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3 years ago ::
Sep 04, 2010 - 4:01AM
#11
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Date Joined:
Sep 28, 2007
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One of the bigger disappointments that I've noticed, is in Dungeon. It's almost been a year, and there really hasn't been much progress made in the Chaos Scar. I was hoping that it would be almost to paragon at this point. I would also like to see some more setting specific adventures (FR, EB, DS, PoL) possibly put on a rotating schedule.
Ramius
I strive for the freedom from expectations so many enjoy here; I fear I have a long journey to that level of spiritual creaminess.
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3 years ago ::
Sep 04, 2010 - 7:01AM
#12
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Date Joined:
Jun 24, 2007
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I paid for the initial year with the hopes of seeing all of th emarketing come to pass (VTT especially). I dropped out after that due in part to the rate increase and the lack of delivery for what I considered (IMO) to be key elements of DDI. A year later and things still haven't been finished that looked promising when I left (DM tools) so if I do any renewal at all it will likely be a single month to update the CB after the essentials launch.
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3 years ago ::
Sep 04, 2010 - 9:51AM
#13
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Date Joined:
Jul 26, 2008
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My DDI subsription expires this month. While I definitely feel like I got a lot of bang for the buck in terms of content updates the first 9 months or so, the last three months have been disappointing, including the regularity of Compendium and Character Builder updates, which were skipped or delayed. You can no longer seem to plan for these updates. I turned off auto-renewal from the get-go intending to give this a trial one-year subscription first and see how I liked it. Given the current trend, there is no compelling reason for me to renew at this time.
The Compendium also has a lot of typos and editing mistakes, formatting issues (not using a consistent font style/bold schema) along with gaps in content (up until now, no backgrounds, race updates (dragonfear, abyssal genasi), item/group set bonuses, familiars, or even simple rules elements (like reagents)).
Now if WotC intended to update ALL the monster stat blocks MM3 style with updated damage statistics in the compendium/adventure builder among other things, that would probably peak my interest. A more balanced (less one-sided) game is a good thing imo!
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3 years ago ::
Sep 05, 2010 - 12:23PM
#14
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I'm going to wait to see what news/updates come on 9/21.
At that point I going to decide whether or not to renew for a 3rd year. However I'm leaning to let it go and force my players to go back to good-ole pen and paper. Come on WotC! Your customers are crying for information. You say you're "listening" to us. Prove it.
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3 years ago ::
Sep 05, 2010 - 2:14PM
#15
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Date Joined:
Dec 28, 2009
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While this is mostly a sentimental argument, with no actual 'crunch' to back it up, I really get the feeling that the old Paizo Dungeon and Dragon magazines are more fun to read and richer in content than what we currently get for DDI. I'm not sure whether this is due to a different presentation or content on a day-by-day basis, but I still get it for the combined issues each month. It's a shame, because if DDI Dungeon and Dragon were as fun as Paizo's, I'd find it worth DDI's fee by itself.
I'm aware "fun" is an enormously biased and subjective term and forms no actual constructive criticism, I still experience a lack of it while I'm very open minded to the digital format of the current magazines.
In addition, I fully agree with OP, and I'm mostly upset with the lack of new tools. I think even moreso than with the magazines.
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3 years ago ::
Sep 05, 2010 - 5:54PM
#16
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Date Joined:
Jul 15, 2002
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I'm really having to think this over, too. My subscription is good until October, but I'm already really weighing if I want to put that money somewhere else.
And I'm not a sour-grapes VTT person. I've used MapTool for more than a year and I really don't need anything else on that front. I think the Character Builder is very solid. The Monster Builder has some warts, but does a reasonable job. I do feel that Dungeon and Dragon have been sliding a bit.
So, where's the beef?
1. No map builder / dungeon tile browser. It seems like a tool that's not more than an overblown photo editor, pre-loaded with the dungeon tiles and maps that appear in products wouldn't be tough to get going.
2. No pdf / ebook / reading room thingy. The whole pdf issue was dealt with poorly from beginning to end. "More news soon" isn't cutting it. If the fluff text and some actual rules info (monster templates, fantastic terriain) don't appear in the Compendium, you have to address this.
3. Poor communication. I completly understand not wanting to set deadlines you might miss. Really. But if I'm paying for a little "insider" information, could I have some? "More news soon" on pdf/ebooks? Is that 3 months? 6? A year? Is that how long until we hear a solution or how long until we get a new deadline? That's just one example, but it's not the only one.
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3 years ago ::
Sep 05, 2010 - 5:59PM
#17
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Date Joined:
Jul 15, 2002
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One last thing on communication. This is on the DDI front page:
"One of the most exciting aspects of the D&D magazines is the opportunity to playtest new D&D rules and content before it goes off to the printer—you’ll have the ability to impact the game as it’s being created. You also get access to upcoming D&D releases in the form of debut articles, with insider links to new races, classes, feats, powers, and other options available only to subscribers in the D&D Compendium and the D&D Character Builder."
If they had actually followed this with Essentials (a product line I'm totally cool with) it may have helped abate the PR crapstorm that followed. Just a thought.
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3 years ago ::
Sep 06, 2010 - 12:01PM
#18
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Date Joined:
Sep 24, 2002
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One last thing on communication. This is on the DDI front page:
"One of the most exciting aspects of the D&D magazines is the opportunity to playtest new D&D rules and content before it goes off to the printer—you’ll have the ability to impact the game as it’s being created. You also get access to upcoming D&D releases in the form of debut articles, with insider links to new races, classes, feats, powers, and other options available only to subscribers in the D&D Compendium and the D&D Character Builder."
If they had actually followed this with Essentials (a product line I'm totally cool with) it may have helped abate the PR crapstorm that followed. Just a thought.
People will say the only reason I am saying this is Paizo is telling me to. But Paizo has been letting the public in on Pathfinder stuff for years. When they were deveoping Pathfinder, they let anyone download the Alpha and Beta rules PDF and playtest it with there own groups. They got feedback from players on how to make the game better. Paizo also did this with the classes they put into the new Pathfinder Advanced players guide.
I have not seen that with WOTC and 4th ed. IIRC WOTC did everything in private and put out 4th ed assuming everyone would think its the best RPG since sliced bread.
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3 years ago ::
Sep 06, 2010 - 12:31PM
#19
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Date Joined:
Jul 22, 2009
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I'm STILL searching for official word on the virtual game table/visualizer/dungeon builder programs and whether they were canceled/delayed/whatever.
The simple lack of information is my gripe.
This thread has been up for a few days, and is front page. The fact a moderator hasn't responded with anything is upsetting.
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3 years ago ::
Sep 06, 2010 - 1:04PM
#20
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Date Joined:
Dec 28, 2009
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I'm STILL searching for official word on the virtual game table/visualizer/dungeon builder programs and whether they were canceled/delayed/whatever.
The simple lack of information is my gripe.
This thread has been up for a few days, and is front page. The fact a moderator hasn't responded with anything is upsetting.
Isn't that why mudbunny is around? PR management/mob control? Sort off like a innocent wall between the devs and the community. Since he (she?) is not a developer, we won't expect any information from mudbunny (thus not ask for it or blame anything on him), while still being able to reach the community via the 'mudbunny portal'.
No blaim to you, mudbunny. I've seen your claims to gain more information for the community and you respond plenty and adequately. Unfortunately, that doesn't actually provide any satisfaction, imho.
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