful audience.

Approved streamers receive one free month of Platinum membership, which includes complete access to the Gate City Shadows module library (Core GM Panel + all released cards), monthly patches and feature updates, Discord role, and priority support.

The Streamer Program includes specific terms regarding attribution, content use rights, and product representation. Please review the application form carefully, as it includes our Creator Terms Agreement that you’ll need to accept to participate in the program.

We love seeing our tools in action and are grateful to creators who showcase what the Core GM Panel can do. If you meet the requirements and are interested, we’d love to hear from you!

Yes, you can! The Core GM Panel is built with a modular architecture specifically designed to support third-party card development. The process for getting approved to develop for the Panel takes several steps.

Please reach out to support@gatecityshadows.net for more information about becoming an approved card developer. We’ll need to discuss:

• Development Experience: Your background with Foundry VTT module development, JavaScript, and web technologies
• Card Concept: What kind of card do you want to build? How does it fit into the three-zone system?
• Technical Integration: How your card will integrate with the Panel’s event bus, Global Status System, and existing cards
• Quality Standards: Our requirements for code quality, security, performance, and user experience
• Licensing & Distribution: Terms for how your card will be distributed, whether through our marketplace or independently

The Core GM Panel features a sophisticated event system that allows cards to communicate with each other, a Global Status System for shared state management, and a standardized card API that makes development straightforward once you understand the architecture.

We’re excited to see what the community can build! The modular nature of the Panel means there’s endless potential for expansion, and third-party developers can help us realize that potential faster than we could alone.

🎉 The Core GM Panel was officially released on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025! 🎉

The Core GM Panel has been approved by Foundry VTT and is fully released. We now offer a single active tier: Platinum at $10/month (the full panel). Legacy Gold remains for current subscribers only; the free Silver tier is discontinued.

The beta testing period ran from November 10th through November 17th, 2025, and provided valuable feedback from experienced Game Masters that helped us refine and polish the Panel before launch. We’re grateful to all our beta testers!

Ready to get started? Join Platinum ($10/month) today to get instant access! You can join through our Patreon page.