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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2010 - 11:34AM
#51
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Trevor posted this earlier today, and I have heard from WotC that there will more on the situation soon. I understand that it is due to it being more work than they expected to convert all the monsters to the MM3 statblock.
Of course, that's visible to DDI subscribers only, so all us people wanting to know when to subscribe or resubscribe are left in the dark.
And anyone thinking about DDI might believe the Adventure Tools was cancelled or be misinformed by rumour or hearsay.
Membership has its priveledges. And there is no way that you can honestly say that it is NOT appropriate for it to be priveledged information, only obtainable to non-members through other sources.
You're suggesting the status of the Monster Builder is privileged information?
Odd, considering it does concern me as a non-subscriber, because it determines when I will be giving DDI and WotC more money and for how long. If the MM3 update is delayed long enough I might decide to subscribe for two months, or go for the big three month package. Or I might decide to wait until I can get Psionic Power as well. Or I might decide to pay now because it's "close enough" and I have some spare cash.
Likewise, if I were brand new to the game and DDI this is information I would consider essential before subscribing. Given this is the first time the Adventure Tools has had a serious update (they were released after MM2 IIRC) the length of time it takes to update is a sign of the health of the program and how responsive and adaptive it is to future changes. That's worth knowing before investing and heresy tends to lead to misinformation: who I ask determines the tone, and I'd think very differently about DDI if my information came from say, KM.549, than from Mudbunny or someone official.
If the program is taking too much longer it might suggest WotC has cut too many positions or DDI is simply too complicated to maintain and update AND release additional tools.
As it is, I'm rather annoyed by this and might hold off on resubscribing for a while in protest.
One, WoTC might not have final say over how many positions got cut. When the parent company says cut em, they do so not knowing what that really does.
Over all, I agree, that this wasn't the kind of news that should have been behind the DDi screen. I can see why it was, since it only effects those with active subscriptions. To be honest, they probably don't give any consideration to the people that get updates every few months just to keep the cost down. They probably figure that if someone is updating every 2-4 months with a one month subscription, chances are this isn't going to effect that many.
I don't find to much of a problem with the thinking behind why this type of information was thought only in terms of DDi subscribers.
I do suspect in time, when more tools come out, eventually the packages for subscription will be 3, 6 and 12 months, just to prevent what you are doing.
Which I'm not saying what you are doing is wrong. It can't be wrong if WoTC is letting people do it. But I'm sure in time that will change.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2010 - 12:59PM
#52
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You're suggesting the status of the Monster Builder is privileged information?
Odd, considering it does concern me as a non-subscriber, because it determines when I will be giving DDI and WotC more money and for how long. If the MM3 update is delayed long enough I might decide to subscribe for two months, or go for the big three month package. Or I might decide to wait until I can get Psionic Power as well. Or I might decide to pay now because it's "close enough" and I have some spare cash.
Likewise, if I were brand new to the game and DDI this is information I would consider essential before subscribing. Given this is the first time the Adventure Tools has had a serious update (they were released after MM2 IIRC) the length of time it takes to update is a sign of the health of the program and how responsive and adaptive it is to future changes. That's worth knowing before investing and heresy tends to lead to misinformation: who I ask determines the tone, and I'd think very differently about DDI if my information came from say, KM.549, than from Mudbunny or someone official.
If the program is taking too much longer it might suggest WotC has cut too many positions or DDI is simply too complicated to maintain and update AND release additional tools.
As it is, I'm rather annoyed by this and might hold off on resubscribing for a while in protest.
Obviously, they posted it to the subscribers to allow them first access to the information, otherwise it would be public. In the grand scheme of things, it is not a big deal. Just something else for people to complain about.
But yes, those who update once or twice a year should get equal value over those that have current and updated subscriptions. You are correct. Makes complete sense to me...
*sigh*
Like hearing it 10 minutes after everyone else causes you such significant distress. The forums have all the information you could ever need regarding its status shortly after its release for you to make that insanely complicated decision of spending $10.
The sense of entitlement some people have just simply amazes me.
Reflavoring: the change of flavor without changing any mechanical part of the game, no matter how small, in order to fit the mechanics to an otherwise unsupported concept.
Retexturing: the change of flavor (with at most minor mechanical adaptations) in order to effortlessly create support for a concept without inventing anything new.
Houseruling: the change, either minor or major, of the mechanics in order to better reflect a certain aspect of the game, including adapting the rules to fit an otherwise unsupported concept.
Homebrewing: the complete invention of something new that fits within the system in order to reflect an unsupported concept.
Default module =/= Core mechanic.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2010 - 1:04PM
#53
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I guess that blows away the theory that WotC is just money grubbing bastitches, though. I mean, if they were, they would have released a half ass update on time just to get that huge influx of $10 purchases.
Instead, they opted for quality and completeness. Who would have thought that?
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Reflavoring: the change of flavor without changing any mechanical part of the game, no matter how small, in order to fit the mechanics to an otherwise unsupported concept.
Retexturing: the change of flavor (with at most minor mechanical adaptations) in order to effortlessly create support for a concept without inventing anything new.
Houseruling: the change, either minor or major, of the mechanics in order to better reflect a certain aspect of the game, including adapting the rules to fit an otherwise unsupported concept.
Homebrewing: the complete invention of something new that fits within the system in order to reflect an unsupported concept.
Default module =/= Core mechanic.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2010 - 2:10PM
#54
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I do suspect in time, when more tools come out, eventually the packages for subscription will be 3, 6 and 12 months, just to prevent what you are doing.
Which I'm not saying what you are doing is wrong. It can't be wrong if WoTC is letting people do it. But I'm sure in time that will change.
I pay what I can.
I just finished continuing education and found working in an elementary school, so I'm technically unemployed during the summer months. Add onto that budget cuts, which have slashed my hours for the following year and my wife about to go on maternity leave and things are tight for me. I can't afford MM3 or alot of new books and DDI is my way to keep-up with the game.
But this is largely irrelevant.
Obviously, they posted it to the subscribers to allow them first access to the information, otherwise it would be public. In the grand scheme of things, it is not a big deal. Just something else for people to complain about.
I don't mind not getting information first. In fact, I think it's only fair that subscribers get some information first (like the beholder set. That was a nice perk). I mind not getting it at all. From the looks of it and Mudbunny's post elsewhere it looks like the Monster Builder isn't being updated until August, which is a long time to wait on content. Glad I didn't waste my $15.
I disagree with the idea "They" decided this as a sweeping editorial or managerial decision. More than likely it was one person (WotC_Trevor) who went out of his way to fill us in and chose what looked like an appropriate place. I thank him for doing so. I'm complaining that no one higher-up though to make an official clarifying statement or include a notice on the main website. I'm only really whining to push for more news and transparency, more regular updates on changes and content other than "here's a new shiny, go buy!"
But yes, those who update once or twice a year should get equal value over those that have current and updated subscriptions. You are correct. Makes complete sense to me...
People interested in the game and community should be supported regardless. But as I mentioned earlier, news of new products and (through Ampersand) are the benefit of regular subscriptions. This occasionally trickles down to the forums, but not always.
Like hearing it 10 minutes after everyone else causes you such significant distress. The forums have all the information you could ever need regarding its status shortly after its release for you to make that insanely complicated decision of spending $10.
The sense of entitlement some people have just simply amazes me.
Paying customers be paying customers. I'm giving them my money instead of pirating the books or programs, or sharing a password from a friend.
And it's more than 10 minutes. Looking at 20 hours now.
I guess that blows away the theory that WotC is just money grubbing bastitches, though. I mean, if they were, they would have released a half ass update on time just to get that huge influx of $10 purchases.
Instead, they opted for quality and completeness. Who would have thought that?
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
I'm not complaining that they're trying to complete the work. I applauded them for updating the older monsters to the new formatting and going above-and-beyond, and I voiced my support for them taking an extra month to do so. And I thanked them for telling us.
While delays happen, and are expected with under-staffing and restructuring, my complaint now is they didn't bother to tell us until after the fact, and then only on a limited fashion.
Before posting, ask yourself WWWS: What Would Wrecan Say? Spoiler:
Show
My Webcomic
Updated Tuesday and Thursday
Read my blog on the WotC Community Site (updated irregularly to avoid spamming the "Featured Blogger" list).
You can follow me on Twitter: "@DnDJester"
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2010 - 2:40PM
#55
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My last post was not in response to you, which is why I landed it in its own post.
Reflavoring: the change of flavor without changing any mechanical part of the game, no matter how small, in order to fit the mechanics to an otherwise unsupported concept.
Retexturing: the change of flavor (with at most minor mechanical adaptations) in order to effortlessly create support for a concept without inventing anything new.
Houseruling: the change, either minor or major, of the mechanics in order to better reflect a certain aspect of the game, including adapting the rules to fit an otherwise unsupported concept.
Homebrewing: the complete invention of something new that fits within the system in order to reflect an unsupported concept.
Default module =/= Core mechanic.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2010 - 6:37PM
#56
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Date Joined:
Sep 28, 2006
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From the looks of it and Mudbunny's post elsewhere it looks like the Monster Builder isn't being updated until August, which is a long time to wait on content. Glad I didn't waste my $15.
To the best of my knowledge, the Compendium and Monster Builder are getting updated on the 20th of july, and then again on the third tuesday in August as well.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2010 - 7:55PM
#57
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Date Joined:
Jun 10, 2008
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1: I went to update my monster builder so that I could finally get MM3 after having nothing last month. I'm a fair guy and I can understand needing time to go through it all. However I have to admit I wasnt surprised in the least that wotc missed their schedule.
2: So the reasoning is that its harder then they thought to change the format of existing information that was working fine to begin with. What with DDI is NOT harder then they thought?
3: Its truly a sad day when finding out why a company has missed a deadline is privelaged information that you have to pay for to find out why you are not getting a service you are paying for. If I have to give wotc one thing its that they have somehow convinced people that things like this are just silly things to complain about.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 08, 2010 - 4:27AM
#58
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Please keep the conversation on topic, polite, and appropriate. Thank you.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 08, 2010 - 4:32AM
#59
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The_Jester, as mudbunny pointed out, it looks like there will be a Monster Builder update this month. It'll just be a couple weeks after the expected day. As I've said, it's not great but it is better than another month-and-a-half from now. As long as the update hits on the 20th I plan on re-subscribing myself.
As for the information dissemination, I give a lot of credit to Trevor. The guy does everything he can to keep the community updated, and really, he is the "higher up" in this sort of situation. It's his responsibility to get information into the hands of the community. I liken him to the news anchor on my favorite morning news program. He's not the guy making the news, or deciding when or what to tell people, but he's doing what he can to get whatever that news is into my hands.
Long Live the Lance! Give us 4e DL!
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3 years ago ::
Jul 08, 2010 - 7:38AM
#60
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The_Jester, as mudbunny pointed out, it looks like there will be a Monster Builder update this month. It'll just be a couple weeks after the expected day. As I've said, it's not great but it is better than another month-and-a-half from now. As long as the update hits on the 20th I plan on re-subscribing myself.
I misunderstood Mudbunny's other thread on next month's updates. That's my own fault, but I was working with less information.
As for the information dissemination, I give a lot of credit to Trevor. The guy does everything he can to keep the community updated, and really, he is the "higher up" in this sort of situation. It's his responsibility to get information into the hands of the community. I liken him to the news anchor on my favorite morning news program. He's not the guy making the news, or deciding when or what to tell people, but he's doing what he can to get whatever that news is into my hands.
Yes, that is great of him. It really is above and beyond as the last 2-4 community liaisons were let go. It's the WotC "defence against the dark arts".
Before posting, ask yourself WWWS: What Would Wrecan Say?Spoiler:
Show
My Webcomic
Updated Tuesday and Thursday
Read my blog on the WotC Community Site (updated irregularly to avoid spamming the "Featured Blogger" list).
You can follow me on Twitter: "@DnDJester"
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