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6 years ago ::
Aug 30, 2007 - 11:30PM
#511
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Date Joined:
Aug 16, 2007
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Crazy. 
Who brings their corporate computer to the game, or get this client software installed on it without the IT masterminds noticing? Hmm. Okay. Scratch those.
Who lugs their home desktop tower to the game table? Exactly. Scratch those.
Now. Who is going to be bringing their home laptop to the game table?
Please remember that the key goal of D&DI is not to bring laptops to the game table. It is to allow players that are not able to get together around the same gaming table to still play D&D, using the internet as their gaming table with the D&D game table application...
Having more laptops on your home game table is certainly a possible consequence of that D&DI initiative, but it is not our core drive for the D&DI project.
Apple has 17.6% of the retail laptop market right now. And growing twice to three time faster the Windows laptops, at this time next year Apple could have 20% of the retail market. Of the younger demographic, you know, the age range D&D targets to like college students, Apple is even larger than that. If you exclude all the toy laptops under $1,000 which likely won't be able to run Game Table due to the requirements, Apple has an even larger share of the market of those laptops.
Of the target demographic, using non-corporate locked-down laptops powerful enough to run Game Table, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Apple has nearly a 30%–40%+ market share. Nothing to sneeze at when you write software.
It's a matter of looking at what market you expect to be at the game table. Laptops primarily, powerful enough to run Game Table, and a younger demographic at that.
We are aware of the trends in this area, and as I mentioned earlier we are looking if some of our D&DI applications can be used with the more recent intel based mac systems, while keeping in mind our delivery goals and timeline. We also have made our decisions regarding serving the PC platform first based on factual market research data, not estimated data. A lot of our future steps will depend on the success of the first steps.
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6 years ago ::
Aug 31, 2007 - 12:46PM
#512
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Date Joined:
Aug 10, 2009
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We also have made our decisions regarding serving the PC platform first based on factual market research data, not estimated data.
Well... it seems there's factual... and then there's FACTUAL...
The PC pr machine tells you that the Mac community only accounts for 6%. But they also lump in corporate systems and things like cash registers. I don't know anyone who uses a cash register in their home. So I don't think many people will be playing games on them.
A more acurate demographic would be established if the home community were actually polled.
Also, it seems to me that a stronger business plan DOES take into account future market trends. Assesing where you'll be next year, when your product comes out, but basing your decisions only on what currently is, or was, seems short sighted.
At any rate... thanks getting involved with the discussion! It's nice to know that the Mac community is being listened to, even if we don't care for the answers.
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6 years ago ::
Aug 31, 2007 - 11:26PM
#513
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Date Joined:
Aug 16, 2007
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Well... it seems there's factual... and then there's FACTUAL...
The PC pr machine tells you that the Mac community only accounts for 6%. But they also lump in corporate systems and things like cash registers. I don't know anyone who uses a cash register in their home. So I don't think many people will be playing games on them.
A more acurate demographic would be established if the home community were actually polled.
Also, it seems to me that a stronger business plan DOES take into account future market trends. Assesing where you'll be next year, when your product comes out, but basing your decisions only on what currently is, or was, seems short sighted.
At any rate... thanks getting involved with the discussion! It's nice to know that the Mac community is being listened to, even if we don't care for the answers.
Hey, I did not say we were using generic Market Research data... We have our own market research department at Wizards...
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6 years ago ::
Sep 01, 2007 - 5:17AM
#514
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Date Joined:
Mar 15, 2001
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Hey, I did not say we were using generic Market Research data... We have our own market research department at Wizards...
Write to Mac, port to Windows. It'll save you a lot of grief.
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6 years ago ::
Sep 04, 2007 - 4:12AM
#515
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Date Joined:
Aug 10, 2009
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PC... Mac... Linux... this is the same argument that has been raging for fifteen years and we still don't have decent games support on the Mac or Linux (including at the present Never Winter Nights II and D&DOnline). Hasn't slowed sales of games any, doubt it will slow Insider use any.
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6 years ago ::
Sep 04, 2007 - 7:00AM
#516
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We are aware of the trends in this area, and as I mentioned earlier we are looking if some of our D&DI applications can be used with the more recent intel based mac systems, while keeping in mind our delivery goals and timeline. We also have made our decisions regarding serving the PC platform first based on factual market research data, not estimated data. A lot of our future steps will depend on the success of the first steps.
Please at least say you're looking at TransGaming's Cider product -- that would seem to be the quickest, easiest way for you guys to bring it to the Intel-based Macs. At least, give 'em a shout, ya know?
Note -- I don't even own an Intel Mac (yet), and this would be an acceptable level of porting for me. Not ideal, of course, but I ain't expecting ideal. 
Me: "You see a group of centaurs approaching at speed...."
Druid: "What are they riding....?"
Me: "Ummm, they're centaurs?"
Druid: "Yes, but what are they riding?"
Me: *twitch*
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6 years ago ::
Sep 05, 2007 - 8:48AM
#517
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I have a question about it:Is there any free test for DnD Insider,or will be a free test?
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5 years ago ::
Mar 24, 2008 - 8:27PM
#518
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Date Joined:
Aug 27, 2007
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I just want to identify myself as someone who would be very interested in using, and willing to pay to use, this software if, and only if, it will run on my Macintosh systems. They are both new-ish and Intel based. I am not interested if I would have to run them under Windows, not just because of the ridiculous cost of windows, but due to its many problems and vulnerabilities, combined with the fact that by the time I finish with it at work (where we finally upgraded to XP thanks to Microsoft pulling the plug on 2000, and probably won't see Vista for another 10 years (although I have tried Vista, and was underwhelmed)) I refuse to spend any dollars or any of my valuable gaming time in Windows.
Ultimately the message that the folks at WoTC need to hear from all of us with Macs is that a Mac version is the only way to get money from us that we would otherwise be willing, possibly even happy, to part with if it would let us game with our friends who have moved far away over the years. (BTW folks, you are also loosing some money from me by not having Macintosh Magic The Gathering Online available as well.)
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5 years ago ::
Mar 26, 2008 - 10:44AM
#519
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Date Joined:
May 21, 2007
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I have a question about it:Is there any free test for DnD Insider,or will be a free test?
Well theoretically we are getting a free preview right now of the web content.  At D&D Experience they talked about a 10 day trial. Likely it will be like the AOL trial where you sign up with your CCard and if you cancel within 10 days you don't get charged.
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3 years ago ::
Jan 12, 2010 - 7:15PM
#520
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Date Joined:
Sep 14, 2007
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I am mac user who will quite likely not have accesses to a pc soon. This coming November I may need to drop my subscription. It's to bad really, I like 4e but it's geared to work hand in hand with D&DI. Oh well Amazing Engine it is! Wish you guys the best.
Bryan Davidson
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