Bedrockgames
Legend
Aren't ddi subsciptions only a little over over 50k?
{Fwiw, if the reference to the wife and the CIA wasn't a tip off, take note: it was a little tongue-in-cheek, not quite as defensive as it must have sounded! }Nothing. As I pointed out earlier, I understand the position, even if I don't feel the same need.
I might note, however, that the defensive tone might lead one to believe that you feel as though your desire to control your own game of D&D is under assault. And, from a certain perspective, you'd be right. You're swimming against the current, I'm afraid.
I believe that, increasingly and at a society-wide level, more and more people are accepting that they do not need to be, because they're beginning to appreciate the upsides of giving up a small part of that control.
Aren't ddi subsciptions only a little over over 50k?
{Fwiw, if the reference to the wife and the CIA wasn't a tip off, take note: it was a little tongue-in-cheek, not quite as defensive as it must have sounded! }
Yes, of course you're (largely) right. I also fully acknowledge that no one will steal my books, take away my dice or kill my puppy. I also fully acknowledge that I will hopefully be able to find games that I want to play via the internet, using what ever tools I deem appropriate, either in person or online.
I don't quite buy, however, that computer-only RPGing will ever be more than a plurality in the hobby. I take heart that in modern society there are trends away from pure convenience at the price of flexibility (and, franklyl, "humanness"). I suspect that even among young folks today, a great many will actually shun computer-only entertainment, just to "get away from it all" now and then. Hopefully, an enterprising RPG company will take advantage of that human need, and exploit it profitably.
More importanly, with luck, I'll convert a few computer-only rpg-ers to a pen'n'paper cabal of my own! *maniacal laugh*
More importantly, though, what does "only" mean? Are you saying that hundreds of thousands of dollars of monthly revenue is underwhelming? The consensus, as far as I've seen, is that 50,000+ subscribers to a digital tabletop gaming service is pretty phenomenal, and is certainly unprecedented in the industry.
Nothing. As I pointed out earlier, I understand the position, even if I don't feel the same need.
I might note, however, that the defensive tone might lead one to believe that you feel as though your desire to control your own game of D&D is under assault. And, from a certain perspective, you'd be right. You're swimming against the current, I'm afraid.
I believe that, increasingly and at a society-wide level, more and more people are accepting that they do not need to be, because they're beginning to appreciate the upsides of giving up a small part of that control.
And it will takes years to recoup the investment that went into it (if they ever do), not counting continuing costs and upkeep. By that measure, it might not be as rip roaring a success as some might see it to the business side of WotC/Hasbro.
And I believe that people are willing to give up small parts of that control as well. But giving up your entire game to a company is not "small", that's the whole kit and kaboodle. And I think that's what has people on edge.
Case in point, I know of one of two people who are either ripping thier entire DVD collections to NAS drives and then are willing to depend on NetFlix Streaming for the stuff that they don't have or havent seen yet. On one hand for people who are casual consumers of media that's fine. They dont really place the same value on film and good TV shows that I do. I've had people try to convince me that I should rip my media to a HD and sell my physical DVD's and Blu-Rays. I can tell you that short of truly extenuating circumstances the selling part will never happen. Those DVD's are my master copies.
If I get the urge to watch Carol Reed's THE THIRD MAN, I dont want to have to rely on the fact that MAYBE Netflix streaming might have it..Oh no wait, their deal with Criterion expires in a month. If I want to watch any Criterion movies I'll have to subscribe to Hulu Plus now...oh well. However, because I've retained control of my own personal physical copy of the DVD I can pop it in whenever I want to. Deals with studios be damned.
The same thing with game companies. If heavens forbid Paizo decides that theyre going to have their rules for Pathfinder2.0 entirely on line behind a paywall and I have to subscribe to gain access to the rules, character creation software and a virtual table. That's pretty much the day they lose me as a customer. If they provide a hard copy of the rules that I can use to play the game when and where I want it and the tools are extra that's acceptable. Then I have the option to use their tools without being forced to if I wanted to play the game. But the first thing? That's entirely TOO much control to give up and I honestly dont see that as a viable model for such a niche hobby.
I think it might be "the". Here is the announcement from Hyrum:
paizo.com - Paizo / Messageboards / Paizo Publishing / Pathfinder® / Pathfinder RPG / Compatible Products from Other Publishers / Archives / Hero Lab Partners with Pathfinder RPG!
They did release their iPad apps recently though....
/snip
I don't quite buy, however, that computer-only RPGing will ever be more than a plurality in the hobby. I take heart that in modern society there are trends away from pure convenience at the price of flexibility (and, franklyl, "humanness"). I suspect that even among young folks today, a great many will actually shun computer-only entertainment, just to "get away from it all" now and then. Hopefully, an enterprising RPG company will take advantage of that human need, and exploit it profitably.
More importanly, with luck, I'll convert a handful computer-only rpg-ers to a pen'n'paper cabal of my own!
** maniacal laugh **