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5 years ago ::
Oct 14, 2008 - 8:31AM
#21
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Date Joined:
Aug 19, 2005
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As for the subscription of the magazine's I agree that the magazine's are worth that amount that they are currently advertising. As for the addition of extra tools to the D&DI suite that has me a bit confused. I had thought they they were going to give everyone a chance to use the suite to evaluate and then make it a subscription based affair. While the compendium is nice to have for a quick reference, I find that during game time I have enough books and people not taking their turn or being the primary focus of the encounter, that they can look up the rule/feat/power in question. I like the concept of the character generator (which I think should have been the primary focus of the whole D&DI suite - since the first thing you want to do when you buy the books is make up a character), and some of the other components seem to be interesting, but again without trying them myself I don't want to go all in. I had also read that they will allow some tool to function for levels 1-3 which is a good start - but how will the virtual desktop work? You can only make encounters for levels 1-3? Probably questions that will be answered later. I feel that the subscription price for the two magazine's is fair, and since we have had an ample taste of the product for a few months free, it should be a relatively easy choice for some as to whether or not subscribe. And others obviously feel insulted about having to pay for something that was free, and intangible. In a attempt to offset the cost our group had discussed getting a "group" subscription, where we would all chip in to get the services. But we also have some members of the group who feel throwing in a couple of bucks for a subscription is just waiting their money. I only hope that they offer up the D&DI components free for a month or so prior to migrating them into a subscription only area, since I am a try before you buy type of guy. 
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5 years ago ::
Oct 14, 2008 - 8:42AM
#22
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- Senior Volunteer Community Lead
- Dragon Slayer
- D&DI News Guide
Date Joined:
Aug 31, 2005
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I like the concept of the character generator (which I think should have been the primary focus of the whole D&DI suite - since the first thing you want to do when you buy the books is make up a character), and some of the other components seem to be interesting, but again without trying them myself I don't want to go all in. I had also read that they will allow some tool to function for levels 1-3 which is a good start - but how will the virtual desktop work? You can only make encounters for levels 1-3? Probably questions that will be answered later.
While there is going to be a beta (and later a Demo) of the Character Builder that's limited to creating characters of level 1-3, that doesn't mean there same restriction will apply to the other tools - or even guarantee there will be a Beta/Demo version of the rest of the tools.
If I were a betting man, I'd bet the Beta/Demo of the visualizer would be limited to a few models (Humans, Elves, Halflings, no Tiefling, No Dragonborn - for example).
The Game Table would probably be time-limited (say, a half-hour, or unlimited use for a number of days).
I only hope that they offer up the D&DI components free for a month or so prior to migrating them into a subscription only area, since I am a try before you buy type of guy.
At DDXP earlier this year we were told that the completed suite would include a 10-day trial for anyone interested. Admittedly lots of things have changed since then, but I'd be surprised if there isn't SOME form of demo when the entire suite is available.
Wolf Star76 Community Advocate (SVCL) for D&D Organized Play, Avalon Hill, and the DCI/WPN LFR Community Manager DDi Guide  Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter
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5 years ago ::
Oct 14, 2008 - 8:47AM
#23
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Date Joined:
Aug 24, 2005
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@Major_Evil - WotC has stated that they will have demos and free trials for each new application in the suite of products, so you will absolutely be able to try before you buy. No details about the extent of the trial are available that I know of.
I don't have a quote or reference right now. Appologies for that. Will try to get it in later, if someone doesn't beat me to it.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 14, 2008 - 8:59AM
#24
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Date Joined:
Mar 28, 2008
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the same price was stated to be reasonable because it included all of the virtual tabletop items. A lot of the same people who are now saying this price is reasonable are the same ones who said WotC wouldn't start charging until all of the advertised items were included. Now that WotC has done exactly that, the price of the magazines makes it worth the price?
What exactly is there in the magazines that's worth 6-8$ a month? An occasional adventure and a bunch or useless articles (including excerpts from upcoming books that are really just advertisements) is worth that?
Since they no longer have to pay for printing, charging as if they do is absurd. I truly hope the majority of 4E players see this for the rip-off it is.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 14, 2008 - 9:01AM
#25
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Date Joined:
Aug 19, 2005
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I guess my biggest speed bump to subscription is the trial version of the software. While they have mentioned the limited version for the character builder of 1-3 levels, I like the wide open for 30 days version - but levels 1-3 is better then nothing.
If they do have the try before you buy then that would be excellent. It would also be nice if you could be presented with a checklist of what you want to subscribe to when you subscribe, and you bill will be modified accordingly. Although they have the "free ware" tools up there I personally don't find much use for the encounter builder (it doesn't give you stats, and it doesn't even give you a page number for reference of the monsters in the encounter) and the ability generator - well I have dice and I would hope the upcoming character generator will have this built in to it.
I would be interested in the trial information if you can put your hands on it.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 14, 2008 - 9:04AM
#26
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- Senior Volunteer Community Lead
- Dragon Slayer
- D&DI News Guide
Date Joined:
Aug 31, 2005
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the same price was stated to be reasonable because it included all of the virtual tabletop items. A lot of the same people who are now saying this price is reasonable are the same ones who said WotC wouldn't start charging until all of the advertised items were included. Now that WotC has done exactly that, the price of the magazines makes it worth the price?
What exactly is there in the magazines that's worth 6-8$ a month? An occasional adventure and a bunch or useless articles (including excerpts from upcoming books that are really just advertisements) is worth that?
Since they no longer have to pay for printing, charging as if they do is absurd. I truly hope the majority of 4E players see this for the rip-off it is.
The pricing for the entire suite is $15/13/10 per month on a 1/3/12 month subscription. That's the originally stated for the entire suite.
What's being offered today is a subscription for $8/6.5/5 per month, because they don't have the complete suite available.
It is NOT the same pricing that has been stated as being for the entire package.
Wolf Star76 Community Advocate (SVCL) for D&D Organized Play, Avalon Hill, and the DCI/WPN LFR Community Manager DDi Guide Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter
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5 years ago ::
Oct 14, 2008 - 9:11AM
#27
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Date Joined:
Aug 19, 2005
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What exactly is there in the magazines that's worth 6-8$ a month? An occasional adventure and a bunch or useless articles (including excerpts from upcoming books that are really just advertisements) is worth that?.
I think that they magazines are worth the 4.95 a month. Since I use the Dungeon magazine's for the most part being a DM, and it just makes thing easier on me trying to balance work, family, and a table of salivating gamers. The $8/month is a bit high, but if your strapped for cash then I guess you can't fork out the $60 for the year.
I do agree with you that a majority of the articles are crap - the editorials, RPGA Reports, and save my game stuff really is not of much interest to me (maybe the odd idea is a good one). And to be honest I think that content should be in a blog somewhere for free, since I'm not buying a magazine to hear how some other group did this, or did that. One thing I would like to see again in the magazines is a updated FAQ (like the sage advice columns of yesteryear). Or just strip out those articles and add more substantial contributions like one more adventure etc.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 14, 2008 - 9:17AM
#28
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Date Joined:
Jul 15, 2004
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My issue is the fact that you are just getting pieces of everything for $5-$8 per month. I find this ridiculous! I will have no issue paying for a finished product but from what I've seen with D&Di there is no way its worth any price right now. When the project has more working apps I'll be happy to re-evaluate and purchase but as is? No chance.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 14, 2008 - 9:23AM
#29
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Date Joined:
Apr 13, 2005
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...but from what I've seen with D&Di there is no way its worth any price right now.
And I will have to disagree with you, as I've just paid for the subscription. To me, the magazines alone are worth the price; the fact that I get access to the Bonus Tools and the Compendium are a plus.
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5 years ago ::
Oct 14, 2008 - 9:35AM
#30
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If you feel that way, then I am glad. Personally, I find that a PHB fighter is a PHB fighter is a PHB fighter (I won't go into my opinion that a PHB fighter is a PHB wizard is a PHB rogue here), and I'm already tired of it. I admit some exaggeration -- I'm trying to make a point as briefly as possible, here. D&D4 needs more options, and the new release philosophy, while ultimately a good if not excellent plan, is taking some time to ramp up. In the meantime, it seems to rely very heavily on Dragon.
Sounds like you don't like 4e as a system. Will more options improve the game for you? If so, then Insider's prolly a good thing to have. Maybe it would help to think about Insider not so much as a *requirement* to play 4e but as a way to add some exciting *options* to the game; it's a subtle difference but it puts you in control; you make the choice, it's not something implicit in the game. Know what I mean  ?
I should admit (right up front) that 4e isn't my favorite D&D game. I bought the core books so I could play occassionally. Can't say I have much interest in the supplements, although I'm curious about Dragon/Dungeon. I think they will add to our games, especially if I don't pick up hardcover supplements as often (like I did in the past).
***
I admit that I'm a die-hard fan of the mags, have been for years. I'll buy 'em no matter what (can't deny it ). For others, the mags are entirely useless and no price is ever gonna be right. Most people prolly fall somewhere in the middle. Will DDI be a hit or a miss with these folks? I'm curious to find out .
/\ Art
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