|
4 years ago ::
May 19, 2009 - 5:43PM
#631
|
|
|
At this point, were I running the project, I'd get a couple of developers working fulltime on one of the open source VTTs, contributing the code back to the community. Simulatneously, create a proprietary collection of content for the VTT that is only available to DDI.
If they got behind an existing VTT and added a layer of content-management tools that supported encrypted content (for all I know, there's already one out there) via a plugin system, they could both generate brownie points for helping an open source project and avoid having to do a full-on blank-page development cycle (which they've clearly proven they can't handle).
WOTC seems to have a tendency to bite off more than they can chew from a development standpoint (I'm sure we're all holding our breath for their upcoming 'revolutionary' PDF-killer technology). This would at least mitigate some of the risk.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
May 19, 2009 - 7:40PM
#632
|
Date Joined:
Aug 17, 2007
|
I edited my post above, was using the wrong language. I said cost center, but meant profit center. End result in this case is the same as I've had it explained to me, they'd have to fund anything new with profits they generate on their own, without external project funding via Hasbro.
It is interesting you bring this up just before the announcement of the price hike. :P
Looks like there is a rash of people trying to "lock" in their price now. Looks like an influx of money to me....
Unfortunately, I am not sure it matters any more. While I get value out of the CB, the higher the price gets, the less value I get out of it. This ain't no MMO no matter how they would like the $$$$ to be the same.
To most people I talk to, DDI is largely irrelivant at this point. Most people that I personally talk to about it take a "we will look at it when we see it complete" type of attitude. There just is no trust there anymore. (And No, before you all get on my case about the 4E tools - those tools just added onto things like E-Tools, Master Tools, the website design, gleemax, etc).
It is a good thing that I consider that the cost of DDI consists of the CB - I consider the rest a throw in and free.
WOTC Podcast:
"The web is a shortcut"
"Piracy was a big thing"
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
May 19, 2009 - 9:45PM
#633
|
- Want Cheese With That Whine?
Date Joined:
Apr 27, 2005
|
It is a good thing that I consider that the cost of DDI consists of the CB - I consider the rest a throw in and free.
Agreed. The CB alone is completely worth the cost, as demonstrated by the fact that I had a player walk out my campaign not 20 minutes before a session (please don't complain about this; he was engaged in a personal, non-D&D dispute with another player and realized just then that he couldn't play D&D with her, and did the amazingly mature thing of walking out himself rather than make it unbearable for everyone), and by sheer chance I had another friend coming over - he had a character sheet not 10 minutes after he arrived, thanks to the CB.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
May 20, 2009 - 1:35AM
#634
|
Date Joined:
May 22, 2006
|
i'm Not sure if it's on topic, but with the higher price, we get 1 third of the PHB3 in advance. Sure i hope we get other things too, but i got my 1year subscription, only two month ago, so i'm all set 
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2009 - 4:59AM
#635
|
Date Joined:
Jul 21, 2009
|
The only reason that I and my friends bought the 4E books and got excited about this is the Game Table. It's a real shame that it looks like it won't happen as it's the only thing that would get me to sign up to D&Di. All of my play group (friends going back 20 years or more) are spread around the country and are generally time poor, so something that's not too labour intensive and allows the sort of look and feel that was demonstrated would be perfect. I just don't have the time to learn and develop one of the other virtual table top alternates.
This promised so much and it's depressing that they are not pursuing it.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2009 - 8:29AM
#636
|
|
|
I just don't have the time to learn and develop one of the other virtual table top alternates.
I agree that it's disappointing, but...you'd have to learn and develop the GameTable, just like any of the other tools. I'm a MapTool fan, but I'm pretty sure an evening of fiddling with any of the VTTs is enough to get a game going. My personal experience: my group is spread across the eastern half of the country. In August, I decided on MapTool, took a few hours to figure out the basics (how to put a map on the screen, how to roll dice, and how to start a server), and we started our weekly game the next evening. From there, we grew and expanded our use of MapTool, but we were rolling almost immediately.
Now, if your alternative is "well, I'll just play face-to-face with my local group," that's one thing, but if the choice is "WotC GameTable or I can't play D&D,*" that seems to be cutting off your nose to spite your own face.
* Of course, if it's "WotC game table or I won't play D&D," that's your choice and I have no issue with that. I've just seen the "I can't take the time to learn one of the existing products" more than once and it seems like an odd argument, since there will be a learning curve on the WotC GT also.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2009 - 8:55AM
#637
|
Date Joined:
Aug 12, 2004
|
I've just seen the "I can't take the time to learn one of the existing products" more than once and it seems like an odd argument, since there will be a learning curve on the WotC GT also.
Moreover, I don't understand the claim to not have time to learn, but to have time to play DnD. If you can dedicate 3-4 hours a week to playing DnD, why not set aside the first 2 or three of those to learn maptool, assuming it takes that long.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2009 - 12:14PM
#638
|
Date Joined:
May 31, 2007
|
The only reason that I and my friends bought the 4E books and got excited about this is the Game Table. It's a real shame that it looks like it won't happen as it's the only thing that would get me to sign up to D&Di. All of my play group (friends going back 20 years or more) are spread around the country and are generally time poor, so something that's not too labour intensive and allows the sort of look and feel that was demonstrated would be perfect. I just don't have the time to learn and develop one of the other virtual table top alternates.
This promised so much and it's depressing that they are not pursuing it.
Necromancy is frowned upon in civilized society.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2009 - 3:05PM
#639
|
|
|
Necromancy is frowned upon in civilized society.
Good thing there is nothing civilized about the forums!
Ba-CHING!
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2009 - 3:10PM
#640
|
|
|
Good thing there is nothing civilized about the forums!
Ba-CHING!
He'll be here all week, folks.
No, seriously. We can't get him to leave. 
|
|
|
