|
6 months ago ::
Dec 27, 2012 - 4:30PM
#1
|
Date Joined:
Sep 14, 2012
|
So I live/work in a place where there is no affiliated store which sells DnD products. We have a group of 7 that play 2-3 times a month using published adventures. Stores in nearby cities kind of give us the cold shoulder as we're not regular customers and they say their materials are for regulars only. My questions are:
- How can a group of us from a small town in the middle of nowhere experience the same Encounters and Lair Assault seasons as players in large cities?
- I pay for DnD insider, why aren't previous seasons available for me if people are playing them for free every Wednesday??
- Has anyone had a good experience with Wizards of the Coast customer service? I've gotten no response from them what so ever with my questions about this topic.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
|
6 months ago ::
Dec 28, 2012 - 3:59AM
#2
|
Date Joined:
Aug 29, 2008
|
1) You really can't, unless you shell out big bucks on ebay. Its a pity really. 4e really shines with both of these programs (I'm partial to Lair Assault), and its a shame that more of these types of modules aren't readily available to "the folks."
2) Don't know, really. I assume the argument would have something to do with supporting your FLGS, however, many of us don't have those stores around us and many of those that do still don't have access to these programs.
3) Nope, your current experience is on par with the vast majority of the rest of us.
|
|
|
|
6 months ago ::
Dec 28, 2012 - 5:56AM
#3
|
Date Joined:
Apr 14, 2011
|
I think the scarcity of the materials is a way that they try to incentivize DM's for both Encounters and Lair Assault. The DM's generally keep the modules. Now they either have a rare gem for their collection or they can turn a quick buck selling it. If these modules were freely available, that incentive goes away. For most DM's in organized play, this is not the primary reason they are there, but I think it is certainly a factor. However, even with e-publishing the modules, the printed maps that come with the kit would still be a big deal. Some of those maps are really great and you can see why some people might pay a premium to get a hold of them. TjD
|
|
|
|
6 months ago ::
Dec 28, 2012 - 10:37AM
#4
|
Date Joined:
Sep 20, 2012
|
I’ve removed content from this thread because Encouraging Illegal Activities is a violation of the Code of Conduct. You can review the Code of Conduct here: company.wizards.com/conductPlease keep your posts polite, on-topic, and refrain from making personal attacks.You are welcome to disagree with one another but please do so respectfully and constructively. If you wish to report a post for Code of Conduct violation, click on the “Report Post” button above the post and this will submit your report to the moderators on duty.
|
|
|
|
6 months ago ::
Dec 28, 2012 - 12:46PM
#5
|
Date Joined:
Jul 23, 2008
|
1) You really can't, unless you shell out big bucks on ebay. Its a pity really. 4e really shines with both of these programs (I'm partial to Lair Assault), and its a shame that more of these types of modules aren't readily available to "the folks."
2) Don't know, really. I assume the argument would have something to do with supporting your FLGS, however, many of us don't have those stores around us and many of those that do still don't have access to these programs.
3) Nope, your current experience is on par with the vast majority of the rest of us.
Currently EBay has Lair Assault adventures for pretty cheap ($33-$50). I shake my head at stores that receive a product for free and then instead of doing what is right with the product and allowing the community to experience it they instead turn around and sell it on eBay (it is like stealing and it's low). Shrug.
Chris has alluded to the fact that they might start offering as part of the DDi subscription previous D&D encounters. The Lost Tomb of Tamochan was in last month's Dungeon issue. It runs for about $125 on eBay as it was a special release module given as a reward. I'd keep tuned to DDi and see what Chris stirs up for us.
|
|
|
|
6 months ago ::
Dec 29, 2012 - 12:46PM
#6
|
Date Joined:
Sep 14, 2012
|
I’ve removed content from this thread because Encouraging Illegal Activities is a violation of the Code of Conduct.
You can review the Code of Conduct here: company.wizards.com/conduct
Please keep your posts polite, on-topic, and refrain from making personal attacks.You are welcome to disagree with one another but please do so respectfully and constructively.
If you wish to report a post for Code of Conduct violation, click on the “Report Post” button above the post and this will submit your report to the moderators on duty.
I think it's fantastic and not surprising to see a mod/staff member not reply to the issue at hand but rather edit a post and leave a cut/paste reply.
Thanks WOTC!!
|
|
|
|
6 months ago ::
Dec 29, 2012 - 12:50PM
#7
|
Date Joined:
Sep 14, 2012
|
I’ve removed content from this thread because Encouraging Illegal Activities is a violation of the Code of Conduct.
You know what REALLY encourages Illegal Activities? Not having a flexible business model which gives your customers what they wish to PURCHASE. Not even responding to emails/posts or phone calls make it even more frustrating.
The customer service I've experienced is horrendous - how can you blame someone when they find a torrent file with every book, adventure, and such in PDF that they want to download it instead of buying your merchandise.
|
|
|
|
6 months ago ::
Dec 29, 2012 - 4:26PM
#8
|
Date Joined:
Jun 19, 2004
|
If you are having problems with CS now, try asking them a rules question.
Its actually rather amusing to see how far off some of their responses can be.
Currently working on making a Dex based defender. Check it out hereSpoiler:
Show
Need a few pre-generated characters for a one-shot you are running? Want to get a baseline for what an effective build for a class you aren't familiar with? Check out the Pregen thread here
If ever you are interested what it sounds like to be at my table check out my blog and podcast here
Also, I've recently done an episode on "Refluffing". You can check that out here
|
|
|
|
6 months ago ::
Dec 31, 2012 - 4:37AM
#9
|
Date Joined:
Apr 14, 2010
|
I’ve removed content from this thread because Encouraging Illegal Activities is a violation of the Code of Conduct.
You know what REALLY encourages Illegal Activities? Not having a flexible business model which gives your customers what they wish to PURCHASE. Not even responding to emails/posts or phone calls make it even more frustrating.
The customer service I've experienced is horrendous - how can you blame someone when they find a torrent file with every book, adventure, and such in PDF that they want to download it instead of buying your merchandise.
There's so much wrong with the way Wizards manages their games and communities, it's not even funny anymore. They're slowly (very, very slowly) starting to get a grip on how to handle Magic: the Gathering related stuff, but if you're expecting any useful service whatsoever for other titles, you're SOL.
Sure, they have services, but as observed they don't actually solve the problems plaguing D&D and its community. Or maybe they consider the part of the community that actually voices complaints on (Wizards' own) public forums such a small minority that they don't bother to put in much work to fix them.
You're better off just accepting that's the way it is, and vote with your wallet. I know I do (you know how because you've read my removed comment and PM).
|
|
|
|
6 months ago ::
Dec 31, 2012 - 9:11AM
#10
|
Date Joined:
Oct 18, 2009
|
My questions are:
- How can a group of us from a small town in the middle of nowhere experience the same Encounters and Lair Assault seasons as players in large cities?
- I pay for DnD insider, why aren't previous seasons available for me if people are playing them for free every Wednesday??
- Has anyone had a good experience with Wizards of the Coast customer service? I've gotten no response from them what so ever with my questions about this topic.
I had a similar situation about a year ago. I asked a FLGS in Murfreesboro, TN that DOES run the Encounters/Lair Assault program if I could run an Encounters session AFTER Wednesday, for people like myself who have circumstances that prevent Wednesday evening play. We would abide by all the rules of Encounters, use the Twitter buffs retroactively, with the only exception being that you can't play if you played on Wednesday... everything to continue the game play experience for a whole slew of folks who can't experience the 'official' version.
The owner was excited about the prospect (gets more folks into his store on another night, so he can sell more stuff) and asked his WotC rep. What we were told was that we could NOT run Encounters on any night other than Wednesday night, as it was intended to be a wide-ranging gaming night and offering it on other nights lessened that for the other players (wtf?) the killer though, was that any store offering Encounters on an off night COULD (not necessarily WOULD, but COULD) have their licensing pulled for future Encounters events.
With that in mind...
1. You can't, is the simple answer. Definetly not in an "official" way. Your desire for participation doesn't matter to WotC.
2. This is a question that has been asked since Season 1 ended. They could release the old season as the new season started as a Dungeon magazine article. No dice.
3. Never, though after my initial slapping in the face over the Encounters thing, I have gone widely out of my way to avoid talking to them. The model is silly.
It amazes me that Hasbro has not caught on: People would BUY THESE PRODUCTS SEPARATELY. If they would sell them. PDF, hard copy (a la Keep on the Shadowfell, et al), Dungeon article... they could MAKE MONEY from products they already have. I'm dumbfounded, truthfully. Every season.
So many PCs, so little time...
|
|
|
