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1 year ago ::
Feb 07, 2012 - 6:33PM
#1
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Date Joined:
Jun 22, 2008
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Reading though the forums, I've noticed sharp differences of opinion about how digital D&D should be.
One side is in favor of leveraging smartphones, computers, and online tools to their fullest extent. It would keep costs down and make difficult tasks like character creation easier.
The other side is in favor of maintining a strict analog gameplay experience. They feel that books, pencils, paper, and (for some) minis on a grid is an important part of what makes D&D unique.
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Personally, I side with the analog crowd. With so many good computer role playing games on the market, I think that if 5E goes digital people will regard it as a poor substitute for Skyrim. D&D is unique because it is NOT digital, and I think they should capitalize on that.
As a DM, I had to institute a "no laptops at the table" policy. People started bringing their laptops to use the 4E character software during game, but they ended up checking Facebook and Twitter and not paying attension until it was their turn in combat. I've also tried to run a campaign online via MapTool and Skype, but it just never felt right. It was a poor (and unenjoyable) substitute for playing with real people around a table.
In short, D&D is not a video game, and the more digital it becomes the more people might start to treat it like a video game. I think that will hurt the experience a lot.
What are your thoughts on this debate?
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1 year ago ::
Feb 07, 2012 - 6:43PM
#2
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Date Joined:
Jan 28, 2012
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They should go all digital. Print is dead and they could cut their costs, lower prices and still make the similar profits by doing so. It wont look good on the next few quarterly reports but that's the price for long term improvement, something I feel they desperately need and would be fools to wait until the last minute. Like the music industry they will pull their heads out of.... the sand and accept the market has changed both in terms of technology and people's disposable income. If they start accepting less profits now it will be better for them than suddenly having sharply declining ones later.
So many people pirate the books just because its more convenient, going all digital should increase sales because:
A) People who only pirate PDFs because it is more convenient to have 20 books on their laptop or ipad will pay for the pdfs if given the chance. This has been proven in other industries like music already. Its about providing a better service than the pirates. By reducing the cost of books by going digital WotC can still make a profit by bringing back people who are not interested in dragging around hard copies.
B) People who pirate because they can't afford it and/or wont pay anyway still pirate anyway and wotc didn't lose anything. The only lost sales from piracy come from people in group A: people who would buy the pdfs if WotC sold them.
In my games players have always been Exceptional individuals, not Exceptions to the internal logic of the game world.
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1 year ago ::
Feb 07, 2012 - 6:51PM
#3
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I think the computer is great for the behind the scenes stuff. Character building, Adventure building, these things truely benefit from the techy stuff.
But I agree with you, D&D needs to be a table top game. And the laptops/crackberries/and newest shiniest gadgetry needs to be left at the door. Only to be used for quick look up of rules and such.
Books should be availible in both formats, makes looking things up fast via techy stuff. But I want to hold a book, I have to say I am somewhat of a bibliophile.
SO what is D&D? D&D needs technology. But I want my game to be a table top, real person game. However, there are those who want to try the game online, skype, what have. That is great too. IF that is what thier group wants, they should have the ability to enjoy the game on thier terms.
Playing strictly online or strictly pencil and paper does not change what D&D is.
~Swash~
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1 year ago ::
Feb 07, 2012 - 6:53PM
#4
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Date Joined:
Dec 15, 2006
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I think this is an interesting question. D&D isn't just about characters, its about monsters too. As a DM, I find my laptop and the Masterplan program invaluble tools. At my table, I have a "DM is the only one who can have a computer; he's running 500 characters for Peylor's sake" rule. On the other hand, as a player, I love the feel of analog - a handwritten character sheet with all you need to know is a beautiful thing! (4e makes that a bit difficult... ).
For that reason, I think that it should be both.
I also think that instantiating DDN under a modified OGL liscence or a liscence very similar to OGL will reduce piracy by a great deal (the modification should include enhanced abilities to use OGL data digitally, such as in videogames and electronic tools). As the guys at Valve say: it is not price that deters customers and attracts pirates, but a lack of service. If DDN products are offered digitally (which they will be, lest piracy is ensured), then convenience should be the golden rule - the products should be available in print, PDF, on Kindle, Knook, iTouchmyself, etc etc.
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1 year ago ::
Feb 07, 2012 - 6:54PM
#5
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Date Joined:
Mar 26, 2004
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I enjoy having a real book. However, if the game store had wifi it would have been nice to open up the compedium to pull something out. A compromise to both could be to have pdfs with charts and information but limited basic art if any at all, and to have the HARD back books with super killer art on quality paper similiar to the way the Spectrum series of artbooks has done.
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1 year ago ::
Feb 07, 2012 - 7:22PM
#6
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Date Joined:
May 18, 2002
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Print is dead...
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1 year ago ::
Feb 07, 2012 - 7:52PM
#7
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So many people pirate the books just because its more convenient, going all digital should increase sales because:
A) People who only pirate PDFs because it is more convenient to have 20 books on their laptop or ipad will pay for the pdfs if given the chance. This has been proven in other industries like music already. Its about providing a better service than the pirates. By reducing the cost of books by going digital WotC can still make a profit by bringing back people who are not interested in dragging around hard copies.
B) People who pirate because they can't afford it and/or wont pay anyway still pirate anyway and wotc didn't lose anything. The only lost sales from piracy come from people in group A: people who would buy the pdfs if WotC sold them.
The number of people who would buy pdfs for the convenience of it is so miniscule as to not matter. Thinking otherwise is delusional. A lot of gamers still love their books. 4E was a pretty good compromise setup with DDi and books. Your reasoning is completely flawed. Piracy is an issue but selling cheap pdfs of your rulebooks is a non-starter.
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1 year ago ::
Feb 07, 2012 - 8:06PM
#8
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Date Joined:
Jan 29, 2012
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I would like to see both made available. I don't see why they can't have books and PDFs and also produce a solid Virtual Tabletop as my work landed me in the Midduhlanoware, IL.
I certainly agree that digital media can lend to distractions and that is always annoying.
As far as piracy and such, people photocopy books and put them online so even if you don't release PDFs people will find a way to get their hands on stuff. I personally prefer to buy the stuff so I can further feed the beast so they can keep my books and content coming.
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1 year ago ::
Feb 07, 2012 - 8:11PM
#9
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Date Joined:
Aug 18, 2007
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There are two kinds of digital that must be considered. The first has to do with the rules, books, and supplements. On that front, i believe both should exist. This is the present/future of publishing. As a former journalist, I've come to accept it. So should everyone else. The second digital has to do with programs/apps that improve the experience of playing the game. This would include character builders, monster builders, encounter builders, campaign managers, support, community, etc. As a DM and as a player, I LOVE this side of things because it makes my life easier so I can better enjoy the game.
Here's my concern: I have a total lack of confidence in WotC's ability to provide us with electronic support that matches the quality of the rest of their products. It absolutely KILLS me to say that!! But this has been my biggest disappointment since 2E. What's the deal? It's like you guys are cursed! The two best things you have done for 20 years has been the Character Builder and DDI, and even those two are NOT up to your standards of excellence. I say all that recognizing that you do these things as well or better than other game companies, but come on! This is D&D! It just seems as though the electronic stuff is such an afterthought and are very under-funded. You need "killer apps" to go with this "killer" game!!!
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1 year ago ::
Feb 07, 2012 - 8:16PM
#10
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I do not think they should abandon the print media.
I do think they should continue to leverage the Internet, including providing online releases alongside print media. They should do what DC Comics is doing and bundle online access to the book with the printed books, but still provide the option to buy only the online access.
They also really need to abandon Silverlight, you can only reach a certain portion of Internet users with it, and even with the ones you do reach, it's garbage. The printing issues alone should be enough to look elsewhere.
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